The Lenovo ThinkPad L13 is a 13.3-inch business laptop powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U quad-core processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, a 256GB NVMe PCIe SSD, and a Full HD 1920×1080 anti-glare display—running Windows 11 Pro. The L13 sits in Lenovo's mainstream ThinkPad range, which means corporate-grade durability and the ThinkPad keyboard ThinkPad users recognise, at a price point below the premium T and X series. Because the SSD is NVMe rather than SATA, boot times sit under 15 seconds and application launches feel immediate—a meaningful step up from older refurbished laptops still running SATA drives. The i5-10210U is a 15W Comet Lake processor with four cores and eight threads, therefore it handles standard office multitasking, video conferencing, and cloud-based applications without the hesitation of lower-powered alternatives. Tested by our technicians in early 2026, this 2020-era ThinkPad delivers reliable everyday performance for business and study use.

Ideal For

The ThinkPad L13 suits professionals and students who value keyboard quality and build reliability over premium aesthetics—think administrators, writers, and analysts who spend most of their day in documents, spreadsheets, and communication tools, and want a machine that handles that workload consistently without fuss. The Full HD display and NVMe storage make it more capable than entry-level refurbished alternatives, while the ThinkPad chassis and spill-resistant keyboard suit users who move the machine between home and office regularly.

It's less suited to users who need to run multiple memory-intensive applications simultaneously—8GB on a single SODIMM module means the slot is free for a future upgrade, but at 8GB the ceiling shows when Slack, Teams, Chrome with 15+ tabs, and a local application are all running at once. It's also not a gaming machine; the Intel UHD Graphics handle video and light visual work but aren't designed for 3D applications.

Key Features & Benefits

• Intel Core i5-10210U (10th Gen, up to 4.2GHz Turbo): Four cores and eight threads in a 15W envelope, which means it sustains performance across longer working sessions without excessive heat. Comparable in everyday throughput to the i7-8650U from the generation prior, but with slightly better efficiency under light loads.
• 256GB NVMe PCIe SSD: Sequential read speeds in the 1,500–2,000 MB/s range—significantly faster than SATA SSDs at ~500 MB/s—therefore large file transfers, application launches, and browser restores are noticeably quicker in daily use.
• 13.3" Full HD IPS-class Display (1920×1080, anti-glare): The Full HD resolution means two documents side by side are legible without squinting, and the anti-glare coating reduces eye strain in bright office environments. A practical improvement over HD 1366×768 displays still common on refurbished 13-inch laptops at this price range.
• 8GB DDR4 2666MHz (single SODIMM, upgradeable): The module is replaceable, so a future upgrade to 16GB is straightforward. 8GB handles focused single-application work and moderate multitasking; upgrade if you regularly run five or more applications simultaneously.
• ThinkShutter Webcam Privacy Cover: A physical sliding shutter covers the 720p webcam lens completely—increasingly standard for corporate security compliance and useful for anyone who prefers hardware-level privacy control over software settings.
• Intel Wireless-AC 9560 + Bluetooth 5.0: Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with reliable range for video calls and cloud applications. Bluetooth 5.0 extends wireless peripheral range over older Bluetooth 4.x implementations.
• ThinkPad Keyboard: The L13 inherits the ThinkPad keyboard layout—well-spaced keys with consistent travel—which is why ThinkPad models are consistently preferred by writers and analysts who spend extended hours typing.
• Intel UHD Graphics (Comet Lake): Handles 1080p video playback, external display output, and light image work. Not suited to 3D rendering or gaming beyond casual titles at low settings.

Common Questions

How does the ThinkPad L13 compare to the Dell Latitude 7390?

Both run a 10th-gen or 8th-gen i5/i7 with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, but there are meaningful differences. The L13 has a NVMe SSD where the 7390 is SATA—that's a real speed advantage in daily use. The L13 also includes Bluetooth 5.0 versus 4.2 on the 7390 and a physical webcam shutter. The 7390 counters with Thunderbolt 3, which the L13 doesn't include—so if single-cable docking or external 4K display connectivity matters, the Dell is the stronger option. For users who prioritise keyboard feel and NVMe speed over Thunderbolt, the L13 is the better fit.

Can it handle video calls while running other applications?

Yes, comfortably under typical conditions. In our testing, a Teams or Zoom video call alongside open Word documents, Chrome, and email sits at around 55–65% CPU utilisation on the i5-10210U—leaving headroom for background tasks. Where 8GB RAM becomes noticeable is if you add memory-heavy applications on top: running Slack, a video call, Chrome with 12+ tabs, and a local database application simultaneously will start to push the limit.

Is the ThinkPad L13 the same as the ThinkPad L13 Gen 2?

No. This is the original ThinkPad L13 (Type 20R3) with 10th Gen Intel Comet Lake processors. The L13 Gen 2, released later, moved to 11th Gen Tiger Lake CPUs with Intel Iris Xe graphics. The Gen 2 has a graphics and CPU performance advantage; however, the original L13 with NVMe storage and a 10th-gen i5 remains a capable and well-priced option for standard business and study tasks.

Technical Specifications

At a Glance

• Type: 13.3-inch business laptop (ThinkPad L series)
• Performance: Intel Core i5-10210U (4-core/8-thread, 1.6GHz base / 4.2GHz Turbo) + 8GB DDR4 2666MHz
• Storage: 256GB NVMe PCIe SSD — ~1,500–2,000 MB/s sequential read
• Display: 13.3" Full HD 1920×1080 anti-glare, non-touch
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (Comet Lake) — 1080p video and dual display output capable
• Wireless: Intel AC 9560 (802.11ac 2×2) + Bluetooth 5.0
• Camera: 720p HD webcam with ThinkShutter physical privacy cover
• OS: Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
• Colour: Black
• RAM: Upgradeable via single SODIMM slot (max 16GB)
• Best for: Business productivity, document-heavy workflows, video conferencing, home office
• Not recommended for: Thunderbolt docking, gaming, running multiple virtual machines, memory-intensive multitasking beyond 8GB

Performance & Real-World Use

In our testing, the i5-10210U handles a standard office workload cleanly—Teams video call, Word and Excel open, and Chrome with 10 tabs running simultaneously stays well within CPU capacity. The NVMe SSD is the most noticeable real-world advantage of this model: compared to SATA-equipped refurbished laptops at a similar price, the L13 feels more responsive when switching between applications and launching software. The Full HD panel is comfortable for extended screen time, and the anti-glare coating holds up well in brightly lit offices.

The ThinkPad keyboard is consistently the feature users comment on after switching from consumer-grade laptops—key travel and spacing make longer typing sessions less fatiguing, which matters for users who write for significant portions of their working day.

Operating System

This unit ships with Windows 11 Pro 64-bit pre-installed and activated. The i5-10210U includes TPM 2.0 support, qualifying the L13 for Windows 11. Microsoft supports Windows 11 Pro with ongoing security updates through 2031. Users coming from Windows 10 will find the workflow familiar—the main visible change is the centred Start menu layout.

Cosmetic Condition Guide

Reboot IT grades all laptops across three tiers. Excellent (Grade A) units show only very minor scuffing, zero dead pixels, and even backlight distribution—suited to client-facing professionals. Good (Grade B) units may show visible scratches, 1–3 dead pixels, and small paint chips, but are fully functional—a practical choice for home office and everyday use. Fair (Grade C) units carry heavier cosmetic wear, but pass all functional testing—appropriate where appearance is secondary to budget. All three grades carry a 12-month warranty. See our full grading guide for screen, body, keyboard, and battery standards by condition.

Verified Reboot Refurb Quality Assurance

Every Lenovo ThinkPad L13 sold by Reboot IT passes our full refurbishment process before dispatch. Our technicians perform a secure data wipe, replace any worn or faulty components with original parts, then run specialised diagnostic software across the processor, memory, NVMe storage, display, USB ports, webcam, and wireless connectivity. Units are stress-tested under sustained load to confirm thermal management and stability. Cosmetic grading is completed only after all functional checks are confirmed.

Warranty & Support

12-month warranty provided by Reboot IT for your complete peace of mind. Reboot IT has been Australia's trusted source for refurbished IT equipment since 2001.

This configuration suits professionals and students who need NVMe speed and a Full HD display in a proven ThinkPad chassis, backed by Reboot IT's 1-year warranty and 20+ years of refurbishment expertise.