MSI Modern 15 (B12M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Modern 15 (B12M) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX). 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 X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

long battery life

lightweight design

robust security features

solid build quality

efficient performance

limited port selection

no headphone jack

average display brightness

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Modern 15 (B12M) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery
86 % - Design
84 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Modern 15 (B12M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 24.1 cm x 1.99 cm 29.87 cm x 20.64 cm x 1.34 cm
Weight 1.7 kg 1.06 kg
Case Material - Glass-fibre reinforced plastic (bottom), magnesium-aluminium alloy (top)
Colour Classic black Thunder black
DISPLAY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
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 100% sRGB
Features Thin bezel design, IPS-level Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1255U Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 3 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 8-core
Cache 12 MB L2 - 1 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache Integrated memory controller
MEMORY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR4X SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 4266 MHz
Rated Speed - 4266 MHz
STORAGE MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics Qualcomm Adreno 690
Max Monitors Supported - 2 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes
Resolution - 5 Megapixel
Camera Features - IR camera, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, MIPI
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, 3-microphone array
Codec - Qualcomm WCD9385
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
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 WCN6855 Wi-Fi 6E
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 5G
Controller - Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 - M.2 Card
BATTERY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
Technology 3-cell Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 39 Wh 49.5 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 28 hours
AC ADAPTER MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
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 X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
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
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro (on ARM) - English
Software Included MSI Center Pro -
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security - Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, 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, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS
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 026UK -
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