Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1 ranks as the #140 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 79. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #59-ranked performance among 601 laptops. Consider the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 or Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1 is a mixed bag. While it excels in built quality, keyboard comfort, and plethora of security tools, its base model specs fall short for mobile workstations, even in the value category. The Intel Core i5-13500H and Iris Xe Graphics are underpowered, and battery life is poor considering the 90Wh battery size. The display panel is also subpar at this price point. With too many caveats, it's hard to recommend this laptop, especially when alternatives offer more value for money in the same category.
Build
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1 boasts excellent build quality, with a solid and dependable construction that is typical of the ThinkPad brand. The keyboard is incredibly comfortable to type on for long hours, thanks to well-spaced out keys. However, the laptop's bulky design makes it heavy and not ideal for portability. A notable omission is the absence of an Ethernet port, which may be a drawback for those who require wired connectivity. Overall, the build quality is one of the P16v Gen 1's strongest features. Get your hands on Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 2 if you're looking for better build.
Display
The display panel on the base model Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1 is somewhat disappointing. It's relatively poor value considering the price tag. The same 300 nits brightness rating as the higher-end option, which is not impressive at this price point. Upgrading to the better display panel costs an additional £80 or $100, which seems steep. This oversight makes it hard to recommend the P16v Gen 1, especially when other mobile workstations in its class offer more for less. The display issue is a significant drawback, making it challenging to justify this laptop's price tag. Consider discovering the power of Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 2, featuring the latest advancements in display.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1's performance is a mixed bag. The Intel Core i5-13500H processor handles daily tasks with ease, but it falls short in demanding workloads like heavy CAD work and video editing. The integrated Iris Xe Graphics struggles to provide smooth performance, making gaming and graphics-intensive applications a challenge. Battery life is also disappointing, lasting around 3 hours with intense usage. However, the laptop's thermal management system keeps components cool under load, which is a redeeming quality. Overall, the P16v Gen 1's performance is average for its price point, making it hard to recommend unless you prioritize mobility and don't need top-tier processing power. You might prefer Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 2, designed with an upgraded performance for a better experience.
Battery and Charging
The battery life of the Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1 is underwhelming, lasting around 3-5 hours with heavy CAD work or 5-6 hours in balanced mode. Despite a large 90Wh battery, it falls short of expectations. Rapid charging to 80% in one hour is a welcome feature, but it's not enough to make up for the poor battery life. Upgrading to the 135W slim tip power adapter can help, but it still feels like an afterthought. Overall, battery life is a major disappointment in this laptop.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1's connectivity options are somewhat lacking. The laptop is missing an Ethernet port, which may be a hindrance for those who need to hardwire their device. Additionally, the display panel on the base model feels like a compromise at this price point. Upgrade options abound with two DDR5 slots and dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots, but the overall value proposition falls short of expectations. A better alternative might be Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5, featuring a next-level connectivity.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1 boasts an impressive feature set, including an Intel Core i5 processor, integrated Iris Xe graphics, and dual cooling fans for optimal thermal management. The laptop also features a comfortable keyboard with well-spaced keys and a choice between trackpoint or touchpad navigation. Security is prioritized with IR camera, webcam privacy shutter, fingerprint reader, and discrete TPM 2.0 security chip. Upgradability options abound, including two DDR5 slots and dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots. You may find Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 2 a better fit, thanks to its superior features.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1 excels in support and maintenance aspects. Its solid build quality ensures durability, while upgradeability is plentiful with two DDR5 memory slots and dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots. The laptop's thermal management is excellent, keeping components cool even during intense usage. Additionally, the keyboard is incredibly comfortable to type on for long hours. However, the display panel on the base model feels underwhelming.
Pros
1. The keyboard is incredibly comfortable to type on for long hours thanks to the well-spaced out ThinkPad keys and choice of trackpoint or trackpad.
2. Cooling with dual cooling fans compared to the single one in the p15v the p16v has excellent thermal management to keep the components cool when taxed.
3. The keyboard is incredibly comfortable to type on for long hours thanks to the well-spaced out ThinkPad keys and choice of trackpoint or trackpad.
4. Plenty of upgrade options compared to the soldered on devices out there two memory slots up to 96 gigabytes ddr5 and dual m.2 nvme SSD slots
5. Great built quality, solid, well put together, and dependable
6. Excellent keyboard, plethora of security tools, and plenty of i o ports to play with two Thunderbolt 4 USBC ports, two USB type A ports, HDMI, an SD card reader
7. Upgradeability is excellent with two ddr5 sodium slots and two m.2 pcie times four slots
Cons
1. The base model display panel on the p16v is relatively poor value, you have to pay another £80 or $100 to get the nicer 100 srgb panel
2. Battery life is poor considering there's a fairly large 90 watt hour battery inside
3. The Dual fans are noisy even with the integrated GPU and Intel i5 processor
4. The p16v doesn't give much value for its price tag especially when you start adding the upgrade options for a bit more cash
5. You can get a better display and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU inside for the same price with a Thinkbook 16p Gen 4
6. The display is below average at this price point, especially when you can get 100 DCI P3 panels for less money elsewhere
7. It's missing an ethernet port, which might be a dealbreaker for some users
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