Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) and Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV). 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 (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

Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

sleek aluminum design

sharp full-HD display

robust processing power

lightweight and portable

reasonable price point

average battery life

limited port selection

no dedicated GPU

moderate storage capacity

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) and Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm 35.89 cm x 24.49 cm x 1.68 cm
Weight 1.21 kg 1.95 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) Aluminum, glass
Colour Thunder black Liquid blue
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Screen Size (Type) 14" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight 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 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC -
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Glossy
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
CPU AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core Quad-Core
Cache L3 - 16 MB 8 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
RAM 16 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 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
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 2280 PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 680M Intel UHD Graphics 620
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution - 1 Megapixel
Camera Features Privacy shutter, 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 - Harman audio technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
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 M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 39.3 Wh 45 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 10 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
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 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
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 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included - Microsoft Office (30 days trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
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 2.0) Security Chip, 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, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% -
Manufacturer Warranty - Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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