Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4). 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 T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive battery life

good security features

reliable performance

heavy design

average display brightness

limited graphics power

higher price point

Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful amd processor

high-resolution oled display

solid build quality

good battery life

efficient thermal management

heavier than competitors

expensive base model

limited port selection

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
82 % - Design
78 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
83 % - Design
85 % - Display
89 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.05 cm 35.44 cm x 23.74 cm x 1.58 cm
Weight 1.65 kg 1.94 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Thunder black Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Screen Size (Type) 16" - IPS 16" OLED
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 3840 x 2400 (WQUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 100% DCI-P3
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-reflective, One Glass Solution, anti-smudge, Low Blue Light technology, Dolby Vision, 92.3% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz AMD Ryzen 9 Pro 6950H / 3.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 4.9 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 8-core
Cache 12 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 32 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 48 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 6400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 1 -
Empty Slots 1 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - SK Hynix 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics AMD Radeon RX 6500M / AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory) -
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera IR camera, Windows Hello, e-camera shutter
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 Qualcomm NFA725A
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Compliant Standards - DASH
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G
Technology - LTE
Controller - Quectel EM05-G - M.2 Card
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 52.5 Wh 72 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V 135 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes -
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Slots - 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
3 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - Yes (SD Card, SDXC UHS-II Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included - Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C slim power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot Kensington nano 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, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, pen upgradable, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold EPEAT Gold
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty - Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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