Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5). 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

powerful AMD processor

high-resolution display

good battery life

heavier than competitors

expensive base model

limited color options

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm 35.44 cm x 23.74 cm x 1.58 cm
Weight 1.88 kg 1.94 kg
Case Material Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top) Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Black paint Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Screen Size (Type) 16" - IPS 16" OLED
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 3840 x 2400 (WQUXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 165 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 500 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 100% DCI-P3
Features Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration Anti-reflective, One Glass Solution, anti-smudge, Low Blue Light technology, Dolby Vision, 175° viewing angle, 92.3% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H / 3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 14-core 8-core
Cache 24 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
RAM 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) 32 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB -
RAM Type DDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz 6400 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance 1.024 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Western Digital
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported 4 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM -
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus Windows Hello, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3306 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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 Qualcomm NFA725A
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Technology Lithium polymer 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 72 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 170 Watt 135 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Express Card) Yes (SD Card, SDXC UHS-II Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix -
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, 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, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, 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
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