When choosing between the ASUS Zenbook 14 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13, consider that the Zenbook typically offers a better price-to-performance ratio, making it suitable for general use and moderate workloads, while the ThinkPad comes with a higher price tag due to its durability and business-oriented features, which may be important for users who need a machine for professional environments. The ThinkPad may have superior keyboard quality and build, potentially providing a better typing experience for long hours of work. The Zenbook, being less expensive, may sacrifice on some premium features yet still offer solid performance for everyday tasks. If long battery life and extreme portability are less critical, the Zenbook can be a cost-effective choice, but for those who prioritize a robust build and business-grade performance, the ThinkPad X13 could justify its higher cost. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook 14
Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad X13
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.2/10
8.4/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
339.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for general use, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook 14, with its robust CPU and ample RAM, ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks, while its lightweight design and long battery life enhance portability and usage away from power outlets; however, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 edges ahead with a superior screen for crisp visuals, and a well-regarded keyboard, making it a standout for heavy typing and prolonged work sessions without compromising on performance or battery life.
Gaming and AI
6.1/10
6.7/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and ASUS Zenbook 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 both have GPUs that can handle gaming and 3D tasks adequately but aren't top-of-the-line, which is crucial for the best gaming performance. The Zenbook may offer a slightly better screen for crisp images, while the ThinkPad is known for its durability and comfortable keyboard, yet both might have screens with refresh rates lower than what gaming enthusiasts prefer.
Engineering and Design
7.2/10
8.0/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook 14, with its robust CPU, ample RAM, and dedicated GPU, excels in demanding engineering tasks and creative work due to its high-resolution screen and graphics performance, but it can be less portable and noisier under load. Conversely, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, while offering good CPU and RAM for various engineering applications, prioritizes portability and has a well-regarded keyboard and quieter operation, which might come at the expense of lower screen resolution and graphics capabilities compared to the Zenbook.
Content Creation
7.3/10
8.2/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for content creation, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is good.
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
7.2/10
8.1/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for software development, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is good.
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.
Screen Quality
8.3/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
13.3in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
339.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
For general use, the ASUS Zenbook 14 offers a sharp, bright display with vibrant colors due to its high resolution and quality panel type, which enhance visual clarity and comfort. When considering engineering and design, this laptop's display covers a wide range of color gamuts, allowing for precise color work essential in those fields. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Zenbook's lower refresh rate can result in less fluid motion, making it less desirable for fast-paced visuals compared to panels designed with higher refresh rates for smooth gameplay.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$300
$1,459
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has a price of $300 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 costs $1,459.
"Users who travel frequently and are looking for a portable laptop are in the right place with the Asus ZenBook 14. The sleek case is extremely light (1.2 kg) and surprisingly thin (1.5 cm). Outdoor use is also enjoyable thanks to the bright Full HD display, which is something that can rarely be said about laptops with TN or IPS panels. The excellent battery life complements this as well. Longer trips are no problem with the ZenBook 14. Another plus point is the high-performance Ryzen 7 5700U, which often leaves the Intel competition in the dust thanks to its large number of cores."
"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 14 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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