Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) and Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA). 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 T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

powerful processor performance

comfortable keyboard design

ample connectivity options

efficient thermal management

heavier than competitors

average battery life

limited display brightness

premium price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) and Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
82 % - Design
78 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
82 % - Design
78 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.05 cm 36.65 cm x 25 cm x 2.27 cm
Weight 1.65 kg 2.226 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Thunder black Black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
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 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle, DC dimming
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 14-core
Cache 12 MB 24 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported 48 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed 3200 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 4800 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 1 2
Empty Slots 1 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 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
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) 2 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory) -
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
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 Premium, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Intel I219-V
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 52.5 Wh 68 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V 135 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
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 T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Slots - 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
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 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
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)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
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 T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Included Accessories USB-C 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 nano 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, 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, 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 - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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