Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2 ranks as the #182 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 78. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #106-ranked connectivity among 573 laptops. Consider the Lenovo Legion 5i or Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2 is a powerhouse laptop that's perfect for gaming, content creation, and heavy productivity tasks. With an RTX 3080 and Intel Core i7, it delivers impressive performance and handles demanding games at high framerates. However, its cooling system falls short of keeping up with the GPU's full potential, capping out at 103 watts. Despite this, temperatures remain relatively low on the outside. While pricey, the T15g Gen 2 is a solid workstation laptop that offers great value for those who can take advantage of its features. Is it worth the investment? Yes, but only if you can utilize its capabilities to the fullest.
Build
The Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2 exudes a traditional ThinkPad design with a hybrid chassis made from plastic and glass fiber. This construction yields excellent durability, as both the base and lid are incredibly strong. However, portability takes a hit, with the laptop weighing a maximum of 3.07 kilos. The device's build quality is solid, with a sturdy feel that belies its weight. The ThinkPad keyboard, complete with long key travel, clicky feedback, and spill resistance, sits atop the base, adding to the overall sense of solidity. Overall, the T15g Gen 2's build is reassuringly robust, even if it sacrifices some portability in the process. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded build.
Display
The Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2's display is a highlight of the laptop. The Full HD IPS variant I tested has good viewing angles and a high maximum brightness of around 500 nits, making it suitable for indoor use. The panel also boasts 96% sRGB coverage and decent accuracy in color representation. While not perfect, this display is more than capable for office work and light gaming sessions. However, its limitations become apparent when compared to higher-end displays found on other laptops. Overall, the T15g Gen 2's display is solid, but not outstanding. For an improved display, Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 is worth considering.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2 is a powerhouse in the world of workstations. Equipped with an RTX 3080 GPU, it delivers exceptional performance in GPU-intensive tasks and games, maxing out most titles at full HD while maintaining over 60 fps. The Core i7 processor performs well enough, but gets heavily outclassed by Alder Lake. The cooling system struggles to handle the powerful hardware, limiting the TGP to 103 watts and capping temps at 43.2 degrees Celsius on the outside. Despite this, it remains a solid notebook with impressive battery life, lasting 10 hours of web browsing and 7.5 hours of video playback. You might want to check out Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 4, featuring an upgraded performance for a superior experience.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2 boasts a robust battery life, lasting for 10 hours of web browsing and 7.5 hours of video playback with the Core i7-1800H and RTX 3080 combination. The 94Wh battery provides sufficient juice to get through a day's work. While charging times are not explicitly mentioned, it can be inferred that this laptop will take some time to reach full capacity, given its power-hungry hardware configuration. Nevertheless, the battery life is impressive, making it suitable for heavy users who require all-day performance.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2 boasts an impressive array of connectivity options, including two full-sized USB ports, one Type C port, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, as well as HDMI 2.1, LAN port, SD card reader, and audio jack, making it a versatile workstation device. If you're after top-notch connectivity, consider Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2 boasts an RTX 3080, perfect for gaming and creative work. It features a traditional ThinkPad design with a strong chassis and portability sacrificed for power. The laptop includes four RAM slots, three M.2 PCIe slots, HDMI 2.1, USB ports, and a dedicated SD card reader. It’s worth checking out Lenovo Legion Y740S, delivering remarkable features.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo ThinkPad T15g Gen 2 excels in support and maintenance aspects. With four SODIMM RAM slots and three M.2 PCIe slots, upgrading is seamless. The device also features a robust I/O coverage, including USB-A and Thunderbolt ports. Additionally, the workstation-grade machine offers good upgradability options, making it suitable for long-term use. Overall, the T15g Gen 2 provides excellent support and maintenance capabilities, essential for professionals requiring reliable devices.
Pros
1. The laptop has a ton of IO coverage, including two full-sized USB ports, one Type C port, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
2. It comes with four SO-DIMM RAM slots and three M.2 PCI-e x4 slots, making it highly upgradable.
3. The display is a thing of beauty, offering good viewing angles and high maximum brightness (around 500 nits).
4. The laptop's performance is impressive, lasting for 10 hours of web browsing and 7.5 hours of video playback with the Core i7-1800H and RTX 3080.
Cons
1. Portability is sacrificed, as the laptop has a max weight of 3.07 kilos.
2. The cooling system can't handle its full potential, capping out at 103 watts instead of the official 110 watts.
3. The GPU quickly reaches 82 degrees Celsius and maintains it throughout stress testing, which may indicate overheating issues.
4. The keyboard's touchpad could be better, as it's a bit small and has a rough surface.
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