In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T540p and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF). 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.
Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T540p based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.
robust build quality
excellent keyboard feel
good performance levels
reliable security features
decent battery life
heavy and bulky
outdated design
mediocre display quality
limited graphics performance
Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.
robust build quality
excellent keyboard feel
powerful processor options
good battery life
impressive security features
heavier than competitors
average display brightness
limited color options
expensive base model
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Product Type | Notebook | Notebook - 180-degree hinge design |
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Dimensions (WxDxH) | 37.6 cm x 24.8 cm x 2.77 cm | 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm |
Weight | 2.49 kg | 1.32 kg |
Case Material | Glass-fibre reinforced plastic | Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) |
Colour | Black | Thunder black |
DISPLAY | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Screen Size (Type) | 15.6" | 14" - IPS |
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LCD Backlight Technology | LED backlight | LED backlight |
Screen Resolution | 1366 x 768 (HD) | 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) |
Widescreen | Yes | Yes |
Image Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
Image Brightness | - | 300 cd/m² |
Colour Gamut | - | 45% NTSC |
Features | Anti-glare | Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle |
PROCESSOR | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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CPU | Intel Core i5 (4th Gen) 4300U / 1.9 GHz | AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz |
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Max Turbo Speed | 2.9 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
Number of Cores | Dual-Core | 6-core |
Cache | 3 MB | L3 - 16 MB |
64-bit Computing | Yes | - |
Features | Hyper-Threading Technology, integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 | Integrated memory controller |
MEMORY | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) |
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Max RAM Supported | 16 GB | - |
RAM Type | DDR3L SDRAM | LPDDR5 SDRAM |
Speed | - | 6400 MHz |
Rated Speed | - | 6400 MHz |
Form Factor | SO-DIMM 204-pin | - |
Slots Qty | 2 | - |
STORAGE | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) | 240 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) |
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Optical Drive | DVD-Writer removable | - |
AUDIO & VIDEO | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Graphics Processor (GPU) | Intel HD Graphics 4400 | AMD Radeon 660M |
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Max Monitors Supported | - | 3 external monitor(s) |
Camera | Yes - 720p | Yes - 1080p |
Camera Features | - | Privacy shutter, IR camera, fixed focus |
Sound | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone |
Codec | Realtek ALC3232 | Realtek ALC3287 |
Compliant Standards | High Definition Audio, Dolby Home Theater v4 | High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice |
COMMUNICATIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Wireless | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) |
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Wireless Controller | - | Qualcomm NFA725A |
Network Interface | Gigabit Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet |
Ethernet Controller | - | Realtek RTL8111EPV |
Compliant Standards | - | DASH |
Features | - | Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2) |
WWAN |
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Generation | WWAN upgradable | 4G upgradable |
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BATTERY | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Technology | Lithium Ion | Lithium polymer |
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Battery Capacity (Size) | - | 52.5 Wh |
Battery Life | - | Up to 21.1 hours |
AC ADAPTER | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Input | AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) | AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) |
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Output | - | 45 Watt |
INPUT | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Type | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav |
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Numeric Keypad | Yes | - |
Keyboard Backlight | - | Yes |
Features | Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad | Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls |
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Slots | 1 x ExpressCard/34 (1 free) M.2 Card |
- |
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Interfaces | 2 x USB 3.0 2 x USB 2.0 VGA Mini DisplayPort LAN Dock Headphone/microphone combo jack |
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 |
Memory Card Reader | 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) | - |
SOFTWARE | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Operating System (OS) | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - French |
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Software Included | - | Glance by Mirametrix |
MISCELLANEOUS | Lenovo ThinkPad T540p | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) |
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Dockable | Yes | - |
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Included Accessories | Power adapter | USB-C power adapter |
Security | Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip | Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader, smart card reader |
Security Slot Type | Kensington 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, hard drive password, power-on password, ThinkPad Roll Cage, 1 USB 2.0 (Always On) | 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 | ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, ISO 27001 | RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified |
ENERGY STAR Certified | Yes | - |
Max Operating Temperature | - | 35 °C |
Min Operating Temperature | - | 5 °C |
Humidity Range Operating | - | 8 - 95% |
Manufacturer Warranty | Limited warranty - 2 years - pick-up and return | Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site Base warranty - battery - 1 year |