Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 review

Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5

The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 ranks as the #68 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 81. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #120-ranked features among 599 laptops. Consider the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 or Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.

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Key takeaways
The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 offers impressive performance with its Intel Core i9-14900HX processor leading the way.
The ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 boasts a compact yet powerful build with top-notch quality overall.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 has an excellent display with superb visuals and a high refresh rate available.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 boasts an impressive array of features to handle demanding tasks seamlessly.

Is it Worth it?

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 is a powerhouse laptop that delivers raw processing power, making it an excellent choice for content creators and heavy users. The Intel I9 14900 HX processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU combination is unmatched in its price range. However, the large and heavy power brick makes it a cumbersome device to carry around. With a battery life below average, this laptop is best suited as a workstation for use with external monitors. If you can snag it at a discounted price, it's an absolute steal.

Build

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 boasts an impressive build that's both compact and powerful. The laptop's sleek design is complemented by a sturdy metal lid and a comfortable keyboard layout. The 16-inch 3.2K IPS display offers vibrant colors and a useful 165Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for content creators and gamers. One minor quibble is the relatively large and heavy power brick, which can be cumbersome to carry around. However, this is a small price to pay for the laptop's impressive performance capabilities. Overall, the ThinkBook 16p Gen 5's build quality is top-notch, making it a great choice for those seeking a powerful and reliable mobile workstation. It’s worth checking out Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4, delivering remarkable build.

Display

The display on the Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 is superb. With 100% DCI P3 color calibration and a 165Hz refresh rate, it's perfect for content creators and gamers alike. The large 16-inch 3.2K IPS panel provides an immersive viewing experience. However, one notable omission is the lack of an OLED option, which would have taken this display to the next level. Nevertheless, the standard display is excellent, making it a great choice for those who want a high-quality visual experience without breaking the bank. Overall, it's a solid display that will satisfy most users' needs. Give Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled display.

Performance

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 boasts impressive performance with its Intel Core i9-14900HX processor leading the way in single-core benchmarks. With 24 cores and 32 threads, it powers ahead of competitors in multi-threaded tests. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU provides smooth visuals for content creation and gaming. While not ideal for on-the-go work due to below-average battery life, this laptop excels as a workstation with its upgradable RAM, PCIe storage, and Thunderbolt ports, making it an excellent choice for power users and gamers. Get your hands on Lenovo Legion Pro 5 if you're looking for better performance.

Battery and Charging

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5's battery life is below average, making it unsuitable for traveling. The included 300W power adapter is bulky and heavy. While charging via USB-C is possible, the system sends a slow charging notification when using a 100W charger. Rapid charge Pro up to 50% in 30 minutes requires the included Slim 3-pin AC adapter. This laptop's power-hungry components make it best suited for desk use, making portable work or travel challenging.

Connectivity

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 boasts an impressive array of ports, including three USB-A, two Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, headphone jack, and SD card reader. This generous connectivity options make it a mobile workstation powerhouse, ideal for those who need to transfer large files or connect multiple peripherals on the go. You might prefer Lenovo Legion Pro 5, designed with an upgraded connectivity for a better experience.

Features

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 boasts impressive features, including the Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, 24 cores, and 32 threads, making it a powerhouse for demanding tasks. The Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU provides excellent graphics capabilities. A 3.2K IPS display with 165Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 color calibration is a standout feature. Up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and two PCIe 4 slots offer ample storage options, making it suitable for content creators and professionals. For a superior features, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 could be the right choice.

Support and Maintenance

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5 is a powerhouse laptop that excels in desktop performance, thanks to its Intel I9 14900 HX processor. It also boasts a large 16in display with 165Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for content creators and gamers. However, its battery life is below average, and the giant power adapter can be cumbersome to carry around. Overall, it's a great option for those who need raw processing power in a laptop.

Pros

1. Raw processing power if you want raw processing power you can't get any better than in the Intel I-9 14900 HX

2. Good port selection: three USB typ a ports, two fast Thunderbolt 4 port, HDMI, headphone jack and SD card reader

3. Upgradeable memory with up to 64 GB of DDR5

4. Two PCIe 4 x 4 M.2 SSD slots handy if you need more storage or to use a secondary Cash Drive to speed up your workflows

5. Superb display with 100% DCI P3 XR color calibrated and 165 HZ refresh rate

6. Great upgrade options, making it almost mobile workstation level

7. NoODed option on one hand the display is superb

Cons

1. Poor battery life, treat it like a workstation where it sits at a desk all the time

2. Large and heavy power brick that you have to make room for in your bag

3. 1080p webcam for expensive content created workstation (anything over £1,000 or $1,300 should have a 5 megapixel or standard)

4. No RJ45 if you're transferring large files over the network

5. Poor battery life is below average at best

6. Large and heavy power brick is awkward if you need to move the laptop around daily

7. Battery life is not suitable for on-the-go use, more of a workstation

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