Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 ranks as the #224 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 77. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #115-ranked features among 576 laptops. Consider the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition or Lenovo ThinkBook 14p Gen 2, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 is a beastly laptop with impressive specs, but its design and audio capabilities leave much to be desired. The bulky build, massive bezel, and mediocre speakers may not justify the hefty price tag of over $8,000 for this specific configuration. Despite its great performance, keyboard quality, and build durability, the P15's shortcomings in display design and audio make it a hard sell. Unless Lenovo addresses these issues in the next generation, potential buyers should consider other options or wait for a significant price drop to make this workstation-worthy laptop worth the investment.
Build
The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 is undeniably a powerful laptop, but its design choices detract from an otherwise impressive build quality. The bulky and heavy frame may be expected from a mobile workstation, but the gigantic bezel around the display is jarring. While it's great to know that this laptop can withstand harsh environments with military-grade certification, the large size and weight may not be ideal for everyone. Despite its cumbersome design, the P15's build quality is solid and durable. The keyboard and trackpad are responsive and comfortable to use, but some may find the texture of the trackpad to be slightly off-putting. Overall, the P15's build quality feels like a compromise between functionality and aesthetics, making it hard to fully appreciate its robust construction. You might prefer Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3, designed with an upgraded build for a better experience.
Display
The display on the Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 is a highlight, with a 15.6-inch UHD Dolby Vision non-touch anti-glare screen that reaches up to 600 nits of brightness. The X-Rite color assistant allows for quick switching between color profiles, and I found it particularly useful when editing videos. However, the large bezel surrounding the display is disappointing, especially in a modern laptop. While the display itself performs well, removing glare and showcasing vivid colors, the outdated design choice detracts from the overall experience. A more contemporary aspect ratio or reduced bezel would elevate this already-capable display to new heights. For a superior display, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 could be the right choice.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 is a powerhouse that delivers exceptional performance. With up to 10th gen Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB RAM, and an NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 graphics card, it handles demanding tasks with ease. Video editing, multitasking, and gaming are no issues for this laptop. Exporting 4K videos takes just 3 minutes, outperforming the Surface Book 3 by a significant margin. Benchmarks show impressive results, making it an ideal choice for creators who need a reliable workhorse. Overall, the ThinkPad P15 Gen 1's performance is outstanding, but other aspects of the laptop are less impressive, which might be worth considering before making a purchase decision. A better alternative might be Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2, featuring a next-level performance.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 boasts decent battery life, lasting around three hours when unplugged. The battery meter on the lower right corner gives an accurate estimate of remaining power. However, this is not particularly impressive for a laptop in its price range. Charging is also quite standard, with the system needing to be plugged in frequently due to moderate usage. Overall, the battery life is merely adequate and does not justify the high price point of the device.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 boasts an impressive array of connectivity options. With USB-A, USB-C (two with Thunderbolt 3), HDMI, and Ethernet ports, this laptop is well-equipped to handle a variety of tasks. An SD card slot and dedicated headphone jack are also convenient features for creators and professionals. If you’re after a better connectivity, Lenovo Legion Slim 7i could be the ideal option.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 boasts impressive specs, including up to Intel Core i9 processors, 128GB RAM, and 4TB SSD storage. The laptop features a range of display options, including UHD Dolby Vision panels with X-Rite color assistant. Ports include USB-A, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 3, along with an SD card slot and Ethernet jack. A fingerprint scanner and Windows Hello face unlock add to the device's security features. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded features.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 is a powerful laptop with impressive specs, but its design may be a letdown. The bulky frame, large bezel, and mediocre speakers may not be ideal for all users. However, the laptop's reliability and durability are notable strengths, backed by military certification for dust, vibration, humidity, temperatures, and more. This makes it suitable for heavy-duty use and long-term support.
Pros
1. performance is great office tasks multitasking gaming video editing no issues at all for video editing i shoot with a canon eos rp editing with 1080p files but exporting in 4k for youtube again no issues with scrubbing the timeline or exporting videos...
2. the keyboard thinkpads are known to have great keyboards and the p15 is no exception i can type really fast on this
3. durable with military certification for dust vibration humidity temperatures and more when you get a thinkpad you know it'll last for a very long time
4. the display looks great and does a great job at removing glare
Cons
1. i was surprised to be disappointed right away you're getting a design that you normally see from a powerful mobile workstation it's bulky heavy and it's got a lot of ports the bezel is also gigantic
2. my complaint of course is that large bezel i've also been leaning away from 16x9 displays and companies are starting to do the same
3. the speakers just don't provide a good experience music and movies sound teeny and i understand this wasn't built as an entertainment laptop but more of a work laptop
4. fan noise is also loud you'll hear the wishing sound when editing videos or performing software updates
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