MSI Modern 15 (B12M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Modern 15 (B12M) and Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW). 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 T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive battery life

good security features

reliable performance

heavy design

average display brightness

limited graphics power

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Modern 15 (B12M) and Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery
82 % - Design
78 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Modern 15 (B12M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
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 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.05 cm
Weight 1.7 kg 1.65 kg
Case Material - Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Classic black Thunder black
DISPLAY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 16" - 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 - 16:10
Image Brightness - 300 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 T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
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 T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported - 48 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed - 3200 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 1
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - SK Hynix
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features - Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
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, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
Technology 3-cell 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 39 Wh 52.5 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
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 T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
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 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
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 T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
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, system 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 -
Model Number 026UK -
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