Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN)
Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN)

Our Rating: 85 %

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA). Compare dimensions, processors, batteries, storage capacities and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect laptop. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the laptop that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

powerful processor performance

high-resolution display

ample connectivity options

expandable memory slots

heavy and bulky

expensive price point

average battery life

loud fan noise

Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

powerful processor performance

excellent keyboard comfort

advanced security features

high-resolution display

heavier than competitors

expensive base model

average battery life

limited color accuracy

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
83 % - Design
75 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
82 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
Product Type Mobile workstation Mobile workstation - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 41.544 cm x 28.081 cm x 3.325 cm 36.4 cm x 26.6 cm x 3.023 cm
Weight 3.5 kg 2.95 kg
Case Material Glass-fibre, polyphenylene sulfide Aluminium (top), glass-fibre (bottom), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Black Storm grey (top), villi black (bottom)
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
Screen Size (Type) 17.3" - IPS 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, 160° viewing angle, 72% NTSC colour gamut Anti-glare, Low Blue Light technology, Eyesafe technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration, DC dimming, 83.4% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
CPU Intel Core i7 (10th Gen) 10750H / 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (13th Gen) 13700HX / 2.1 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 5 GHz 5 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 16-core
Cache 12 MB 30 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Chipset Mobile Intel WM490 Intel WM790
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 128 GB 192 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC DDR5 SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed 2933 MHz 5600 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 5600 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 4 4
Empty Slots 3 2
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
RAID Level RAID 0, RAID 1 RAID 0, RAID 1
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA Quadro T1000 / Intel UHD Graphics NVIDIA RTX A1000 / Intel UHD Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features - NVIDIA TXAA, Direct X 12 Ultimate, Vulkan Support, NVIDIA FXAA
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features IR camera, Windows Hello, ThinkShutter camera privacy Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3286 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Ethernet Controller Intel I219-V -
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 94 Wh 94 Wh
Battery Life Up to 14.6 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 170 Watt, 20 V 170 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
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 P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
Slots 2 x M.2 Card (1 free) 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (Power Delivery 3.0)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Card) Yes (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - German Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included - NVIDIA RTX Desktop Manager
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SN) Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security 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 nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, MIL-STD-810G tested, self-healing BIOS Administrator password, power-on password, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, bottom cover tamper detection
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, TCG Certified, TUV Rheinland Eye Comfort Certification, TCO Certified 9.0
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site - response time: next business day
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