Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) 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 ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

compact and portable

strong security features

decent processor performance

average battery life

limited storage capacity

no thunderbolt support

dim display brightness

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 ThinkPad A285 (20MX) and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
86 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
73 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.77 cm x 20.98 cm x 1.74 cm 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm
Weight 1.27 kg 2.2 kg
Case Material Magnesium-aluminum alloy, polyphenylene sulfide Metal
Colour Black Golden
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Screen Size (Type) 12.5" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) -
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 2500U / 2 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.6 GHz 4 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Quad-Core
Cache L2 - 4 MB 8 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered))
Max RAM Supported - 16 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 2133 MHz
Rated Speed 2400 MHz 2400 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 1
Empty Slots - 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe - TCG Opal Encryption, NVM Express (NVMe) - Samsung 2 TB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 5400 rpm
Optical Drive - DVD±RW
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon Vega 8 NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR5 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution - 1 Megapixel
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Output: Harman audio technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller Realtek RTL8822BE - M.2 Card M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Features Gigabit Ethernet via optional Ethernet (RJ-45) adapter Single stream (1x1)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion 2-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 48 Wh 35 Wh
Battery Life Up to 10.55 hours Up to 6 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 20 V, 3.25 A 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad -
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Interfaces USB 3.1 Gen 2
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 2
HDMI
Lenovo Ethernet extension connector
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Dock
LAN (on supplied cable)
USB-C 3.0
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (20MX) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington mini 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, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
Manufacturer Warranty - Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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