If you prioritize performance and a sleek design for tasks like 3D work or engineering, the ASUS may serve you well despite the higher cost, but keep in mind it's less rugged than the Lenovo. The ThinkPad X13, however, is known for durability and a business-friendly keyboard, making it a good fit for frequent travelers and professionals who type a lot, often providing better value if those features align with your needs. Battery life varies, with the Lenovo typically offering longevity, which is crucial if you're often away from power outlets. Choose based on what your daily usage looks like and whether the additional investment in the ASUS aligns with a need for higher computing power or a preference for a more premium build. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook S 13
Very good overall display quality
Best in class portability
Very good battery life
Very good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad X13
Very good overall build quality
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.1/10
6.9/10
13.3in
SIZE
13.3in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
365.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a high-resolution display and excellent brightness, which enhance the viewing experience for general use and precision tasks such as engineering and design work, where clear, crisp images are crucial. Additionally, it covers a wider range of color gamuts, which ensures that professionals who require color accuracy, like designers and engineers, get the true-to-life colors they need for their projects. However, its lack of a high refresh rate display means that fast-paced visuals common in gaming and 3D applications may not appear as smooth, affecting the overall experience in those scenarios.
Battery
11.0 Hours
8.5 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has 11 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has 8.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Best in Class
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
13.3in
2.2 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has best in class portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook S 13 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,400
$1,241
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a price of $1,400 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 costs $1,241.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 are both very good for general use.
The ASUS Zenbook S13 offers a balance between performance and portability with a high-quality screen, making it ideal for those who prioritize a mix of power for everyday tasks and the ability to carry their laptop around easily. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, known for its robust build and excellent keyboard, also delivers strong performance and sufficient battery life, appealing to users who need a dependable laptop for general use that can comfortably handle a variety of tasks while on the go.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.7/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and ASUS Zenbook S 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13, with its dedicated GPU and higher screen refresh rate, offers smoother visuals and better graphics handling for gaming and 3D applications than the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, which may have a capable CPU and good screen quality but falls short in gaming performance without a dedicated graphics card. However, the ThinkPad X13 is generally well-respected for its build quality and keyboard, making it a solid choice for business users and general productivity tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.0/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS Zenbook S13, with its robust CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality GPU, excels in handling demanding software applications, making it suitable for engineering tasks, while its screen clarity enhances design work; however, its portability and sound system are good but not exceptional. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 also boasts a strong CPU and sufficient RAM for engineering demands, and while its screen and GPU are competent for design, its standout keyboard and lower operating noise give it an edge in long-term comfort and quiet working environments, albeit with slightly less emphasis on portability.
Content Creation
8.5/10
8.2/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 are both very good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.3/10
8.1/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 are both very good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
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How the ASUS Zenbook S 13 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 compare to other laptops
"The Asus Zenbook S 13 is the slimmest OLED ultrabook worldwide struggles with annoying fans. The new Zenbook S 13 leaves us with mixed feelings, particularly since last year's model was so good. Asus has completely reworked the device, making the laptop noticeably slimmer. The result also looks good and the case makes a great impression, particularly also in terms of the stability. The new plasma ceramic surface feels great, and there are no problems with fingerprints. In addition, it now includes some of the known connections such as an HDMI port and a regular USB-A connection, which is a good achievement in such a slim device."
"The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 G4 has very good input devices, a wide array of security features and ports as well as 5G in the tested configuration. It is more compact and lightweight compared with its predecessor, and it has improved speakers and a slightly better webcam. On the other hand, the fan is more annoying and the performance is barely improved. The battery is worse as well, but this is primarily attributable to the OLED screen - if this aspect is important, buyers should choose the IPS Low Power LCD."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook S 13 or the Lenovo ThinkPad X13
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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