Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) and Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD). 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 T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

powerful processor options

good battery life

impressive security features

heavier than competitors

average display brightness

limited color options

expensive base model

Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

slim, lightweight design

sharp full HD display

solid overall performance

fast SSD storage

decent battery life

limited port selection

no dedicated GPU

average sound quality

pricier than competitors

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) and Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
82 % - Design
72 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
82 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
72 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm 32.07 cm x 22.28 cm x 1.59 cm
Weight 1.32 kg 1.55 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Thunder black Silver
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:9
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC -
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8250U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.5 GHz 3.4 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core Quad-Core
Cache L3 - 16 MB 6 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 16 GB
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 6400 MHz 2400 MHz
Rated Speed 6400 MHz 2400 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 1
Empty Slots - 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 128 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 660M NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD 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, fixed focus Fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium
Audio Features - Output: JBL
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller Qualcomm NFA725A M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Ethernet Controller Realtek RTL8111EPV -
Compliant Standards DASH -
Features Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2) Single stream (1x1)
WWAN
Generation 4G upgradable -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Technology Lithium polymer 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 52.5 Wh 55 Wh
Battery Life Up to 21.1 hours Up to 14 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 45 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Multi-touch touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.0 (Always On)
USB 3.0
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1/Thunderbolt 3/DisplayPort 1.2a (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - French Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix Lenovo Settings, McAfee LiveSafe (30 days trial), Lenovo ID, Lenovo App Explorer
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader, smart card reader Fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot -
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) -
Features Administrator password, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, certificate based BIOS authentication Administrator password, power-on password
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% -
Manufacturer Warranty Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Other Comparisons with Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Other Popular Laptop Comparisons
Other projects: