Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX). 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 (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

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive security features

good battery life

portable design

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
81 % - Design
78 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
86 % - Design
84 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm 30.17 cm x 21.48 cm x 1.595 cm
Weight 1.25 kg 1.09 kg
Case Material Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom) Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre hybrid (top)
Colour Thunder black Deep black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" - IPS 13.3" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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 12 MB
Platform Technology - Intel Evo
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
RAM 32 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 6400 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 6400 MHz 6400 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 680M Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, fixed focus Privacy shutter, fixed focus
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
Audio Features 360° far-field microphones Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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 Qualcomm NFA725A Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 41 Wh 54.7 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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
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 2.1 (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included - Glance by Mirametrix, Intel Connectivity Performance Suite
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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 Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, certificate based BIOS authentication Administrator password, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS, Energy-using Products (EuP) Lot 6, TCG Certified, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, 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
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site - response time: next business day
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