Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ). 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.

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm
Weight 1.31 kg 1.26 kg
Case Material Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom) Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Thunder black Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" - IPS 13.3" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC 72% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1245U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.5 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 10-core
Cache L3 - 16 MB 12 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 6400 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 6400 MHz 4800 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Union Memory
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 660M Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, fixed focus Privacy shutter, 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, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Qualcomm NFA725A Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
WWAN
Generation 4G upgradable -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Technology Lithium polymer 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 54.7 Wh 54.7 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
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
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Slots 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) -
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
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
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix -
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader, smart card 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 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
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, 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
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
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