ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5). 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.

ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

ultra-lightweight design

impressive battery life

robust security features

fast SSD storage

advanced connectivity options

average display quality

no dedicated GPU

limited upgradeability

higher price point

Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

powerful AMD processor

high-resolution display

good battery life

heavier than competitors

expensive base model

limited color options

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
81 % - Design
75 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 31.1 cm x 21.5 cm x 1.57 cm 35.44 cm x 23.74 cm x 1.58 cm
Weight 990 g 1.94 kg
Case Material Magnesium-lithium alloy Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Star black Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Screen Size (Type) 14" OLED 16" OLED
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
Screen Resolution 2880 x 1800 (WQXGA+) 3840 x 2400 (WQUXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 90 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 400 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 100% DCI-P3
Features Glossy, Wide-View (IPS), 178° horizontal and vertical viewing angle, Pantone Validated, 1 ms response rate, 90% screen-to-body ratio, HDR 600 True Black Anti-reflective, One Glass Solution, anti-smudge, Low Blue Light technology, Dolby Vision, 175° viewing angle, 92.3% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
CPU Intel Core i7 (13th Gen) 1355U / 1.8 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H / 3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 5.1 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 8-core
Cache 12 MB L3 - 16 MB
Platform Technology Intel Evo -
Features Intel Smart Cache Integrated memory controller
MEMORY ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 32 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 6400 MHz
Rated Speed - 6400 MHz
STORAGE ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 - NVM Express (NVMe) 1.024 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Western Digital
AUDIO & VIDEO ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video System Features Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory) -
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello Windows Hello, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Speakers, array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features Output: Smart Amplification technology; Input: AI noise cancelling Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Wireless NFC, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E), Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Qualcomm NFA725A
Features Gigabit Ethernet via optional Ethernet (RJ-45) adapter, dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Technology 3-cell Lithium Ion 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 63 Wh 72 Wh
AC ADAPTER ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 20 V, 3.25 A 135 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Type Keyboard, NumberPad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, chiclet keyboard, 1.5mm travel distance Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Interfaces Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x USB-C (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
USB 3.2 Gen 2
HDMI 2.1
Micro-HDMI
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - Yes (SD Card, SDXC UHS-II Card)
SOFTWARE ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Pro
MISCELLANEOUS ASUS ExpertBook B9 (B1500CBA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter, Micro HDMI to LAN adapter USB-C slim power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint 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 System password, hard drive password, MIL-STD-810H tested, Computrace ready from BIOS, Cortana support Administrator password, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, REACH, FSC Mix RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TCO Certified 9.0
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Model Number BQ1288X -
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