Mixed feelings with the Lenovo ThinkBook 15p G2: Not right for everyone

Particularly the graphics performance in the Lenovo ThinkBook 15p G2 stands out. In the model with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti and Intel i7-11800H that we tested, the multimedia laptop performs at eye level with a Dell XPS 15 9510 or Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme G4 - at a much more attractive price point. The top configuration with a 1-TB SSD and 32 GB of working memory costs significantly less than 2000 Euros (~$2204).

The equipment definitely looks promising for demanding tasks in the creative area. The bright display with the large color space coverage and 4K resolution also contributes to this impression. The color reproduction is also pre-calibrated. However, our test shows that the deviation is still above the desired target DeltaE of 3.

Overall, we notice a few unnecessary weaknesses that cannot all be explained by the price point. As in the ThinkBook 15p predecessor, the speeds achieved by the card reader are abysmal. So those who fill several SD cards with photo and video material on the road should plan for a lot of time to copy the data. But at least there finally is Thunderbolt 4.

The compromises look sensible

There are other places, however, where Lenovo decided for some consequent cuts that clarify the differences to a Dell XPS or ThinkPad. Suitable for an entry-model into the creator segment, the battery achieves a runtime that is hardly worth mention. Just with some simple web surfing at a reduced brightness, it barely lasts 4 hours.

The display format is also noticeable. While higher end models - even the ThinkBook 16p among others - use 16:10, the smaller 15p still uses 16:9, meaning that you lose some space above and below the video or image that you are working on.

The laptop mainly convinces with its computing performance, but this may unfortunately not be enough for some.

• Lenovo ThinkBook 15p G2 21B1000YGE review