Radeon RX 6550M performance debut: Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 laptop review

[Redaktion]

RDNA2 isn't necessarily bad for an entry-level Radeon GPU, but it's getting long in the tooth and difficult to recommend at such a high $1600+ price tag. The fast Ryzen 9 Pro Zen 4 CPU and 4K OLED touchscreen are otherwise highlights for the ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 model.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Radeon-RX-6550M-performance-debut-Lenovo-ThinkPad-Z16-Gen-2-laptop-review.781223.0.html

[rui almeida]

It's a must to add also as CONS:

a) Only soldered RAM
b) No replaceable WIFI card
c) No USB-Type A connectors
d) No Ethernet port
e) ...

[Con Tapas]

I was hoping this laptop to be an AMD version of thinkpad P1. Because CPU performance is very similar (e.g. Intel 13900H, AMD 7940HS) but ryzen is much more power efficient and that is important on the go.

But no, they completely blow it! Zero upgradability, worse keyboard, no trackpoint physical buttons (important for engineering software), no ports, and even the battery efficiency is lost due to the OLED display, and there is no QHD IPS option, eother OLED or 1080p+. 

So I bought the P1 gen 6 and it is a great laptop. Even the battery life is better due to the power efficient QHD IPS display. I already upgraded both SSDs to 4Terra. The whole pachage is so much more balanced and the keyboard-trachpoint-three physical buttons is just a pleasure.

I get angry when all the ergonomics, usability, and upgradability are thrown to the bin for some stylish crap.

[davidm]

I have to wean myself off the trackpoint somehow. Lenovo always manages to make not quite right designs. There is no reason for so many not-quite-right options, it just increases their design & support costs. I really doubt there is more than a few dollars materials difference between a low and high end device, it's all phony levels. They should just go all-in on a few models that have more options (for example, low to high end options for z16 including a 2k OLED, along with a convertible option for AMD) to satisfy all consumers.

Maybe Framework will finally offer a decent Trackpoint keyboard. It's a mystery why they don't, since their concept is options. Though they haven't figured out convertible yet.