ThinkBook vs ThinkPad comparison is essential when selecting the best Lenovo laptop. This can be a hard comparison if you don’t have all the details since both laptops are almost alike in shape and design.
That’s why we’ve selected Lenovo ThinkBook 15 Gen 4 AMD and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 Intel. In this article, we refer to these laptops as ThinkBook, and ThinkPad and we’ll help you decide which one better suits you.
Contents
Thinkbook vs Thinkpad Comparison Table
| Features | ThinkBook | ThinkPad |
| Weight | 3.75 pounds | 2.5 pounds |
| Display and Resolution |
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| Processor |
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| Connectivity |
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| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB DDR4 with the speed of 3200 MHz | 16 GB LPDDR4X with the speed of 4266MHz |
| Graphics | Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics | Integrated Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics |
| Battery | Six Hours | 12 Hours |
Thinkbook vs Thinkpad
The main difference between ThinkBook and ThinkPad is that Lenovo has designed ThinkBook for high-performance personal use while ThinkPad is for business purposes. As a result, they vary in certain features that don’t meet the eye, such as their processor and memory.
– Weight
Winner: ThinkPad
Lenovo designed ThinkPad for businesses, so they made it lightweight. As a result, you can vary it in your hands or put it in your backpack without taking up much space. So, if you are in an office, you can carry your ThinkPad and other essentials when attending a meeting. If there is anything that’ll make you select ThinkPad, that’ll be its weight.
The Lenovo ThinkBook weighs almost four pounds, that’s close to Lenovo ThinkBook Yoga. This tells you that weight is the main characteristic of the ThinkBook series. This can be a lot if you are the type that moves around with your laptop. Also, if you are a freelancer or digital creator, the weight of the ThinkBook could be a factor in your selection.
– Display and Resolution
Winner: ThinkPad
ThinkPad has a high-resolution screen, and the display has WUXGA. The advantages of such a display are many; first, it’s bigger when you compare it to the average laptop. Second, it has WUXGA (Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array), which is an upgrade to Full HD. With such a screen, you can work on Photoshop, and you’ll see the true quality of your work.
The ThinkPad screen has 400 nits of brightness, so you can use it outdoors. That means you can use your ThinkPad in places like parks or coffee shops, and you’ll get a better view of the screen. On the other hand, ThinkBook has a display that measures (1920 x 1080), which is an HD screen. You’ll find this useful for media that are below 1080p, but it can be difficult for anything above that.
Also, the ThinkBook has a bright screen at 300 nits. But it’s not equal to the brightness of the ThinkPad, 400 nits. Yet, the screen has a 100 percent sRGB color gamut and an optional touchscreen. The latter allows you to use the ThinkBook much like your smartphone.
– Processor
Winner: ThinkBook
AMD Ryzen 5 5625U in ThinkBook outperforms Core i5-11357G7 using various benchmark tests. First, Ryzen has an effective speed of 72.1 percent when used for games, on desktops, and workstations. While Core i5-11357G7 has 69.1 percent, this means on ThinkBook, you’ll get a more effective CPU speed. This will help you during CPU-intensive tasks like Modelling or Rendering on AutoCad.
Besides, AMD Ryzen 5 5625U consumes less energy than Core i5-11357G7. As a result, it won’t heat up during usage, and you can enjoy a seamless workflow. Also, with Turbo Boost, its base frequency can double in speed. This gives you more efficiency when playing games.
Despite these features, AMD Ryzen 5 5625U has a lower memory latency than Core i5-11357G7. But, it outperformed Core i5-11357G7 in the following:
- Single-core performance (69 to 68)
- Performance on all cores (36 to 27)
- Power efficiency (88 to 75)
All these show you’ll get the best CPU possible with ThinkBook. This makes your work much faster, much like what you’ll get on a MacBook Pro. What’s more, gaming on ThinkBook gives you an experience of the IdeaPad gaming system. Although in the ThinkBook vs IdeaPad comparison, the features of ThinkBook stand out.
– Connectivity
Winner: ThinkBook
Both the ThinkBook and ThinkPad have Wi-Fi (v6) and Bluetooth v5.2. As a result, you get the latest Wi-Fi connectivity and better Bluetooth coverage. Also, ThinkPad has Thunderbolt for charging and non-charging, but ThinkBook does not. This is a little downside in ThinkBook, but it gets better, and you’ll observe why it won this comparison.
First, ThinkBook has a 4-in-1 card reader, which allows using different types of SD cards. As a result, you can transfer files from SD cards to your ThinkBook. ThinkPad does not have an SD Card reader; instead, it comes with an optional Nano SIM slot. You’ll use it on rare occasions, and you’ll wonder why the laptop has it in the first place.
Secondly, ThinkBook has HDMI 2.1 TMDS, which allows high-speed data transmission. But, ThinkPad has HDMI 2.0, this is a lesser version compared to what’s on ThinkBook. Again, ThinkBook has two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (full function, USB+DP+PD), which allows you to use a Type-C cord. Yet, ThinkPad does not have this, and you’ll have to use a USB-C docking station.
– Memory (RAM)
Winner: ThinkPad
ThinkPad has a 16 GB RAM clocking at 4226 MHz while ThinkBook has Eight GB RAM at 3200 MHz. Looking at these figures, it’s evident that ThinkPad has a faster RAM speed than ThinkBook. With this, communications between applications move at a faster rate compared to ThinkBook. As a result, you can run more applications at once on ThinkPad and not on ThinkBook.
This is a downside of ThinkBook in situations where you are running apps that use lots of RAM. One way or the other, you’ll notice the effect on your system due to the RAM size, eight Gigabytes. This will happen when applications use the entire RAM, and you’ll notice a spike in resource usage. This is a rare case in ThinkPad, so you can run your applications and games at the same time on its 16 GB RAM.
– Graphics
Winner: ThinkBook
ThinkBook has AMD Radeon Graphics, which is “AMD Radeon Vega 7” and ThinkBook has Intel Iris Xe. Thanks to the Octa Cores CPU in ThinkBook, you get a faster-performing GPU in AMD Radeon. As a result, Games like Grand Theft Auto or Far Cry will display better than what you’ll get on Intel Iris Xe. Also, If you are running Figma Desktop, be rest assured that ThinkBook will handle it with ease.
Some of the downsides of “AMD Radeon Vega 7” are not visible to the naked eye. This includes Texture Mapping Unit (TMU) and Raster Operations Pipeline (ROP). Intel Iris in ThinkPad has a faster TMU and ROP, but the architecture of ThinkBook makes up for this. As a result, you’ll get faster graphics processing on ThinkBook compared to ThinkPad.
– Camera
Winner: ThinkPad
The webcam in ThinkPad is IR & 720p HD with HPD compared to 1080p HD in ThinkBook. IR stands for infrared, along with the Webcam, it’ll grant you access after it scans your face. This eliminates the need to enter your password or PIN for authentication purposes. As a business person, you can use this feature to access your ThinkPad when you don’t want to enter your password.
This makes the IR feature on the ThinkPad Webcam an added security measure. That’s because as it scans your face, it’s difficult to hack. Besides, on Windows, with the IR camera, you can sign in using Windows Hello. You can’t get this feature on ThinkBook because its webcam is a normal 1080p HD camera.
– Battery
Winner: ThinkPad
When it comes to battery life between ThinkPad and ThinkBook, ThinkPad lasts for 12 hours. Also, battery longevity is the main characteristic of the ThinkPad series. Besides, 12 hours is double what you’ll get on the ThinkBook, which means more time to work on your tasks. When you take your ThinkPad to your office, you can rest assured it’ll last you for the whole day.
To confirm the battery longevity of ThinkPad, we did a test on ThinkBook vs ThinkPad vs IdeaPad. Our results show a ThinkPad lasts longer; again, this proves you can work longer on a ThinkPad. And it gets better; irrespective of the hours of usage, Lenovo Thinkpad always stays cool. With this, it’s certain it won’t get hot, so you can put it on your lap while you are working.
Battery longevity is not a thing of ThinkBook, as we’ve mentioned, it lasts for six hours. This will reduce with continued usage, so it’ll not last, and you’ll need a power outlet for longer hours.
– Price
Winner: ThinkBook
Both the ThinkBook and ThinkPad prices range in the thousands of dollars. Yet, the ThinkBook cost around 1269 US dollars, and the ThinkPad cost 2889 US dollars. This makes the ThinkBook more affordable than the ThinkPad. When you plan on spending such an amount of money on a laptop, their prices can discourage you.
But, when you take a second look, the ThinkBook is still more affordable than the ThinkPad. If you run your business, you are better off with Lenovo ThinkPad. As a freelancer or content creator, the ThinkBook will serve you the most. That’s because when you read through its features, you’ll conclude that it’s worth the price.
What’s more, we compared the prices of ThinkBook vs ThinkPad E15 and ThinkBook vs ThinkPad E14. They are in the thousands, and this proves a ThinkPad is not as affordable as a ThinkBook.
Thinkbook Review
Pros:
- Fast AMD Ryzen CPU
- 4-in-1 Card reader
- Touchscreen
- Privacy Webcam Shutter
Cons:
- Low battery life
The first impression of the ThinkBook is the modern design that has a dual tone Mineral Gray top cover. Combined with its 18.9 mm thickness, the ThinkBook is your best companion. It’s a must-have if you want top-notch performance and amazing Graphics. Also, AMD Ryzen processor and Radeon graphics will let you use demanding apps.
While at it, the Hexa Cores of Ryzen and its Turbo Boost give you a good multitasking experience. Besides, you can use the full potential of the Ryzen CPU thanks to dual heat pipes and good thermal capacity. Plus, with AI-enabled intelligent cooling, you don’t have to worry about overheating. About the display, it’s bright and Full-HD with a 100 percent sRGB color gamut.
With such a display, high-resolution images and media display well on its 1920 x 1080 screen. This gives you an amazing viewing experience that you won’t get elsewhere. The ThinkBook will increase your workflow thanks to its array of ports, such as USB-C and a 4-in-1 card reader. Also, with Wi-Fi v6, you’ll enjoy stable connections, which is a must-have if you are a remote worker.
When it comes to security, ThinkBook has TPM, port access control, and a secure wipe. The webcam privacy shutter lets you block the camera when you are not using it. This prevents webcam spying if your ThinkBook gets compromised.
ThinkPad Review
Pros:
- Big display with WUXGA
- Thunderbolt
- Webcam with IR
- 12 hours battery life
Cons:
- Super expensive
On the ThinkPad, the first thing that’ll greet you is the 16:10 (1920 x 1200) 14 inches screen. Then you have the UHD+ panel and Dolby Vision both will give you an improved viewing experience. This applies whether you are video conferencing or watching media. The two upward-firing speakers and two downward-firing woofers give you better sound quality.
ThinkPad has 12 hours battery life, which allows you to work for long hours. While you work on your ThinkPad, the Intel Evo platform delivers performance. This gives you an exceptional experience when you are working with different applications. All along, it will remain cool because it has an improved Thermal solution thanks to a dual fan and a rear vent.
For security, ThinkPad has built-in ThinkShield security solutions that safeguard your data. The biometrics capabilities give you extra security via the fingerprint reader. For added security, Lenovo integrated the fingerprint reader with the power button. As a result, you can boot up and log in by touching the fingerprint reader.
It gets better; there is a human-presence detection that’ll lock your device when you move away. Combined with the IR camera, you can log in without your password, even when it wakes up from sleep. If you are on a plane, you can choose the PrivacyGuard display panel to keep prying eyes away. This is a helpful feature if you are working on sensitive information.
FAQ
1. Which Is Better Thinkbook or Thinkpad?
Lenovo ThinkBook is best for personal use, while Lenovo ThinkPad is more suitable for business use. That’s why ThinkPad has security measures like IR Camera and PrivacyGuard. You won’t find these features on the ThinkBook.
2. Is Thinkbook a Good Laptop?
Yes, without an ounce of double, the ThinkBook laptop is a decent laptop. Its many features like the AMD Ryzen processor and Radeon graphics make it a solid laptop. You also get a 4-in-1 card reader and USB-3.2, among other things that’ll increase your productivity.
3. Why Is Thinkbook Cheaper Than Thinkpad?
That’s because of the target market of both laptops. ThinkBook is for personal use, while Lenovo ThinkPad laptops are for businesses.
4. Why Do Most Companies Use Thinkpad?
Companies use the ThinkPad series of laptops because of their security features and battery. These features include the IR camera and PrivacyGuard.
Conclusion
This article is a complete and thorough comparison of the ThinkBook and ThinkPad. With our information, you have everything to help you decide. Yet, if you need a high-performance laptop for personal use, choose ThinkBook. But, if you are a business owner, you’ll pick the Thinkpad due to its security features.
ThinkBook and ThinkPad are the best laptops produced by Lenovo. Although they are expensive, you can wait for laptop deals on Black Friday when prices go down. Or, if you run a business, you can go for the Thinkpad E series, which is an affordable business laptop. Either way, these laptops are the best in the market, and you’ll have no regrets about them.