Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 ranks as the #104 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 80. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #108-ranked connectivity among 595 laptops. Consider the Lenovo Legion 9i or Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 falls short in its high price tag, failing to deliver adequate performance for the cost. With less powerful Alder Lake P-Series chips compared to its predecessor, this laptop is not a significant upgrade. The battery life is also disappointing, lasting only 7 hours and 15 minutes of web browsing. While it boasts a classic ThinkPad design with plenty of material options, the overall package feels overpriced. Those seeking better performance for less should consider alternatives like the Dell Latitude 155531. With its limitations, the P16s Gen 1 may not be worth the investment.
Build
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 boasts a sturdy build with a mix of materials depending on the color chosen. The Black version features a combination of plastic, glass, and carbon fibers for the lid, while the Gray model has an aluminum lid and a plastic base. Both variants have a full-sized spill-resistant backlit keyboard and a Mylar cover touchpad. The laptop's build quality is solid, but not particularly innovative or impressive. The materials used are standard ThinkPad fare, which may appeal to fans of the brand, but don't necessarily justify the high price tag. If you’re after a better build, Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 could be the ideal option.
Display
The display on the Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 is a 16:10 full HD IPS panel with 332 nits of peak brightness and 51% sRGB coverage. While it's suitable for everyday use, it may not be ideal for professional work that requires more accurate colors. However, the laptop does offer display profiles, which can help enhance the viewing experience, especially when working with text or code. The display is complemented by a front-firing speaker setup that delivers quality audio. Overall, while the display is decent, it's not particularly impressive compared to other laptops in its class. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded display.
Performance
The ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 is a laptop that falls short in terms of performance. Despite using Alder Lake P-Series chips, which are less power-hungry than the traditional ThinkPad P16, it still fails to deliver. The Intel Core i5-1240P processor and Quadro T550 GPU offer decent but not impressive results. The cooling system, consisting of two heat pipes and one fan, does a good job but not perfectly, leading to noticeable noise and temperature fluctuations. As a result, the laptop's performance is closely tied to its cooling, which can be a concern for demanding users. For an improved performance, Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 is worth considering.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1's battery life is underwhelming, with a 52.5Wh battery pack lasting just 7 hours and 15 minutes of web browsing or 6 hours and 9 minutes of video playback. This is due in part to the laptop's power-hungry Alder Lake P-Series chips. The single fan spins loudly, generating noise and affecting comfort during use. Charging time is not mentioned in this review. Overall, the battery life falls short of expectations, making it a drawback for those seeking a reliable laptop for extended periods of use.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 offers a solid connectivity setup. On the left, you'll find an Ethernet port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.0 B, and USB Type-A 3.2. The right side features another USB Type-A port and a smart card reader. On the back, there's a SIM card slot. While it's not the most comprehensive array of options, it still provides ample choices for connecting peripherals and accessories. Take a look at Lenovo Legion Pro 5i - its improved connectivity sets a new standard.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 boasts a classic design with various material combinations, including plastic, glass, and carbon fibers. The laptop features a full-sized spill-resistant backlit keyboard and a Mylar cover touchpad. Connectivity options include LAN, Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI connector, and USB ports. A 16:10 Full HD IPS display is available, but with limited color accuracy, making it less suitable for professional work. If you're after top-notch features, consider Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 falls short in delivering power with its Alder Lake P-Series chips. While it offers a classic ThinkPad design with various materials and configurations, the high price isn't justified by its performance. Other business laptops provide similar quality and features at a lower cost, making this model less appealing.
Pros
1. Plenty of materials and combinations depending on which color you choose
2. Full-sized spill-resistant backlit keyboard offers an amazing typing experience
3. Front-firing speaker setup delivers quality audio with no major deviations across the frequency range
4. Alder Lake P-Series CPUs can still deliver plenty of performance with the 12-core Intel Core i5 1240p
5. Quadro T550 running at 30 watts is certainly better than the Intel iGPU solution
Cons
1. Much less powerful Alder Lake P-Series chips compared to the traditional Lenovo ThinkPad p16 generation one
2. P16s isn't an efficiency champ as the 52.5 Watt hours battery pack lasts for only 7 hours and 15 minutes of web browsing or 6 hours and 9 Minutes of video playback
3. Performance is closely tied to the cooling, which can lead to more noise and compromised performance
4. The high price isn't backed up properly with the P16s Gen 1 as there are other business machines out there that deliver more performance for less
5. Display has only 51 srgb coverage making it not suitable for professional work with colors
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