ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare dimensions, performance, storage, functions, but also other key features of both laptops and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the laptop that best fits your needs and expectations.

ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

affordable price

solid build quality

lightweight design

decent battery life

adequate performance

average display quality

limited storage capacity

no backlit keyboard

basic graphics card

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful intel processors

robust build quality

excellent 4k display

advanced security features

wide connectivity options

high price point

heavier than competitors

average battery life

loud under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
78 % - Design
72 % - Display
65 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36 cm x 23.5 cm x 2.29 cm 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.9 kg 1.88 kg
Case Material - Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour Transparent silver Black paint
DISPLAY ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 60 Hz 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 200 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, 83% screen-to-body ratio Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration
PROCESSOR ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G1 / 1 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.6 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 14-core
Cache 6 MB 24 MB
Features - Integrated memory controller
MEMORY ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
RAM 4 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 4800 MHz
Rated Speed - 4800 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 - NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 4 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Camera Yes - VGA Yes - 1080p
Camera Features - Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound Speaker, microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice
Audio Features Output: ASUS SonicMaster -
COMMUNICATIONS ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Features Single stream (1x1) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Technology 2-cell Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 32 Wh 90 Wh
AC ADAPTER ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 45 Watt, 19 V, 2.37 A 170 Watt
INPUT ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes -
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Chiclet keyboard Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Slots - 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB 2.0
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) Yes (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - German
Software Included - Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS ASUS R521JA (EJ974T) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - 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
Compliant Standards - RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Method 2
ENERGY STAR Certified - Yes
EPEAT Compliant - EPEAT Gold
TCO Certified - TCO Certified Notebooks 9
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty - Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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