Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK). 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 P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Review

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

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

impressive battery life

good thermal management

reliable performance

heavy form factor

modest display brightness

limited GPU power

higher price point

Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

impressive thermal management

good battery life

reliable performance

heavier than competitors

limited GPU options

average display brightness

costlier than rivals

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
82 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
85 % - Design
78 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
Product Type Mobile workstation - 180-degree hinge design Mobile workstation - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.083 cm 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.11 cm
Weight 1.677 kg 1.7 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Black Villi black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
Screen Size (Type) 16" - IPS 16" - IPS
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle, DC dimming Anti-glare, on-cell touch technology, DC dimming, 85.4% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1260P / 2.1 GHz Intel Core i7 (13th Gen) 1360P / 2.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 5 GHz
Number of Cores 12-core 12-core
Cache 18 MB 18 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
RAM 32 GB (1 x 16 GB + 16 GB (soldered)) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 48 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC LPDDR5X SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed 3200 MHz 7500 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 7500 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 1 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Samsung 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA T550 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA RTX A500 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features - NVIDIA TXAA, Direct X 12 Ultimate, Vulkan Support, NVIDIA FXAA
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes
Resolution - 5 Megapixel
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, Discrete IR, Ultrasonic Human Presence Detection
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Intel I219-V
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 86 Wh 52.5 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 100 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V 100 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
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 P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 2.0 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included - NVIDIA RTX Desktop Manager
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (21HK)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C slim power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card 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, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, bottom cover tamper detection
Compliant Standards RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, TCG Certified, TUV Rheinland Eye Comfort Certification RoHS, TCG Certified, TCO Certified 9.0
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty - Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site - response time: next business day
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