The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is definitely not your average one laptop. This large mobile workstation is not designed for quick runs to the coffee shop or virtual meetings (although it is more than capable of doing this) but for much more. The ThinkPad P16 was created as a high-end workstation that can fit on a lap or on a desk, but can also be semi-portable while taking any tests you throw at it.
Unboxing
Unboxing this laptop is the same compared to other laptops except for one main factor – weight. The ThinkPad P16 weighs 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg and is 1.2 inches thick, making it almost 2.5x the weight of a MacBook Air M1, our primary workhorse for TechRadar Pro hardware reviews. Besides the laptop, the box includes a rather large charging brick for the computer, and some important documentation.
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First Impressions
The moment we booted up the ThinkPad P16, we were amazed at how powerful it was. Everything starts immediately, even navigating the settings to connect WiFidownload the updates, and install benchmark software. As mentioned, the weight and size of the laptop is obvious, but we know that this laptop is not designed to be one that you take for a quick run to the coffee shop or surfing from the couch.
Design and Build Quality
Along with its large size, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is also a powerhouse under the hood. The casing is solid and feels sturdy, although a lighter shade than the standard matte black we’ve seen on other ThinkPad models.
Details
* As Tested *
CPU: 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9 2.30GHz
Graphics: Nvidia RTX A5500
rum: 64GB
Screen: 16-inch
RECORDING: 2TB
relationship: USB-A (x2), USB-C, Headphone/mic combo, Optional Smart card reader, optional nano-slim card slot, SD Express 7.0 card reader, Power connector, Thunderbolt 4 (x2), HDMI 2.1
There is a full size keyboard with a full numeric keypad on the right. In addition, we noticed a TrackPoint mini joystick, a trackpad, and three physical mouse buttons above the trackpad. There are ports on the right, left, and back of the laptop, facing away from the user. The left side has USB-A Port, USB-C port, headphone jack, and nano-sim card slot. The right side is houses SD Card reader, optional smart card reader, and USB-A port. The back of the laptop has two Thunderbolt port, HDMI port, and power port.
The keyboard is extremely comfortable to type on for long writing sessions, and the many teaching tool options make interacting with this computer a breeze. Using it for a week of testing, we were able to comfortably use this laptop for a full day’s work without feeling like we wanted to reach for something else.
In Use
Every time we booted up the ThinkPad P16, we were amazed at its power. Obviously, for spreadsheets, email, and basic uses, the P16 is completely overkill. However, this portable workstation can show its true strength for more complex creative or design projects and workflows.
During our PCMark test, the P16 scored 7651 on the extended test, which means that compared to other portable workstations, it’s well placed – not the absolute fastest, but it’s close. While pushing the laptop during benchmark testing, the internal fans kept the laptop relatively cool. And, although it is not always in our lap, it is good to know that if we want, we can not cook our legs.
The focus of this laptop is the raw power under the hood. However, another great asset of the ThinkPad P16p is the amount of security built into every aspect of the computer. We can sign in with Windows Hello using the integrated fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, or smart card reader.
Looking at the physical aspect of this laptop, we are amazed by the beautiful matte finish. When opening and booting the computer, we were impressed by the brightness of the display, and even in the middle of the day, we could easily see every part of our screen. The keyboard makes typing quick and comfortable, even for long periods, and we also like how easy the trackpad is to use. We’re not used to having three buttons on the trackpad, although it can benefit certain applications and use cases. The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 also has a TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard for additional input options.
For those looking for more power, the compartment for adding and exchanging RAM is easily accessible on the underside of the laptop. Additionally, Lenovo has integrated several performance modes to fine-tune how the computer handles its power. These performance mode ranges can extend battery life at the cost of some power or increase power by using more power and more.
Final Judgment
This impressive portable workstation can handle almost any task thrown at it. The P16 was at or near the top in every test we ran, and while it’s not the laptop you’d pick up for a quick meeting at a coffee shop, it might be one you’d pick up to knock out serious ones. creative work, 3D modeling, and the like.