Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)

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 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 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 X280 (20KE) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
81 % - Design
78 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.77 cm x 20.98 cm x 1.78 cm 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm
Weight 1.26 kg 1.25 kg
Case Material Glass-fibre, magnesium-aluminum alloy Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Black Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Screen Size (Type) 12.5" - TN 13.3" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 (HD) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 220 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 72% NTSC
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8350U / 1.7 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.6 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 8-core
Cache 6 MB L3 - 16 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 32 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2400 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 2400 MHz 6400 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD M.2 SATA 6Gb/s - Samsung 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 620 AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy 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 Premium High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice
Audio Features - 360° far-field microphones
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 - M.2 Card Qualcomm NFA725A
Features Gigabit Ethernet via optional Ethernet (RJ-45) adapter -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 48 Wh 41 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16.6 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
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, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
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 X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
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
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
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
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
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X280 (20KE) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN)
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 with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington mini 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, MIL-STD-810G tested 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 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%
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