Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) and Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA). 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 E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

good security features

decent battery life

affordable price point

average display quality

modest graphics performance

no thunderbolt support

heavier design

Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

sleek aluminum design

sharp QHD display

impressive battery life

fast charging support

lightweight and portable

limited port selection

no dedicated GPU

average speaker quality

higher price segment

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) and Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
83 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
84 % - Display
78 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.5 cm x 24 cm x 1.89 cm 29.69 cm x 20.85 cm x 1.595 cm
Weight 1.7 kg 1.25 kg
Case Material Aluminium (top), polycarbonate ABS (bottom) Aluminum, glass
Colour Black Light silver
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - TN 13.3"
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 220 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, 90° viewing angle Glossy, Wide Viewing Angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
CPU Intel Core i5 (11th Gen) 1135G7 / 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 10210U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.2 GHz 4.2 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Quad-Core
Cache 8 MB 6 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 32 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 2666 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 2666 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 1 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x4 - Samsung 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce MX450 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel UHD Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 2 external monitor(s) -
Video Memory 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM -
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution - 1 Megapixel
Camera Features Privacy shutter, fixed focus IR camera, ToF sensor
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features Harman audio technology -
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Ethernet Controller Realtek RTL8111H-CG -
Features Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 56 Wh
Battery Life Up to 10.8 hours Up to 18.5 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes -
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Slots 1 x M.2 (PCI Express 3.0 x4) (1 free) -
Interfaces USB 2.0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included - Microsoft Office (30 days trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip
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-810H tested, self-healing BIOS Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge
Compliant Standards RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3
SAR Value - 0.599 W/kg (body), 0.599 W/kg (limb)
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) - 0.599 W/kg (body)
0.599 W/kg (limb)
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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