Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN). 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 X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

powerful processor performance

excellent keyboard feel

high-resolution display

good thermal management

heavier than competitors

short battery life

expensive price point

limited port variety

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

lightweight and portable

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

impressive battery life

high-resolution display

high price point

limited graphics performance

fewer ports available

average webcam quality

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
83 % - Design
85 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
81 % - Design
85 % - Display
90 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.18 cm x 24.57 cm x 1.84 cm 31.56 cm x 22.25 cm x 1.536 cm
Weight 1.7 kg 1.12 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre hybrid (top), aluminium alloy (bottom) Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour Black weave Deep black paint
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD 4K) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 600 cd/m² 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% Adobe RGB 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, HDR (high dynamic range), 178° viewing angle, Dolby Vision Anti-glare, Low Power, Eyesafe technology
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
CPU Intel Core i7 (10th Gen) 10850H / 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 (13th Gen) 1365U / 1.8 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 5.1 GHz 5.2 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 10-core
Cache 12 MB 12 MB
Chipset Mobile Intel WM490 -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
RAM 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2933 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 6400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 2 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Western Digital 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus, ThinkShutter camera privacy Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, two tweeters, two woofers, quad array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3286 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features 3-magnet speakers Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 80 Wh 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 15.6 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 135 Watt, 20 V 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad, air intake key design
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Slots 2 x M.2 Card (1 free) -
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Card, SDHC Card, SDXC Card, SDXC UHS-II Card) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 (20TL) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HN)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C 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
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot Kensington nano 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, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested, self-healing BIOS Administrator password, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, TCG Certified RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 6, TCG Certified, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, TCO Certified 9.0
SAR Value 2.512 W/kg (body), 0.967 W/kg (limb) -
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%
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