The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is a brand new model that attempts to challenge aspects of the ThinkPad design. It has a sleeker, sleeker exterior than most models, offers everything from USB4 and USB-C connectivity, and ditches the physical TrackPoint buttons in favor of a seamless haptic touchpad. The results are often positive, but the Z16 remains expensive for what it offers. Read more information.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 specifications and features
The ThinkPad Z16 has a modern set of specifications. This includes a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 6000 series processor, DDR5 memory and the latest USB4 and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H
Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 6400MHz
Graphics/GPU: AMD Radeon Integrated
Display: 1920×1200 IPS non-touch display
Storage: 512 GB Samsung PM9A1 NVMe PCIe SSD
Webcam: 1080p
Connectivity: 2x USB4, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, SD card slot, 3.5 mm combo audio
Network: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Biometrics: Fingerprint reader, facial recognition
Battery capacity: 72 watt hours
Dimensions: 13.95 inches x 9.35 inches x 0.63 inches
Weight: 4.3 pounds
MSRP: $2,149.99
The configuration I received is a bit unusual, however, as it's currently only sold through a few enterprise-focused retail channels and not on Lenovo's website. As a result, it has a high MSRP that does not represent consumer prices. Most variants of the Z16 start around $1,700 online and include several upgrades not found in the laptop Lenovo sent for review.
Design and build quality
ThinkPad design
IDG / Matthew Smith
The exterior of the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is modern, ditching any hint of the traditional rugged, matte black ThinkPad exterior for a sleeker aluminum look. The result is attractive but remains conservative. Logo aside, the Z16 doesn't look all that different from the Dell XPS 15 or the LG Gram 16 when closed.
There is one sign of difference: the webcam crash. It protrudes from the top of the display and is slightly thicker than the surrounding display cover. This is now a common tactic among Windows laptops that want to have a better webcam while maintaining thin display bezels. It's weird at first, but it wears off quickly.
Opening the Z16 reveals an interior familiar to the ThinkPad faithful. It has an inky matte black surface that seems to actively absorb light from its surroundings. The color is so deep that it's often hard to see the glossy black ThinkPad logo, which only stands out when it catches the light.
The quality of the material is top notch. The metal lid of the display is thick and rigid, so flex when opening and closing the notebook is minimal. More metal keeps the bottom half of the laptop safe. The interior is mostly plastic, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The feel is softer and warmer than metal, which can feel cold and sterile in comparison.
Keyboard and trackpad
ThinkPad keyboard and touchpad
IDG / Matthew Smith
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 opted for a spacious keyboard layout that lacks a numeric keypad. This provides plenty of room for full-size keys on both sides, including the Backspace and Enter keys, which are often a bit small on laptops with numeric keypads. The keyboard is also centered above the touchpad, a layout I find more comfortable for long typing sessions.
The writing is good, if not exceptional. The key stroke is respectable for a thin notebook and the bottoms with a firm and definitive action. However, it is not very tactile and the keyboard is quiet. That might disappoint ThinkPad purists, though it holds its own against premium alternatives like the Apple MacBook Pro 16 and Dell XPS 15.
Touchpad is a different and complex story. The touchpad itself is excellent: smooth, responsive and distinct from the surrounding palm rest. Multi-touch gestures work well, and the touchpad, while not massive, offers plenty of room for five-finger pinches or quick swipes left and right. It's better than all the alternatives I've tried recently, except for the MacBook Pro 16.
Also included is Lenovo's classic red TrackPoint, and this is where things get complicated. Most ThinkPads pair the TrackPoint with a set of three physical keys above the touchpad. These are intended for use with the TrackPoint, but also reduce the size of the touchpad. The Z16 does away with physical keys and relies on haptic touch input. This is a good idea, but it doesn't work well in practice. It's hard to make out the boundaries of the three touchpads that replace the physical keys. The lack of physical keys also makes it difficult to use the TrackPoint scrolling feature, which is activated by holding down the middle TrackPoint key and moving up or down with the TrackPoint.
It depends on whether you like TrackPoint. I'm a TrackPoint fan, so the lack of physical keys is a problem. However, if you're not using TrackPoint, the touchpad is excellent. It is large, responsive and has a luxurious glass surface. Even the haptics work well. Most owners will be satisfied with it.
Display, sound
ThinkPad display
IDG / Matthew Smith
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 I received was equipped with a 16-inch non-touch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200. This is the most basic display offered for this model. Customers can upgrade to a 1920 x 1200 IPS touchscreen or a spectacular 3840 x 2400 OLED touchscreen.
However, there's a lot to be said in favor of this simple, 1920x1200 IPS non-touch display. It lacks the glossy finish of other models, yet delivers an excellent maximum brightness of 473 nits. That's a very high level of brightness for any laptop, making the Z16 a good choice for use in a bright, open office, as well as great for travel.
It's also an attractive display with good color performance and accuracy. The 1920x1200 resolution doesn't stand out on paper, but works out to 141 pixels per inch, which is plenty sharp for everyday use.
The weak point of the display is its low contrast ratio and lackluster dark scene performance, characteristics common to most IPS displays. Movies and games can seem flat and boring, especially when viewed in a dark room. Shoppers who want a great entertainment experience should upgrade to the 4K OLED touchscreen found in more expensive configurations.
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