Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE)
Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE)

Detailed comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) and Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1). 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 L14 Gen 3 (21C1) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

good battery life

solid performance

adequate connectivity options

mediocre display quality

heavier than competitors

limited graphics power

pricey base model

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) and Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.77 cm x 20.98 cm x 1.78 cm 32.54 cm x 21.7 cm x 1.983 cm
Weight 1.26 kg 1.39 kg
Case Material Glass-fibre, magnesium-aluminum alloy Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Black Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Screen Size (Type) 12.5" - TN 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 (HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness 220 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8350U / 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.6 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 10-core
Cache 6 MB 12 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2400 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD M.2 SATA 6Gb/s - Samsung 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 620 Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, 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 Premium High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
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 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features Gigabit Ethernet via optional Ethernet (RJ-45) adapter Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 48 Wh 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16.6 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 45 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
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
Lenovo Ethernet extension connector
Dock
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
Security Slot Type Kensington mini security slot Kensington 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, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, 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 - Base warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
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