In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) and Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC). 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.
Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.
powerful intel processors
high-resolution display
robust build quality
excellent keyboard feel
advanced security features
high price point
average battery life
heavier than competitors
limited color options
| DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| Product Type | Mobile workstation | Mobile workstation |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 37.74 cm x 25.23 cm x 2.94 cm | 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.77 cm |
| Weight | 2.55 kg | 1.81 kg |
| Case Material | Glass-fibre reinforced plastic, magnesium-aluminum alloy | Aluminium (bottom), glass-fibre reinforced plastic (top) |
| Colour | Black | Black |
| DISPLAY | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| Screen Size (Type) | 15.6" - IPS | 16" - IPS |
|---|---|---|
| LCD Backlight Technology | LED backlight | 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 | 250 cd/m² | 500 cd/m² |
| Colour Gamut | - | 100% sRGB |
| Features | Anti-glare | Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration, DC dimming |
| PROCESSOR | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7 (7th Gen) 7820HQ / 2.9 GHz | Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Max Turbo Speed | 3.9 GHz | 4.7 GHz |
| Number of Cores | Quad-Core | 14-core |
| Cache | 8 MB | 24 MB |
| 64-bit Computing | Yes | - |
| Chipset | Mobile Intel CM238 | Intel WM690 |
| Features | Integrated memory controller | Integrated memory controller |
| MEMORY | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| RAM | 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) | 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM Supported | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC | DDR5 SDRAM - non-ECC |
| Speed | 2400 MHz | 4800 MHz |
| Rated Speed | 2400 MHz | 4800 MHz |
| Form Factor | SO-DIMM 260-pin | SO-DIMM 262-pin |
| Slots Qty | 4 | 2 |
| Empty Slots | 3 | 1 |
| STORAGE | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) | 500 GB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 7200 rpm | 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance |
|---|---|---|
| RAID Level | - | RAID 0, RAID 1 |
| AUDIO & VIDEO | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| Multi-GPU Configuration | 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU | 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Processor (GPU) | NVIDIA Quadro M1200 / Intel HD Graphics 630 | NVIDIA RTX A1000 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Max Monitors Supported | - | 3 external monitor(s) |
| Video Memory | 4 GB | 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM |
| Camera | Yes - 720p | Yes - 1080p |
| Camera Features | - | Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus |
| Sound | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone |
| Codec | Realtek ALC3268 | Realtek ALC3306 |
| Compliant Standards | High Definition Audio | High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos |
| COMMUNICATIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| Wireless | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 | Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Controller | Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 - M.2 Card | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 |
| Network Interface | Gigabit Ethernet | - |
| Features | - | Dual stream (2x2) |
| BATTERY | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| Technology | 4-cell Lithium Ion | Lithium polymer |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity (Size) | 66 Wh | 90 Wh |
| Battery Life | Up to 6.5 hours | - |
| AC ADAPTER | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| 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 P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| Type | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav |
|---|---|---|
| Numeric Keypad | Yes | - |
| Keyboard Backlight | - | Yes |
| Features | Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad | Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad |
| CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| Slots | 1 x ExpressCard/34 (1 free) | 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free) |
|---|---|---|
| Interfaces | USB 3.1 Gen 1/USB 3.0 (Always On) 3 x USB 3.1 Gen 1/USB 3.0 USB-C (supports Thunderbolt 3) Mini DisplayPort HDMI LAN Dock Headphone/microphone combo jack |
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On) USB 3.2 Gen 1 2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4) HDMI Headphone/microphone combo jack |
| Memory Card Reader | 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card, SDXC UHS-II Card) | Yes (SD Express Card) |
| SOFTWARE | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| Operating System (OS) | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English |
|---|
| MISCELLANEOUS | Lenovo ThinkPad P51 (20HJ) | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) |
|---|
| Dockable | Yes | - |
|---|---|---|
| Included Accessories | Power adapter | Power adapter |
| Security | Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader | Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint 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, ThinkVantage Active Protection System, MIL-STD-810G tested | Administrator password, power-on password, Intel Active Management Technology (iAMT), RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password |
| Compliant Standards | RoHS | RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, TCG Certified |
| ENERGY STAR Certified | Yes | - |
| Max Operating Temperature | - | 35 °C |
| Min Operating Temperature | - | 5 °C |
| Humidity Range Operating | - | 8 - 95% |
| Manufacturer Warranty | - | Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site Limited warranty - battery - 1 year |
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