Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) and Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare dimensions, performance, storage, functions, but also other key features of both laptops and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the laptop that best fits your needs and expectations.

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

Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

slim, lightweight design

sharp full HD display

solid overall performance

fast SSD storage

decent battery life

limited port selection

no dedicated GPU

average sound quality

pricier than competitors

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) and Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery
82 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
72 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm 32.07 cm x 22.28 cm x 1.59 cm
Weight 1.88 kg 1.55 kg
Case Material Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top) Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Black paint Silver
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Screen Size (Type) 16" - IPS 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 165 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:9
Image Brightness 500 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB -
Features Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8250U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 3.4 GHz
Number of Cores 14-core Quad-Core
Cache 24 MB 6 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
RAM 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 16 GB
RAM Type DDR5 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz 2400 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 X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance 128 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620
Max Monitors Supported 4 external monitor(s) -
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 1080p 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 ALC3306 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium
Audio Features - Output: JBL
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Wireless NFC, 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
Features Dual stream (2x2) Single stream (1x1)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Technology Lithium polymer 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 55 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 14 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 170 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad Multi-touch touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Slots 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free) -
Interfaces 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
USB 3.0 (Always On)
USB 3.0
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1/Thunderbolt 3/DisplayPort 1.2a (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Express Card) 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - German Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix Lenovo Settings, McAfee LiveSafe (30 days trial), Lenovo ID, Lenovo App Explorer
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo IdeaPad 720S-14IKBR (81BD)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot -
Theft/Intrusion Protection 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
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Method 2 RoHS
ENERGY STAR Certified 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 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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