Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF). 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 T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

powerful processor performance

comfortable keyboard design

ample connectivity options

efficient thermal management

heavier than competitors

average battery life

limited display brightness

premium price point

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust metal design

crisp full HD display

backlit keyboard feature

adequate processing power

reasonable price point

average battery life

limited graphics performance

heavier than competitors

no USB-C port

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
82 % - Design
78 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
73 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.65 cm x 25 cm x 2.27 cm 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm
Weight 2.226 kg 2.2 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top) Metal
Colour Black Golden
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC -
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle, DC dimming Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4 GHz
Number of Cores 14-core Quad-Core
Cache 24 MB 8 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
RAM 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered))
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 16 GB
RAM Type DDR5 SDRAM - non-ECC DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz 2133 MHz
Rated Speed 4800 MHz 2400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 262-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 2 1
Empty Slots 1 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Value 2 TB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 5400 rpm
RAID Level RAID 0, RAID 1 -
Optical Drive - DVD±RW
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620
Max Monitors Supported 2 external monitor(s) -
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM 4 GB GDDR5 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution - 1 Megapixel
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus Fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Output: Harman audio technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller Intel I219-V -
Features Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2) Single stream (1x1)
WWAN
Generation 4G upgradable -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Technology Lithium polymer 2-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 68 Wh 35 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 6 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 135 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls -
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Slots 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free) -
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
USB-C 3.0
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Card) 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader Fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot Kensington mini security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password
Compliant Standards RoHS, TCG Certified RoHS
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% -
Manufacturer Warranty Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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