ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2: Business Laptop With Gaming Power
- Display: 16-inch 3840×2400 OLED (optional), HDR400, 16:10 aspect ratio.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7/9 PRO 7000 series (HS-class) with integrated RDNA3 graphics.
- Discrete GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6550M (optional) for light creative workloads.
- Memory & Storage: Up to 64 GB LPDDR5x (soldered) and dual M.2 NVMe slots.
- Connectivity: 2 × USB4 Type-C, 1 × USB-C 3.2 Gen2, HDMI 2.1, SD Express, audio combo jack. Wi-Fi 6E and optional 4G.
- Chassis: Recycled aluminium, MIL-STD 810H tested, 1.95 kg (4.3 lb).
Strengths
- Excellent ThinkPad keyboard and glass haptic trackpad; TrackPoint with Quick Menu.
- OLED panel offers deep blacks and 100% DCI-P3 coverage—great for colour-sensitive work.
- Ryzen PRO platform delivers strong multi-thread performance and enterprise security (Pluton, memory encryption).
- RX 6550M enables accelerated video editing and casual gaming without an external eGPU.
Trade-Offs
- Battery life (70 Wh) averages 6–8 hours under mixed workloads with the OLED panel; expect less with discrete GPU engaged.
- Soldered memory limits upgrades; plan configuration carefully.
- Thermal constraints throttle sustained GPU loads compared with thicker workstations.
- Pricing starts around USD 1,700 and increases quickly with OLED + dGPU.
Who Should Consider It?
- Creative professionals who need calibrated visuals and Premiere/DaVinci hardware acceleration but prefer a business chassis.
- Security-conscious organisations standardising on AMD PRO features and Windows 11 Secured-core PCs.
- Travellers who value a premium build, multiple USB4 ports, and a quiet system for meeting rooms.
Alternatives
- ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 6: NVIDIA RTX GPUs, heavier but more headroom for graphics-intensive tasks.
- Dell XPS 15/16 (2024): OLED options with Intel/NVIDIA combo; broader ecosystem of accessories.
- MacBook Pro 16 (M3): Superior battery life and native ProRes hardware, but macOS-only workflows.
Buying Tips
- Configure with the integrated GPU if you prioritise battery life; the dGPU model requires the 135 W adapter.
- Factor in USB-C docking solutions—Lenovo’s Thunderbolt/USB4 docks provide dual 4K outputs.
- Review corporate support packages (Premier Support, Warranty Upgrades) for mission-critical deployments.
Disclaimer
Specifications and pricing vary by region. Validate requirements (power adapters, regional keyboards, WWAN availability) with Lenovo or authorised resellers before purchase.