Lenovo ThinkPad T16 G1 AMD tested: Significantly faster and more efficient than Intel version

After the Intel version of the ThinkPad T16 G1 already impressed us with a very long battery life and 16-inch, 16:10 display, we now tested whether the AMD version runs even more efficiently and particularly also faster, since Lenovo has equipped the T16 Intel with a throttle on its performance that continues to exist even after some BIOS updates.

Fortunately, both is the case: Already the weaker Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U hexa-core CPU of the two available AMD APU options runs 50% faster in our Cinebench R15 loop. With the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U, it is even a performance increase of almost 80%. At the same time, the 16-inch business laptop stays very quiet and cool.

Even though the SoC is more efficient, due to the higher-resolution display without the low-power technology and the smaller 52.5-Wh battery, the runtimes of our test unit turn out shorter than those of the T16 with an Intel CPU. However, you can configure the AMD version also with a low-power display and larger battery in the Lenovo web shop, resulting in a price less than $1500 Euros (~$1622).

Additional strengths of the Lenovo ThinkPad T16 include the very good keyboard, the extensive connection equipment, and the bright, almost 400 cd/m², matte 2.5K IPS display. On the other hand, you have to make do without USB 4, and all of the 16 GB LPDDR5-6400 RAM is soldered in, so you should configure it with the maximum available 32 GB in advance, if this is what you need.

An additional test unit of the T16 AMD that was available to us had a high-frequency fan, a creaking palm rest, an unreliable left TrackPoint key, and hinges that got slightly looser already after a short time.

You can find more insights and numerous benchmark results in our detailed review of the Lenovo ThinkPad T16 G1 AMD.