Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 ranks as the #376 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 74. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #110-ranked features among 568 laptops. Consider the Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 or Lenovo Yoga Pro 7, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 is a solid mid-tier mobile workstation with a clean professional design, impressive weight at 3.75 pounds, and a range of ports. While the keyboard is satisfactory and the 4k OLED touchscreen display exceptional, the trackpad could be improved. The Intel Core i7-10850H processor provides strong CPU performance, but the NVIDIA Quadro T2000 Max Q graphics card feels like a downgrade from previous models. Battery life is disappointing at around three hours. Despite this, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 3's price tag is refreshingly low, making it an easy recommendation for those who can live with its limitations.
Build
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 boasts a clean and professional design, reminiscent of its predecessor. The minimalist aesthetic is unobjectionable, but may strike some as conservative. A compact trackpad, though acceptable, could be smoother to the touch. Three mouse buttons are provided, alongside the iconic red pointing stick - an unusual combination that sparks curiosity. The keyboard, however, is solid, a welcome improvement over its predecessor's subpar offering. Overall, the P1 Gen 3's build exudes a sense of quality and attention to detail, even if it doesn't particularly stand out in this regard. A well-rounded design package that serves as a strong foundation for the laptop's other features. You may find Lenovo ThinkBook 15p a better fit, thanks to its superior build.
Display
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3's 4K OLED touchscreen display is exceptional, but comes with an added cost. The base model features a 2K IPS display, while the higher-end option adds around $600 to the price tag. The privacy shutter is a thoughtful touch, allowing users to maintain their personal space during video calls. However, it's easy to forget to close it, which could compromise security. Overall, the display is a standout feature of the ThinkPad P1 Gen 3, but its premium status comes with an added expense. If you’re after a better display, Lenovo V15 Gen 4 could be the ideal option.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 boasts solid mid-tier performance, thanks in part to its Intel Core i7-10850H processor, which delivers strong CPU performance despite being limited by the Quadro T2000 Max Q graphics card. The latter is a bit of a lightweight, but the 10th gen Intel chip makes up for it. In Cinebench, a benchmark of CPU rendering, our review unit scored 30% higher than the Core i7-10850H with two more cores. However, on the graphics side, the Quadro RTX 5000 GPU would provide significantly better performance, making the T2000 Max Q a notable drawback. Lenovo ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded performance.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3's battery life is its most notable drawback. The 80Wh battery barely lasts three hours in typical use, and even the best-case scenario yields only five hours. This is disappointing, especially when compared to other mid-tier 15-inch laptops like the Dell Precision 5550, which has a slightly larger battery yet more than doubles the ThinkPad's battery life. A battery life upgrade would greatly enhance this laptop's overall performance.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 boasts an impressive array of ports, including two USB-A, two USB-C, HDMI, audio jack, SD card reader, and optional SIM slot. This means you can say goodbye to dongles for most devices. The presence of a comprehensive port selection is a significant plus, particularly in a world where USB-C is becoming the norm. You might want to check out Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5, featuring an upgraded connectivity for a superior experience.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 boasts a clean design, solid keyboard, and impressive weight at 3.75 pounds. It features a 4K OLED touchscreen display, 80Wh battery, Intel Core i7-10850H processor, and NVIDIA Quadro T2000 Max Q graphics card, offering good mid-tier performance, albeit with subpar battery life. Take a look at Lenovo ThinkBook 15p - its improved features sets a new standard.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3's main advantage is its refreshingly low price tag, starting at $1700. However, it falls short in battery life, lasting around 3 hours with a relatively small 80Wh battery. This compromises the overall user experience, making it less ideal for demanding workloads.
Pros
1. The ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 has a clean professional design that is minimal but perhaps a bit conservative.
2. It's super light, weighing only 3.75 pounds.
3. The keyboard is solid and most Thinkpad keyboards are, with the exception of the P1 Gen 2 which had the worst keyboard I've ever used on a laptop.
4. The 4k OLED touchscreen display is exceptional but it does add an extra $600 or so to the base model.
5. The price tag is refreshingly low, especially for professional mobile workstations, starting at around $1700.
Cons
1. The trackpad could be a little bigger and better.
2. The GPU is a weird downgrade from the previous model, using the Quadro T2000 Max-Q design instead of the proper Quadro T2000.
3. Battery life is subpar, only lasting around 3 hours in typical workday usage.
4. The battery life is especially disappointing when compared to other mid-tier laptops like the Dell Precision 5550.
5. The lack of an Ultra Performance mode in the BIOS settings is also a drawback.
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