MSI Modern 15 (A10M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Modern 15 (A10M) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2). 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.

MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Modern 15 (A10M) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

lightweight design

affordable price

solid build quality

decent keyboard comfort

full hd display

average battery life

moderate performance

no thunderbolt support

limited gaming capabilities

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

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Modern 15 (A10M) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Modern 15 (A10M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.68 cm x 23.37 cm x 1.69 cm 29.94 cm x 19.96 cm x 1.399 cm
Weight 1.6 kg 1.19 kg
Case Material - Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Carbon grey Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 13.3" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 60 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness - 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 100% sRGB
Features WideView, MSI Matrix Display, TrueColor 2.0, IPS-level Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Power, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
CPU Intel Core i3 (10th Gen) 10110U / 2.1 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.1 GHz 4.5 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core 6-core
Cache 4 MB 16 MB
Features Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Smart Cache -
MEMORY MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed - 6400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 2 -
Empty Slots 1 -
STORAGE MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon 660M
Max Monitors Supported - 2 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features - IR camera, Windows Hello, e-camera shutter
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features Nahimic 3 sound technology -
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller Intel Wireless-AC 9560 Qualcomm NFA725A
Compliant Standards - DASH
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 52 Wh 51.5 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 22.8 hours
AC ADAPTER MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features White LED backlight Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, haptic feedback, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Slots 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 3.0 x4 / SATA) (1 free) -
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included MSI BurnRecovery, Norton Internet Security (60 days trial), MSI Battery Calibration, Norton Studio (Metro UI), Microsoft Office 2016 (30 days trial), MSI True Color 2.0, MSI Help Desk, Nahimic Audio Enhancer 3, MSI Creator Center Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Modern 15 (A10M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security - Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader
Features Cooler Boost 3 technology, MSI SHIFT Technology, MIL-STD-810G tested 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
Compliant Standards - RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified
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 Limited warranty - 1 year Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site - response time: next business day
Model Number 652UK -
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