Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 Laptop Review: i5-1335U, MX550 | 21JN001QGP
Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 Laptop Review: A Workhorse with Mixed Results
The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 Laptop is a 16-inch workhorse designed for everyday productivity and light creative tasks. It features a powerful Intel Core i5-1335U processor, a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce MX550 graphics card, and a vibrant WUXGA display. This review dives deep into its strengths, weaknesses, and whether it’s the right fit for your needs.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 is a machine that aims to strike a balance between performance and affordability. It’s a solid option for students, professionals, and anyone looking for a reliable laptop for everyday tasks. However, its lack of certain features and some design choices might make you consider alternatives.
Key Features
The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 boasts a compelling set of features:
- Powerful Processor: The Intel Core i5-1335U processor delivers ample power for demanding tasks, multitasking, and light gaming.
- Dedicated Graphics: The NVIDIA GeForce MX550 graphics card enables smooth graphics performance for casual gaming, video editing, and other creative applications.
- Spacious Display: The 16-inch WUXGA display offers a large and immersive viewing experience with vibrant colors and crisp details.
- Durable Design: The ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 is built with a robust chassis that can withstand the rigors of everyday use.
- Comprehensive Connectivity: It features a wide range of ports including USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and Ethernet.
Performance Evaluation
The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 delivers commendable performance for its price point. Here’s a breakdown of its performance in different areas:
Processor and RAM:
The Intel Core i5-1335U processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM, handles daily tasks, web browsing, and productivity applications with ease. I experienced no lag or stuttering during multitasking, even when running multiple applications simultaneously. However, demanding tasks such as video editing or high-end gaming may push the limits of the 8GB RAM, requiring an upgrade. I recommend considering the configuration with 16GB RAM for better performance.
Graphics:
The NVIDIA GeForce MX550 graphics card is a welcome addition for casual gaming and light creative tasks. I was able to play popular games at medium to low settings and experience smooth gameplay. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it handles most mainstream games with decent performance. Video editing tasks are also made smoother with the dedicated GPU.
Storage:
The 512GB SSD offers ample storage space for everyday files, applications, and media. The fast NVMe SSD ensures quick boot times and responsive application loading. The option to expand storage with a second M.2 SSD is a big plus, providing flexibility for those with larger data requirements.
Display:
The 16-inch WUXGA display is a highlight. The vibrant colors, crisp details, and anti-glare coating make it a pleasure to use for both work and entertainment. However, the 300 nits brightness could be a bit limiting in bright environments.
Battery Life:
Battery life is a bit of a mixed bag. In moderate use, I managed to get around 6 hours of battery life. However, demanding tasks or high screen brightness can quickly drain the battery. The 57Wh battery is not the largest, but it’s sufficient for a full workday with moderate use.
Pros & Cons
Here is a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1:
Pros:
- Powerful Intel Core i5-1335U processor
- Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce MX550 graphics card for enhanced performance
- Spacious 16-inch WUXGA display with vibrant colors and crisp details
- Durable and reliable build quality
- Comprehensive connectivity options
- Upgradable memory and storage
Cons:
- 8GB RAM can be limiting for demanding tasks
- Battery life could be better
- No card reader
- Non-backlit keyboard
- Average screen brightness
Final Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 is a decent laptop that offers solid performance at an affordable price. Its powerful processor, dedicated graphics card, and spacious display make it suitable for everyday tasks, light gaming, and some creative work. However, its limited RAM, average battery life, and lack of certain features may make you consider other options. If you are on a budget and looking for a reliable workhorse with good performance, the ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 is a worthy contender. However, if you require better battery life, a more powerful RAM configuration, and additional features, other laptops in the same price range might be a better fit.
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 | NVIDIA® GeForce MX550 2GB GDDR6 |
| Chipset | Intel® SoC Platform |
| Memory | 8GB Soldered DDR4-3200 |
| Memory Slots | One memory soldered to systemboard, one DDR4 SO-DIMM slot, dual-channel capable |
| Max Memory | Up to 40GB (8GB soldered + 32GB SO-DIMM) DDR4-3200 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe® 4.0×4 NVMe® Opal 2.0 |
| Storage Support | Up to two drives, 2x M.2 SSD • M.2 2242 SSD up to 1TB |
| Storage Slot | Two M.2 slots • One M.2 2242 PCIe® 3.0 x4 slot • One M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot |
| Card Reader | No card reader |
| Optical | None |
| Audio Chip | High Definition (HD) Audio, Synaptic® CX11880 codec |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers, 2W x2, Dolby® Atmos® |
| Camera | FHD 1080p with Privacy Shutter |
| Microphone | 2x, Array |
| Battery | Integrated 57Wh |
| Power Adapter | 65W USB-C® (3-pin) |
| Display | 16″ WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS 300nits Anti-glare, 45% NTSC |
| Touchscreen | None |
| Keyboard | Non-backlit, English (UK) |
| Case Color | Graphite Black |
| Case Material | Aluminium (Top), Aluminium (Bottom) |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | Starting at 356.1 x 247.7 x 19.85 mm (14.02 x 9.75 x 0.78 inches) |
| Weight | Starting at 1.81 kg (3.99 lbs) |
| Operating System | None |
| Bundled Software | None |
| Ethernet | 100/1000M (RJ-45) |
| WLAN + Bluetooth | Wi-Fi® 6, 11ax 2×2 + BT5.1 |
| WWAN | None |
| SIM Card | None |
| NFC | None |
| Standard Ports | 1x USB 2.0, 1x 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/60Hz, 1x Ethernet (RJ-45), 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm) |
