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 R521JA (EJ974T) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

affordable price

solid build quality

lightweight design

decent battery life

adequate performance

average display quality

limited storage capacity

no backlit keyboard

basic graphics card

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) and ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
78 % - Design
72 % - Display
65 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) vs. ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
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 2.29 cm
Weight 1.21 kg 1.9 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) -
Colour Thunder black Transparent silver
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
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, 83% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
CPU AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G1 / 1 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 3.6 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core Quad-Core
Cache L3 - 16 MB 6 MB
Features Integrated memory controller -
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
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 R521JA (EJ974T)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption, Performance - Kioxia 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 680M Intel UHD 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 - Output: ASUS SonicMaster
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
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 R521JA (EJ974T)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer 2-cell Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 39.3 Wh 32 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
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 R521JA (EJ974T)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes -
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Chiclet keyboard
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
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
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB 2.0
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence Windows 10 Home
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS R521JA (EJ974T)
Included Accessories USB-C slim power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip
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 -
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified -
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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