Reasons to Trust TechRadar
We dedicate extensive time to testing each product or service we evaluate, guaranteeing you’re making a wise purchase. Learn more about our testing process.
This review was originally published in issue 342 of PC Pro.
Lenovo’s P series laptops are built for speed, featuring more premium models equipped with dedicated Nvidia workstation-grade processors to align with their ISV certification. The P14s is a more compact variant, which comes with less powerful processors and, in this case, integrated graphics. However, don’t think it lacks performance: the ThinkPad P14s competes strongly in many benchmarks.
This laptop features an AMD Ryzen 5 processor with six cores, which is fewer than the 12 cores in the Core i7-1260P. Still, the strength of this AMD chip lies in its high-performance cores. Lenovo backs the AMD Ryzen Pro with 16GB of fast LPDDR5 memory, though this is soldered to the motherboard. If you want more memory, you can upgrade to 32GB for an additional £90 during the purchase. You can replace the 512GB SSD yourself with a few cross-screw drivers, but this will void the generous three-year warranty.
The laptop excelled in our battery tests, running for over 16 hours in both video streaming and light-use scenarios. When left idle, it lasted an impressive 20 hours. Weighing in at 1.4kg, it’s relatively light, but still heavier compared to the similarly long-lasting HP Elite Dragonfly G3 (1.1kg) and Dynabook Portégé X40 (1kg).
The P14s’ keyboard isn’t as refined as that of the ThinkPad T14s, with a rougher key response and no backlighting. However, the glass trackpad is exceptional, and both models feature nearly identical IPS displays. They both provide a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels with a matte finish. Although the P14s lacks the vibrancy of an OLED screen, it covers 81% of the DCI-P3 color space, surpassing the T14s’ 71%. With a contrast ratio exceeding 1,800:1 and a brightness peak of 409cd/m2, it boasts one of the best screens on the market.
Lenovo has managed to fit six ports on the left side: a 3.5mm audio jack, an HDMI port, a USB-A port, two USB-C ports (not Thunderbolt 4, only USB 3.2 Gen 2), and a valuable Ethernet port. The right side mainly features a vent for cooling the processor, but Lenovo also includes a second USB-A port and a smart card slot.
While this laptop might not be overly exciting – the audio can be somewhat harsh – it offers a lot for business users, including a high-quality 1080p webcam that supports Windows Hello, cleverly placed in the thick top bezel. If you’re looking for a balance of strong performance and excellent battery life, this is your best option.
Explore our selections for the best graphic design laptops and the best laptops for drawing and digital art.
