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The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is Lenovo’s flagship cellular workstation, designed as an absolute powerhouse for engineers, designers, and professionals who want a conveyable workhorse of a machine. ThinkPad has all the time been Lenovo’s trusted skilled model identified for its reliability, sturdiness, incredible keyboard, and general excellence as a pc.
I beforehand reviewed the Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 2, the same pc. I like to think about it straightforwardly as a result of the P16v is the lite model of the P16. Or, to make use of Apple phrases, the P16v could be the MacBook Air with upgraded RAM, and the P16 is the MacBook Professional with a Max chip. They’re each a number of the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops round in their very own proper and are overpowered by the overwhelming majority of customers. However, for these energy customers, the variations grow to be obvious.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: Worth and Availability
The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 begins at a base worth of slightly below $2,000 at $1,849. With that, you get a core i5, an RTX A1000, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage.
Nevertheless, you may simply break $6,000 and even $6,500 in the event you go for the maxed specs of a Core i9, an RTX 5000 Ada, 192GB of RAM, and 8TB of SSD. You’ll be able to seize one among these workstations on Lenovo’s web site or their authorised retailers.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: Unboxing & first impressions
Since I just lately reviewed the ThinkPad P16v Gen 2, I had a good suggestion of what this laptop computer would look, really feel, and function like earlier than I even opened the field. Nevertheless, I nonetheless ended up shocked at simply how a lot bigger the P16 (no “v”) was in comparison with the “v” variant. I’ll grant that it feels extra sturdy than the opposite, however regardless, this laptop computer just isn’t for frequent vacationers – until you realize what you might be entering into and wish this energy portably.
Exterior of that shock, the remainder of the primary look was as to be anticipated. It appears like a top quality ThinkPad laptop computer, and that is exactly what I’ve come to count on from Lenovo.
One other factor price mentioning is the superb port providing, but the lack to cost by way of a USB-C connection as a result of it requiring the first-party energy provide.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: Design & construct high quality
Specs
Processor Choices: thirteenth & 14th Gen Intel Core HX (as much as i9-13980HX)
GPU Choices: Nvidia RTX 1000 Ada – RTX 5000 Ada
RAM: As much as 192GB DDR5
Storage: As much as 8TB
Show:
16” 2560×1600 (165Hz, 500 nits, 100% sRGB)
Non-obligatory: 3840×2400 OLED (HDR, touchscreen, 400 nits)
Battery: 94Wh
Weight: 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg)
Ports: 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), HDMI 2.1, SD card reader, Ethernet
OS: Home windows 11 Professional
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is a really sturdy laptop computer; there isn’t a disguising that. I present the thickness distinction between an iPhone 16 Professional and this laptop computer in one of many linked pictures. Fortunately, that mass comes with a heavy-duty construct, not only a heavy construct. The Magnesium-aluminum chassis additionally has a premium and durable feeling, including to the general enchantment of the ThinkPad P16 Gen 2.
Top-of-the-line options of a Lenovo ThinkPad is the keyboard, which stays prime of the road on the subject of the best business laptop I’ve reviewed, with none lack of really feel or perform. The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 additionally encompasses a full numpad, the well-known pink trackpoint, and a snug trackpad.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: In use
My group has had the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 in rotation for a number of months. Whereas it is for certain not the laptop computer we might select to tackle a visit with us, nor one we wish to carry to the espresso store for a lightweight afternoon of labor, it’s, nevertheless, the one which we wish to use across the studio or throughout the house as a result of its uncooked efficiency and skills.
Underneath our stress testing, we observed that the laptop computer would kick on the followers and get decently sizzling and a bit loud, nevertheless it kicks on the followers and cools itself down.
One other characteristic price mentioning is the battery. It is spectacular that this sort of energy could be in a laptop computer kind issue, however you then see that it may well solely final 5-7 hours with mild use and a mere 2-3 with heavy load, and also you understand this pc’s energy and lack of battery.
Attributes |
Notes |
Ranking |
---|---|---|
Design |
Sturdy and hefty design |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use |
Straightforward to make use of |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Practicality |
Would work effectively for the precise usecase |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Worth |
Excessive Worth, however comprehensible |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: Remaining verdict
The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is without doubt one of the best mobile workstations out there, delivering distinctive CPU & GPU efficiency, a premium 165Hz show, and an unbeatable keyboard. Nevertheless, its weight, fan noise, and thermal limits imply it’s greatest suited to desk-based professionals fairly than frequent vacationers.