Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9). 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 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

Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

sleek aluminum design

lightweight and portable

sharp full HD display

solid state drive included

good battery life

limited port selection

no dedicated GPU

average audio quality

standard RAM capacity

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
81 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm 30.76 cm x 21.64 cm x 1.59 cm
Weight 1.76 kg 1.32 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top) Aluminum
Colour Thunder black Mineral grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 13.3" - 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 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC -
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8265U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 3.9 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core Quad-Core
Cache 12 MB 6 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
RAM 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 16 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 2400 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 ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel UHD Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus ThinkShutter camera privacy
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio X3
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 57 Wh 45 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 11 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
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
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
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 L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
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 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - German
Software Included - Microsoft Office (Trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot -
Theft/Intrusion Protection 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, RapidCharge
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS, FIDO Certified
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
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