In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2). 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.
Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.
excellent build quality
powerful AMD processor
high-resolution display
sustainable materials used
compact and lightweight
higher price point
no HDMI port
limited upgradeability
average battery life
| DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Product Type | Notebook | Notebook |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 33.66 cm x 23.25 cm x 1.995 cm | 29.94 cm x 19.96 cm x 1.399 cm |
| Weight | 1.65 kg | 1.19 kg |
| Case Material | Glass-fibre reinforced plastic, polyphenylene sulfide | Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom) |
| Colour | Black | Black (bottom), arctic grey (top) |
| DISPLAY | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Screen Size (Type) | 14" | 13.3" - IPS |
|---|---|---|
| LCD Backlight Technology | LED backlight | LED backlight |
| Screen Resolution | 1366 x 768 (HD) | 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) |
| Widescreen | Yes | Yes |
| Image Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Image Brightness | 220 cd/m² | 400 cd/m² |
| Colour Gamut | - | 100% sRGB |
| Features | Anti-glare | Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Power, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio |
| PROCESSOR | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8250U / 1.6 GHz | AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Max Turbo Speed | 3.4 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
| Number of Cores | Quad-Core | 6-core |
| Cache | 6 MB | 16 MB |
| 64-bit Computing | Yes | - |
| Features | Hyper-Threading Technology, integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Smart Cache | - |
| MEMORY | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| RAM | 4 GB (1 x 4 GB) | 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM Supported | 32 GB | - |
| RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM | LPDDR5 SDRAM |
| Speed | 2400 MHz | 6400 MHz |
| Rated Speed | 2400 MHz | 6400 MHz |
| Form Factor | SO-DIMM 260-pin | - |
| Slots Qty | 2 | - |
| Empty Slots | 1 | - |
| STORAGE | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) | 500 GB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 7200 rpm | 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) |
|---|
| AUDIO & VIDEO | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Graphics Processor (GPU) | Intel UHD Graphics 620 | AMD Radeon 660M |
|---|---|---|
| Max Monitors Supported | - | 2 external monitor(s) |
| Camera | Yes - 720p | Yes - 1080p |
| Camera Features | ThinkShutter camera privacy | IR camera, Windows Hello, e-camera shutter |
| Sound | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone |
| Codec | Realtek ALC3287 | Realtek ALC3306 |
| Compliant Standards | High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium | High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos |
| COMMUNICATIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Wireless | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Controller | Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 - M.2 Card | Qualcomm NFA725A |
| Network Interface | Gigabit Ethernet | - |
| Ethernet Controller | Intel I219-V | - |
| Compliant Standards | - | DASH |
| Features | - | Dual stream (2x2) |
| WWAN |
|---|
| Generation | 4G | - |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | LTE | - |
| Controller | FIBOCOM L830-EB - M.2 Card | - |
| BATTERY | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Technology | Lithium Ion | Lithium polymer |
|---|---|---|
| Installed Qty | 2 | - |
| Battery Capacity (Size) | 24 Wh | 51.5 Wh |
| Battery Life | Up to 14.4 hours | Up to 22.8 hours |
| AC ADAPTER | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Input | AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) | AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 45 Watt | 65 Watt |
| INPUT | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Type | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard Backlight | Yes | Yes |
| Features | Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad | Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, haptic feedback, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad |
| CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Slots | 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) | - |
|---|---|---|
| Interfaces | USB 3.1 Gen 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On) USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3) HDMI Dock Headphone/microphone combo jack LAN |
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0) Headphone/microphone combo jack |
| Memory Card Reader | 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) | - |
| SOFTWARE | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Operating System (OS) | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition | Windows 11 Pro - English |
|---|---|---|
| Software Included | - | Glance by Mirametrix |
| MISCELLANEOUS | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 (20L5) | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) |
|---|
| Dockable | Yes | - |
|---|---|---|
| Included Accessories | USB-C power adapter | USB-C 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 security slot | - |
| Theft/Intrusion Protection | Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) | - |
| Features | Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, ThinkVantage Active Protection System, MIL-STD-810G tested | Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, pen upgradable, certificate based BIOS authentication |
| Compliant Standards | RoHS | RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified |
| ENERGY STAR Certified | Yes | Yes |
| EPEAT Compliant | - | EPEAT Gold |
| Max Operating Temperature | - | 35 °C |
| Min Operating Temperature | - | 5 °C |
| Humidity Range Operating | - | 8 - 95% |
| Manufacturer Warranty | Limited warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return Limited warranty - battery - 1 year |
Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site - response time: next business day |