Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 ranks as the #419 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 73. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #102-ranked connectivity among 563 laptops. Consider the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Aura Edition or Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 2, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 is a solid laptop that continues to improve with each iteration. With an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, Radeon graphics, and 8GB DDR4 RAM, it's well-suited for everyday tasks. The addition of a 256GB M2 storage and Wi-Fi 6 capabilities make it a great value. However, the soldered-in RAM is a drawback, limiting upgradability options. Despite this, the laptop's performance is commendable, with a PassMark score of 35,553. While not perfect, the ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 is still a reliable choice for those seeking an affordable and efficient laptop.
Build
The Lenovo E15 Gen 4 boasts an aluminum lid with ABS plastic palm rest and bottom. The top features a webcam with privacy shutter and dual microphone array. A full-size keyboard and trackpad are present, along with USB ports and an HDMI connection. Inside, you'll find a large main system battery, speakers, and a factory-installed NVMe SSD. The build quality is solid, but I'm puzzled by the wasted space inside the chassis, which could have been used for additional features or weight reduction. You might prefer Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3, designed with an upgraded build for a better experience.
Display
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 boasts a sleek silver design with a black keyboard that may seem out of place. However, this laptop shines in its display department. The 15.6-inch 1080p IPS panel delivers crisp and clear visuals, making it ideal for everyday tasks and productivity. The display's brightness and color accuracy are also noteworthy, making it suitable for general use. Unfortunately, the integrated Radeon graphics may not provide the same level of performance as dedicated GPUs, but overall, the display is a strong suit for this laptop. For a superior display, Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga Gen 2 could be the right choice.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 delivers solid performance with its AMD Ryzen 5 5625U processor and Radeon graphics. In benchmark tests, the laptop scored well, particularly in CPU Mark (66th percentile) and Disk Mark (81st percentile). However, the memory score was disappointing, coming in at just 22nd percentile due to the soldered-in RAM. This is a letdown for users who prefer upgradable RAM options. Overall, this laptop's performance is still respectable, making it suitable for everyday tasks, but may not be ideal for demanding users or those who require more memory flexibility. A better alternative might be Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X, featuring a next-level performance.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 features a 65W USB-C power adapter and a large main system battery. Weighing in at 3.92 pounds, this laptop's battery life is impressive considering its compact size. However, the battery life could be improved with more efficient use of space, such as adding another fan or battery to reduce weight while maintaining performance. The charging time with the USB-C power adapter is not specified.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 boasts impressive connectivity options, including gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 (11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. The inclusion of a Kensington lock location and dual USB-A ports adds to its practicality. However, the single USBC port may be limiting for some users. If you’re after a better connectivity, Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 could be the ideal option.
Features
The Lenovo E15 Gen 4 features an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and 256GB M2 storage. It has a 15.6" IPS display, gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. The laptop also includes a webcam with privacy shutter, dual mics, and TPM 2.0 security. Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded features.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo E15 Gen 4 has been well-supported with numerous software updates and patches, ensuring security and stability. Maintenance-wise, the laptop is relatively easy to disassemble, allowing users to upgrade or replace components as needed. However, the soldered RAM may be a drawback for some users. Overall, the laptop's support and maintenance features are satisfactory, but not exceptional.
Pros
1. This is the newest version and I've had the older ones on the channel as well it just keeps getting better with every iteration
2. It works really well with the universal USBC dock from Lenovo
3. I'm going to sell a ton of these I'm sure
4. The laptop PC has an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U processor, 8GB of DDR4 3200 RAM, and 256GB M2 PCI Express 4.0 storage
5. It has a 15.6 inch 1080p IPS display, gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 11ax with Bluetooth 5.2, and USB 3.2 gen 1 and USBC ports
6. The webcam has a privacy shutter and dual microphone array
7. The keyboard is full-size with 10 key number pad and standard Lenovo function keys
8. You can upgrade the RAM to up to 40GB if you want
Cons
1. This one is silver which is a first but still has the black keyboard which I find a bit odd
2. The memory score is a little disappointing, especially since it's not running in dual Channel mode
3. The RAM is soldered in and only comes with 8GB, so you can't upgrade to different types or capacities like some other laptops
4. There's a large Dead Zone inside the laptop where you would think they could add battery or another fan for better performance
5. The price of this laptop may be higher than expected due to its features and build quality
6. Some users might find the aluminum top and polycarbonate ABS bottom to be less durable than other laptops in its class
7. The pop clips on the inside are very difficult to get out without breakage, making maintenance and upgrades a bit tricky
8. There's only one fan with heat sink and heat pipes that go to the CPU location, which might lead to some performance issues under heavy loads
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