The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" offers affordability but will generally have less power and could struggle with more demanding tasks. Its lighter weight and smaller size increase its portability, making it a good choice for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16, while more expensive, likely offers more robust performance and can handle intensive applications, useful for tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and running engineering software. The ThinkPad is also likely to be more durable and might have a better build quality but can be heavier and less convenient to carry around. If your work or lifestyle demands heavy computing or you need a machine that's likely to last longer, the ThinkPad Z16 could be worth the investment. If your primary concern is saving money and you only need to perform lightweight tasks, the IdeaPad 1 14" should suffice. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
Very good portability
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.1/10
8.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
239.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
393.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a weaker CPU and less RAM, resulting in slower performance, and its TN display with lower resolution impacts screen quality negatively, though it is lighter and thus more portable than the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16. On the other hand, the ThinkPad Z16 boasts a powerful CPU, ample RAM for smoother multitasking, and a high-resolution OLED touchscreen offering superior visuals, but it has a heavier build and shorter battery life, making it less ideal for extended use on the go.
Gaming and AI
5.5/10
6.7/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
8.4/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
6.2/10
8.5/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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.
Software Development
6.4/10
8.2/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
5.3/10
8.5/10
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
239.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
393.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a screen that may not be sufficiently bright or high in resolution for most users, resulting in less clear and vibrant visuals for everyday tasks, while engineering and design professionals might find the limited color range unsuitable for precise work. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16, with its higher resolution and brightness, offers sharp and detailed imagery that benefits general usage and provides a wide color gamut crucial for accurately rendering designs. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both models might disappoint as their screens lack high refresh rates essential for smooth motion graphics and fast-paced visuals.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has 9 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has 7 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.
Build Quality
6.0/10
8.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$153
$1,120
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a price of $153 and the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 costs $1,120.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" to have very good portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
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How the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" and the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 compare to other laptops
"The IdeaPad 1 14 is a simple machine, but it’s well-designed and has nearly everything you’d expect from a no-nonsense laptop that allows you to check emails and get schoolwork or other light tasks done with relative ease. A "true" 128GB SSD (as opposed to an eMMC drive) and a roomy 14-inch full HD display are arguably the star attractions, with the comfortable keyboard and reasonably modern styling playing important backup roles."
"Lenovo’s ThinkPad Z16 tries has some success in its effort to tweak the ThinkPad formula. The laptop is attractive, yet still tame, and material quality is on par with the best Windows competition. I also like the smooth, responsive haptic touchpad and the wide range of modern connectivity. Yet the Z16 doesn’t fix ThinkPad’s typical weakness: value. Starting around $1,550, and more typically near $1,700, the Z16 finds itself facing alternatives that have better performance or an improved display for the same price, or less."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" or the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16
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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