MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN). 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.

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 ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard layout

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 MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
80 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.68 cm x 23.37 cm x 1.69 cm 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm
Weight 1.6 kg 1.29 kg
Case Material - Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Carbon grey Thunder black
DISPLAY MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
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 - 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 72% NTSC
Features Thin bezel design, MSI True Color Technology 3.0 Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
CPU Intel Core i5 (11th Gen) 1135G7 / 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.2 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 10-core
Cache 8 MB 12 MB
Platform Technology - Intel Evo
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 ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
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 - 4800 MHz
Rated Speed - 4800 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 2 -
Empty Slots 1 -
STORAGE MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features - Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC233 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice
Audio Features Nahimic 3 sound technology -
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 52 Wh 54.7 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features White LED backlight Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Slots 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 3.0 x4) (1 free) 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
Interfaces 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
Thunderbolt 4
HDMI
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
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - 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 Glance by Mirametrix, Intel Connectivity Performance Suite
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Modern 15 (A11ML) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security - Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Military-Grade, Cooler Boost 3 technology Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards - RoHS, 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
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Model Number 457UK -
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