Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5). 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 (21CM) Review

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

robust build quality

excellent keyboard experience

impressive security features

good battery life

compact and portable

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

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 X13 Gen 3 (21CM) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
82 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm 35.44 cm x 23.74 cm x 1.58 cm
Weight 1.31 kg 1.94 kg
Case Material Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom) Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Thunder black Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" - IPS 16" OLED
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 3840 x 2400 (WQUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC 100% DCI-P3
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle 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 X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H / 3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.5 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 8-core
Cache L3 - 16 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) 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 6400 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 6400 MHz 6400 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) 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 X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 660M AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, 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 ALC3287 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Wireless 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 Qualcomm NFA725A Qualcomm NFA725A
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
WWAN
Generation 4G upgradable -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Technology Lithium polymer 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 54.7 Wh 72 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) 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 X13 Gen 3 (21CM) 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 Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Slots 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) -
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a 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 Card, SDXC UHS-II Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) 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 - English Windows 11 Pro
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix -
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C slim power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader, smart card 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, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration 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 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 -
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
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
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