Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)

Our Rating: 75 %

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) and Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM). Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.

Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

excellent build quality

powerful AMD processor

high-resolution display

sustainable materials used

compact and lightweight

higher price point

no HDMI port

limited upgradeability

average battery life

Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

affordable price point

solid build quality

decent battery life

good processor performance

adequate storage options

average display quality

limited graphics capability

no thunderbolt support

heavier design

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) and Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
82 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
78 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.94 cm x 19.96 cm x 1.399 cm 36.4 cm x 24.5 cm x 1.89 cm
Weight 1.19 kg 1.8 kg
Case Material Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom) Aluminum, polycarbonate ABS
Colour Black (bottom), arctic grey (top) Mineral grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" - IPS 15.6" - 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 400 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB -
Features Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Power, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G1 / 1 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.5 GHz 3.6 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core Quad-Core
Cache 16 MB 6 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Features - Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
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 6400 MHz 2666 MHz
Rated Speed 6400 MHz 2666 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 1
Empty Slots - 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x2 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 660M Intel UHD Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 2 external monitor(s) -
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Camera Features IR camera, Windows Hello, e-camera shutter ThinkShutter camera privacy
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3306 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Wireless Controller Qualcomm NFA725A M.2 Card
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Compliant Standards DASH -
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Technology Lithium polymer Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 51.5 Wh 45 Wh
Battery Life Up to 22.8 hours Up to 9 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, haptic feedback, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Interfaces 2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 2.0
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - French
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix Microsoft Office (30 days trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, pen upgradable, certificate based BIOS authentication Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested
Compliant Standards RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3
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
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site - response time: next business day
Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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