The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 offers better performance for 3D tasks, machine learning, and gaming thanks to its high-end GPU and CPU, combined with a high-refresh-rate display, which is rare in laptops of this class. It stands out for tasks requiring graphics power and speed but is less portable due to its weight and size. The Lenovo ThinkPad P16, while offering a professional GPU suited for engineering applications, has a higher resolution display beneficial for visual precision in creative and engineering tasks. It's designed as a premium business laptop with a longer battery life but is heavier and less suited for gaming or fast-moving visuals. Both laptops are priced similarly, so your choice should depend on whether you prioritize performance for demanding graphics tasks or a business-oriented laptop with better battery life and high screen resolution. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
Very good for gaming and AI
Excellent overall display quality
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad P16
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good battery life
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5/10
6.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is equipped with a high-refresh-rate display and a more powerful GPU, which are crucial for fluid gameplay and 3D work; whereas the Lenovo ThinkPad P16, with a high-quality screen and a capable but less potent GPU, is tailored more towards professional applications that benefit from color accuracy and a higher resolution display. Both laptops have strong CPUs, but the ASUS edges out in gaming with its better refresh rate and GPU performance, while the ThinkPad focuses on detail with its superior screen quality.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
8.3/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 are both very good for engineering and design, though the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 stands out for engineering and design due to its higher-end CPU and GPU, which translate to superior processing and graphical capabilities important for demanding tasks, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16, with its high-resolution display, is very good for detailed visual work; however, it has less powerful internals compared to the ASUS. Additionally, the ThinkPad P16's advantage in portability and professional appearance may appeal to users prioritizing mobility and corporate settings over the gaming aesthetic and raw power of the ASUS.
Software Development
7.7/10
8.4/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
9.0/10
8.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
627.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
569.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 for general use, and gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has a better screen for content creation.
For general use, both the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 offer high-resolution displays with bright, crisp visuals, making text and media consumption a pleasure. In engineering and design, they provide wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color reproduction that's crucial for professional editing and modeling work. However, for gaming and 3D applications where refresh rate significantly impacts experience, their screens may not update as quickly as dedicated gaming laptops, leading to less fluid motion and potentially more noticeable lag in fast-paced scenes.
Battery
4.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has 4.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has 10 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Good
Poor
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
6.5 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has good portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,059
$1,449
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a price of $2,059 and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 costs $1,449.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad P16 to be very good for general use, while the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is good.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 offers a balance between power and portability with a lighter weight and high refresh rate screen, which is useful for smooth visuals in general use, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 emphasizes work performance with a higher resolution display and longer battery life for extended use without recharging but at a tradeoff of being heavier and less portable. Both laptops have high-quality inputs such as keyboards and feature robust CPUs and sufficient RAM for multitasking, making them suited to general use scenarios.
Content Creation
8.2/10
8.2/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 are both very good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.5/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 compare to other laptops
"The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is not yet as optimised as its predecessor. Compared to the previous gen, performance and efficiency have improved significantly. What's more, the wonderful, Mini-LED Nebula display is a contender for the main highlight and almost manages to put the CPU and GPU in the shade. We already found its predecessor to be a well-rounded and well-optimised gaming machine. Generally, but not unequivocally, that also applies to the new Asus M16. Similar to most of the current, new laptops, we are dealing with a double generational leap in terms of the CPU and GPU. However, this change doesn't always run smoothly."
"It's only a few months since we gave the MSI CreatorPro X17 one of our rare 4.5-star ratings and our top mobile workstation honor, but the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 matches that achievement in a more premium overall build. Ultimately, its build quality, screen, and keyboard give our latest Editors' Choice nod to the Lenovo—it's enough of a monster on almost all fronts that it simply cannot be ignored."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 or the Lenovo ThinkPad P16
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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