Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX). Compare dimensions, processors, batteries, storage capacities and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect laptop. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the laptop that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

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 ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive security features

good battery life

portable design

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery
86 % - Design
84 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm 30.17 cm x 21.48 cm x 1.595 cm
Weight 1.88 kg 1.09 kg
Case Material Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top) Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre hybrid (top)
Colour Black paint Deep black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Screen Size (Type) 16" - IPS 13.3" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 165 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 500 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 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 ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (13th Gen) 1335U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.6 GHz
Number of Cores 14-core 10-core
Cache 24 MB 12 MB
Platform Technology - Intel Evo
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
RAM 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB -
RAM Type DDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 4800 MHz 6400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 262-pin -
Slots Qty 2 -
Empty Slots 1 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 4 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, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus Privacy shutter, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3306 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Wireless NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Technology Lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 54.7 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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 ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 2.0 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI 2.1 (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Express Card) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - German Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix Glance by Mirametrix, Intel Connectivity Performance Suite
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Included Accessories 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, fingerprint reader, smart card 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Method 2 RoHS, Energy-using Products (EuP) Lot 6, TCG Certified, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, TCO Certified 9.0
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
TCO Certified TCO Certified Notebooks 9 -
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
Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site - response time: next business day
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