Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 ranks as the #98 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 80. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #192-ranked connectivity among 513 laptops. Consider the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 or Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 2, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 is an entry-level mobile workstation that shines in performance and build quality. The Intel i7 1260P processor provides good performance, making it suitable for light to medium workloads. However, the battery life falls short, lasting only around five hours of general use. The base model's display is average, but upgrading to a brighter and color-accurate panel is recommended. While the P14s Gen 3 offers plenty of ports and upgradable memory, its lack of SD card reader or 5G option might be a drawback for some users. Is it worth it? That depends on your priorities. If you value portability and performance above all else, the P14s Gen 3 might be a good choice.
Build
The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 boasts excellent build quality, making it a joy to hold and use. The keyboard is particularly impressive, with a satisfying typing experience that rivals more expensive laptops. However, the battery life falls short of expectations, lasting around 5-6 hours under normal usage. While memory is upgradable on the Intel variant, the AMD models have soldered-on memory, limiting future upgrades. Despite these minor drawbacks, the P14s Gen 3's build and keyboard make it a compelling choice for professionals seeking a portable workstation. It’s worth checking out Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro, delivering remarkable build.
Display
The display on the Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 is average, featuring a 45 NTSC panel that's sufficient for general office work. However, it's worth paying an extra £20 to upgrade to the brighter and color-accurate 400 nits 100 sRGB panel. This upgraded display would be particularly beneficial for content creators and software developers. The base model's display is decent but doesn't stand out in a crowded market. Upgrade to the better display if you can, as it significantly enhances your overall user experience. Give Lenovo Yoga 7i a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled display.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 delivers good performance from its Intel i7-1260P CPU. It's suitable for light to medium workloads and can handle applications like AutoCAD, Revit, and SolidWorks. The integrated Nvidia T550 GPU provides decent graphics capabilities, but is not ideal for heavy workstation-level work. It struggles with newer titles in low settings, making it best suited for older games. Overall, the P14s Gen 3's performance is adequate for its intended use as a mobile workstation for professionals and students. Get your hands on Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i if you're looking for better performance.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3's integrated 52.5Wh battery provides decent juice for general use, lasting around 5-6 hours. However, it falls short in performance mode, where you can expect up to 4 hours of runtime. The included 100W USB-C slim power adapter supports rapid charging, refilling the battery to 80% in just 80 minutes. While not exceptional, this provides a convenient and quick top-up for busy professionals on-the-go. A minor letdown in an otherwise solid mobile workstation package.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 offers impressive connectivity options. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports provide fast data transfer, while HDMI and two USB Type-A ports add flexibility. A rare gigabit Ethernet port is also included. The device's multiple USB-C ports allow for easy charging, making it a great choice for professionals on-the-go who need to stay connected. You might prefer Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5, designed with an upgraded connectivity for a better experience.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 boasts a 52.5Wh battery good for up to 6 hours of use, rapid charging via USB-C and a power adapter that charges from 0-80% in 80 minutes. It features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, two USB-A ports, and gigabit Ethernet, making it ideal for on-the-go professionals who need to stay connected. The laptop also has a fingerprint sensor, IR camera, webcam privacy shutter, optional smart card reader, and Kensington Nano security slot. For a superior features, Lenovo Yoga 9i could be the right choice.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 offers reliable support and maintenance features. It includes fingerprint sensor for authentication, IR camera for Windows Hello, webcam privacy shutter, and optional smart card reader. Additionally, it has a discrete TPM 2.0 security chip to protect valuable data and privacy. This ensures peace of mind for professionals using the device.
Pros
1. Good performance from the Intel i7 1260p CPU
2. Plenty of ports to keep you happy, including two Thunderbolt 4 USB C ports, HDMI 2.0 port, and a rare gigabit Ethernet port
3. Memory upgradeable on the Intel variant with one single SO-DIMM slot
4. Good display with an option to pay £20 for a brighter 400 nits and color accurate 100% sRGB panel
5. Decent security tools to protect your valuable data and privacy, including fingerprint sensor, IR camera, webcam privacy shutter, optional smart card reader, and Kensington Nano security slot
6. Long battery life of up to five to six hours of general use under performance mode
Cons
1. Base model has a 45% NTSC display panel which may not be ideal for graphics work
2. Basic GPU (Nvidia t550) is not really suited for heavy workstation level work compared to the faster RTX A series found in larger mobile workstations like the ThinkPad P16
3. Fan noise can be an issue when running in performance mode, constantly on and impacting battery life and thermal heat
4. Battery life is poor considering it's aimed at on-the-go professionals
5. Display is average, so make sure you upgrade to a nicer 400 nits 100% sRGB panel instead
6. May not be the best choice if you need Ray tracing support or more powerful GPU for heavy workstation level work
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