MSI Modern 15 (B12M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Modern 15 (B12M) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2). 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

excellent build quality

powerful AMD processor

high-resolution display

sustainable materials used

compact and lightweight

higher price point

no HDMI port

limited upgradeability

average battery life

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Modern 15 (B12M) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery
82 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Modern 15 (B12M) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 24.1 cm x 1.99 cm 29.94 cm x 19.96 cm x 1.399 cm
Weight 1.7 kg 1.19 kg
Case Material - Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Classic black Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 - 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 100% sRGB
Features Thin bezel design, IPS-level Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Power, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 16 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache -
MEMORY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics AMD Radeon 660M
Max Monitors Supported - 2 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features - IR camera, Windows Hello, e-camera shutter
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller - Qualcomm NFA725A
Compliant Standards - DASH
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Technology 3-cell Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 39 Wh 51.5 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 22.8 hours
AC ADAPTER MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features White LED backlight, 1.5mm travel distance Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, haptic feedback, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 USB4 (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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included MSI Center Pro Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Modern 15 (B12M) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security - Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader
Features MIL-STD-810G tested, ultra-slim Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, pen upgradable, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards - RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, 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 - 3 years - on-site - response time: next business day
Model Number 026UK -
Other Comparisons with MSI Modern 15 (B12M)
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Other Popular Laptop Comparisons
Other projects: