Lenovo ThinkPad T540p vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T540p and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE). 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 T540p Review

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outdated design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

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful intel processors

robust build quality

excellent 4k display

advanced security features

wide connectivity options

high price point

heavier than competitors

average battery life

loud under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T540p and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
75 % - Design
63 % - Display
65 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T540p vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.6 cm x 24.8 cm x 2.77 cm 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 2.49 kg 1.88 kg
Case Material Glass-fibre reinforced plastic Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour Black Black paint
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 (HD) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness - 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
CPU Intel Core i5 (4th Gen) 4300U / 1.9 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 2.9 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core 14-core
Cache 3 MB 24 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 X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
RAM 8 GB 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported 16 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR3L SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 4800 MHz
Rated Speed - 4800 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 204-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 2 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 240 GB SSD 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
Optical Drive DVD-Writer removable -
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel HD Graphics 4400 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 4 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features - Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3232 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Home Theater v4 High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Wireless Bluetooth, Wi-Fi NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation WWAN upgradable -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 90 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 170 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes -
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Slots 1 x ExpressCard/34 (1 free)
M.2 Card
2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
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
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) Yes (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
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 - German
Software Included - Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T540p Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint 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, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, ISO 27001 RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Method 2
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant - EPEAT Gold
TCO Certified - TCO Certified Notebooks 9
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
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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