Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3). 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 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 ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3) 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

pricey base model

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
82 % - Design
72 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
83 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.32 kg 1.39 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) Carbon fibre hybrid (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Thunder black Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7540U / 3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.5 GHz 4.9 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 6-core
Cache L3 - 16 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5X SDRAM
Speed 6400 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 6400 MHz 6400 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 660M AMD Radeon 740M
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, fixed focus Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera, Ultrasonic Human Presence Detection
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Qualcomm NFA725A MediaTek RZ616
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller Realtek RTL8111EPV Realtek RTL8111EPV
Compliant Standards DASH DASH
Features Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2) Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation 4G upgradable 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
Technology Lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 52.5 Wh 52.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 21.1 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
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 ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
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
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
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 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - French Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 (21K3)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader, smart card reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano 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, 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 6, TCG Certified, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, TCO Certified 9.0
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 - 3 years - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site - response time: next business day
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