Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 (2025) Review

Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 (2025) Review: Reliable Workhorse Evolves

In the relentless world of business laptops, the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 (2025) emerges as a compelling blend of durability, performance, and value. Targeting professionals who need reliability without enterprise-level pricing, this refreshed model refines an already solid foundation while introducing meaningful upgrades. After two weeks of testing—spanning spreadsheets, video conferences, and cross-country flights—here’s why it deserves your attention.

Design & Build: Classic ThinkPad, Modern Touches

The E16 Gen 2 retains the iconic ThinkPad aesthetic: matte-black chassis, red TrackPoint nub, and a spill-resistant keyboard. Yet, subtle refinements elevate it. The lid now uses magnesium alloy, shedding 7% weight from its predecessor while maintaining MIL-STD-810H toughness. At 18.9mm thin and 1.89kg, it’s portable for a 16-inch device. The hinge, a standout, balances smooth one-handed opening with zero wobble—a small but critical detail for frequent travelers.

Interestingly, while the E16 Gen 2 iterates on tradition, Lenovo’s design language is evolving elsewhere. A recent leak of the radical ThinkPad X9 hints at bold changes coming to Lenovo’s premium line, featuring flush ports and a titanium unibody. You can see that ambitious redesign here. For the E-series, however, pragmatism reigns: no futuristic gambits, just proven reliability.

Display: Productivity-Focused Clarity

Our review unit featured the WQXGA (2560x1600) IPS panel, a significant upgrade over FHD options. With 100% sRGB coverage, 400 nits brightness, and anti-glare coating, it handled spreadsheets and design mockups admirably. The 16:10 aspect ratio adds vertical space for documents—a boon for coders and writers. Optional touchscreen and low-power 120Hz variants exist, but the base IPS panel strikes the best balance for battery-conscious buyers.

Performance: 13th Gen Intel & Efficiency

Powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155U (15W) with integrated Arc graphics, the E16 Gen 2 isn’t a gaming rig, but it breezes through business workloads. Paired with 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, apps launched near-instantly, and 50+ Chrome tabs didn’t faze it. Thermals impressed: fans stayed whisper-quiet during Teams calls, only spinning up under sustained loads. For heavier tasks, configurations up to Core Ultra 9 and discrete Arc A370M graphics are available.

Keyboard & Input: Still King

ThinkPad keyboards remain unmatched, and the E16’s 1.5mm-travel keys reinforce that. Tactile, quiet, and perfectly spaced—it’s the gold standard for typing marathons. The TrackPoint and oversized glass touchpad coexist seamlessly, complemented by a physical shutter for the 1080p webcam (now with Windows Studio Effects for background blur). The fingerprint reader integrated into the power button unlocked swiftly every time.

Ports & Connectivity: No Dongle Life

Lenovo resists the thinness-at-all-costs trend:

2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4)
2x USB-A 3.2
HDMI 2.1
Ethernet extension port
3.5mm combo jack
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 ensured rock-solid connections, while optional 4G/5G WWAN keeps you online anywhere.

Battery Life: All-Day Endurance

The 57Wh battery delivered 9–10 hours of real-world use (mixed browsing, Office apps, video playback). With the 65W USB-C charger, a 0–80% charge took just 45 minutes. Power users can opt for a 86Wh extended battery, pushing longevity past 14 hours.

Verdict: Business Essential, Refined

The ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 (2025) isn’t flashy, but it masters the essentials: a peerless keyboard, robust build, strong performance, and thoughtful ports. It’s ideal for:

Corporate road warriors needing durability
Hybrid workers valuing webcam privacy
Budget-conscious teams seeking enterprise-lite features

Compromises? The base FHD display feels dated, and speakers lack bass (though adequate for calls). Still, for under $1,200 as tested, it’s a triumph of pragmatic design.

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Disclosure: This review is based on a retail unit purchased independently. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our affiliate link above.