Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU)
Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU)

Our Rating: 85 %

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL). Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.

Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

powerful processor performance

excellent keyboard feel

good thermal management

reliable security features

heavy and bulky

expensive price point

average battery life

limited color accuracy

Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

good battery life

reliable performance

advanced security features

heavy design

limited graphics power

higher price point

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
82 % - Design
75 % - Display
86 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
83 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Product Type Mobile workstation Mobile workstation - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.54 cm x 25.23 cm x 3.145 cm 36.198 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.05 cm
Weight 2.74 kg 1.81 kg
Case Material Glass-fibre, glass-fibre reinforced plastic, polyphenylene sulfide Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Black Black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, 160° viewing angle Anti-glare, Eye comfort mode, Low Blue Light technology, 170° viewing angle, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration, Dolby Vision, DC dimming, 85.4% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
CPU Intel Core i7 (10th Gen) 10850H / 2.7 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 5.1 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 8-core
Cache 12 MB L3 - 16 MB
Chipset Mobile Intel WM490 -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 32 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 128 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2933 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 6400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 4 -
Empty Slots 3 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - SK Hynix 1.024 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia
RAID Level RAID 0, RAID 1 -
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA Quadro T2000 / Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported 4 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM -
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3286 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card Qualcomm NFA725A
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Technology 6-cell lithium polymer 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 94 Wh 52.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16.4 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 170 Watt, 20 V 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI (4K support)
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Card) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition Windows 11 Pro
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20SU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21CL)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C slim power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, MIL-STD-810G tested, 4x4 MiMo function Administrator password, power-on password, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, TCG Certified, TCO Certified 9.0
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% 8 - 95%
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