Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA)
Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA)
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)

Our Rating: 85 %

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) 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.

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) Review

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

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) and Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)
81 % - Design
84 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) 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 2.45 kg 1.81 kg
Case Material Magnesium-aluminum alloy, polyphenylene sulfide Aluminium (bottom), glass-fibre reinforced plastic (top)
Colour Black Black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) 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 300 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 72% 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 P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)
CPU Intel Core i7 (8th Gen) 8850H / 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.3 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 14-core
Cache 9 MB 24 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Chipset Mobile Intel CM246 Intel WM690
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported 128 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC DDR5 SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed 2400 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 4800 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 4 2
Empty Slots 3 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe - TCG Opal Encryption, NVM Express (NVMe) - Samsung 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
Secondary Storage 500 GB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 7200 rpm - Seagate -
RAID Level - RAID 0, RAID 1
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) 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 P1000 / Intel UHD 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 ThinkShutter camera privacy Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3286 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wireless-AC 9560 - M.2 Card Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 90 Wh
Battery Life Up to 8.9 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) 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 P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes -
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)
Slots - 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1
2 x USB-C (supports Thunderbolt 3)
Mini DisplayPort
HDMI
LAN
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 P52 (20MA) 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 P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DC)
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 -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver -
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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