Lenovo is set to release their latest laptops in 2020. The P1 and the P53 have been teased by Lenovo, alongside a few other devices which will be released throughout 2019. Developers are excited about these new releases as they see promise for a more immersive gaming experience with improved performance on top of it all.
The “thinkpad p1 gen 3” is a laptop with a 15.6-inch display and an AMD Ryzen 7 3700U processor. The 2020 model of the ThinkPad P53 is also available.
We put the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 to the test and compared it to the Lenovo ThinkPad P53 in terms of performance, portability, display quality, price, battery life, and more.
The rankings with test results can be seen above, while detailed reports on each Lenovo ThinkPad Laptop can be found below.
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 is ranked first.
- Working Station with the Best Results
- LCD Display with a lot of colors and a lot of brightness
- Housing made of high-quality aluminum/GFK.
- More costly than the ThinkPad P53
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen. 2: The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 established its name in the first generation as a very mobile professional work computer, bringing together numerous seemingly disparate features. This assessment clarifies whether the successor model retains this balancing act and what adjustments were made.
The advertising tagline on Lenovo’s product website for the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 2nd generation is “Workstation muscles in an Ultrabook body.” “In reality, the specified technical key statistics are quite enticing: 1.7 kg weight, 15.6-inch display, strong workstation technology, comprehensive interface configuration, and the customary luxurious business features should not only make ThinkPad enthusiasts pay attention.”
The test device comes with all-new components, including an Intel Core i7-9850H processor, an Nvidia Quadro T1000 graphics card, 16 GB DDR4 RAM, a 512 GB solid-state drive, and a 4K UHD-IPS display. At the time of testing, a similarly constructed model in the online store cost $2500.
Occasionally, temporary deals turn out to be a little cheaper. Lenovo, as usual, has an education program in which those in the education sector who qualify may acquire reduced models.
The series begins at slightly under 2,000 dollars, which is around $200 less than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme, which is substantially similar in structure. The entry-level P1 Gen.2 also comes with a well-equipped configuration. The kit already includes an Intel Core i7-9750H processor, Nvidia Quadro T1000 graphics card, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, 256 GB SSD, and a FullHD-IPS display.
The Lenovo Thinkpad P1 Gen.2 is still part of Lenovo’s premium line, and it comes with a 36-month manufacturer’s guarantee as a business product. In contrast to its predecessor, the gadget must be returned in the event of a warranty claim. The on-site service has evidently been canceled by Lenovo.
Nonetheless, the scope is an excellent starting point that may be tailored to individual requirements. At the time of testing, an extension of the manufacturer’s warranty to a total of 5 years (basic warranty) costs $150, and gadget accident insurance costs $100.
Design & Interfaces / Ports
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1’s casing is very thin, and it closely resembles that of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme. Since the initial generation, no optical modifications have been noticed.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 is available in an inconspicuous business black with a classic ThinkPad design, which should appeal to both existing and new ThinkPad users. This, however, comes with a high vulnerability to fingerprints and dust particles, which show up rapidly on the matt black surface.
With a test weight of only 1.71 kg, the 15.6-inch business laptop, which has been reduced for mobility, offers excellent stability. The base unit and screen cover can only be twisted slightly with effort, the palm rest and keyboard mat are securely fastened, and the screen is held in place by a huge continuous display hinge.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen.2 reportedly passes a slew of testing in accordance with the MIL-STD-810G standard, according to the company. The weight difference between this model and those with a multi-touch display is around 100 grams.
To access the components within, the complete base plate must be removed. Separate maintenance openings are not possible in this series. The thorough Hardware Maintenance Manual for the X1 Extreme/ P1 2nd Gen explains how to proceed with various maintenance and upgrades. Before undergoing such procedures, you should familiarize yourself with the current warranty terms.
Although the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen.2 is a very compact mobile workstation, it doesn’t have to compete in terms of equipment with bigger conventional variants. Some critics may be concerned about the lack of a WWAN option. Obviously, there was no more room in the 2nd generation for a matching position. If required, external solutions such as a smartphone or mobile WiFi hotspots must be used.
The connection possibilities on the case sides span a broad range, which should satisfy most users’ needs. Already, the two multipurpose Thunderbolt 3 ports provide a plethora of connecting options: There might be network connections (through adaptor), displays, quick mass storage, a power supply, or docking stations.
An HDMI 2.0, two USB 3.1 Gen.1 Type A, and a UHS-II memory card reader in standard format round out this current connection type. Great: With a connected power supply in desktop mode, Lenovo still includes a proprietary power supply and does not block either of the two Thunderbolt 3 connections.
The Thunderbolt 3 interface allows fast Thunderbolt 3 mass storage devices, such as Samsung’s Portable SSD X5, to provide their maximum capabilities. Data is transported at speeds of up to 2,840 MB/s. This is also true of the memory card reader, which can transfer data at up to 270 MB/s when used with the Lexars Professional 2000x UHS-II (128 GB) card.
The wireless interface equipment in the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen.2 tested is Intel’s WiFi 6 AX200 (22) with Bluetooth 5.0. In the test, there were no flaws in transfer speed, range, or stability.
Webcam, security, and sound
An infrared camera and a 720p webcam are incorporated within the test device’s 4k UHD-IPS display. The camera may be locked if required thanks to the inbuilt ThinkShutter.
Fortunately, the security equipment is tailored to the demands of business customers, with a basic configuration that includes a fingerprint scanner, smart card reader, Opal 2.0-compliant mass storage, TPM 2.0, and facial recognition (IR camera, Windows Hello). Password protection at the bios and system level may, of course, be utilized as well.
Two 2-watt loudspeakers on the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 radiate diagonally to the sides. The sound characteristic is, as expected, a little high-fidelity, although it can produce decent middle and bass. This is more than enough for some music, online movies, or video conversations.
Presentations in bigger groups, on the other hand, often fail owing to the volume required. You can only deliver adequate sound in small rooms in calm surroundings with a maximum of 75 dB(A).
External speaker options, for example, may be linked through 3.5 mm socket, USB, or Bluetooth. In the test, JBL’s Flip 4 exhibited a noticeable boost in sound quality and range.
Using external audio devices might result in degraded sound quality. Dropouts, synchronization issues, and crackling sounds are to be expected when latencies exceed 25,000 seconds (Latency Mon). Deactivating the typical suspects, such as radio modules and batteries, had no effect.
Interested parties would have to conduct a more thorough investigation and, if required, wait for BIOS and driver upgrades.
Touchpad & Keyboard
The ThinkPad P1 has the high-quality ThinkPad keyboards as well. The keyboard mat grips the surface securely, provides a precise pressure point, and provides a subjectively comfortable typing experience.
This solution is unrestricted for multi-writers, and given a little practice, it should still be one of the finest laptop keyboards on the market.
Lenovo’s unique layout elements, such as the interchanged Ctrl and FN keys and the print key at the bottom, take some getting used to, particularly for new Lenovo users. If required, Ctrl and FN may be functionally changed in the BIOS or using Lenovo’s Vantage tool. The huge arrow keys and appropriate FN combinations are nice in any scenario. This series does not have a separate number pad.
The keyboard backlight is a permanent component of the equipment, unlike the E or T series machines, for example. It’s adjustable in two steps and helps the letters stand out in a variety of lighting conditions, not just gloomy ones.
The input area of the touchpad is 100 x 68 mm. This is a good size for multi-finger movements. The glass surface’s superb gliding qualities, the consistent responsiveness, and the mouse buttons incorporated into the click pad are also appealing.
The user still has a perfectly functional TrackPoint as an alternate input option. You obtain the normal successful combination when you utilize distinct mouse buttons.
Display
The test device’s UHD-IPS panel is made by Chinese company BOE and has a maximum brightness of 465 cd/m2 in the top left corner of the screen. The maximum brightness dips to 408 cd/m2 at the display’s lower edge, yet it still provides a good 87 percent illumination.
In the dark picture, there are no halos visible around the display’s edges. At extremely bad viewing angles, there is a slight cloud development and a pink color cast depending on the viewing angle. This might have a detrimental impact in practice on dark visual material, such as film sequences or nighttime image recordings.
In the test gadget, the brightness control gradation is not particularly user-friendly. While brightness levels 0 to 7 accurately reflect the brightness range up to 91 cd/m2, levels 8 to 10 cover the remaining brightness range in three increments up to 445 cd/m2. The brightness control on the test device does not use PWM.
In the sRGB color space, the measured contrast can only confirm the manufacturer’s standard of 1,200:1 ex works. This is owing to the lower-than-average black value, which is at best 0.362 cd/m2 at maximum brightness.
The contrast in the profiled state in the AdobeRGB color space, which is best for the device, is less than 1.000:1. This is notably visible in photos, movies, and video games.
The whole spectrum of displayable colors may encompass 97% of the sRGB color space, 94% of the AdobeRGB color space, and 77% of the P3 color space. As a result, delicate color gradations are reproduced with distinction.
As a result, the tested BOE panel is especially well suited to working in the AdobeRGB color space. For color-true working, the limit values of an average DeltaE 2000 of 2.3 and a maximum DeltaE 2000 of 3.9 are already met even ex works. Profiling may improve these findings even further.
The display, on the other hand, does not feel as comfortable in the sRGB and P3 color spaces and fails to fulfill the basic standards. Lenovo does not give an utility that allows you to change the color spaces you want to use.
VR & Performance
Although the performance components can’t be coupled in as many various ways as with traditional workstations, Lenovo still has a good assortment of equipment.
According to the data sheet, CPUs include the Intel Core i5-9400H as an entry model, the Intel Core i7-9750H, the Intel Core i7-9850H, and the eight-core Intel Core i9-9880H as a premium model.
The Intel Xeon E-2276M, which is also in the works, offers unique workstation specialization and, in a second stage, ECC RAM (with error correction). The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 can support up to 64 GB of DDR4 or DDR4 ECC RAM in total. The Quadro T1000 or Quadro T2000 graphics cards from Nvidia are utilized as dedicated graphics units, although they aren’t necessarily compatible with all components.
The Intel Core i7-9850H CPU in the test device is one of the most powerful mobile processors on the market right now. At the time of testing, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen.2 had a premium of roughly $260 for the optionally available Intel Core i7-9750H. At the time of testing, no further CPU options were accessible or adjustable.
With 6 physical computing cores that can handle up to 12 threads at once, the Intel Core i7-9850H is ideal for applications that benefit from high parallelization, or the spread of computing load over several computing cores. This might be the case for video rendering, conversions, or many applications operating at the same time, depending on the software.
Programs that benefit from high processor clock rates, on the other hand, are not overlooked in this arrangement. Instead, the proper hand tool is given, with a maximum clock rate of up to 4.6 GHz for single-thread workloads.
As a consequence, the Intel Core i7-9850H is able to rank among the best laptop CPUs evaluated so far in benchmark testing. It stands out in practically every test area when compared to the Intel Core i7-8850H from last year’s model. Cinebench R15 64 bit (CPU rendering) earns 194 points in the single thread test and 1,094 points in the multi-thread test (multi-thread test).
In constant load operation with pure CPU activities, the Intel Core i7-9850H has a highly steady side. The test device maintains steady performance over a longer length of time, with Geekbench stress test scores between 18,300 and 18,700 points.
In the long term, this is a good 1,000 points faster than the Intel Core i7-8850H in the ThinkPad P1 Gen.1. After the 19th run, the test gadget still provides a good 18,698 points.
In the test device, an Nvidia Optimus combo of Intel UHD Graphics 630 and Nvidia Quadro T1000 is employed. Depending on the arrangement, this combination changes. The Intel UHD Graphics P630, for example, performs differently in the Intel Xeon E-2276M model.
The Nvidia Quadro T1000 is a Turing-based graphics card designed for 15-inch laptops and bigger. According to Nvidia, it has 768 shader units, however the test device reads 896 shader units. Aside from that, it has 4 GB of GDDR5 graphics memory (micron) and a GPU frequency of up to 1.530 MHz in this configuration. In the data sheet, Nvidia provides a consumption range of 40 to 50 watts for the model.
The GPU clock rate in the test ranges from 1.485 MHz to 1.530 MHz, with the GDDR5 graphics memory reaching 1.750 MHz. In both consumer and professional performance testing, the Nvidia Quadro T1000 consistently outperforms the Nvidia Quadro P2000 from the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen. 1. This is a significant performance gain, particularly since the Quadro T1000 is the new ThinkPad P1 Gen.2’s entry solution.
In VRMark Orange, the Nvidia Quadro T1000 produces a far better image than the Nvidia Quadro P2000, but it still falls short of the VR Ready criterion of 5,000 points with a score of 4,330. This isn’t unexpected, given that, unlike the RTX versions, Nvidia doesn’t label the Quadro T1000 as VR-Ready. As a result, this approach is unsuitable for VR tasks.
As a result, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 of both models can only utilize mass storage devices in M.2 format. 2.5-inch drives will no longer fit in this space. For this, Lenovo offers two slots that accept models with both SATA and PCIe connections. There are RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations available.
The test device is equipped with a Western Digital (Sandisk) WDC PC SN720 with a storage capacity of 512 GB. With a maximum read speed of 3,447 MB/s and a maximum write speed of 2,517 MB/s, performance issues should be a thing of the past.
The total setup is capable of offering excellent system performance since it is balanced and performance-tuned. Only the main memory, which is in single-channel mode, may be perceived as a brake element here and there. Because Lenovo employs a 16 GB module, the test device may simply be supplemented by a second RAM bar in the available slot, resolving the issue.
With PCMark 8, you can get an acceptable 3,268 points, and with PCMark 10, you can get a passable 4,632 points. The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen.2 receives a constant high performance rating from the SPECwpc 2.1, which is designed for professional use. In virtually all partial sequences, the previous year’s model may be outperformed.
Almost everywhere, the Dell Precision 5530 with XEON CPU and Dual Channel RAM maintains its lead.
Levels of heat and noise
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 is a whisper-quiet laptop computer. During routine office, internet, and multimedia operations, you are unlikely to notice the cooling system. In such cases, if the fan starts up momentarily, it normally does so at a very low sound pressure level of 31.4 dB. (A).
If a bit higher compute or graphics load is necessary, however, the operational noise ranges from 31.4 dB(A) to 35.9 dB(A) (A).
Due to the initiation of cycle reductions, the observed maximum value of 36.8 dB(A) occurs only at the start of the stress test and is decreased to 31.4 dB(A) throughout the test. In the long term, many users will find this tolerable.
The cooling system’s noise characteristics are normally rather subdued. The test gadget did not produce any high-frequency or other distracting electrical sounds.
Even under full load, Lenovo manages to transfer the waste heat of the Intel Core i7-9850H and the Nvidia Quadro T1000 out of the case adequately effectively, despite the fan system’s pleasing overall characteristic and the laptop casing’s flat appearance. In typical workplace circumstances, no limits should develop with a maximum of 54.8 °C on the centre bottom and 54.0 °C immediately on the air outlet.
With a maximum of 52.9 °C towards the display, the working area surrounding the keyboard also stays within a reasonable range, but is then quite evident. In the identical condition, the predecessor is around 5 °C colder at these stages.
In this regard, the issue of which potential for increase remains open in order to properly cool a combination of Intel Core i9-9880H and Nvidia Quadro T2000, for example, remains open.
Consumption of energy
Despite having equivalent technology to the first generation test device, the test setup is a little more power demanding in idle. When the display is switched off, it uses a minimum of 3.0 watts, which is much more than the previous year’s model’s 1.8–2.4 watts.
When there are less demanding jobs, the display exposes itself to be a major consumption component once again. When the display brightness is set to 209 cd/m2, the consumption rises to 9.8 watts at idle and 14.0 watts when the display brightness is set to maximum.
This might also explain why the brightness levels are typically below 100 cd/m2, with only the final three settings delivering 133 cd/m2, 209 cd/m2, and 455 cd/m2 respectively.
With the display brightness set to level 9, 209 cd/m2, the power consumption for common operations like movie playing, internet browsing, and office work is roughly 15 watts. For more heavy computer and graphics workloads, 60 to 90 watts are required, with up to 109 watts required at full load. This model has around 10 watts greater peak power than previous year’s model.
The power supply has a nominal output of 135 watts and hence has sufficient power reserves in the backhand.
Life of the battery
Lenovo has included an 80 Wh battery in the P1 series ThinkPads for mobile usage. This is a screwed-in feature that cannot be modified from the outside. Due to the above-mentioned consumption rates, the test device only provides ordinary battery runtimes despite its relatively large capacity. Certain clock rate decreases in battery operation may reduce consumption, but the P1 does not become a long-runner as a result.
In the PCMark 8 Battery Test, it lasts 2:47 hours, 7:48 hours in WiFi TV streaming, and 5:24 hours in the PCMark 10 Modern Office Battery Test. The battery takes a good 2 hours to completely charge again, but at 1:18 hours, 85 percent is already accessible.
Even in battery mode, Lenovo takes the ThinkPad P1’s categorization as a workstation seriously, unlike many of its competitors. In many cases, the test results in battery mode demonstrate that you can call up over 90% of the real performance. Only Cinebench’s heavy multi-core CPU rendering and VRMark provide noticeably lower results.
In exchange, such computationally heavy operations will rapidly deplete the battery. Working hours of about 1:00 to 1:30 hours should subsequently be avoided as much as possible.
Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen.2 is a very successful model upgrade for the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 2nd. With the test device, you get a noticeable performance boost at a lower price when compared to the previous year’s model with a comparable configuration. At least if you don’t need the multi-touch and pen capabilities of the display.
The core functionalities haven’t been modified by Lenovo. The casing quality, interface equipment, display, and a slew of other common business characteristics create a solid foundation. The fact that this ThinkPad device class also includes excellent input devices, a lengthy warranty term, and certain maintenance choices is a given.
The somewhat higher case temperatures, the lower black value of the test panel, and the restricted warranty scope for on-site servicing should all be considered small compromises.
Overall, Lenovo’s ThinkPad P1 Gen. 2 is still a strong performer in the second generation, despite some minor flaws. Lenovo has twisted essential set screws in view of the workstation orientation, maybe even more than before.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 2 is ranked top above the ThinkPad P53 because it offers a workstation in a thin and transportable casing without sacrificing too many workplace capabilities (or performance).
Lenovo ThinkPad P53 is ranked second.
- GPU performance is excellent.
- a lower cost than the ThinkPad P1
- Very good keyboard.
- At a combined load, the CPU’s power is lowered.
Power-saving Most laptops now use ultrabook processors, notably Lenovo’s ThinkPad range. As a result, the gadgets may be made smaller and lighter.
While the ThinkPad X1 Extreme tries to strike a balance between ultrabook casing and very powerful technology, two P-series versions in 15.6′′ and 17.3′′ still reflect conventional “mobile workstation” models. We put the ThinkPad P53, which has a 6-core CPU and a 15.6-inch 4K display, to the test.
Design & Interfaces / Ports
By today’s standards, the ThinkPad P53 is virtually a “classic” ThinkPad: A somewhat substantial base portion for modern laptops with connected hinges, on which the 15.6′′ display is hung with 1.5-2.5cm broad display borders depending on the side.
The offset clearplate behind the display with the model name “P53” and a WiFi and hard disk LED harkens back to prior versions, such as the W530. The LEDs may be turned off in the BIOS, which is a great touch.
The bottom half of the P53 is quite well-made. The bottom shell is built of a magnesium-aluminum alloy and is finished with a high-quality smooth, matt black lacquer. It provides stability to the lowest half of the table; it is so torsionally rigid that even a little unevenness in the table causes it to wobble. Overall, though, it does not seem to be absolutely straight even ex works, which is all the more startling given its stability.
In operation, though, this isn’t a big deal. The wrist rest is constructed of ThinkPad-style, somewhat roughened plastic, yet it doesn’t surrender a single millimeter. Lenovo has done an excellent job in this area.
A white lit power button and a grille behind which the two 2W speakers are housed are positioned above the big keyboard with number pad. The fingerprint reader is positioned underneath the arrow keys, and it is extremely tiny with a surface area of roughly 1cm2.
The display lid, however, isn’t particularly convincing, since it can be twisted with one hand and even bent inwards substantially by external pressure. Because of the thicker screens, our tester is concerned about long-term damage to the display, such as brilliant or black spots, particularly in the sensitive, high-resolution, when the device is often carried in a fully loaded backpack.
The lid is secured in place by two connected hinges that allow for a 190° opening angle. Lenovo has perfected the hinge resistance: the display can be opened with one hand while remaining stable in mild vibrations, such as those experienced on a bus or train. The coating on the lid is smoother than on prior devices, but it gathers markings more rapidly and requires more frequent cleaning.
On the left, there are two USB 3.1 type A ports, an HDMI port (with enough spacing between connected cables and devices to avoid blocking each other), and SD and smart card readers. Lenovo has a USB 3.1 type C connector, a nano SIM slot, a 3.5mm jack socket, and a laptop lock eyelet on the right.
On the back, there are two USB 3.1 Type C/Thunderbolt 3 connections and a Gigabit Ethernet port, as well as a 170W power supply. The outlets for the two fans are entirely filled in the left and right rear corners. Despite this, there is still a surprising amount of room on the sides, particularly in the back. More USB type A interfaces are something our tester would like to see.
A big maintenance flap covers practically the whole bottom of the notebook. The battery, WiFi and WWAN card, two of the four RAM slots, both M.2 2280 slots (NVMe, PCIe 3.0 x4) for SSDs, and the 2.5′′ slot for an SSD or HDD are all accessible from here.
This is only accessible on Quadro T1000 and T2000 versions; Quadro RTX configurations have a different motherboard architecture that does not include a 2.5′′ slot but does have three M.2 2280 slots. Plastic foils cover almost all of the components. It’s a shame, too, that the fans aren’t easily accessible from below for cleaning.
A separate docking connector is no longer accessible; instead, the P53 uses Thunderbolt. The ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock (40AN0230EU) has a 230W and a 65W power supply, the former of which charges the P53 and the latter of which powers the docking station. A combination cable is then used to link the notebook and dock, which is inserted into both the power supply socket and a Thunderbolt connector.
Overall, the ThinkPad P53 presents a unified image. The gadget looks to be well-built, with excellent craftsmanship and a weight that is more than enough for a notebook of this size and performance level. Everywhere, the gap diameters are uniformly modest.
Not only has the casing color been changed back to the ThinkPad-typical black, but the craftsmanship has been improved by classes when compared to an earlier predecessor model, the T540p/W540.
The Intel WiFi 6 AX200, which supports 802.11ax WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0, links the P53 to the outside world wirelessly. A Fibocom L850-GL LTE-A card is also installed in our test device.
According to Lenovo, devices without WWAN are not equipped for WWAN and so do not have antennae. The P53 has an Ethernet port, which is supplied by an Intel I219 LM chip, as one of a few devices.
Touchpad / Trackpad & Keyboard
The ThinkPad P53 sports a 6-row keyboard with an extra number pad on the right side, similar to the current ThinkPad series. The Fn space bar may be used to toggle between two levels of backlighting on the keyboard.
Lenovo has added a fast calculator key (with Fn: =), bracket keys, and a standby key (with Fn: backspace) to the number pad at the height of the F keys — the bracket keys, in particular, are quite useful for working with Microsoft Excel. In order to fit this keyboard inside the P53’s casing, Lenovo made certain keys thinner.
The typing sensation of the keyboard is quite convincing to our tester. The keys have enough stroke, even though it’s not as much as the T540p’s older predecessor, but they have a very rich stroke. Even lengthier paragraphs may be produced using the keyboard in such a delightful manner.
ELAN provided our tester with a ThinkPad-style trackpoint. If you’re accustomed to a Synaptics trackpoint, you’ll need to adjust to a little different pointer acceleration here – but other from that, the trackpoint performs well, as one would expect from a ThinkPad. The buttons are intended as basic click switches, similar to those found on the X1 Extreme, and might benefit from a more varied pressure point.
ELAN also makes a touchpad with a “Mylar” layer that resembles a glass touchpad but is fixed, unlike the glass touchpads. The touchpad keys on the P53 are separated, and there are even three of them. These membrane switches have a high-end look to them.
It’s a shame the trackpoint buttons don’t use them as well. The touchpad is big enough to be comfortable to use. A drawback of the ELAN driver is that it does not allow you to configure the scroll speed for the trackpoint and touchpad individually, like the driver from the long-time manufacturer Synaptics does.
Windows also has a scroll speed option, but this applies to both the trackpoint and the touchpad. At the touchpad, what is a comfortable pace at the trackpoint is very sluggish.
Display
In addition to its formidable hardware, the P53 distinguishes apart from the rest of the ThinkPad lineup in terms of display. A 4K HDR 400 Dolby Vision IPS panel with 100% Adobe RGB coverage and 500 cd/m2 brightness and a 4K HDR 500 True Black Dolby Vision OLED display with 100% DPI P3 coverage and 350 cd/m2 brightness (peak: 400 cd/m2) are the best possibilities.
Our test device has the first option, which is also available in the ThinkPad P53s and T590. All IPS panels are matt, with the exception of the HDR panels, which feature a “silky matt” surface with faint reflections. Due to its design, the OLED display is a glossy panel with an anti-reflective coating.
Our 4K HDR panel is manufactured by BOE Hydis and is identified as B156ZAN04.2. Our tester is instantly impressed by a “wow” when he first sees the panel’s extended color space (wide gamut). Windows 10 is set up perfectly to play HDR video, and the panel produces a stunning image.
A colorimeter measurement (Datacolor Spyder 5 Pro) yields 100 percent sRGB and Adobe RGB coverage. As a result, it may be used for unlimited picture and video editing. Here you may get a compatible color profile (Gamma 2.2, white point 6500K).
The lowest brightness setting is 7 cd/m2, making it suitable for usage in full darkness. The panel emits 527 cd/m2 at full brightness.
Even in bright sunshine, the image remains recognisable. The lighting uniformity isn’t great, with variances of -5.6 percent to +3.6 percent when compared to the display’s center at maximum brightness, but it’s enough.
Biometrics, audio, and camera
Under a wide grille, Lenovo inserts two 2W loudspeakers above the keyboard. They can’t persuade despite “Dolby Atmos” certification and correctly installed software; they just lack treble clarity and loudness. The sound is nearly tinny when the program is turned off.
For anything save brief YouTube videos, external loudspeakers are therefore required. It’s a shame, since, as the X1 Yoga 4th Gen demonstrates, the technology is already accessible. Lenovo shouldn’t scrimp on a flagship here, even if entertainment isn’t the P53’s main emphasis. The two wide field microphones, on the other hand, are convincing and provide a crisp sound on a conference call.
For Windows Hello login, our test device has a 720p webcam and an IR camera. The same camera is utilized for both tasks, like with the ThinkPad X1 Yoga 4th Gen, and may be covered with the ThinkShutter. Unfortunately, the webcam produces an image that is exceedingly blurry and faded out.
Although this may be adequate for conversation companions, the P53’s 4K display transforms the 720p image into a low-quality YouTube video. Of course, ThinkPads aren’t multimedia devices, but cameras are essential for video conferencing, and such an oversight, particularly on a laptop as well-equipped as the P53, is humiliating.
Face recognition using IR camera, on the other hand, works well, detecting our tester swiftly and consistently in both normal and total darkness. Only when there is backlighting does the recognition stop working.
In this instance, the fingerprint reader integrated in the palm rest to the right of the touchpad may be used. Even if the region turns out to be somewhat tiny, it works well and enables for speedy device unlocking.
Performance
The Intel Core i7-9850H is a 14nm 6-core CPU from Intel’s 9th generation “Coffee Lake” series. It has a base speed of 2.6 GHz and can turbo boost to 4.6 GHz. The CPU is supported by a 12 MB cache and has a TDP of 45W, which is the same as prior quad-core CPUs like the Core i7-7820HQ. A maximum of 128 GB of 2666 MHz DDR4 RAM is supported.
In Cinebench R20, we put the Core i7-9850H to the test. The CPU scores 2295 points in the multi-core test and 437 points in the single-core test in mains mode, giving it a multi-core ratio of 5.25. In battery mode with settings for “maximum performance,” we recorded 2358 points in the multi-core test and 440 points in the single-core test, for a multi-core ratio of 5.35.
The Core i7-9850H still obtains an average of 2183 points in the multi-core test and 425 points in the single-core test with “optimal performance” settings, giving it a multi-core ratio of 5.13.
As a result, the ThinkPad P53 impresses at every turn. In battery mode, the CPU’s full performance may be accessed if the UEFI and Windows energy settings are adjusted appropriately. In our tests, battery mode performance was somewhat better than mains mode performance, although this is most likely due to measurement imperfection.
The i7-9850H can even place itself ahead of the desktop CPU i7-7700K in the initial Cinebench R20 tests, although performance drops in the multi-core test as the CPU clocks down. The multi-core ratio of more than 5 shows that the cooling system is appropriately sized to dissipate the waste heat generated by the powerful CPU. The findings of the single core test vary just little as well.
In battery mode, the Nvidia Quadro T2000 obtains an average of 2206 points with roughly 32 FPS in Full HD resolution in the Furmark test, with no apparent performance drop after five runs. The GPU temperature stays between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the fan operates quietly.
In mains mode, the frame rate rises to about 40 FPS, with the GPU reaching an average of 2546 points. Over the course of five runs, the performance stays consistent. For the first time in the test, the fan becomes very noisy, and the GPU achieves a maximum temperature of 85°C, putting much more strain on the cooling system than the CPU alone.
Our test equipment uses an Intel SSD Pro 7600p Series with 512GB of RAM. TLC memory is used in this SSD, which is linked through PCIe 3.0 x4 interface. In consecutive accesses, it can only be put in the middle, although it earns points in interval accesses.
The SSD is linked to the mainboard through a heat conduction pad, which helps to dissipate the high waste heat associated with NVMe SSDs more effectively. A thermal pad is incorporated right on the cover foil for a second SSD. Unfortunately, as is customary with the P series, an adaptor cable is required for the installation of an SSD/HDD in the 2,5′′ slot.
However, here is when the difficulties began: The “ThinkPad MWS P52 P72 HDD Bracket” with the component number 4XH0S69185, which comes with a hard drive frame and two SATA cables to connect to the one displayed on the left next to the SSD slots, was the sole adapter cable available from Lenovo.
Despite the fact that the hard drive frame fits flawlessly, none of the wires are compatible with the P53. When the SATA connection is appropriately positioned to match the spacer in the case, the short cable points in the incorrect direction. The lengthy cable can be utilized to connect and install the hard disk, however it is plainly too long and seems too stable to be broken when pressure is applied. In the long run, this is not how we intended to use the gadget.
In the interim, at least one FRU for the corresponding adapter, 02DM497, is now available. We’ll place an order for the adaptor and get back to you as soon as possible!
For realtime audio applications, DPC latencies are critical, and should not exceed 500 s if at all feasible, to ensure trouble-free operation. We timed ourselves for almost 30 minutes while typing on this test report on Firefox 69.0.1 and generating a PowerPoint 2019 presentation.
Unfortunately, the P53 obviously exceeds the restrictions, making it unsuitable for real-time audio in a typical setup. It seems that the drivers for the visual components are mostly to blame.
Levels of noise and heat
Lenovo equips the ThinkPad P53 with a powerful cooling system that includes two fans. The bigger of the two is in charge of cooling the CPU, while the smaller is in charge of the Nvidia GPU.
The GPU fan’s heatpipe, on the other hand, is linked to the CPU heat sink, allowing waste heat from both components to be circulated throughout the system. Naturally, this increases cooling performance, particularly when the CPU or GPU is selectively loaded.
Even the Core i7-9850H uses extremely little energy while the laptop is not in use. The TDP of the package reduces to up to 1.5W, and the CPU temperature rises to 38°C, while the CPU’s clock frequency dips to up to 800 MHz. Of course, the fan remains silent in this room. However, the notebook’s total consumption (as measured by Lenovo Vantage) remains high: In idle mode, the gadget uses roughly 8W at 0 percent display brightness, but 9-10W at regular working brightness (50 percent).
The illumination of the 38402160 pixel high-resolution HDR screen, as well as the computation of picture contents, must use a significant amount of electricity. With such a powerful smartphone, though, battery life is not a huge worry.
Individual cores of the CPU may clock up to 4.5 GHz under low load and sustain this frequency over time.
Under multi-core load in mains or battery operation at “maximum performance,” the clock frequency declines to 3.3 GHz (about 60W Package TDP) and subsequently to 2.9 GHz (approximately 40W Package TDP) over the following minute, where it stays even under continuous demand.
The temperature of the package climbs to 97°C almost instantly and stays there long after the fans are turned on. Under full load, cores 3 and 5 are the hottest, with 97°C, resulting in the package temperature — the other cores, while being under full load, vary between 80°C and 90°C.
Our test device may not have received the “best” CPU. It’s a credit to Lenovo that the CPU’s full capability can be accessed when in battery mode — this is how a workstation device should operate. When the energy parameters in battery mode are set to “Optimized performance,” the package TDP is limited to 35W, which equates to a frequency of 2.8 GHz under full load, after roughly a minute.
The loaded core clocks at 4.4 GHz with a 25W Package TDP under single core load. Thermal throttling comes in after a few seconds, when the core hits 97°C, the fan begins operating softly audibly, and the frequency decreases to 3.9 GHz (18W Package TDP). The CPU has cooled down enough after around 10 seconds, allowing the full frequency to be released once again.
This is a behavior that can be sustained for a long time. The CPU is throttled down quicker and longer in battery mode with the option “Optimized performance,” so the fan is even half quiet.
It’s worth using Intel’s Extreme Tuning Utility to lower the CPU voltage in the P53, as it was in the ThinkPad X1 Extreme (XTU). Our test device’s CPU remained stable at -125mV offset, but it was able to permanently clock at 3.2 GHz and obtain a performance boost of roughly 6% in the Cinebench R20 multi-core test.
We evaluated the greatest potential heat load on the CPU over a 30-minute period with AVX using the “Small FFT” test in Prime95 at the request of a member on the ThinkPad forum. When the package temperature hits 97°C, the thermal throttling kicks in a few seconds after the start. The CPU then runs at 2.4 GHz with a 35W TDP and can maintain this during the course of the test.
The fans are audible but not obtrusive, and they operate at a medium speed — the cooling system cannot be overloaded by the CPU alone. This task demonstrates why Intel XTU undervolting is beneficial: At -125mV, the CPU can now run at 2.8GHz while maintaining the same TDP and temperature.
Life of the battery
A 90 Wh battery is included with the ThinkPad P53. In Battery Eater v2.70 “Reader’s Test,” the P53 obtains a battery life of 12h 57min. 1h 35min may still be reached in the “Classic Test” with stress for CPU, GPU, and HDD. In 1h 38min, the battery is fully charged from 5% to 100%.
In normal usage with Office, the internet, and some light picture processing, our tester obtained a typical runtime of roughly five hours. This is acceptable for a device of this caliber, but not in contrast to the ThinkPad X1 Extreme 1st Gen, for example.
The bright 4K display, as previously said, is most likely to blame for the significant discrepancy. Nonetheless, we expect that Lenovo’s driver upgrades would help to improve the problem.
Verdict
The ThinkPad P53 is the most recent addition to Lenovo’s mobile workstation lineup. It’s a terrific bundle for individuals who don’t want to give up desktop-like performance while on the road — the P53 should be able to handle anything from CAD apps to picture and video editing to data analysis.
Only the casing (bottom shell, display lid) and multimedia capabilities should be enhanced in the next model, which is why the Lenovo ThinkPad P53 ranks below the Lenovo ThinkPad P1.
If you’re searching for a notebook in this price range, you’ll like the ThinkPad P53, which is still an excellent Workstation laptop.
The “lenovo thinkpad p53 20qn002lus” is a laptop that will be released in 2020. The P53 has a 4K display and an Intel Core i9 processor.
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Which series of Lenovo ThinkPad is best?
A: The Lenovo ThinkPad series is a line of personal computers and workstations produced by the Chinese company Lenovo. Major models in this family have been released from 1992 to the present day, as well as other related products such as tablet computers, server computers, portable media players and smartphones.
Is Lenovo P1 good for gaming?
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