Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL). Compare dimensions, processors, batteries, storage capacities and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect laptop. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the laptop that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

good battery life

solid performance

adequate port selection

average display brightness

heavier than competitors

limited graphics performance

no thunderbolt support

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm
Weight 1.76 kg 2.2 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top) Metal
Colour Thunder black Iron grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight 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 250 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC -
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (7th Gen) 7200U / 2.5 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 3.1 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core Dual-Core
Cache 12 MB 3 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
RAM 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered))
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 16 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 2133 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 2400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 2 1
Empty Slots 1 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia 256 GB SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 940MX / Intel HD Graphics 620
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Video Memory - 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Resolution - 1 Megapixel
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus -
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 - Output: Harman audio technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 - M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer 2-cell Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 57 Wh 30 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 6 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V 65 Watt, 20 V, 3.25 A
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls -
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
USB-C
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 L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete 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, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% -
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