The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 returns as a top-tier mobile workstation, boasting powerful new hardware and a stunning OLED display. This device is poised to win over engineers, designers, and enterprise users seeking superior performance beyond the ordinary workstation, provided you have the budget or can persuade your company to invest.
NewForTech Opinion:
Pros:
- Exceptional performance
- Stunning OLED display
- Diverse configuration options to suit various requirements
Cons:
- The initial cost is high, and customization can further inflate the price
- Battery life falls short of expectations
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6: Quick Review
| Overview |
|---|
| The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 offers impressive power and versatility. It’s ideal for professionals needing high-security features and mobile connectivity. However, it comes with a hefty price tag. |
| Hardware Options |
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| The ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 provides diverse hardware choices, including Intel 13th-gen processors and Nvidia RTX Ada workstation GPUs, catering to power users. |
| Power and Portability |
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| It balances power and portability, outclassing most business laptops while retaining mobility. Only top-tier workstation PCs can surpass its performance, albeit at the expense of portability. |
| Ideal for Most Users |
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| For most users, this mobile workstation offers the perfect blend of power and portability, making it a top choice. |
| Design and Features |
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| Its slim and lightweight design, excellent keyboard, decent speakers, and security features like Intel vPro and secure SSDs make it an attractive option. |
| Stunning 4K OLED Display |
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| The laptop boasts a gorgeous 4K OLED touchscreen display, catering to various professional needs. However, battery life is a drawback due to its high-performance hardware. |
| Conclusion |
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| If you seek the most powerful mobile workstation and cost isn’t a concern, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 is your top choice. |
In summary, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 is a versatile and powerful mobile workstation. While it comes at a premium price, it offers a wide range of hardware options and balances power with portability. It’s an excellent choice for most professionals, with a sleek design, security features, and a stunning 4K OLED display. However, its battery life is limited, which is expected given its high-performance hardware. If you prioritize power and can manage the cost, this laptop is a top pick for mobile workstations.
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6: Price & Availability
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 is now available in the US, UK, and Australia. It starts at $3,609 (about £2,745/AU$5,235). This base model includes an Intel Core i7-13700H, an Nvidia RTX A1000 GPU, 8GB DDR5-5600 RAM, a 256GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and a 16-inch 1920x1200p IPS display with 100% sRGB color gamut, running at 60Hz with 300 nits brightness.
For those seeking mobility with secure connectivity, you can opt for a configuration with a Fibocom LTE CAT16 mobile broadband card.
The premium review unit features a Core i7-13800H processor, Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics, 32GB DDR5-5600 RAM, 1TB SSD, and a stunning 16-inch 3840x2400p OLED touchscreen display with 100% DCI-P3 coverage, HDR400 certification, and up to 500 nits peak brightness. It’s priced at $5,453 (about £4,145 / AU$7,910) and includes Intel vPro security and an upgraded 5MP RGB+ IR webcam.
For the ultimate performance, a top-tier configuration is available at $8,529 (about £6,485/AU$12,370) with an Intel Core i9-13900H with vPro, an Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada 16GB GPU, 96GB DDR5-5600 RAM, and a 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, along with the same high-quality display as the review unit.
When compared to similar laptops like the Asus VivoBook Pro 16X OLED and the MacBook Pro 16-inch with M2 Max, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 may appear expensive. However, Lenovo often offers discounts of up to 42%, making it a more affordable choice.
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6: Specs
Here’s a summary of the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 specifications:
| Specification | Base Configuration | Review Configuration | Highest Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $3609 (about £2,450 / AU$5,235) | $5453 (about £4,150 / AU$7,910) | $8529 (about £6,485 / AU$12,367) |
| CPU | i7-13700H | i7-13800H | i9-13900H |
| GPU | Nvidia RTX A1000 | Nvidia RTX 4080 | RTX 5000 Ada (16GB) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR5-5600 | 32GB DDR5-5600 | 96GB DDR5-5600 |
| Storage | 256GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe | 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe | 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe |
| Display | 16-inch 1920x1200p IPS, 100% sRGB, 300 nits, 60Hz | 16-inch 3840x2400p Touch OLED, HDR 400, 100% DCI-P3 | 16-inch 3840x2400p Touch OLED, HDR 400, 100% DCI-P3 |
| Color Gamut | 100% sRGB | 100% DCI-P3 | 100% DCI-P3 |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, optional Fibocom LTE, NFC | WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1 | WiFi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Webcam | 1080p RGB/IR Hybrid | 5MP RGB+ IR w/ Privacy Shutter | 5MP RGB+ IR w/ Privacy Shutter |
| Ports | 2 x USB4 (Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4), HDMI, etc. | 2 x USB4 (Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4), HDMI, etc. | 2 x USB4 (Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4), HDMI, etc. |
| Security | N/A | vPro | vPro |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 14.2 x 10 x 0.7 ins | 360.68 x 254 x 17.78mm | 14.2 x 10 x 0.7 ins |
| Battery | 90WHr | 90WHr | 90WHr |
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 Review: Design
The ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 boasts stunning aesthetics and exceptional portability, a rare combination in the world of mobile workstations. Weighing just under 4 lbs (about 8.7kg), it rivals the MacBook Pro in terms of lightweight design.
Its exterior features a subtle carbon fiber weave-like lid with a smooth, almost rubbery texture. The 180-degree hinge facilitates collaboration, regardless of the display panel chosen (opt for the OLED display).
The spacious keydeck offers smooth, comfortable typing, complemented by a user-friendly mouse cursor button and a generous trackpad. Upfiring speakers provide surprisingly decent audio.
Depending on the display choice, you’ll have a 1080p RGB IR or a 5MP RGB+ IR webcam with a privacy shutter. Both deliver excellent performance for video calls, with a clear dual-array microphone.
The laptop offers a variety of ports, including two USB Type-A ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports with DisplayPort 1.4 support and power delivery, a microphone combo jack, an HDMI out with 8K support, and an SD card slot. It’s powered by a 230W power supply.
Overall, it’s one of the most functional and portable workstations available, rivaling the MacBook Pro in performance.
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 Review: Performance
Performance results may vary based on your chosen configuration, but the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 is undoubtedly impressive.
Synthetic Benchmark Results
- GeekBench 6.1 Single Core: 2,698
- GeekBench 6.1 Multi Core: 12,309
- Cinebench R23 Multi Core: 16,551
- 3DMark Night Raid: 35,289
- 3DMark Fire Strike: 25,470
- 3DMark Time Spy: 12,491
- 3DMark Port Royal: 7,971
- 3DMark Wildlife Extreme: 22,470
- 3DMark Wildlife Extreme Unlimited: 23,072
Compared to the MacBook Pro 16-inch with an M2 Max chip, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 offers similar single-core performance but lags in multi-core performance due to the M2 Max’s additional performance cores.
In terms of graphics, the RTX 4080 GPU outperforms the MacBook Pro’s M2 Max in 3DMark Wildlife Extreme. However, the MacBook Pro excels in Wildlife Extreme Unlimited, thanks to its unified memory design.
Creative Benchmark Results
- V-Ray 5 CUDA: 1,665
- V-Ray 5 Ray Tracing: 2,357
- Handbrake 1.6 4K to 1080p Encoding: 98 FPS
- PugetBench for Adobe Photoshop: 1,143
- PugetBench for Adobe Premiere: 678
- Blender 3.4.0 Monster: 2,660
- Blender 3.4.0 Junk Shop: 1,366
- Blender 3.4.0 Classroom: 1,290
- Lumion 12.5 1080p@30fps Draft Quality Video Render (30-second clip): 26 minutes, 13 seconds
- Lumion 12.5 8K Poster Image Render: 3 minutes, 41 seconds
The ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 excels as a creative workstation, delivering exceptional performance in various tasks, including photo and video editing. While the MacBook Pro wins in Adobe Premiere, the P1 Gen 6 outperforms in most other tests, including encoding 4K video into 1080p.
In rendering tasks like Lumion 12.5 and Blender 3.4.0, the P1 Gen 6 performs impressively for a mobile workstation, making it a top choice for professionals on the go.
Compute Benchmark Results
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 OpenCL Compute | 156,062 |
| PassMark 3D Graphics Compute | 7,174 |
For data and computer scientists, the Nvidia RTX GPUs, ranging from RTX A1000 to RTX 5000 16GB Ada GPU and more, offer numerous computing options.
Gaming Benchmark Results
| Game | Average FPS at Max Settings |
|---|---|
| Rise of the Tomb Raider (1080p) | 101 |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider (2400p, no DLSS) | 28 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, no RT or DLSS) | 94 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (2400p, no RT or DLSS) | 26 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (2400p, Max RT, DLSS on Balanced with Frame Generation) | 39 |
| Civilization VI: Rise to Power (1080p) | 221 |
| Civilization VI: Rise to Power (2160p) | 133 |
With this powerhouse, gaming is also on the table. Except for the slimmest configuration with an A1000 GPU, gaming performance is excellent. You can reach nearly 40 fps on average in Cyberpunk 2077 with maxed-out settings at 3,840x2400p, thanks to the RTX 4080’s DLSS 3 with Frame Generation set to balance. Adjusting settings can easily achieve 60 fps in demanding games, offering both work and play capabilities.
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6: Software & Features
This laptop doesn’t come with excessive bloatware, and it excludes McAfee antivirus software. It offers Lenovo Commercial Advantage, a control panel with basic settings but lacks extensive performance tuning found in gaming laptops.
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6: Battery Life
Battery life is the laptop’s weakness, as expected from its specifications. It lasts around 6 hours and 20 minutes in PCMark 10’s Battery test. For intensive tasks, like video editing or GPU-dependent rendering, expect less than two hours of battery life with continuous use. In contrast, the MacBook Pro 16-inch boasts nearly 19 hours of battery life.
Should I Buy the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6?
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 Report Card
| Category | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Value | 3/5 |
| Design | 4.5/5 |
| Performance | 5/5 |
| Battery Life | 3/5 |
| Total | 3.88/5 |
Buy it if:
- You want a top-tier MacBook Pro competitor.
- You prefer a wide range of configuration options.
- You desire a stunning display with 100% DCI-P3 coverage.
Don’t buy it if:
- Price is a significant concern.
- You prioritize flashy design.
Also, Consider
If you’re considering other options, here are two alternatives:
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
- Price: $5,453 (about £4,150 / AU$7,910)
- CPU: i7-13800H
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 4080
- RAM: 32GB DDR5-5600
- Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe
- Display: 16-inch 3840x2400p Touch OLED, HDR 400, 100% DCI-P3, 500 nits, 60Hz
Asus VivoBook Pro 16X OLED (2023)
- Price: $2,000 / £1,700 / AU$ 3,399
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX
- GPU: RTX 4060
- RAM: 32GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 16-inch 3200x2000p OLED, 120Hz, 0.2ms, 600 nit peak
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M2 Max)
- Price: $3.499 / £3,749 / AU$5,599
- CPU: Apple M2 Max 12-core CPU
- GPU: Apple M2 Max 38-core GPU
- RAM: 32GB Unified Memory
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 16-inch 1600 nits peak