Lenovo ThinkPad Lenovo 16" ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 Multi-Touch Laptop Review

The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 is a workhorse that nails the basics. It scores a 61/100 overall, with its best performance in developer tasks at 62.6/100. That's driven by a solid 60th percentile CPU and a whopping 99th percentile port selection. You're getting an AMD 7735U 8-core CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD, all wrapped in a 1.8kg chassis with a 16-inch touchscreen. It's not flashy, but it's built to get things done where it counts. Just know that gaming is its weakest link, scoring a low 14.5/100. This is a machine for coding, multitasking, and connecting all your peripherals, not for playing the latest titles.

Performance is all about balance. The AMD 7735U lands in the 60th percentile for CPU power. That means it's reliably faster than most mainstream laptops for everyday tasks and development work. The integrated Radeon 680M graphics, however, sit in the 18th percentile. So while it can handle basic photo editing and even some light indie gaming, it's not built for heavy graphical loads. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM is a sweet spot, scoring in the 63rd percentile, which is plenty for having dozens of browser tabs open alongside your IDE. The 512GB NVMe SSD is decent but lands in the 46th percentile, so power users might want to upgrade it down the line.

The value story here is interesting because the price isn't fixed. It ranges from $920 to $1199 depending on the vendor. At the lower end of that spread, this ThinkPad is a compelling deal for the port selection, build quality, and capable CPU. At nearly $1200, you start to question the value, especially given the integrated graphics and average screen. Your best move is to hunt for a deal closer to $920. For that price, you get a dependable, well-connected work laptop that won't let you down.

Compared to something like the ASUS Zenbook Duo, the ThinkPad E16 gives up the dual-screen novelty and likely some portability for way more physical ports and better perceived reliability. Against a gaming laptop like the MSI Vector 16 HX, the ThinkPad gets demolished in GPU performance but wins on battery life, weight, and professional build. The most direct competitor might be a base model Apple MacBook Pro. The MacBook will have a much faster CPU (M4) and a stunning screen, but you'll pay more and lose the touchscreen, the plethora of ports, and Windows 11 Pro. It's a trade-off between ecosystem polish and practical connectivity.

The ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 is a straightforward recommendation if you need a dependable, well-connected laptop for work or school. The 99th percentile port selection is a genuine lifesaver, and the 60th percentile CPU performance handles daily tasks with ease. Just go in with clear eyes: the graphics are weak, and the battery is small. If you find it for around $920, it's a smart buy. If the price creeps toward $1200, you should probably look at alternatives with better screens or more power.