Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN). 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

excellent build quality

powerful AMD processor

high-resolution display

sustainable materials used

compact and lightweight

higher price point

no HDMI port

limited upgradeability

average battery life

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Review

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

robust build quality

excellent keyboard layout

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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
82 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
80 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.94 cm x 19.96 cm x 1.399 cm 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm
Weight 1.19 kg 1.29 kg
Case Material Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom) Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Black (bottom), arctic grey (top) Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
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 400 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 72% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Power, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.5 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 10-core
Cache 16 MB 12 MB
Platform Technology - Intel Evo
Features - Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 660M Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 2 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features IR camera, Windows Hello, e-camera shutter Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3306 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Qualcomm NFA725A Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Compliant Standards DASH -
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Technology Lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 51.5 Wh 54.7 Wh
Battery Life Up to 22.8 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, haptic feedback, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Slots - 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
Interfaces 2 x USB4 (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
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 2.0 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix Glance by Mirametrix, Intel Connectivity Performance Suite
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
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, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, pen upgradable, certificate based BIOS authentication 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, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, 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 - 3 years - on-site - response time: next business day
Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
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