Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 ranks as the #126 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 79. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #83-ranked connectivity among 460 laptops. Consider the HP ZBook Studio G10 or HP OMEN Transcend 14, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 makes some sacrifices in favor of portability and security features that will appeal to the hardcore business audience. While it's smaller and lighter than its predecessor, with a 16:10 display and island keyboard, the laptop's performance is slightly compromised by the Ryzen 5 Pro 5675u processor. Battery life is decent at 8 hours and 20 minutes, but not exceptional. Upgradeability is limited, with only one M.2 slot for SSDs. For those who value security features and extra portability over raw performance, the L13 Gen 3 may be a good choice.
Build
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 boasts a robust build with aluminum alloy for the lid and a mix of glass fibers and plastic for the base. The laptop's rigidity is improved, making it more durable. Weighing in at just 1.25 kilograms, it's also thinner than its predecessor, measuring 17.3 millimeters. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, with clicky feedback and spill resistance, while the touchpad is smooth and responsive. Overall, the ThinkPad L13 Gen 3's build quality is solid, making it a great option for business users who value durability and portability. You might prefer Lenovo Yoga 6, designed with an upgraded build for a better experience.
Display
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 boasts an impressive full HD Plus display with excellent viewing angles, a peak brightness of 338 nits, and a high contrast ratio of 1910:1. The screen's zero PWM usage is a notable feature. However, the display only covers 56% of the sRGB color gamut, making it less ideal for color-critical work. Our recommended office work profile enhances text and table legibility. Overall, the display is well-suited for everyday use but may not meet the needs of graphic designers or editors. For a superior display, Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 could be the right choice.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 boasts a Ryzen 5 Pro 5675u processor, which falls short in performance compared to other models. In Cinebench and Photoshop tests, it lags behind the HP Elitebook 640 G9, which features a Core i5 1235u processor. While not ideal for demanding tasks, the Ryzen 5 Pro 5675u is sufficient for office work, ensuring a quiet machine under load. However, upgradeability is limited with only one M.2 PCIe slot and soldered DDR4 memory up to 32GB. Overall, performance is satisfactory but not exceptional, making it suitable for general business use rather than demanding tasks or editing work. A better alternative might be HP EliteBook 850 G7, featuring a next-level performance.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 boasts an impressive battery life, lasting up to 8 hours and 20 minutes of web browsing or video playback. Although not the longest-lasting, it meets expectations for a business machine. The Ryzen 5 Pro 5675u CPU is efficient, keeping temperatures under control with minimal cooling required. Upgradeability is limited, but this is balanced by the laptop's portability and security features.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 boasts impressive connectivity options. A USB Type-C 3.2 port and two USB Type-A ports are conveniently placed on the right side, alongside an HDMI 2.0 Port. Optional features include a SIM card slot and smart card reader. Ports are well-distributed for comfortable access. If you’re after a better connectivity, Huawei MateBook 16s could be the ideal option.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 boasts a compact design with a 16:10 display, weighing 1.25 kg. The laptop features an aluminum alloy lid and a base made of glass fibers and plastic. It has a comfortable keyboard with clicky feedback, a fingerprint reader, and a red track point. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Carbon might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded features.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 offers robust support and maintenance features. The laptop boasts an island-style keyboard with clicky feedback, spill resistance, and backlighting. A fingerprint reader and touchpad are also present. With a single heat pipe and fan, the device stays quiet even during high load periods. Upgradeability is limited, but it's sufficient for most office users. Overall, this business machine prioritizes security features and portability over raw performance.
Pros
1. Lenovo has fixed all of its flaws with the ThinkPad l13 Generation 3 making the laptop smaller and giving it a 16 by 10 display
2. The laptop has lost some weight slimming down to 1.25 kilograms, 140 grams less than the Gen 2 product
3. The keyboard is island with a fingerprint reader above it and a touch pad below it typing on it is comfortable mostly thanks to the clicky feedback
4. The display is surrounded by relatively thin bezels, has excellent viewing angles, a peak brightness of 338 nits, and a very high contrast ratio of 1910 to 1
5. The bottom firing speaker setup is surprisingly loud while all frequencies are free of deviations
6. The battery life is good, lasting for 8 hours and 20 minutes of web browsing or eight hours of video playback
Cons
1. The keyboard has shorter key travel than usual but the spill resistance and backlight manage to sway us in its favor
2. The display covers only 56 percent of the sRGB color gamut, which might be a deal breaker for some people who need color accuracy
3. The ThinkPad l13 Gen 3 makes some sacrifices which might be a deal breaker for some people, however these people aren't the hardcore business audience
4. The upgradeability is poor with up to 32 gigabytes of solder DDR4 memory and only one small M.2 PCIe slot
5. The processor (Ryzen 5 Pro 5675u) is not the best performer and is outclassed by the HP Elitebook 640 G9's Core i5 1235u in both Cinebench and Photoshop tests
6. The laptop has zero PWM usage, but this might be a drawback for some users
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