Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)

Our Rating: 75 %

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3). Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.

Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

affordable price point

solid build quality

decent battery life

good processor performance

adequate storage options

average display quality

limited graphics capability

no thunderbolt support

heavier design

Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

excellent build quality

powerful amd processor

bright oled display

eco-friendly materials

solid security features

higher price point

limited port selection

no dedicated gpu

average battery life

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
78 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
81 % - Design
84 % - Display
80 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.4 cm x 24.5 cm x 1.89 cm 29.44 cm x 19.96 cm x 1.399 cm
Weight 1.8 kg 1.26 kg
Case Material Aluminum, polycarbonate ABS Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Mineral grey Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 13.3" OLED
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2880 x 1800 (2.8K)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% DCI-P3
Features Anti-glare Anti-reflective, One Glass Solution, anti-smudge, on-cell touch technology, Low Blue Light technology, Dolby Vision, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G1 / 1 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.6 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 8-core
Cache 6 MB L3 - 16 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 32 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 16 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2666 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 6400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 1 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x2 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Union Memory
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported - 2 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Windows Hello, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, Discrete IR
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller M.2 Card Qualcomm NFA725A
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Technology Lithium Ion 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 51.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 9 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes -
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, edge-to-edge backlit keyboard, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad, Haptic ForcePad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Interfaces USB 2.0
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN (on supplied adapter)
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - French Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter, Lenovo USB-C to Ethernet Adapter
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot -
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) -
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3 RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCO Certified 9.0
Carbon Footprint - 216 kg carbon emissions (EU)
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return -
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