If you prioritize cost savings, the HP Pavilion 15 is a budget-friendly option offering essential computing capabilities, particularly suitable for general use with ample storage. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13, costing more, delivers superior performance with a premium build, making it apt for more demanding tasks, such as engineering or creative work, and also offers a higher-quality display and enhanced portability due to its smaller size and lighter weight. However, the Lenovo's higher cost reflects these added advantages. Consider your most critical needs between performance and affordability to guide your choice. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the HP Pavilion 15
The HP Pavilion 15 has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13.
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Very good speakers
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.0/10
7.8/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
220.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
379.0 nits
3.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and HP Pavilion 15 are both good for general use, though the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is somewhat better.
The HP Pavilion 15 offers a larger screen and ample storage, which is good for everyday tasks, but with its basic CPU and screen resolution, it's more suited for light to medium workload. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13, with a more powerful CPU, superior screen quality, and excellent portability and battery life, better supports demanding general use and frequent mobility.
Engineering and Design
6.2/10
7.3/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is good for engineering and design, while the HP Pavilion 15 is only fair.
The HP Pavilion 15, with its basic Intel i3 processor and integrated GPU, is not as powerful as the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13, which boasts a more capable AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Radeon GPU suitable for more demanding engineering and design tasks. Additionally, the ThinkPad Z13 offers a higher quality IPS screen with better resolution and color coverage, which is crucial for design accuracy, along with greater portability due to its lighter weight and more compact size.
Content Creation
7.1/10
7.8/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and HP Pavilion 15 are both good for content creation, though the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is somewhat better.
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
6.6/10
7.7/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is good for software development, while the HP Pavilion 15 is only fair.
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
5.3/10
7.0/10
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
220.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
379.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has a better screen than the HP Pavilion 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 offers a clearer, sharper display and better viewing angles due to its superior panel type and resolution, whereas the HP Pavilion 15's screen may appear dull and less vivid. In engineering and design, the ThinkPad Z13's display covers a wider range of colors, essential for accurate color work, but the Pavilion 15's limited color gamut can result in less precise color representation. When it comes to gaming and 3D applications, the Pavilion 15's lower refresh rate leads to less fluid motion and responsiveness, a drawback that is less critical for the ThinkPad given its target audience who may not prioritize gaming performance.
Battery
3.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The HP Pavilion 15 has 3 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has 10 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
Good
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has excellent portability, while the HP Pavilion 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2/10
8.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has very good build quality, while the HP Pavilion 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$600
$1,000
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The HP Pavilion 15 has a price of $600 and the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 costs $1,000.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and HP Pavilion 15 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The HP Pavilion 15 is equipped with an Intel UHD graphics for i3-1115G4, which provides basic graphics capabilities and a 60Hz screen refresh rate, meaning it's adequate for casual gaming but may not handle intensive 3D applications smoothly. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has a more powerful AMD Radeon 680M GPU with the same 60Hz screen refresh rate, allowing for better gaming and 3D performance but still limited by the screen's refresh capabilities.
Give feedback
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How the HP Pavilion 15 and the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 compare to other laptops
"The HP Pavilion 15 carries a fair amount of power and a sharp display in its handsome slimline shell. It's not perfect, but it's a hard worker. This is wonderfully designed and totes a heck of a lot of desktop power, with the added benefit of a decent webcam and a full-sized keyboard. If you're getting down to business on a budget, it's a great fit."
"In the premium ultraportable space, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 competes with the best of the best, and still manages to shine. The design is an impressive departure from the bland bare-metal laptop that's become so popular in recent years, and the AMD-powered system has performance that's just as impressive. It's a stark alternative to the Intel-based majority, and it stands up well enough to the impressive Apple M2 processor."
Get a great deal on the HP Pavilion 15 or the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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