Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF). 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 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

high-resolution display

robust aluminum chassis

efficient thermal management

powerful processor performance

ample connectivity options

heavier than competitors

average battery life

premium price point

limited color options

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust metal design

crisp full HD display

backlit keyboard feature

adequate processing power

reasonable price point

average battery life

limited graphics performance

heavier than competitors

no USB-C port

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
73 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.6 cm x 25.1 cm x 1.69 cm 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm
Weight 1.8 kg 2.2 kg
Case Material Aluminum Metal
Colour Dual tone arctic grey Golden
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Screen Size (Type) 16" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 60 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:9
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC -
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle, DC dimmer Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 4 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core Quad-Core
Cache 12 MB 8 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered))
Max RAM Supported - 16 GB
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz 2133 MHz
Rated Speed 4800 MHz 2400 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 1
Empty Slots - 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 2 TB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 5400 rpm
Optical Drive - DVD±RW
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR5 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Resolution - 1 Megapixel
Camera Features Privacy shutter, fixed focus Fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Output: Harman audio technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller M.2 Card M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) Single stream (1x1)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Technology Lithium polymer 2-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 57 Wh 35 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 6 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad, precision touchpad -
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Slots 1 x M.2 (PCI Express 3.0 x4) (1 free) -
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
USB 2.0
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB-C 3.0
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro - English Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included Microsoft Office (Trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G4+ IAP (21CY) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Included Accessories USB-C slim power adapter Power adapter
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot Kensington mini 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, MIL-STD-810H tested, Rapid Charge Pro, self-healing BIOS Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Software Solution) RoHS
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
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 Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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