Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) 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

portable design

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

Dell Latitude 5540 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Dell Latitude 5540 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

efficient performance

excellent battery life

bright display

good connectivity options

heavier than competitors

basic audio quality

limited graphics performance

pricey base model

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) and Dell Latitude 5540
81 % - Design
78 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
86 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) vs. Dell Latitude 5540 Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm 35.78 cm x 23.33 cm x 2.28 cm
Weight 1.25 kg 1.613 kg
Case Material Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom) -
Colour Thunder black Grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Pixel Density (ppi) - 141
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 60 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 -
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, ±80° horizontal viewing angle, ±80° vertical viewing angle, 35 ms response rate, 0.179 mm pixel pitch
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
CPU AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 (13th Gen) 1335U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.6 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 10-core
Cache L3 - 16 MB L3 - 12 MB
Features Integrated memory controller -
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
RAM 32 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed 6400 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 6400 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia 256 GB SSD M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe), Class 35
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 680M Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1920 x 1080 (standard), 640 x 360 (infrared)
Resolution - 2.07 Megapixel (standard), 0.23 Megapixel (infrared)
Camera Features Privacy shutter, fixed focus Privacy shutter, IR/RGB camera, Temporal Noise Reduction, 80 degrees, 86.6 degrees (IR camera)
Image Sensor Type - CMOS
Video Resolutions - 1920 x 1080
Frame Rate - 30 frames per second
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
Audio Features 360° far-field microphones Output: MaxxAudio 12.0, Realtek Waves
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
Wireless Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Qualcomm NFA725A Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 - M.2 2230
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer 3-cell Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 41 Wh 54 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-200 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls -
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
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 (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
HDMI
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (PowerShare)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - Yes (microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence Windows 11 Pro - Dutch / English / French / German / Italian
Software Included - Microsoft Office (30 days trial, excludes office licence)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Dell Latitude 5540
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot Noble Wedge 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, certificate based BIOS authentication ExpressCharge, Dell ControlVault 3, ExpressChargeBoost
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified FIPS 140-2, 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 0 °C
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% 10 - 90% (non-condensing)
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