Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 AMD laptop review: Long battery life plus AMD power

Besides several exciting improvements, the Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 AMD also has a few advantages over the ThinkPad T14 G3. In this review, we will discuss whether they are enough to make the L14 the better choice. The L14 G3 features two RAM slots – this is a step-up from the T series, whose AMD models even only come with soldered RAM.
The L14 likewise has one crucial advantage over the Intel variant of the T14: a higher power limit of 25 watts and a better cooling solution. As a result, the L series, aimed mainly at business users and companies, could now potentially be appealing to consumers as well.
Compared to the previous-gen L14, the new device has a significantly slimmer chassis and looks more like the ThinkPad E14. Furthermore, the battery capacity has increased to 63 Wh on some models (previously 45 Wh). That said, there are changes to the choice of materials that are not necessarily optimal. We will talk more about this and the other changes later in the review. The ThinkPad L14 G3 is competing directly with laptops such as the HP ProBook 445 G8 as well as the Dell Latitude 14 5420 and Inspiron 14 5425.
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Comparison with possible competitors
Rating | Date | Model | Weight | Height | Size | Resolution | Best Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
86.5 % | 10/2022 | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 21C50030GE R5 PRO 5675U, Vega 7 | 1.6 kg | 19.83 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1080 | |
86.1 % | 08/2021 | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G2 AMD R7 PRO 5850U, Vega 8 | 1.7 kg | 20.4 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1080 | |
88.8 % | 09/2022 | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 G3-21CF004NGE R7 PRO 6850U, Radeon 680M | 1.4 kg | 17.9 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1200 | |
86.7 % | 07/2021 | Lenovo ThinkPad E14 G3-20Y7003SGE R5 5500U, Vega 7 | 1.6 kg | 17.9 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1080 | |
84.6 % | 09/2022 | Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4 21DK0004GE R5 5625U, Vega 7 | 1.5 kg | 22 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1080 | |
85.5 % | 11/2021 | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 14ACN6 R5 5600U, Vega 7 | 1.5 kg | 17.9 mm | 14.00" | 2240x1400 | |
85.3 % | 07/2022 | HP ProBook 445 G8-3Z6Q8ES R5 5600U, Vega 7 | 1.4 kg | 19.8 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1080 | |
84.8 % | 01/2022 | Dell Latitude 14 5420-D2G5W i5-1135G7, Iris Xe G7 80EUs | 1.5 kg | 20.9 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1080 | |
84.6 % | 08/2022 | Dell Inspiron 14 5425 6VPKR R5 5625U, Vega 7 | 1.6 kg | 18.37 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1200 |
Case: The ThinkPad L14 has a compact footprint
ThinkPads are usually black. This is the case with the previous-gen model. In contrast, the colour on the new L14 can definitely be described as grey.
Typically, the L series uses a lot of plastic in its construction. Lenovo once again didn't included a magnesium frame to reinforce the laptop, unlike on the predecessor L14 G2. Some Lenovo models come with a base made partially of carbon as well as an optional aluminium lid. Our review unit has neither of these features.
Unfortunately, the chassis can be flexed in the area around the palm rest, although this is not an issue in everyday use. Similarly, we wish the lid were a little bit stiffer. The hinges are very sturdy and prevent you from opening the laptop with one hand, but the display can fold back by 180°. The surfaces on the devices are smooth for the most part, with the lid having a slightly roughened texture. In terms of fit and finish, we didn't notice any gaps or flaws in the laptop's body.
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The bezel around the display has become considerably thinner, resulting in a screen-to-body ratio of 81.8%. The ThinkPad L14 G3 is thus more compact than the ThinkPad E14 G3. It is also 1 cm (0.4") shorter at the sides than the ThinkPad T14, which, on the other hand, is narrower thanks to its 16:10 display.
Moreover, the new L14 is around 200 g (0.44 lb) lighter than its predecessor and weighs 1.566 kg (3.45 lb) in the review configuration, putting it on the same level as its competitors. The lightest L14 model comes in at 1.39 kg (3.06"), with the battery option accounting for part of the weight difference.
The Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 has a wide range of features
Nothing much has changed in terms of the port selection – which is a good thing. Besides a HDMI 2.0 output, a microSD card reader and a gigabit Ethernet port, which thankfully has been moved closer to the back, there are four USB ports on the device: 2x USB-C (max. 10 GBit/s), which both support PD 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.4, and 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1. However, you won't be getting any Thunderbolt or USB 4 support.
SD card reader
We tested the SD card reader on the ThinkPad L14 with our reference card, the AV PRO micro SD 128 GB V60, and found that its read and write speeds were quite average. By comparison, the card reader on the Dell Latitude 14 5420 performed much better, offering transfer rates that were two to three times higher.
SD Card Reader | |
average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs) | |
Dell Latitude 14 5420-D2G5W (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
HP ProBook 445 G8-3Z6Q8ES (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G2 AMD (AV Pro V60) | |
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 14ACN6 (AV PRO V60) | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4 21DK0004GE | |
Average of class Office (19.4 - 196.8, n=66, last 2 years) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 21C50030GE | |
Dell Inspiron 14 5425 6VPKR (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB) | |
Dell Latitude 14 5420-D2G5W (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4 21DK0004GE | |
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 21C50030GE | |
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G2 AMD (AV Pro V60) | |
HP ProBook 445 G8-3Z6Q8ES (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 14ACN6 (AV PRO V60) | |
Average of class Office (23.6 - 191.5, n=65, last 2 years) | |
Dell Inspiron 14 5425 6VPKR (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) |
Connectivity
The replaceable Wi-Fi 6 module from AMD/Mediatek is almost completely ahead of the pack in our comparison. Based on our measurements, the transmit and receive rates have practically doubled when compared with the last-gen ThinkPad L14. In addition, none of the new L14 models are equipped with a slow Realtek chip.
Our review model is WWAN-ready (i.e. it has a free M.2 slot and an antenna cable). The Bluetooth 5.1 didn't give us any problems, contrary to the growing number of reports about ThinkPads with the latest AMD processors. NFC is available as an option.
Networking | |
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 21C50030GE | |
iperf3 receive AXE11000 |
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iperf3 transmit AXE11000 |
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Lenovo ThinkPad T14 G3-21CF004NGE | |
iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz |
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iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz |
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Dell Latitude 14 5420-D2G5W | |
iperf3 receive AX12 |
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iperf3 transmit AX12 |
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Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4 21DK0004GE | |
iperf3 receive AXE11000 |
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iperf3 transmit AXE11000 |
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Dell Inspiron 14 5425 6VPKR | |
iperf3 receive AX12 |
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iperf3 transmit AX12 |
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Lenovo ThinkPad E14 G3-20Y7003SGE | |
iperf3 receive AX12 |
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iperf3 transmit AX12 |
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Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G2 AMD | |
iperf3 receive AX12 |
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iperf3 transmit AX12 |
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Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 14ACN6 | |
iperf3 receive AX12 |
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iperf3 transmit AX12 |
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HP ProBook 445 G8-3Z6Q8ES | |
iperf3 receive AXE11000 |
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iperf3 transmit AXE11000 |
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Security
On the ThinkPad L14 G3, Lenovo has integrated the optional fingerprint reader into the power button. The laptop is also equipped with an entire suite of security features for business users, including TPM 2.0, a SmartCard reader, a Kensington slot, an IR camera with physical shutter and Mirametrix Glance.
Accessories
Whilst the L-series lacks a docking port, it can still be connected to USB-C docks. In the box, you'll only find a 65-watt USB-C power adapter included with the laptop. And 90% of the packaging is made of materials that are recycled or sourced from sustainable forestry.
Maintenance
After removing 11 Phillips-head screws, you can remove the bottom cover using a spudger. But be careful: the plastic clips can break easily.
There are many great things about the internals in our opinion: two RAM slots, a removable Wi-Fi module, a free M.2 slot for WWAN, a cooling system that can be easily maintained, and a replaceable SSD. Unlike its predecessor, the L14 G3 uses an SSD with the shorter M.2 2242 form factor to accommodate the larger battery (also replaceable). One of the USB-A ports is on a daughterboard and can thus also be replaced if it is broken.
Warranty
Lenovo provides a 12-month warranty on the L14 G3 in both Germany and the US. Although our campus model comes with Premier Onsite Support, the default warranty only offers courier or carry-in service. You can, however, upgrade and extend the warranty by two years for around 95 Euro (US$99), and three years for around 210 Euro (US$189).
Great input devices with some quirks
Keyboard
The ThinkPad L14 has had a shorter key travel of 1.5 mm (0.06") since the very first generation. This means the E series remains the only choice if you prefer a key travel of 1.8 mm (0.07"). The six-row full-width keyboard is very comfortable, fast and quiet to type on.
Lenovo uses keyboards from different suppliers on its ThinkPads; the keyboard on our review unit is made by Sunrex and doesn't feel as crisp as the one on our ThinkPad T16 review sample. Because it lacks a magnesium frame, the keyboard exhibits noticeable flex when pushed down deliberately. When typing, you will only notice some flex on the number keys 6 to 9 and on the down arrow key. All important special function keys are dedicated.
Touchpad & TrackPoint
The touchpad is now 15% wider but shorter by the same percentage, measuring 11.5 x 5.5 cm (4.53 x 2.17"). The slightly rough Mylar surface isn't as smooth as the one on current T series models. But it still feel great to use nonetheless. The touchpad is responsive, precise and able to recognise common gestures without any delay. The integrated buttons have a low click depth but feel dull to press.
The red TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard works as expected and lets you move the mouse cursor around the screen with speed and precision. The three TrackPoint buttons below are now completely flat. Nevertheless, they still provide a distinct and accurate click.
Optional low-power display capable of 400 nits
Our review unit comes with a matt Full HD IPS display (1,920 × 1,080) with a 16:9 aspect ratio, even though the ThinkPad L13 has already made the jump to a 16:10 display. The screen looks sharp enough at this resolution and is capable of producing a relatively saturated black thanks to its great contrast of 1,219:1 and a low black level of 0.24 nits. At 7,071K, the white point doesn't quite hit the optimal value of 6,500K.
The screen has a low peak brightness of 282 nits. If possible, you should go for the low-power display option, as it is much brighter at 400 nits and thus more practical for outdoor use. We didn't detect any PWM flicker. Apart from the IdeaPad 5 Pro 14 and ThinkPad T14 G3, all the other devices in the comparison have a similar level of performance.
The following display options are available (all matt):
1,366x768 (HD), 220 nits, 45% NTSC, TN
1,920×1,080 (Full HD), 250 nits, 45% NTSC, IPS
1,920×1,080 (Full HD), 300 nits, 45% NTSC, IPS, touch support
1,920×1,080 (Full HD), 400 nits, 100% sRGB, IPS, low power
|
Brightness Distribution: 91 %
Center on Battery: 292 cd/m²
Contrast: 1217:1 (Black: 0.24 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 5.8 | 0.59-29.43 Ø5.2, calibrated: 4.5
ΔE Greyscale 3.7 | 0.57-98 Ø5.5
42.7% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
60.8% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
41.4% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.07
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 21C50030GE BOE NV140FHM-N4U, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00 | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G2 AMD B140HAN04.0, IPS LED, 1920x1080, 14.00 | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 G3-21CF004NGE LP140WU1-SPB2, IPS, 1920x1200, 14.00 | Lenovo ThinkPad E14 G3-20Y7003SGE NVM140FHM-N4V, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00 | Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4 21DK0004GE LENOVO LEN140FHD, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00 | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 14ACN6 LEN140WUXGA+, IPS, 2240x1400, 14.00 | HP ProBook 445 G8-3Z6Q8ES AUO559C, IPS LED, 1920x1080, 14.00 | Dell Latitude 14 5420-D2G5W AUO5491 / B140HAN, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display | -8% | 65% | -2% | 2% | 71% | -10% | -12% | |
Display P3 Coverage | 41.4 | 37.5 -9% | 69.2 67% | 40.3 -3% | 42.2 2% | 72.2 74% | 36.9 -11% | 36 -13% |
sRGB Coverage | 60.8 | 56.3 -7% | 97.4 60% | 59.5 -2% | 62.9 3% | 99.5 64% | 55.5 -9% | 54 -11% |
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 42.7 | 38.7 -9% | 71.5 67% | 41.7 -2% | 43.6 2% | 74.3 74% | 38.2 -11% | 37 -13% |
Response Times | -135% | -103% | -106% | -83% | -211% | -153% | -145% | |
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 25 ? | 36 ? -44% | 41.4 ? -66% | 35.2 ? -41% | 29 ? -16% | 45.2 ? -81% | 39 ? -56% | 41 ? -64% |
Response Time Black / White * | 8 ? | 26 ? -225% | 19.2 ? -140% | 21.6 ? -170% | 20 ? -150% | 35.2 ? -340% | 28 ? -250% | 26 ? -225% |
PWM Frequency | ||||||||
Screen | -13% | 46% | 10% | -16% | 24% | 0% | 8% | |
Brightness middle | 292 | 278 -5% | 451 54% | 341 17% | 306 5% | 310.6 6% | 304 4% | 290 -1% |
Brightness | 282 | 255 -10% | 435 54% | 327 16% | 283 0% | 302 7% | 270 -4% | 282 0% |
Brightness Distribution | 91 | 86 -5% | 94 3% | 90 -1% | 85 -7% | 92 1% | 83 -9% | 81 -11% |
Black Level * | 0.24 | 0.33 -38% | 0.21 12% | 0.26 -8% | 0.38 -58% | 0.22 8% | 0.25 -4% | 0.26 -8% |
Contrast | 1217 | 842 -31% | 2148 76% | 1312 8% | 805 -34% | 1412 16% | 1216 0% | 1115 -8% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 5.8 | 5.9 -2% | 2.4 59% | 5.1 12% | 6 -3% | 2.67 54% | 6.78 -17% | 4.65 20% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 18.1 | 20.2 -12% | 4.1 77% | 17.6 3% | 20.5 -13% | 4.54 75% | 17.59 3% | 7.5 59% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated * | 4.5 | 4.5 -0% | 1.3 71% | 4.4 2% | 4.5 -0% | 2.33 48% | 4.69 -4% | 3.98 12% |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 3.7 | 4.1 -11% | 3.3 11% | 2.1 43% | 5.1 -38% | 3.7 -0% | 2.43 34% | 3.22 13% |
Gamma | 2.07 106% | 2.15 102% | 2.13 103% | 2.11 104% | 2.13 103% | 2.12 104% | 2.43 91% | 2.54 87% |
CCT | 7071 92% | 7224 90% | 6848 95% | 6755 96% | 6264 104% | 6398 102% | 6759 96% | 6169 105% |
Total Average (Program / Settings) | -52% /
-29% | 3% /
29% | -33% /
-9% | -32% /
-22% | -39% /
0% | -54% /
-24% | -50% /
-18% |
* ... smaller is better
Colours on the screen deviate significantly from the target values. Calibrating the display didn't really improve the situation, but it at least remove the slight cyan tint. As usual, you'll find a link to download the colour profile created by us on the right of the brightness distribution diagram.
Display Response Times
↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
---|---|---|
8 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 8 ms rise | |
↘ 8 ms fall | ||
The screen shows fast response rates in our tests and should be suited for gaming. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.4 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 13 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (22.7 ms). | ||
↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
25 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 12 ms rise | |
↘ 13 ms fall | ||
The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.25 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 25 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (35.8 ms). |
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
Screen flickering / PWM not detected | |||
In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 19466 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured. |
ThinkPad L14 delivers great performance but has stability issues
Our review unit comes with one 8 GB RAM module and can support up to 64 GB of DDR4-3200 RAM split across two SODIMM modules. It also features a six-core AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U Barcelo CPU, integrated Vega 7 graphics and a PCIe 4.0 SSD with 256 GB of storage.
The hardware is good enough for office and business use, but we recommend upgrading to at least 16 GB of RAM for more demanding tasks. Other AMD models of the L14 G3 have CPUs with four to eight cores, whilst the Intel variants come with everything from a Core i3-1215U to Core i7-1260P.
Test conditions
On ThinkPads, Lenovo has integrated the performance modes into Windows power options. We used the high-performance profile and disabled auto mode when carrying out all performance-related benchmarks.
In "Best Performance" and "Better Performance" modes, the AMD processor initially drew 30 watts of power and then reduced its power usage to 25 watts after 40 seconds and 25 seconds respectively. In "More Battery Efficiency" mode, power consumption gradually dropped from 21 watts to 18 watts over a few minutes.
Processor
The 25-watt power limit is reasonable for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U. The processor is able to deliver 30 per cent more sustained performance than the Intel Alder Lake CPU in the ThinkPad T16 (limited to 20 watts).
Interestingly, the new L14 has around the same CPU performance as its predecessor with an eight-core Ryzen CPU. But our database suggests you will get an approximately 25% performance gain with eight Cezanne/Barcelo U cores at the same power limits.
Thanks to the two copper heat pipes, temperatures only reached 75°C (167°F) over a prolonged period. In contrast, the Intel variants of the L14 G3 are only fitted with one heat pipe, similar to the ThinkPad T series. All the other devices in our comparison mostly delivered similar performance thanks to their six-core AMD CPU.
On battery, there is no drop in sustained performance. The 32-second initial boost to 30 watts is simply disabled (see power usage log and screenshots).
That said, we encountered a really annoying bug: every time after waking up from sleep mode, the CPU would linger around 500 to 800 MHz. This problem could only be resolved by restarting the laptop, which then caused the power limit to get stuck at 20 watts. We didn't really understand when and why we regained access to the full 25-watt power limit.
Cinebench R15 Multi Sustained Load
Cinebench R23: Multi Core | Single Core
Cinebench R20: CPU (Multi Core) | CPU (Single Core)
Cinebench R15: CPU Multi 64Bit | CPU Single 64Bit
Blender: v2.79 BMW27 CPU | v3.3 Classroom CPU
7-Zip 18.03: 7z b 4 | 7z b 4 -mmt1
Geekbench 5.4: Multi-Core | Single-Core
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2: 4k Preset
LibreOffice : 20 Documents To PDF
R Benchmark 2.5: Overall mean
V-Ray 5 Benchmark: CPU
V-Ray Benchmark Next 4.10: CPU
Blender / v3.3 Classroom CPU | |
Average of class Office (503 - 3786, n=47, last 2 years) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 G1 21BWS00200 | |
HP ProBook 445 G8-3Z6Q8ES | |
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 21C50030GE | |
Average AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4 21DK0004GE | |
Dell Inspiron 14 5425 6VPKR | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 G3-21CF004NGE |
V-Ray 5 Benchmark / CPU | |
Dell Inspiron 14 5425 6VPKR | |
HP ProBook 445 G8-3Z6Q8ES | |
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 21C50030GE | |
Average AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 G1 21BWS00200 | |
Average of class Office (544 - 7823, n=59, last 2 years) | |
Dell Latitude 14 5420-D2G5W |
* ... smaller is better
AIDA64: FP32 Ray-Trace | FPU Julia | CPU SHA3 | CPU Queen | FPU SinJulia | FPU Mandel | CPU AES | CPU ZLib | FP64 Ray-Trace | CPU PhotoWorxx
System performance
Based on our experience, the system performance is very fast. Apps and websites load without any delay, even when a 4K video is playing in the background. Despite the single-channel RAM, the synthetic benchmark results are on approximately the same level as those of the competitors and slightly better than the ThinkPad T16 with an Intel Alder Lake CPU. However, the Alder Lake processor had a considerable lead in web browsing benchmarks owing to its higher shot-term turbo boost.
CrossMark: Overall | Productivity | Creativity | Responsiveness
Sunspider: 1.0 Total Score
Mozilla Kraken 1.1: Total Score
Speedometer 2.0: Result
Octane V2: Total Score
Jetstream 2: Total Score
WebXPRT 3: ---
WebXPRT 4: Overall Score
CrossMark / Responsiveness | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 G1 21BWS00200 | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 G3-21CF004NGE | |
Dell Inspiron 14 5425 6VPKR | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4 21DK0004GE | |
Average of class Office (284 - 1746, n=59, last 2 years) | |
Dell Latitude 14 5420-D2G5W | |
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 21C50030GE | |
HP ProBook 445 G8-3Z6Q8ES |
Sunspider / 1.0 Total Score | |
Average of class Office (97.3 - 361, n=16, last 2 years) | |
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 21C50030GE | |
Dell Inspiron 14 5425 6VPKR | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 G1 21BWS00200 |
Speedometer 2.0 / Result | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 G1 21BWS00200 | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 G3-21CF004NGE | |
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 G3 21C50030GE | |
Dell Inspiron 14 5425 6VPKR | |
Average of class Office (39.7 - 264, n=28, last 2 years) |