Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 Laptop Review: A Solid Workhorse with Some Quirks
Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 Laptop Review: A Solid Workhorse with Some Quirks
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 is a mid-range laptop designed for everyday tasks and light productivity. It boasts a 15.6-inch FHD display, an Intel Core i7-1255U processor, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a dedicated GeForce MX550 graphics card. I’ve been using this laptop for several weeks, putting it through the paces with various tasks, and here’s my comprehensive review.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 aims to strike a balance between affordability and performance. It inherits the ThinkPad DNA of durability and reliability, making it a suitable choice for students, professionals, and anyone looking for a dependable work machine. I was particularly interested in testing its performance with demanding tasks like video editing and multitasking, considering its modest specifications.
Features
Here’s a breakdown of the key features of the Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-1255U |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce MX550 2GB GDDR5 |
| Operating System | FreeDOS |
| Keyboard | English/Arabic |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI, USB-C, USB-A |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours |
| Weight | 1.75 kg |
Performance
The ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 delivers solid performance for everyday tasks like browsing, email, document editing, and light video conferencing. The Intel Core i7-1255U processor handles multitasking smoothly, and the 8GB RAM is sufficient for most productivity scenarios. The GeForce MX550 graphics card allows for decent casual gaming and basic video editing, although it’s not a powerhouse for high-end applications.
During my testing, I was impressed by the responsiveness of the system. The 512GB SSD ensures fast boot times and quick application launches. The 15.6-inch display is bright and offers decent color accuracy, although it could benefit from a higher refresh rate. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the touchpad is responsive. However, I found the fan noise to be a bit excessive, especially under heavy load.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Durable build quality
- Solid performance for everyday tasks
- Comfortable keyboard and responsive touchpad
- Decent battery life
- Affordable price point
Cons:
- Fan noise can be excessive under load
- No pre-installed operating system (FreeDOS)
- Limited graphics capabilities for demanding tasks
Final Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 is a solid laptop for general use and light productivity. It’s a reliable workhorse with a durable build, comfortable keyboard, and sufficient performance for everyday tasks. However, its fan noise and lack of a pre-installed operating system might be dealbreakers for some users. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop with decent performance and good battery life, the ThinkPad E15 Gen 4 is worth considering. But if you need a machine for demanding tasks or prioritize a quiet experience, you might want to explore other options.
