MSI Modern 15 (B12M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Modern 15 (B12M) and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4). 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 (B12M) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Modern 15 (B12M) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

lightweight design

affordable price

solid build quality

decent battery life

good connectivity options

average display quality

moderate storage capacity

limited graphics performance

no thunderbolt support

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

good battery life

solid performance

adequate port selection

average display brightness

heavier than competitors

limited graphics performance

no thunderbolt support

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Modern 15 (B12M) and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Modern 15 (B12M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 24.1 cm x 1.99 cm 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm
Weight 1.7 kg 1.76 kg
Case Material - Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Classic black Thunder black
DISPLAY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight 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
Image Brightness - 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Thin bezel design, IPS-level Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1255U Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 10-core
Cache 12 MB 12 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache Integrated memory controller
MEMORY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed - 3200 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
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 ALC3287
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
Technology 3-cell 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 39 Wh 57 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features White LED backlight, 1.5mm travel distance Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 2
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (Power Delivery)
HDMI
2 x USB 2.0
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Home Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
Software Included MSI Center Pro -
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C4)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security - Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features MIL-STD-810G tested, ultra-slim Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
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 -
Model Number 026UK -
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