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The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is Lenovo’s flagship mobile workstation, designed as an absolute powerhouse for engineers, designers, and professionals who need a portable workhorse of a machine. ThinkPad has always been Lenovo’s trusted professional brand known for its reliability, durability, fantastic keyboard, and overall excellence as a computer.
I previously reviewed the Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 2, a similar computer. I like to think of it straightforwardly because the P16v is the lite version of the P16. Or, to use Apple terms, the P16v would be the MacBook Air with upgraded RAM, and the P16 is the MacBook Pro with a Max chip. They are both some of the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops around in their own right and are overpowered by the vast majority of users. But, for those power users, the differences become apparent.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: Price and Availability
The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 starts at a base price of just under $2,000 at $1,849. With that, you get a core i5, an RTX A1000, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage.
However, you can easily break $6,000 and even $6,500 if you opt for the maxed specs of a Core i9, an RTX 5000 Ada, 192GB of RAM, and 8TB of SSD. You can grab one of these workstations on Lenovo’s website or their approved retailers.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: Unboxing & first impressions
Since I recently reviewed the ThinkPad P16v Gen 2, I had a good idea of what this laptop would look, feel, and operate like before I even opened the box. However, I still ended up surprised at just how much larger the P16 (no “v”) was compared to the “v” variant. I will grant that it feels more durable than the other, but regardless, this laptop is not for frequent travelers – unless you know what you are getting into and need this power portably.
Outside of that shock, the rest of the first look was as to be expected. It looks like a quality ThinkPad laptop, and that’s precisely what I have come to expect from Lenovo.
Another thing worth mentioning is the excellent port offering, yet the inability to charge via a USB-C connection due to it requiring the first-party power supply.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: Design & build quality
Specs
Processor Options: 13th & 14th Gen Intel Core HX (up to i9-13980HX)
GPU Options: Nvidia RTX 1000 Ada – RTX 5000 Ada
RAM: Up to 192GB DDR5
Storage: Up to 8TB
Display:
16” 2560×1600 (165Hz, 500 nits, 100% sRGB)
Optional: 3840×2400 OLED (HDR, touchscreen, 400 nits)
Battery: 94Wh
Weight: 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg)
Ports: 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), HDMI 2.1, SD card reader, Ethernet
OS: Windows 11 Pro
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is a very robust laptop; there is no disguising that. I show the thickness difference between an iPhone 16 Pro and this laptop in one of the linked photos. Thankfully, that mass comes with a heavy-duty build, not just a heavy build. The Magnesium-aluminum chassis also has a premium and sturdy feeling, adding to the overall appeal of the ThinkPad P16 Gen 2.
One of the best features of a Lenovo ThinkPad is the keyboard, which remains top of the line when it comes to the best business laptop I’ve reviewed, without any loss of feel or function. The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 also features a full numpad, the famous red trackpoint, and a comfortable trackpad.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: In use
My team has had the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 in rotation for a few months. While it’s for sure not the laptop we would choose to take on a trip with us, nor one we want to bring to the coffee shop for a light afternoon of work, it is, however, the one that we want to use around the studio or within the home due to its raw performance and abilities.
Under our stress testing, we noticed that the laptop would kick on the fans and get decently hot and a bit loud, but it kicks on the fans and cools itself down.
Another feature worth mentioning is the battery. It’s impressive that this kind of power can be in a laptop form factor, but then you see that it can only last 5-7 hours with light use and a mere 2-3 with heavy load, and you realize this computer’s power and lack of battery.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Design |
Robust and hefty design |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Ease of use |
Easy to use |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Practicality |
Would work well for the right usecase |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Price |
High Price, but understandable |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: Final verdict
The ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is one of the best mobile workstations available, delivering exceptional CPU & GPU performance, a premium 165Hz display, and an unbeatable keyboard. However, its weight, fan noise, and thermal limits mean it’s best suited for desk-based professionals rather than frequent travelers.
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collin.probst@futurenet.com (Collin Probst)
