Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare dimensions, performance, storage, functions, but also other key features of both laptops and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the laptop that best fits your needs and expectations.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

long battery life

lightweight design

robust security features

solid build quality

efficient performance

limited port selection

no headphone jack

average display brightness

higher price point

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Review

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

robust build quality

excellent keyboard experience

impressive security features

good battery life

portable design

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
86 % - Design
84 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
81 % - Design
78 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.87 cm x 20.64 cm x 1.34 cm 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm
Weight 1.06 kg 1.25 kg
Case Material Glass-fibre reinforced plastic (bottom), magnesium-aluminium alloy (top) Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Thunder black Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
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 100% sRGB 72% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 8-core
Cache L2 - 1 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 32 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR4X SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 4266 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 4266 MHz 6400 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Qualcomm Adreno 690 AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported 2 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes Yes - 720p
Resolution 5 Megapixel -
Camera Features IR camera, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, MIPI Privacy shutter, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, 3-microphone array Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Qualcomm WCD9385 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice
Audio Features - 360° far-field microphones
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
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 WCN6855 Wi-Fi 6E Qualcomm NFA725A
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
WWAN
Generation 5G -
Controller Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 - M.2 Card -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Technology Lithium polymer 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 49.5 Wh 41 Wh
Battery Life Up to 28 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
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 X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight 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 X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Slots 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) -
Interfaces 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
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 (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro (on ARM) - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 (21BX) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
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 Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, 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, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS Administrator password, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, 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
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
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