Key Takeaways
1. Lenovo’s ThinkPad T16 Gen 4 AMD offers only Full-HD displays with a 60 Hz refresh rate, which is seen as a limitation in the business laptop category.
2. The standard display has a low color gamut of 45% NTSC, while the optional 500-nit panel provides better overall image quality and color accuracy.
3. The review unit’s display is energy-efficient, contributing to impressive battery life of up to 17 hours at 150 nits brightness.
4. Lenovo could enhance the ThinkPad T16 Gen 4 by offering superior display options, such as high-quality OLED or higher-resolution matte IPS panels with faster refresh rates.
5. The limitations in display choices affect both the AMD and Intel versions of the ThinkPad T16 Gen 4.
We have commended Lenovo several times this year for the outstanding display quality in their gaming and consumer laptops. However, the situation is quite different in the business category. In our recent evaluation of the ThinkPad T16 Gen 4 AMD, we found that Lenovo only provides Full-HD displays with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. While business laptops do have distinct needs compared to multimedia devices, and cost considerations are important, Lenovo seems to be lacking in this area too. Although the ThinkPad T-series is marketed as a premium line, there are more budget-friendly options (like the ThinkPad E-series) that offer 120 Hz screens.
Display Options
The standard display for the ThinkPad T16 Gen 4 AMD is a 400-nit panel that has a low color gamut of 45% NTSC, which we do not recommend. The optional 500-nit panel, which we had on our review unit, provides decent image quality overall with vibrant colors, full sRGB coverage, and sharp visuals (even bright areas stay clear, thanks to the matte finish). Our calibration (the corresponding profile is available for free in our review) allows for very precise colors, making it suitable for photo editing. The LowPower display is also energy-efficient, contributing to impressive battery life in our Wi-Fi test (17 hours at 150 nits and 10.5 hours at maximum brightness). A 120 Hz display would likely consume more power.
Room for Improvement
Nevertheless, we believe Lenovo ought to offer buyers the choice of a superior panel. They certainly have access to high-quality OLED displays, but a higher-resolution matte IPS panel with a faster refresh rate would also be appealing to customers. This limitation is present in both the AMD and Intel versions of the ThinkPad T16 Gen 4. For additional details, please refer to our extensive review of this large business laptop.
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