Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 review

Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1

The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 ranks as the #143 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 79. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #127-ranked features among 618 laptops. Consider the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 Gen 1 or Lenovo LOQ 16, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.

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Key takeaways
The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 delivers exceptional performance, ideal for demanding tasks and complex workloads efficiently always.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1's rugged build exudes sturdiness, but its bulky design is a notable drawback.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 boasts an impressive 4K display with vibrant colors and excellent contrast ratios.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 features a bright 4K display and strong GPU performance primarily.

Is it Worth it?

The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 is a powerful mobile workstation that shines in performance but falls short in portability. The bright 4K display and strong GPU performance are notable highlights, as are the rugged design and excellent keyboard. However, its bulkiness (7.7 pounds) and subpar battery life make it less-than-ideal for on-the-go use. Despite the hefty price tag ($5,000+), this machine is perfect for professionals who need a powerhouse for video editing, 3D rendering, or other demanding tasks. If you're looking for sheer power in a mobile form factor, the P17 is worth considering.

Build

The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 boasts a rugged design, but its bulky build is a notable drawback. Weighing in at 7.7 pounds, this mobile workstation is substantial, to say the least. The rather thick bezels surrounding the display add to the laptop's bulkiness, making it feel less portable than other workstations of similar size. While not aesthetically pleasing, the P17 Gen 1's build exudes a sense of sturdiness and durability, hinting at its ability to withstand heavy use. However, its weight and girth may deter some users from carrying this powerhouse on the go. If you’re after a better build, Lenovo V17 could be the ideal option.

Display

The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 boasts an impressive display that shines in its bright and sharp 4K resolution. The visuals are crystal clear, making it ideal for creative professionals who demand accuracy. The colors are vibrant and true-to-life, with excellent contrast ratios that bring out the best in any image or video. The screen size is generous, providing ample space to multitask and work on demanding projects. Overall, the display is a major highlight of this mobile workstation, making it well-suited for graphic designers, videographers, and other creative professionals who need a reliable and high-quality visual output. Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded display.

Performance

The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 delivers exceptional performance, making it a powerhouse for professionals. The Xeon processor and Quadro RTX 5000 GPU provide impressive processing power, handling demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering with ease. Benchmarks show the laptop's capabilities, with Cinebench scores indicating strong CPU performance and graphics-intensive tests revealing the prowess of the Quadro GPU. Additionally, Premiere Pro encoding and Photoshop performance tests demonstrate the laptop's ability to handle complex workloads efficiently. Overall, the ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 is a reliable choice for professionals seeking high-performance computing. For an improved performance, Lenovo LOQ 16 is worth considering.

Battery and Charging

The Lenovo ThinkPad P17's battery life is subpar, lasting around an hour and 45 minutes to charge from empty with the included 230W power adapter. A full charge takes about 80% in just over an hour. The battery itself lasts around an hour and a half on moderate use, making it not ideal for all-day use without a power source. However, the quick charging capabilities are a redeeming quality.

Connectivity

The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 features a comprehensive connectivity suite. It boasts Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities, ensuring seamless connections. Additionally, the laptop includes an Ethernet port, USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort, catering to various users' needs. The optional Wireless WAN feature is also available, ideal for professionals on-the-go who require constant connectivity. Take a look at Lenovo V17 Gen 2 - its improved connectivity sets a new standard.

Features

The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 boasts a bright 4K display, strong GPU performance with Quadro RTX 5000, and optional wireless WAN for on-the-go productivity. It features a rugged design, excellent keyboard, upgradeable RAM and SSD, webcam shutter, and extensive ports. If you're after top-notch features, consider Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 Gen 1.

Support and Maintenance

The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 boasts strong support for professionals. With user-upgradeable RAM and SSDs, maintenance is easy. The device also features a webcam shutter and optional wireless WAN for added convenience. Ports are plentiful, making it easy to connect peripherals. Overall, this mobile workstation offers robust performance and solid reliability, with a score of 88 out of 100.

Pros

1. I really really like it I like its bright sharp 4k display outstanding performance strong gpu performance in particular

2. the rugged design the excellent keyboard the upgradeable ram and ssd really easy for the user to upgrade that I like

3. optional wireless wan which is great when you're on the go great array of ports and it does have a webcam shutter

4. it's not subpar battery life, because although 'the fans will kick in under heavy load and they are noticeable'

5. it's still worth your money with a score of 88

Cons

1. subpar battery life the fact that it's really big and bulky with rather thick bezels

2. not the beauty and the beast here it's the beast only here, so not beautiful

3. 7.7 pounds or 3.5 kilograms definitely not liked by laptop standards but by mobile workstation standards

4. certainly not cheap this is over five thousand dollars as far as my review unit is concerned

5. the fans will kick in under heavy load and they are noticeable because of again the power that is generating

FAQ

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