Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G6 IRL Laptop Review: A Solid Performer for Everyday Tasks

Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G6 IRL Laptop Review: A Solid Performer for Everyday Tasks

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G6 IRL is a mid-range laptop aimed at professionals and students who need a reliable machine for everyday tasks. Featuring a 16-inch WUXGA display, an Intel Core i5-1335U processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, it promises a balance of performance and portability. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into its features, performance, and real-world usage to see if it lives up to expectations.

Features

The ThinkBook 16 G6 IRL boasts a sleek design with an Arctic Grey finish. It’s comfortable to carry, thanks to its weight starting at 1.7 kg.

Display

The 16-inch WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS display with 300 nits of brightness and anti-glare coating offers vibrant visuals and good viewing angles. While not a touch screen, it provides ample space for multitasking and productivity.

Processor and Memory

Powered by the Intel Core i5-1335U processor with 12 threads and integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, the ThinkBook 16 G6 IRL handles everyday tasks effortlessly. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM ensures smooth multitasking and quick application loading.

Storage

The 512GB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0×4 NVMe provides ample storage for documents, photos, and applications.

Ports and Connectivity

The laptop offers a good selection of ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt™ 4 / USB4®, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, and an SD card reader. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless connectivity.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The backlit English keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience, while the buttonless multi-touch touchpad offers responsive tracking and gestures.

Security

The ThinkBook 16 G6 IRL incorporates various security features, including a touch-style fingerprint reader integrated in the power button, a camera privacy shutter, and a Kensington Nano Security Slot.

Performance

The ThinkBook 16 G6 IRL delivered consistently smooth performance in our tests.

Everyday Tasks

The laptop handled web browsing, document editing, and video conferencing effortlessly. Even with multiple applications running simultaneously, the system remained responsive and smooth.

Light Gaming

While not a gaming machine, the ThinkBook 16 G6 IRL can handle light gaming with decent frame rates. We were able to play casual games like League of Legends and Valorant at playable settings.

Battery Life

The integrated 45Wh battery provides decent battery life, lasting around 6-7 hours on a single charge with moderate usage.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Solid performance for everyday tasks
  • Decent battery life
  • Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
  • Good selection of ports
  • Sleek and portable design
  • Strong security features

Cons

  • Not suitable for heavy gaming or demanding applications
  • Average display brightness
  • Limited storage upgrade options

Final Verdict

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G6 IRL is a solid choice for professionals and students seeking a reliable and portable laptop for everyday tasks. Its performance, features, and comfortable design make it a great option for work, studies, and entertainment.

While it might not be the best choice for heavy gaming or demanding applications, it excels in everyday tasks and offers great value for its price.

Specifications

Feature Specification
Processor Intel® Core™ i5-1335U, 10C (2P + 8E) / 12T, P-core 1.3 / 4.6GHz, E-core 0.9 / 3.4GHz, 12MB
Graphics Integrated Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
Chipset Intel® SoC Platform
Memory 2x 8GB SO-DIMM DDR5-5200
Memory Slots Two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, dual-channel capable
Max Memory Up to 64GB DDR5-5200
Storage 512GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe® 4.0×4 NVMe®
Storage Support Up to two drives, 2x M.2 SSD• M.2 2242 SSD up to 1TB• M.2 2280 SSD up to 2TB
Storage Slot Two M.2 2280 PCIe® 4.0 x4 slots
Card Reader SD Card Reader
Optical None
Audio Chip High Definition (HD) Audio, Realtek® ALC3287 codec
Speakers Stereo speakers, 2W x2, Dolby Audio™
Camera FHD 1080p with Privacy Shutter
Microphone 2x, Array
Battery Integrated 45Wh
Power Adapter 65W USB-C® (3-pin)
Special Features Modern Standby
Display 16″ WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS 300nits Anti-glare, 45% NTSC
Touchscreen None
Keyboard Backlit, English
Touchpad Buttonless Mylar® surface multi-touch touchpad, supports Precision TouchPad (PTP), 75 x 120 mm
Case Color Arctic Grey
Surface Treatment Anodizing Sandblasting
Case Material Aluminium (Top), PC-ABS (Bottom)
Dimensions 356 x 253.5 x 17.5 mm (14.01 x 9.98 x 0.69 inches)
Weight Starting at 1.7 kg (3.75 lbs)
Operating System Windows® 11 Pro, English
Bundled Software Office Trial
Ethernet 100/1000M (RJ-45)
WLAN + Bluetooth Wi-Fi® 6E, 802.11ax 2×2 + BT5.3
Standard Ports 1x USB 3.2 Gen 11x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)1x USB-C® 3.2 Gen 2 (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort™ 1.4)1x Thunderbolt™ 4 / USB4® 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort™ 1.4)1x HDMI® 2.1, up to 4K/60Hz1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm)1x Ethernet (RJ-45)1x SD card reader
Docking Various docking solutions supported via Thunderbolt™ or USB-C®. For more compatible docking solutions, please visit Docking for ThinkBook 16 G6 IRL
Security Chip Firmware TPM 2.0 Enabled
Fingerprint Reader Touch Style, Integrated in Power Button
Physical Locks Kensington® Nano Security Slot™, 2.5 x 6 mm
Other Security Camera privacy shutter
System Management Non-vPro®