Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G7 IML laptop review: Affordable yet professional

The ThinkBook 16 G7 doesn't do anything particularly exciting, but that's ok because prices can be kept low as a result. It's a quiet machine with all the office basics including an integrated numpad, privacy shutter, wide variety of ports, Kensington lock, easy serviceability, and modern CPUs options from both Intel and AMD. It's also sleek and lightweight enough for the occasional travel without looking too gaudy or conspicuous in professional environments. For most users, these features are likely sufficient for their day-to-day demands.

As a budget laptop, however, the model still suffers from the usual culprits including limited color coverage and weak graphics performance especially at the base configuration level. Upgrading to the 1600p display may therefore be worthwhile, but users who require even wider P3 colors will have to look elsewhere such as the pricier ThinkPad or XPS series. One particular aspect we think could be improved without impacting the price of the system is the keyboard as key feedback is too shallow and soft for a model designed for office tasks and word processing. Other budget alternatives like the Asus VivoBook series or even the HP Pavilion Plus series do better in this regard.

Amazon is now shipping the ThinkBook 16 G7 touchscreen version for $788 USD. Alternatively, users can purchase directly from Lenovo with starting prices of $750.

The ThinkBook 16 G7 directly replaces the ThinkBook 16 G6 by swapping out the Alder Lake and Zen 3 U-series processors for faster Meteor Lake and Zen 3 HS-series options. The two models are otherwise visually identical.

Our test unit is a lower-end configuration with the Core Ultra 5 125U and 1200p IPS display for approximately $750 USD. Higher-end Intel options include the Core Ultra 7 155H with faster integrated Arc 8 graphics and a higher resolution 1600p 120 Hz display.

Alternatives to the ThinkBook 16 G7 include other budget-oriented office or multimedia laptops like the HP Pavilion 16, Asus Vivobook S16, or Dell Inspiron 16.

More Lenovo reviews:

• ThinkCentre Neo Ultra
• ThinkPad X1 Carbon G13 Aura
• Yoga 7 2-in-1 14
• IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 14
• ThinkBook 16p G5

Our comments about the ThinkBook 16 G6 apply here for the ThinkBook 16 G7 as the chassis remains unchanged. The two-tone aluminum lid design aligns with other ThinkBook models to contrast the darker and more professional ThinkPad models. The base, however, utilizes more plastic for a cheaper feel once you actually open the otherwise attractive lid.

Ports remain the same except that our G7 model supports Thunderbolt 4 devices unlike on last year's AMD-powered G6 model. We appreciate that there are multiple USB-A, USB-C, and video-out ports to make accessories easier to connect when in the office.

Camera quality hasn't changed at up to 2 MP or 1080p30 video. The privacvy shutter comes standard while IR is optional to save on costs.

Lenovo claims 25%, 50%, 30%, and 90% PCC recycled plastic for manufacturing the battery pack enclosure, key caps, speakers, and USB-C AC adapter, respectively. The packaging is FSC certified albeit with plastic wrapping for the laptop and cables.

There are no extras in the box other than the AC adapter and paperwork. The usual one-year limited manufacturer warranty applies if purchased in the US.

We set both Windows and Vantage to Performance mode prior to running the benchmarks below. Annoyingly, the power modes on Vantage do not sync with the power modes on Windows and so it's possible to set conflicting modes like Vantage to Power Saver and Windows to Performance. Keep in mind that the Vantage power profiles override the Windows settings. Owners should become familiar with the pre-installed Vantage software as it is the hub for adjusting Lenovo-specific features and BIOS updates.

The Core Ultra 5 125U supplants the last generation Core i5-1335U, but users expecting it to run faster may be disappointed as performance is nearly the same between them. In fact, the older Core i5-1335U in the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 G1 can even be faster by up to 10 percent in single-threaded loads. To make up for this deficit, the Core Ultra 5 12U integrates an NPU to accelerate AI applications, but the first generation Intel NPU is infamously not compatible with Co-Pilot+.

Clock rate sustainability is good with only minor dips in performance over time when running CineBench R15 xT in a loop. Users demanding faster processors can consider upgrading to the Core Ultra 7 155U or Core Ultra 7 155H configuration for 10 percent and 30 percent faster performance, respectively.