Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

excellent build quality

powerful amd processor

bright oled display

eco-friendly materials

solid security features

higher price point

limited port selection

no dedicated gpu

average battery life

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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
81 % - Design
84 % - Display
80 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.44 cm x 19.96 cm x 1.399 cm 35.44 cm x 23.74 cm x 1.58 cm
Weight 1.26 kg 1.94 kg
Case Material Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom) Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Black (bottom), arctic grey (top) Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" OLED 16" OLED
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) Yes (10-point multi-touch)
Screen Resolution 2880 x 1800 (2.8K) 3840 x 2400 (WQUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 500 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% DCI-P3 100% DCI-P3
Features Anti-reflective, One Glass Solution, anti-smudge, on-cell touch technology, Low Blue Light technology, Dolby Vision, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
CPU AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H / 3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 8-core
Cache L3 - 16 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
RAM 32 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Union Memory 1.024 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Western Digital
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 680M AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported 2 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Windows Hello, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, Discrete IR Windows Hello, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3306 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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 Qualcomm NFA725A
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 51.5 Wh 72 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, edge-to-edge backlit keyboard, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad, Haptic ForcePad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Interfaces 2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN (on supplied adapter)
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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) 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 Windows 11 Pro
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter, Lenovo USB-C to Ethernet 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 with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features 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 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, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCO Certified 9.0 RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TCO Certified 9.0
Carbon Footprint 216 kg carbon emissions (EU) -
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% 8 - 95%
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