The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 offers robust performance for demanding tasks like engineering and 3D work, but it's heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for frequent travel. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, on the other hand, is lighter and has a longer battery life, suitable for general use and better for those who prioritize portability and battery life over high-intensity tasks. Choose the ThinkPad P16 for power-intensive activities or the ThinkBook 13x if you need a lighter laptop for everyday productivity on the go. 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 ThinkPad P16
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good overall build quality
Very good battery life
Excellent speakers
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
Excellent portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.2/10
8.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
13.5in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
569.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x for engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and ThinkBook 13x both feature high-resolution displays with bright panels, making them ideal for general use where clarity and visibility are key. Their color accuracy and wide color gamuts make these laptops suitable for engineering and design work, as professionals in these fields require precise color representation for their projects. However, for gaming and 3D applications, which demand smoother motion and quick screen updates, the lower refresh rates of these laptops' screens make them less optimal compared to models specifically designed for such purposes.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has 8 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
Poor
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
13.5in
6.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
1.2in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has excellent portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.6/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad P16 to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 offers a powerful CPU and ample RAM for multitasking, along with a high-quality screen and robust build, making it well-suited for various tasks but less portable and with shorter battery life compared to the ThinkBook 13x, which, while also providing a good screen and sufficient processing power, prioritizes portability and longer battery life, ideal for on-the-go use, though it might compromise on performance for more demanding applications. Both models come with high-quality keyboards and enough storage, while heat management and operating noise are kept in check to avoid disruptions during use.
Gaming and AI
6.9/10
6.6/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and Lenovo ThinkBook 13x are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 typically features a more powerful GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth and detailed gaming and 3D rendering experiences. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while competent for less demanding tasks, may not offer the same level of graphics performance or as fluid visuals due to a more modest GPU and lower refresh rate.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
7.9/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad P16 to be very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16, with its superior CPU, ample RAM, and advanced GPU, excels in demanding engineering tasks and provides high-quality visuals on its screen, but it is less portable and might produce more operating noise, whereas the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while still capable for engineering tasks and offering a good screen, trades some performance for better portability and may have quieter operation along with a high-quality keyboard and speakers.
Content Creation
8.2/10
8.0/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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.
Software Development
8.4/10
7.9/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad P16 to be very good for software development, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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.
Cost
$1,449
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has a price of $1,449 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
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How the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x compare to other laptops
"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 Lenovo ThinkPad P16 or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
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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