Key Takeaways
1. Lenovo has improved the ThinkPad series with the new ThinkPad T1g Gen 8 and ThinkPad P1 Gen 8, addressing previous quality concerns.
2. The build quality is top-notch, featuring a sleek 16-inch design, a superb keyboard, and solid stability.
3. The T1g is feature-rich, offering Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, and support for two PCIe 5.0 SSDs, though it lacks a 5G module and SmartCard reader.
4. Performance is strong with Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and GeForce RTX 5070, but the display quality could be better due to a grainy appearance on the optional Tandem OLED screen.
5. The starting price is high at nearly €3,000, targeting affluent business users, with hopes for these improvements to appear in other ThinkPad models.
In the past few years, Lenovo faced a lot of criticism for the falling quality of their ThinkPad series, particularly concerning the keyboards and display options. However, with the release of the ThinkPad T1g Gen 8 and its workstation version, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 8, Lenovo demonstrates that they are capable of creating high-end laptops without these previous problems. The outcome is likely the finest ThinkPad available on the market right now.
Impressive Build Quality
Starting at nearly €3,000, you would anticipate top-notch quality, and the T1g certainly meets those expectations. The 16-inch design is quite elegant, and both the stability of the base and lid, along with the overall build quality, is unquestionable. The superb keyboard fits right in with this quality. The key travel remains at 1.5 mm, and the sharp and responsive feedback brings back memories of the fantastic ThinkPad keyboards from earlier models. Depending on how you use it, the absence of a dedicated numpad might be a drawback. The touchpad no longer has dedicated TrackPoint buttons, but it functions well, and we believe the benefits in real-world use outweigh this change.
Feature-Rich Experience
When it comes to features, the T1g offers almost everything you might desire. Thunderbolt 5 is onboard, and it includes a cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 module. You can also install up to two PCIe 5.0 SSDs. The memory uses a CAMM2 module and is replaceable, but it caps out at 64 GB, which could be a limitation for some users. However, the absence of a 5G module and a SmartCard reader for easy business network connections is a missed opportunity.
Strong Performance Metrics
The performance metrics are quite impressive, pairing the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H with the GeForce RTX 5070, even though they are not the fastest options available. The display situation is a bit trickier. Our review unit came with the optional Tandem OLED screen, but the image quality suffers slightly due to the matte finish and touch layer, leading to a grainy appearance. Still, the matte surface helps reduce reflections, and the brightness levels are excellent. Battery life is decent, but the base display—offering 1080p at 60 Hz—is not really suitable given the premium starting price.
To sum it up, Lenovo has created a great all-around laptop for affluent business users, as prices can quickly exceed €4,000. We are hopeful that Lenovo will incorporate some of these positive features into other ThinkPad models. For further details, please check out our in-depth review of the new ThinkPad T1g Gen 8.
