Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 Review: A Powerful Mobile Workstation for Professionals

If you are looking for a laptop that can handle demanding tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, data analysis, or gaming, you might want to check out the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2. This is a mobile workstation that offers high performance, durability, and versatility in a 16-inch form factor. In this review, we will take a closer look at the features, specifications, pros, and cons of this laptop.

Features

The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is designed to be a portable powerhouse that can run multiple applications smoothly and efficiently. It comes with the latest 13th generation Intel Core processors, which are based on the Alder Lake architecture that combines performance and efficiency cores. You can choose from Core i5, i7, or i9 models, with up to 24 cores and 32 threads. The processor also supports Intel vPro technology for enhanced security and manageability.

The laptop also features a dedicated graphics card from NVIDIA or Intel, depending on the configuration. You can opt for the NVIDIA RTX A2000, A1000, 3500 Ada, 4000 Ada, or 5000 Ada laptop GPUs, which are based on the Ampere architecture and offer ray tracing and AI capabilities. Alternatively, you can choose the Intel Arc Pro A30M graphics card, which is based on the Xe-HPG architecture and supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and Deep Link technologies.

TheLenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 has a 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a resolution of either 2560 x 1600 (WUXGA) or 3840 x 2400 (UHD+). The display also supports multi-touch input and has an anti-glare coating. Depending on the configuration, you can choose from different panel types, such as IPS LED, OLED, or mini-LED. The display also has various features, such as Dolby Vision HDR, X-Rite Pantone color calibration, low blue light mode, and privacy guard.

The laptop has a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad and a TrackPoint pointing device. The keyboard is backlit and spill-resistant. The laptop also has a fingerprint reader and an IR camera for biometric authentication. The laptop has a dual-array microphone and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos sound system. The laptop also has a 1080p webcam with a privacy shutter.

The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 has a variety of ports and slots for connectivity and expansion. It has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port (always on), one HDMI port, one headphone/microphone combo jack, one nano-SIM card slot (optional), one smart card reader (optional), and one SD Express 7.0 card reader. The laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.1 wireless technologies.

The laptop has a 95 Wh battery that can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, according to Lenovo. The laptop also supports rapid charge technology that can charge the battery up to 80% in one hour. The laptop comes with a 170 W AC adapter for power supply.

Specifications

Here are the specifications of the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 model that we reviewed:

• Processor: Intel Core i9-13950HX (24 cores, 32 threads, up to 5.5 GHz)
• Graphics: NVIDIA RTX A2000 Laptop GPU (8 GB GDDR6)
• Memory: 32 GB DDR5-5200MHz (SODIMM)
• Storage: 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe Gen4 TLC Opal
• Display: 16-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) OLED multi-touch anti-glare display with Dolby Vision HDR
• Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
• Dimensions: 375 x 253 x 30 mm
• Weight: 2.95 kg

Pros

Powerful performance: The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 delivers impressive performance for various tasks, thanks to its powerful processor and graphics card. It can handle multitasking, video editing, gaming, and other demanding applications without any lag or stutter.

Durable design: The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 has a sturdy and durable design that meets the MIL-STD-810H standards for shock, vibration, temperature, humidity, dust, and other environmental conditions. It also has a spill-resistant keyboard and a privacy shutter for the webcam.

Versatile display: The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 has a high-resolution display that offers vivid colors, sharp details, wide viewing angles, and touch input. It also supports HDR content and color calibration for professional work. The display also has a 16:10 aspect ratio that provides more vertical space for productivity.

Full keyboard: The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 has a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad and a TrackPoint pointing device. The keyboard is comfortable to type on and has a backlight for working in dark environments.

Cons

Heavy and bulky: The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is not a very portable laptop, as it weighs almost 3 kg and is 3 cm thick. It is not easy to carry around or fit in a backpack. It is more suitable for stationary use or occasional travel.

Expensive: The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is not a cheap laptop, as it starts from $1,759.45 and can go up to $4,999.00, depending on the configuration. It is a premium laptop that targets professionals who need high performance and reliability. It may not be affordable or necessary for casual users or students.

Noisy fans: The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 has powerful components that generate a lot of heat and require active cooling. The fans can get loud and annoying when the laptop is under heavy load or plugged in. The laptop also gets warm on the bottom and the keyboard area.

Ports and Connectivity

The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 has a wide range of ports, including:

• 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports
• 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports
• 1x HDMI 2.1 port
• 1x Mini DisplayPort 1.4 port
• 1x SD card reader
• 1x Ethernet port
• 1x headphone/microphone combo jack

Security Features

The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 has a number of security features, including:

• TPM 2.0 chip
• Fingerprint reader
• Face recognition camera
• Privacy shutter for the webcam

Conclusion

The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is a mobile workstation that offers high performance, durability, and versatility for professionals who need a powerful laptop for their work. It has a powerful processor and graphics card, a high-resolution display, a full keyboard, and a variety of ports and slots. It also has a sturdy and durable design, a fingerprint reader, an IR camera, and a privacy shutter for security.

However, the ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is not a very portable laptop, as it is heavy and bulky. It is also expensive, as it costs more than $1,700 for the base model and can go up to $5,000 for the top model. It also has noisy fans that can be distracting when the laptop is under heavy load or plugged in.

The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is a great laptop for professionals who need high performance and reliability for their work. It is not a great laptop for casual users or students who need portability and affordability. If you are looking for a powerful mobile workstation that can handle demanding tasks, you might want to check out the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2.

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