Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU). 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 P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard experience

impressive battery life

good thermal management

reliable performance

heavier than competitors

modest display brightness

limited graphics power

higher price point

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

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Product Type Mobile workstation Mobile workstation - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.58 cm x 24.8 cm x 1.91 cm 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.083 cm
Weight 1.783 kg 1.677 kg
Case Material Aluminum, polycarbonate ABS, glass-fibre, magnesium alloy, polyamide, Talc15 Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Storm grey | Black Black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle, DC dimming
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
CPU Intel Core i7 (11th Gen) 1165G7 / 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1260P / 2.1 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 12-core
Cache 12 MB 18 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 32 GB (1 x 16 GB + 16 GB (soldered))
Max RAM Supported 48 GB 48 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed 3200 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 1 1
Empty Slots 1 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Samsung
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA Quadro T500 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA T550 / 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
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 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 P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Technology Lithium polymer 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 57 Wh 86 Wh
Battery Life Up to 15.8 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 100 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
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 P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Slots 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) -
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
Dock
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
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 (20W6) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C 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 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
Compliant Standards RoHS, TCG Certified RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, TCG Certified, TUV Rheinland Eye Comfort Certification
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
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