Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 specs
Worth (as examined): $1,741
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650H Processor
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6500M
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Show: 16-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel IPS show
Battery: 14:38
Measurement: 13.95 x 9.35 x 0.63 inches
Weight: 4 kilos
I’ve been on the hunt for a actually good enterprise laptop computer, and with the ThinkPad Z16 in my fingers, I can lastly finish my search. It’s received a slick, dual-tone design: silver on the skin and dusky on the within. And to Lenovo loyalists’ delight, the keyboard options the beloved, striking-red TrackPoint that can catch your eye each time you open the lid.
It’s additionally the proper dimension for a enterprise laptop computer. It’s not too small (just like the compact machines on our finest 13-inch laptops web page), however it’s not ridiculously unwieldy just like the 18-inch laptops which can be gaining reputation these days — it’s juuuust proper.
Nonetheless, I’ll admit that the ThinkPad Z16 is a bit heavier than I anticipated. However to be honest, Lenovo by no means marketed this laptop computer as a thin-and-light ultraportable. It’s a enterprise laptop computer, which implies it should doubtless be sitting on a desk for hours on finish earlier than it’s picked up and thrown inside a laptop computer bag.
The ThinkPad Z16 undoubtedly earned a spot on our finest enterprise laptops web page, however that doesn’t imply it’s good. Learn on to learn the way it excels and the place it falters.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 value and compatibility
The ThinkPad Z16 begins at $1,682 at Lenovo’s official web site (opens in new tab). It comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 Professional 6650H CPU, built-in AMD Radeon graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, a 16-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel show, and Home windows 11 House.
My evaluate unit, priced at $1,741.35, is a mid-tier configuration. It upgrades you to a 512GB SSD, an AMD Radeon RX 6500M GPU, and Home windows 11 Professional.
The priciest variant ($2,397.85), full of an AMD Ryzen Professional 6850H GPU, doubles your RAM to 32GB and provides you 2TB of SSD storage.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 design
The ThinkPad Z16 has the sexiest lip I’ve ever seen, giving Angelina Jolie and Kerry Washington a run for his or her cash. This convenient design perk acts as a lever, permitting me to simply carry the system’s lid. At first look, it simply appears like a silverish rectangular half that options the phrases “Z16” and “FHD f/2.0 Digital Mic Array” on reverse ends, however it really serves a function.
It’s price noting that the phrases are highlighting the shooter’s specs. I’m undecided how I really feel about Lenovo rattling off the webcam’s aperture on the lid, however like I mentioned, the pill-shaped lip is cute sufficient to overshadow the idiosyncrasies.
You’ll discover the phrase “ThinkPad” sprawled throughout the highest left nook of the lid, too, and when the laptop computer is on, the dot on the “i” blinks pink. On the underside proper nook of the lid, you’ll discover a stamp of the Lenovo insignia.
Open the lid and also you’ll be stunned that the onyx deck doesn’t match the exterior silver chassis. You’ll additionally discover an island-style keyboard flanked by a set of twin audio system. Straight underneath the spacebar, you’ll discover the touchpad that sits flush in opposition to the deck.
Up prime, the show’s bezels are skinny(apart from the highest bezel), which options the lip that juts out to deal with a 1080p webcam. On the underside, you’ll discover three rubber toes, giving the vent — that takes up practically a half of the laptop computer’s backside — area to breathe.
Now, take heed to me loud and clear. That is not a thin-and-light laptop computer. It weighs 4 kilos and has dimensions of 13.95 x 9.35 x 0.63 inches. Its 16-inch opponents, the LG Gram 16 (14 x 9.5 x 0.66 inches, 2.6 kilos) and the Acer Swift Edge 16 (14 x 9.5 x 0.6, 1.2 kilos) are a lot lighter.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 sturdiness and safety
You don’t have to fret about any clumsy workers with butterfingers as a result of this laptop computer handed the 12 MIL-STD-810H certification exams, guaranteeing that the laptop computer can maintain excessive situations. So whether or not you find yourself in a sandstorm or torrential downpour, the ThinkPad Z16 ought to survive.
Different safety features that will catch your eye are the next:
- Microsoft Pluton chip-to-cloud know-how (the CPU comes with a built-in crypto-processor that ensures code integrity in addition to the most recent protections delivered through Microsoft Home windows Updates.)
- Discrete Trusted Platform Module (dTPM)
- A fingerprint reader
- Facial recognition through the IR digicam
- A webcam kill swap through the F9 key
- A Kensington Nano Safety Slot
I respect that the ThinkPad Z16 has its personal devoted fingerprint scanner on the keyboard — it’s situated between the arrow keys and the Ctrl button. (Different laptops embed the fingerprint reader inside the facility button, which I dislike.) I skilled much less errors whereas instructing the laptop computer to learn my fingerprint. In just some minutes, I used to be seamlessly logging into the Z16 with out Home windows Good day.
I examined the facial recognition biometric authentication, too. I merely seemed on the digicam, and inside seconds, I used to be able to go. Though facial recognition logins are sooner, I typically have my head down at my cellphone or elsewhere after opening the lid, so I generally miss the “scanning” window.” Because of this, I desire utilizing my fingerprint to regain entry to the laptop computer.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 ports
You received’t discover any legacy ports right here. If you’d like a USB Sort-A port, HDMI 2.0, and different old-school I/O choices, hitch certainly one of our favourite USB Sort-C hubs to this laptop computer.
In any other case, you’ll simply should accept two USB 4 ports, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (energy in) port, a headset jack, an SD card slot, and a Kensington lock slot.
It’s additionally price noting that the ThinkPad Z16 has glorious connectivity assist, together with WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 show
The ThinkPad Z16 packs a 16-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel IPS show with no contact capabilities. As somebody who’s typically spoiled by taking a look at 4K shows far too typically, I can truthfully say that the Z16’s show appears simply high-quality. It will not be essentially the most color-rich show, however it’s sufficiently sharp.
I watched the Dune 2 trailer, and in simply seconds, I used to be hypnotized by the ripple-like patterns that embellished the sand dune Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya have been sitting on. I may see each delicate brow wrinkle and wayward eyebrow hair on Chalamet’s face, too. On Florence Pugh’s face, I may make out just a few sunspots which have developed on her proper cheek. Any enterprise that decides to bulk buy the ThinkPad Z16 should cope with workers sneaking off to observe YouTube and Netflix — the picture high quality is that superior.
In response to the numbers, nonetheless, the ThinkPad Z16 might be higher relating to shade protection. It has an 81% DCI-P3 shade gamut, which is pathetic in comparison with the Gram 16 (118%) and Swift Edge 16 (141%). Hell, it couldn’t even beat the typical premium laptop computer (90%). To be honest, the Gram 16 (2560 x 1600-pixel panel) and Swift Edge 16 (3840 x 2400-pixel display) have higher-res shows, so it’s no surprise that the Z16 can’t sustain.
| DCI-P3 shade gamut share | Brightness | Delta-E | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 | 81% | 432 nits | 0.27 |
| LG Gram 16 | 118% | 332 nits | 0.27 |
| Acer Swift Edge 16 | 141% | 367 nits | 0.31 |
With a 432-nit show, the ThinkPad Z16 isn’t the brightest bulb within the chandelier, however it outshines all of its opponents, together with the ultra-dim LG Gram 16 (332 nits) and the darksome Acer Swift Edge 16 (367 nits). Its rivals couldn’t even out-luminate the typical premium laptop computer, which usually emanates a brightness of 383 nits. Unhappy, isn’t it?
Nonetheless, relating to shade accuracy, the ThinkPad Z16 can surprisingly maintain its personal. It has a Delta-E rating of 0.27 (nearer to 0 is healthier), which matches the Gram 16 (0.27) and bests the Swift Edge 16 (0.31). Nonetheless, it couldn’t beat the typical premium laptop computer (0.23). Womp, womp.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 audio
Now let’s discuss concerning the ThinkPad Z16’s upward-firing, Dolby Atmos-tuned twin audio system. I launched Spotify, fired up the Scorching Hits USA playlist, and performed “Kill Invoice” by SZA. I play this track very often by myself laptop computer, however it sounds a lot lovelier on the ThinkPad Z16. The sultry songstress, regardless of the jealous-filled, violent lyrics, sounded angelic, easy and crisp. It may get fairly loud, too. At max quantity, it crammed my medium-sized testing room.
I didn’t assume SZA may sound any higher — till I opened the Dolby Atmos app. It has 5 presets: Dynamic, Recreation, Film, Music, and Voice. The perfect one was the Dynamic profile; it gave SZA breathier vocals, seemingly capturing each inhalation.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 keyboard and trackpad
Sorry, Lenovo, however I’m not a fan of the ThinkPad Z16’s keyboard. The very first thing I observed was that the facility key shouldn’t be on the deck — the place it’s alleged to be. It’s on the aspect subsequent to the headset jack.
Secondly, I hate the really feel of the deck. Whereas the lid is fabricated from aluminum, the deck is fabricated from plastic — and it feels it, too. It’s like my palms are scraping in opposition to paper — yuck! Thirdly, this laptop computer is mushy and the keys aren’t tactile, however I think that is by design as a result of Lenovo needed to make a quiet keyboard. In spite of everything, this is a enterprise laptop computer. Who needs to be in an workplace with a bunch of loud clacking?
On the 10Fastfingers.com check, I hit 78 phrases per minute, which is lower than my typical 87-89 wpm common. Once more, the black, shield-shaped keys don’t do a lot to propel my fingers from one letter to a different. On the plus aspect, I like that the pink nipple — er, I imply the Lenovo TrackPoint — remains to be round for individuals who are nonetheless massive followers of the nifty characteristic. The TrackPoint remains to be enjoyable to make use of, permitting me to make broad sweeping actions with my cursor with out shifting a lot as a muscle.
The 4.7 x 3.3-inch glass touchpad isn’t any pink nipple, however I loved utilizing it. It has shallow clicks, however I dig them — it requires much less effort to achieve actuation. Plus, it’s extremely conscious of my Home windows 11 gestures, together with pinch-to-zoom, three-finger upward swipes to open all home windows, and two-finger scrolling.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 efficiency and graphics
You’ll discover an AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H CPU underneath the ThinkPad Z16’s hood in addition to 16GB of RAM.
| Geekbench 5.4 (multi-core) | Handbrake video enhancing | File-transfer price | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 | 9.018 | 6 minutes and 37 seconds | 1,423 MBps |
| LG Gram 16 | 8,431 | 17 minutes | 1,506 MBps |
| Acer Swift Edge 16 | 7,718 | 7 minutes and 20 seconds | 1,121 MBps |
Once we examined the ThinkPad Z16 on the Geekbench 5.4 check, it delivered a rating of 9,018, zipping previous the Gram 16’s i7-1260p CPU (8,431), the Swift Edge 16’s AMD Ryzen 7 6800U CPU (7,718), and the typical premium laptop computer (7,135).
Subsequent, we needed to see how effectively the ThinkPad Z16 handles video transcoding, so we put it by the Handbrake problem, which tasked the laptop computer with downscaling a 4K video to 1080p.
It took the ThinkPad Z16 13 solely 6 minutes and 37 seconds to do it. In the meantime, for a similar activity, the Gram 16 — like a sluggish snail — took a whopping 17 minutes to transcode video. Good grief! The Swift Edge 16, nonetheless, didn’t beat the Lenovo laptop computer by about one minute (7:20). The typical premium laptop computer takes 8 minutes and 16 seconds to transcode a 1080p video to 4K.
On our file-transfer check, the 512GB SSD contained in the ThinkPad Z16 took 18 seconds to duplicate a 25GB multimedia, which interprets to a price of 1,423 megabytes per second. That is slower than the 1TB SSD contained in the Gram 16 (1,506 MBps), however sooner than the 1TB SSD contained in the Swift Edge 16 (1,121 MBps).
The ThinkPad Z16 is marketed a enterprise laptop computer, however let’s have a look at if it recreation, too.
| Sid Meier’s Civilization IV benchmark | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 | 63 |
| LG Gram 16 | 19 |
| Acer Swift Edge 16 | 33 |
We examined its AMD Radeon RX 6500M GPU by working the Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm benchmark (1080p, Very Excessive). It crushed its opponents by notching 63 frames per second, beating the 51 fps of the typical premium laptop computer. The LG Gram 16 (Intel Iris Xe graphics) and Swift Edge 16 (Radeon graphics) may solely muster 19 and 33 fps, respectively.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 webcam
After working the Laptop computer Magazine battery check, which consists of steady net browsing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness, we thought that the Gram 16 was a luminary with its spectacular battery runtime of 13 hours and eight minutes, however the ThinkPad Z16 stole the present with a hanging battery lifetime of 14 hours and 38 minutes.
Let’s not even discuss concerning the Swift Edge 16, which has a crummy battery runtime of seven hours and 42 minutes, which falls far beneath the typical premium laptop computer (10 hours and 26 minutes).
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 battery life
After working the Laptop computer Magazine battery check, which consists of steady net browsing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness, we thought that the Gram 16 was a luminary with its spectacular battery runtime of 13 hours and eight minutes, however the ThinkPad Z16 stole the present with a hanging battery lifetime of 14 hours and 38 minutes.
| Runtime | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 | 14 hours and 38 minutes |
| LG Gram 16 | 13 hours and eight minutes |
| Acer Swift Edge 16 | 7 hours and 42 minutes |
Let’s not even discuss concerning the Swift Edge 16, which has a crummy battery runtime of seven hours and 42 minutes, which falls far beneath the typical premium laptop computer (10 hours and 26 minutes).
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 software program and guarantee
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 runs on Home windows 11 Professional. Save for Disney+, Skype, and Solitaire Assortment, you received’t discover an excessive amount of bloatware. Plus, you’ll discover your normal fare of Home windows apps, together with the Xbox suite, Sticky Notes, Sound Recorder, Cellphone Hyperlink, Films & TV, the Microsoft Retailer, and extra.
Curiously, I didn’t spot any Lenovo-branded apps within the “Put in apps” checklist.
The ThinkPad Z16 comes with a one-year restricted guarantee. See how Lenovo ranked in our Tech Help Showdown particular report.
Backside line
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 had me at “15-hour battery life.” Its power-efficient AMD chip could also be, partially, the rationale for its spectacular runtime efficiency. The ThinkPad Z16 additionally outpaced its different 16-inch rivals — the LG Gram 16 and the Acer Swift Edge 16 — in graphics and efficiency.
From the nice audio system and military-tested sturdiness, to the biometric authentication and respectable show, this laptop computer has all of it (and extra). Nonetheless, I’m not a fan of that mushy keyboard, although I think that’s to make sure a quiet typing expertise.
I’m additionally not thrilled that the facility button is on the sting of the laptop computer, however hey, you possibly can’t all the time have your method, proper? General, the ThinkPad Z16 is a top-notch enterprise laptop computer that meets your whole safety wants whereas lasting lengthy on a cost. What’s to not love?
