Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3). 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.

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

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

good battery life

reliable performance

decent connectivity options

mediocre display quality

heavier design

limited graphics performance

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
82 % - Design
78 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.05 cm 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm
Weight 1.65 kg 1.76 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Thunder black Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Screen Size (Type) 16" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:9
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 10-core
Cache 12 MB 12 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (2 x 4 GB)
Max RAM Supported 48 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 1 2
Empty Slots 1 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - SK Hynix 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Video System Features Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory) Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 52.5 Wh 57 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Interfaces 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
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
HDMI
LAN
Memory Card Reader - Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features 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 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 RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold EPEAT Gold
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty - Base warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW)
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3)
Other Popular Laptop Comparisons
Other projects: