Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) and Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU). 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 X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard layout

impressive security features

good battery life

portable design

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

sleek aluminum design

sharp full-HD display

strong overall performance

comfortable backlit keyboard

decent battery life

limited port selection

no touchscreen option

average audio quality

pricier than competitors

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) and Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
80 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm 32.34 cm x 22.6 cm x 1.64 cm
Weight 1.29 kg 1.59 kg
Case Material Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom) Aluminum
Colour Thunder black Mineral grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" - IPS 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:9
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC -
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, glass cover
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz Intel Core i3 (8th Gen) 8130U / 2.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 3.4 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core Dual-Core
Cache 12 MB 4 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Platform Technology Intel Evo -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 16 GB
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz 2400 MHz
Rated Speed 4800 MHz 2400 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 1
Empty Slots - 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 128 GB SSD M.2 PCIe
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 620
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Output: Harman audio technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Wireless 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) -
WWAN
Generation 4G upgradable -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Technology Lithium polymer Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 54.7 Wh 45 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 10 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Multi-touch touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Slots 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) -
Interfaces 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
Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix, Intel Connectivity Performance Suite -
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-14IKB (81EU)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader 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, hard drive password, power-on password
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
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
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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