Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)

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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5). 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

powerful AMD processor

high-resolution display

good battery life

heavier than competitors

expensive base model

limited color options

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
78 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.4 cm x 24.5 cm x 1.89 cm 35.44 cm x 23.74 cm x 1.58 cm
Weight 1.8 kg 1.94 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 16" OLED
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 3840 x 2400 (WQUXGA)
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, Low Blue Light technology, Dolby Vision, 175° viewing angle, 92.3% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G1 / 1 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H / 3.2 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x2 - NVM Express (NVMe) 1.024 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Western Digital
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Windows Hello, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, hybrid FHD/IR camera
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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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 -
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Technology Lithium Ion 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 72 Wh
Battery Life Up to 9 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 135 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) Yes (SD Card, SDXC UHS-II Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - French Windows 11 Pro
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C slim power 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 Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) 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, TCG Certified, TCO Certified 9.0
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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