ZDNET’s key takeaways
- With costs beginning at $1,241, Lenovo’s ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2 has the potential to develop into your new important laptop computer for work and leisure.
- The ThinkPad Z13 comes outfitted with a strong AMD Ryzen processor and a great-looking, 2.8K decision display screen everybody can get pleasure from.
- Professionals, nonetheless, might discover its small quantity of ports, quick battery life, and restricted options missing.
It is inconceivable to be good at every part however that does not imply you should not at the very least attempt. That is the sensation I acquired when making an attempt out the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2, a laptop computer that goals to be an amazing leisure laptop computer and work laptop computer multi function bundle. For my part, the Z13 exceeds doing each on account of its light-weight kind issue and several other key options.
Upon opening the laptop computer for the primary time, you may be greeted with a 13-inch, 2.8K decision (2,880 x 1,800 pixels) OLED touchscreen – at the very least that is what greeted me. The assessment unit I obtained from Lenovo was one of many higher-end builds – and it actually reveals. Content material proven on this show – particularly animation – seems to be gorgeous.
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Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2
Lenovo’s second-generation ThinkPad Z13 houses powerful hardware in its thin frame and also comes with a couple of hidden, interesting features.
For testing, I watched a few episodes of Pokemon Concierge. For those who’re not acquainted, it is a stop-motion present consisting of characters made out of felt, paper, and different varieties of supplies. I liked how good it regarded on the OLED display screen. I might see the fuzz on Psyduck in all its glory. Watching Pokemon Concierge this manner gave me a newfound appreciation for the present. Characters look far more cuddly than once I watched it on my smartphone.
In fact, live-action motion pictures look superb too. I watched Joker on this laptop computer and the OLED show made Gotham Metropolis look far more disgusting and dingy in comparison with when the movie first got here out in theaters.
As a lot as I’ve harped on how a lot I just like the OLED show, my favourite side of the display screen was the skinny bezels surrounding it. You are free to benefit from the display screen’s visible goodness with out having thick black traces encroaching in. The highest bezel is a bit thicker than the remainder because it homes the laptop computer’s 1080p webcam (excellent for work video calls). What’s extra, the digital camera has a steel bar jutting out from the highest. When closed, this serves as a deal with for opening the laptop computer. It is a small contact, however one which I tremendously appreciated.
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Design-wise, Lenovo made a number of fascinating decisions. One of many hallmarks of the ThinkPad Z-series is its give attention to sustainability in numerous varieties. A lot of the laptop computer is made out of recycled supplies. There’s even a model of the Z13 sporting an eco-friendly flax fiber cowl. Nonetheless, on the time of this assessment, it would not seem like on sale. Nonetheless, it is good to see Lenovo go for greener supplies when creating laptops.
I want this give attention to sustainability was current in its battery. Sadly, it would not final for very lengthy. Underneath the hood is an AMD Ryzen 7 Professional 7840U paired up with a Radeon 740M graphics card that collectively is meant to allow nice vitality effectivity. Nonetheless, in response to my testing, the battery lasted solely about six hours earlier than it died. I carried out my typical technique of taking part in a looping YouTube video at 720p and 50 p.c brightness. I used to be shocked to see such a low quantity.
It isn’t all unhealthy, in fact. I like what Lenovo did with the keyboard. Every key has a slight indentation and is roofed in a matte coating. All this, mixed with a keyboard that stretches back and forth, culminates in a snug typing expertise. For those who learn my critiques, you may know that is one thing I particularly search for on laptops. Machines with mediocre keyboards lose factors.
The keyboard does have a few “hidden” options (I am including the citation marks as a result of though these aren’t technically hidden, they are not tremendous apparent).
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First, it has backlighting. On the decrease left nook of the spacebar, you can see a blinking mild icon. Urgent the nook with the Operate key enables you to activate the lights. I want Lenovo did a greater job letting individuals know that this was a factor. I initially thought the keyboard lacked backlighting once I was typing at night time. I figured the corporate, for some unusual cause, eliminated this function. This side of the keyboard ought to’ve been made clearer to keep away from confusion.
The purple TrackPoint on the keyboard has a brand new operate to it. You possibly can nonetheless use it to regulate the cursor, however now double tapping it opens a Fast Menu for adjusting sure options just like the microphone’s directionality.
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Lastly, there are solely three ports out there: two USB-C inputs and a headphone jack. Which will sound fairly disappointing, however needless to say the ThinkPad Z13 is an ultraportable laptop computer. You need to anticipate such sacrifices on a pc this skinny.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
I do suggest the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2 when you’re searching for a light-weight laptop computer for work, college, or as an leisure machine whereas touring. It is at present on sale on Lenovo’s web site in Artic Gray, with costs beginning at $1,241.
It’s configurable so you possibly can add extra to the laptop computer — resembling bigger cupboard space — or you possibly can go for a decrease decision display screen to drop the value tag. If you would like one thing larger, the corporate does have the second-generation ThinkPad Z16 as an possibility as nicely.