MSI Modern 15 (B12M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Modern 15 (B12M) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM). 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 X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Review

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

robust build quality

excellent keyboard experience

impressive security features

good battery life

compact and portable

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Modern 15 (B12M) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery
82 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Modern 15 (B12M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
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 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm
Weight 1.7 kg 1.31 kg
Case Material - Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Classic black Thunder black
DISPLAY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
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 - 16:10
Image Brightness - 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 72% NTSC
Features Thin bezel design, IPS-level Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1255U AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.5 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 6-core
Cache 12 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache Integrated memory controller
MEMORY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed - 6400 MHz
STORAGE MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics AMD Radeon 660M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features - Privacy shutter, IR camera, 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, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Qualcomm NFA725A
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
Technology 3-cell Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 39 Wh 54.7 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
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 X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
Slots - 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
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
USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Home Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English
Software Included MSI Center Pro Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security - Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader, smart card 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, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration
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
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
Model Number 026UK -
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