MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF). 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 (A11ML) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

lightweight design

full hd display

solid build quality

good battery life

affordable price

average cpu performance

limited graphics power

no thunderbolt support

basic audio quality

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust metal design

crisp full HD display

backlit keyboard feature

adequate processing power

reasonable price point

average battery life

limited graphics performance

heavier than competitors

no USB-C port

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
73 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.68 cm x 23.37 cm x 1.69 cm 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm
Weight 1.6 kg 2.2 kg
Case Material - Metal
Colour Carbon grey Golden
DISPLAY MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 60 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness - 250 cd/m²
Features Thin bezel design, MSI True Color Technology 3.0 Anti-glare
PROCESSOR MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
CPU Intel Core i5 (11th Gen) 1135G7 / 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.2 GHz 4 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Quad-Core
Cache 8 MB 8 MB
Features Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Smart Cache, Intel Speed Shift Technology Integrated memory controller
MEMORY MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered))
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 16 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed - 2133 MHz
Rated Speed - 2400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 2 1
Empty Slots 1 0
STORAGE MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 2 TB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 5400 rpm
Optical Drive - DVD±RW
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR5 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution - 1 Megapixel
Camera Features - Fixed focus
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC233 -
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features Nahimic 3 sound technology Output: Harman audio technology
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 M.2 Card
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) Single stream (1x1)
BATTERY MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer 2-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 52 Wh 35 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 6 hours
AC ADAPTER MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features White LED backlight -
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Slots 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 3.0 x4) (1 free) -
Interfaces 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
Thunderbolt 4
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB-C 3.0
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included Norton Internet Security (60 days trial), Norton Studio (Metro UI), Microsoft Office 2016 (30 days trial), Nahimic Audio Enhancer 3, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, MSI True Color 3.0, MSI Center -
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security - Fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington mini security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Military-Grade, Cooler Boost 3 technology Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password
Compliant Standards - RoHS
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Model Number 457UK -
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