Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)

Our Rating: 75 %

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) and Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM). 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 ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

affordable price point

solid build quality

decent battery life

good processor performance

adequate storage options

average display quality

limited graphics capability

no thunderbolt support

heavier design

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) and Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
82 % - Design
78 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery
78 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.65 cm x 25 cm x 2.27 cm 36.4 cm x 24.5 cm x 1.89 cm
Weight 2.226 kg 1.8 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top) Aluminum, polycarbonate ABS
Colour Black Mineral grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight 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 ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G1 / 1 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 3.6 GHz
Number of Cores 14-core Quad-Core
Cache 24 MB 6 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
RAM 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 16 GB
RAM Type DDR5 SDRAM - non-ECC DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz 2666 MHz
Rated Speed 4800 MHz 2666 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 ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Value 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x2 - NVM Express (NVMe)
RAID Level RAID 0, RAID 1 -
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel UHD Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 2 external monitor(s) -
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM -
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus ThinkShutter camera privacy
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
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) Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation 4G upgradable -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Technology Lithium polymer Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 68 Wh 45 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 9 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 135 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
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 Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
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 2.0
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
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 ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - French
Software Included - Microsoft Office (30 days trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington 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, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested
Compliant Standards RoHS, TCG Certified RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3
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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