Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) 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 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

ultra-lightweight design

impressive battery life

robust security features

sharp display quality

powerful intel processor

limited port selection

higher price point

no touchscreen option

average speaker quality

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 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
81 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.33 cm x 20.81 cm x 1.48 cm 35.44 cm x 23.74 cm x 1.58 cm
Weight 991.5 g 1.94 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), magnesium alloy (bottom) Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Black weave Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Screen Size (Type) 13" - IPS 16" OLED
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 2160 x 1350 (2K) 3840 x 2400 (WQUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 450 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 100% DCI-P3
Features Anti-glare, anti-reflective, anti-smudge, 170° viewing angle, Low Power, Add-on Film Touch 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 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1270P / 2.2 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H / 3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.8 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 12-core 8-core
Cache 18 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 32 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 5200 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 6400 MHz 6400 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia 1.024 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Western Digital
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported 2 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera Windows Hello, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, two tweeters, two woofers, four microphones Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3306 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.1, 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
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 49.5 Wh 72 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 135 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) 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 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Interfaces 2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
LAN (on supplied adapter)
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 Card, SDXC UHS-II Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) 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 Windows 11 Pro
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Included Accessories Lenovo USB-C to Ethernet Adapter, USB-C slim 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
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator 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, TCG Certified RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TCO Certified 9.0
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% 8 - 95%
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