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 X515EA (BQ959W) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of ASUS X515EA (BQ959W) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

affordable price point

lightweight design

solid state drive included

decent battery life

full hd display

average processor speed

limited graphics performance

no backlit keyboard

fewer usb ports

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) and ASUS X515EA (BQ959W)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
74 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) vs. ASUS X515EA (BQ959W) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS X515EA (BQ959W)
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) Plastic
Colour Thunder black Transparent silver (LCD cover), transparent silver (top), slate grey (bottom)
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS X515EA (BQ959W)
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 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, IPS-level, 83% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS X515EA (BQ959W)
CPU AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 (11th Gen) 1135G7 / 2.4 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.2 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core Quad-Core
Cache L3 - 16 MB 8 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS X515EA (BQ959W)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 6400 MHz -
Rated Speed 6400 MHz -
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS X515EA (BQ959W)
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 X515EA (BQ959W)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 680M Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - VGA
Camera Features Privacy shutter, fixed focus -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Speakers, microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice -
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS X515EA (BQ959W)
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 X515EA (BQ959W)
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 X515EA (BQ959W)
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 X515EA (BQ959W)
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, 1.4mm travel distance
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS X515EA (BQ959W)
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
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS X515EA (BQ959W)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence Windows 11 Home
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) ASUS X515EA (BQ959W)
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) solution
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 -
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified -
Repairability Index - 6.2 (out of 10)
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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