Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA)
Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA)

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) 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 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 P52 (20MA) and Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
82 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Product Type Mobile workstation Mobile workstation - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.74 cm x 25.23 cm x 2.94 cm 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.083 cm
Weight 2.45 kg 1.677 kg
Case Material Magnesium-aluminum alloy, polyphenylene sulfide Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Black Black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) 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 72% 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle, DC dimming
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
CPU Intel Core i7 (8th Gen) 8850H / 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1260P / 2.1 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.3 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 12-core
Cache 9 MB 18 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Chipset Mobile Intel CM246 -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 32 GB (1 x 16 GB + 16 GB (soldered))
Max RAM Supported 128 GB 48 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed 2400 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 4 1
Empty Slots 3 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe - TCG Opal Encryption, NVM Express (NVMe) - Samsung 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Samsung
Secondary Storage 500 GB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 7200 rpm - Seagate -
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) 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 P1000 / Intel UHD Graphics 630 NVIDIA T550 / 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 ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
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 Gigabit Ethernet
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 86 Wh
Battery Life Up to 8.9 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 170 Watt, 20 V 100 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) 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 Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
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 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 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card, SDXC UHS-II Card) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
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
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad P52 (20MA) Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (21BU)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint 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, hard drive password, power-on password, ThinkVantage Active Protection System, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, TCG Certified, TUV Rheinland Eye Comfort Certification
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver -
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
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