In terms of connectivity,
Wifi ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition features a more advanced Wi-Fi standard v7, providing faster and more reliable wireless connections compared to MacBook Pro 16 2021 (v6).
Below, you'll find a Wi-Fi Versions Table, along with their release dates and speeds, to provide a brief overview of its development.
Wi-Fi Versions and Speeds
| Standard |
Speed |
Release Date |
Network |
Frequency Bands (GHz) |
| Wi-Fi 7 |
up to 40 Gbps
(5 GB/s) |
2023 |
802.11be |
2.4, 5, 6 |
| Wi-Fi 6E |
up to 9.6 Gbps
(1.2 GB/s) |
2020 |
802.11ax |
2.4, 5, 6 |
| Wi-Fi 6 |
up to 9.6 Gbps
(1.2 GB/s) |
2019 |
802.11ax |
2.4, 5 |
| Wi-Fi 5 |
up to 6.93 Gbps
(866.25 MB/s) |
2014 |
802.11ac |
2.4, 5 |
| Wi-Fi 4 |
up to 600 Mbps
(75 MB/s) |
2009 |
802.11n |
2.4, 5 |
* Please note that the provided transfer rates are maximum theoretical values, and real-life performance may vary based on environmental factors.
USB ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition is equipped with 1x USB 3.2 USB-A ports. MacBook Pro 16 2021 does not have USB-A ports.Both ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition and MacBook Pro 16 2021 feature 3x USB 4.0 USB Type-C ports.
Below, you'll find a table of USB ports, along with their release dates and speeds.
To mitigate the confusion caused by generation names, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) suggests using marketing names like USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, and so forth, based on their respective transfer rates.
USB Type and Speeds
| USB Type |
Version |
Speed |
Date |
Other Features/Explanations |
| USB4 |
Gen 4 (2.0) |
80 Gbps |
2022 |
Also known as USB 80Gbps |
| USB4 |
Gen 3×2 |
40 Gbps |
2019 |
Also known as USB 40Gbps |
| USB 3.2 |
3.2 Gen 2x2 |
20 Gbps |
2019 |
Double the data transfer rates of Gen 2 |
| USB 3.2 |
3.2 Gen 2 |
10 Gbps |
2017 |
Previously known as USB 3.1 |
| USB 3.2 |
3.2 Gen 1 |
5 Gbps |
2017 |
Previously known as USB 3.0 |
| USB 3.1 |
3.1 Gen 2 |
10 Gbps |
2013 |
Faster data transfer rates |
| USB 3.0 |
3.1 Gen 1 |
5 Gbps |
2010 |
SuperSpeed USB, improved data transfer rates |
| USB 2.0 |
2.0 |
480 Mbps |
2000 |
High-speed data transfer |
| USB 1.0 |
1.0 |
1.5 Mbps |
1996 |
Original USB standard |
ThunderboltBoth ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition and MacBook Pro 16 2021 are equipped with Thunderbolt 4 ports.
HDMIBoth ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition and MacBook Pro 16 2021 feature an HDMI port. ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition offers 1x HDMI 2.1, while MacBook Pro 16 2021 offers 1x HDMI 2.0.
Below, you'll find a comparison table detailing different HDMI versions, including their bandwidth, color depth, maximum resolution, and release dates. This information can be helpful in understanding the capabilities of each HDMI version and choosing the most suitable one for your needs.
HDMI Comparison Table
| HDMI Version |
Maximum Resolution |
Bandwidth
(Gbps) |
Color Depth
(bits) |
Release
Date |
| HDMI 2.1-2.1b |
7680 x 4320 (8K) @ 60p
3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 120p |
48.0 |
48 |
2017 |
| HDMI 2.0-2.0b |
3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 60p |
18.0 |
48 |
2013 |
| HDMI 1.4-1.4b |
3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 30p |
10.2 |
48 |
2009 |
| HDMI 1.3-1.3a |
2560 x 1440 @ 60p |
10.2 |
48 |
2006 |
| HDMI 1.0-1.2a |
1920 x 1200 @ 60p |
4.95 |
24 |
2002 |
* Please note that the provided resolution values represent the maximum supported resolution, and actual display quality may depend on other factors such as source content and connected devices.
SD Card ReaderMacBook Pro 16 2021 is equipped with an SD Card Reader for easy access to memory cards. ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition does not have an SD Card Reader.
Audio JackBoth ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition and MacBook Pro 16 2021 are equipped with a 3.5mm Audio Jack, providing seamless connection to headphones and speakers.
To summarize the connectivity and ports details, please refer to the table below to see them listed.
| Connectivity and Ports |
WiFi Standard
(latest: v7) |
v7
|
v6
|
Bluetooth
(latest: v6.2) |
v5.4
|
v5
|
USB-A
(latest: 3.2) |
1x USB 3.2 |
No |
USB Type-C
(latest: USB4 2.0) |
3x USB 4.0
|
3x USB 4.0
|
Thunderbolt
(latest: 5) |
Thunderbolt 4
|
Thunderbolt 4
|
HDMI
(latest: 2.1) |
1x HDMI 2.1 |
1x HDMI 2.0 |
Display Port
(latest: v2.0) |
No
|
No
|
| VGA |
No
|
No
|
| Fingerprint Sensor |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Optical Drive |
No
|
No
|
| Audio Jack 3.5mm |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Ethernet RJ45 |
No
|
No
|
| SD CardReader |
No
|
Yes
|
| Proprietary Charging Port |
No
|
Yes
|