Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Review

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

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

impressive battery life

powerful processor options

good security features

heavier than competitors

average display brightness

noisy under load

expensive base model

ASUS M515DA (BQ1214) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of ASUS M515DA (BQ1214) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

affordable price

lightweight design

solid state drive

adequate connectivity options

full hd display

average battery life

modest graphics performance

limited upgradeability

no backlit keyboard

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) and ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
75 % - Design
64 % - Display
72 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) vs. ASUS M515DA (BQ1214) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm 36 cm x 23.5 cm x 1.99 cm
Weight 1.21 kg 1.8 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) -
Colour Thunder black Slate grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 15.6"
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 60 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:9
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 200 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, NanoEdge display, 178° viewing angle, 83% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
CPU AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz AMD Ryzen 3 3250U / 2.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 3.5 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core Quad-Core
Cache L3 - 16 MB L3 - 4 MB
Features Integrated memory controller -
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 4 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 6400 MHz -
Rated Speed 6400 MHz -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption, Performance - Kioxia 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 680M AMD Radeon Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - VGA
Camera Features Privacy shutter, fixed focus -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Speaker, microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice -
Audio Features - ASUS SonicMaster
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller Qualcomm NFA725A -
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Features Dual stream (2x2) Single stream (1x1)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer 2-cell Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 39.3 Wh 37 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 45 Watt, 19 V, 2.37 A
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Chiclet keyboard
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
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
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB 2.0
HDMI
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1
Memory Card Reader - Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence No operating system
Software Included - McAfee LiveSafe, MyASUS, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021, Microsoft 365 (1 month trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS M515DA (BQ1214)
Included Accessories USB-C slim power adapter Power adapter, backpack, wired optical mouse, Carry bag
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot Kensington 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 System password
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified -
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% -
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