Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare dimensions, performance, storage, functions, but also other key features of both laptops and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the laptop that best fits your needs and expectations.

Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

efficient performance

comfortable keyboard

good security features

affordable price

average display quality

limited graphics power

moderate battery life

noisy under load

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful intel processors

robust build quality

excellent 4k display

advanced security features

wide connectivity options

high price point

heavier than competitors

average battery life

loud under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.5 cm x 24 cm x 1.89 cm 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.78 kg 1.88 kg
Case Material Aluminium (top), polycarbonate ABS (bottom) Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour Black Black paint
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 5625U / 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.3 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 14-core
Cache L3 - 16 MB 24 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported 40 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 4800 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 1 2
Empty Slots 1 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 2 external monitor(s) 4 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
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 Audio Premium, Dolby Voice
Audio Features Harman-branded -
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller M.2 Card Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
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 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Technology Lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 57 Wh 90 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16.5 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 170 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes -
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Slots 2 x M.2 Card (1 free) 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
Interfaces USB 2.0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - Yes (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - German
Software Included - Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 (21ED) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, 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, power-on password, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password Administrator password, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Software Solution) RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Method 2
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold EPEAT Gold
TCO Certified - TCO Certified Notebooks 9
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty Base warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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