Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE). 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 X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard experience

impressive battery life

strong security features

portable design

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

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 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
83 % - Design
72 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.26 kg 1.88 kg
Case Material Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom) Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour Thunder black Black paint
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" - IPS 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1245U / 1.6 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 X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 4800 MHz 4800 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Union Memory 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) 4 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, fixed focus Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) NFC, 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
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 54.7 Wh 90 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V 170 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
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, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) 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 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 2.0 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
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 (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
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 - German
Software Included - Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
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
Security Slot Type Kensington nano 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, 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, 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 RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Method 2
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold EPEAT Gold
TCO Certified - TCO Certified Notebooks 9
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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