Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9). 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 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 ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

sleek aluminum design

lightweight and portable

sharp full HD display

solid state drive included

good battery life

limited port selection

no dedicated GPU

average audio quality

standard RAM capacity

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
80 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
81 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm 30.76 cm x 21.64 cm x 1.59 cm
Weight 1.29 kg 1.32 kg
Case Material Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom) Aluminum
Colour Thunder black Mineral grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" - IPS 13.3" - 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 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC -
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8265U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 3.9 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core Quad-Core
Cache 12 MB 6 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Platform Technology Intel Evo -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
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 ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel UHD Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus ThinkShutter camera privacy
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio X3
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0
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 ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Technology Lithium polymer Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 54.7 Wh 45 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 11 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
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 ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Keyboard Backlight Yes -
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
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
USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - German
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix, Intel Connectivity Performance Suite Microsoft Office (Trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, 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, RapidCharge
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS, FIDO Certified
ENERGY STAR Certified 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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