Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU)
Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU)

Our Rating: 85 %

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) and Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM). 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 P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

powerful processor performance

excellent keyboard feel

good thermal management

reliable security features

heavy and bulky

expensive price point

average battery life

limited color accuracy

Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

powerful processor performance

high-resolution display

ample connectivity options

good thermal management

heavier than competitors

premium price point

average battery life

limited color accuracy

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) and Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
82 % - Design
75 % - Display
86 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
81 % - Design
72 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
Product Type Mobile workstation Mobile workstation - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.54 cm x 25.23 cm x 3.145 cm 36.65 cm x 25 cm x 2.27 cm
Weight 2.74 kg 2.26 kg
Case Material Glass-fibre, glass-fibre reinforced plastic, polyphenylene sulfide Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Black Black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 160° viewing angle Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle, DC dimmer
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
CPU Intel Core i7 (10th Gen) 10850H / 2.7 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H / 3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 5.1 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 8-core
Cache 12 MB L3 - 16 MB
Chipset Mobile Intel WM490 -
Platform Technology - AMD PRO
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported 128 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC DDR5 SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed 2933 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 4800 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 4 2
Empty Slots 3 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - SK Hynix 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Value
RAID Level RAID 0, RAID 1 RAID 0, RAID 1
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA Quadro T2000 / Intel UHD Graphics NVIDIA T1200 / AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported 4 external monitor(s) 2 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3286 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card Qualcomm NFA725A
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Realtek RTL8111EPV
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
Technology 6-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 94 Wh 68 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16.4 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 170 Watt, 20 V 135 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
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 P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
Slots - 2 x M.2 Card (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Card) Yes (SD Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (21EM)
Included Accessories Power adapter 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 security slot Kensington security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, MIL-STD-810G tested, 4x4 MiMo function Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, TCG Certified
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant 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 - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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