Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops gain 5G, taller screens, and more with massive refresh

ThinkPad T15 Hero Front Facing Right
ThinkPad T15 Hero Front Facing Right (Image credit: Lenovo)

ThinkPad L14 Gen 2 Hero Left 180 Degree Intel

Source: Lenovo (Image credit: Source: Lenovo)

What you need to know

  • Lenovo announced several updates to its ThinkPad laptop portfolio.
  • Lenovo completely redesigned the X13 and X13 Yoga and updated its T and L series.
  • The company also announced refreshes the P14s and P15s mobile workstation laptops.

Lenovo announced a refresh to its ThinkPad laptop lineups, including updates to its X13, X13 Yoga, T series, L series, and P series. The updated laptops focus on modern connectivity, including optional 5G support and Wi-Fi 6E, though 5G support is only on some models. Depending on the device you choose, you'll have an option of 11th Gen Intel Core vPro processors or AMD Ryzen 5000 series mobile processors. Only some of the laptops have options for AMD, which are noted in the spec tables below.

The updated laptops range from budget-friendly options like the L14 and L15 all the way up to mobile workstations like the P14s and P15s.

ThinkPad L14 and L15

The ThinkPad L14 and L15 are more affordable ThinkPad laptops. They have starting prices of $689, which is around half the price of many other ThinkPad laptops. The ThinkPad L1 i and L15 i run on 11th Gen Intel Core vPro processors, and the ThinkPad L14 and L15 run on AMD Ryzen 5000 series mobile processors.

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CategoryLenovo ThinkPad L14Lenovo ThinkPad L15
ProcessorUp to 11th Gen IntelCore i7 vProAMD Ryzen 5000 MobileUp to 11th Gen IntelCore i7 vProAMD Ryzen 5000 Mobile
RAMUp to 64GBDDR4-3200MHzDual channelUp to 64GBDDR4-3200MHzDual channel
GraphicsIntel Iris XeIntel UHDNVIDIA MX450 (optional)Intel Iris XeNVIDIA MX450 (optional)
StorageUp to 2TB HDDUp to 1TB M.2 PCIe SSDUp to 2TB HDDUp to 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD
Display14 inchesHD, TN, 220 nitsFHD, IPS, 250 nitsFHD, IPS, touch, 300 nitsFHD, IPS, Low power, 400 nits15 inchesHD, TN, 220 nitsFHD, IPS, 250 nitsFHD, IPS, Touch, 300 nits
PortsTwo USB-A 3.2USB-C 3.2Thunderbolt 4HDMI 2.0EthernetmicroSD reader3.5mm audioTwo USB-A 3.2USB-C 3.2Thunderbolt 4HDMI 2.0EthernetmicroSD reader3.5mm audio
AudioDolby AudioDolby Audio
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6LTE CAT12NFCWi-Fi 6LTE CAT12NFC
SecurityFingerprint readerWebcam shutterdTPM 2.0Fingerprint readerWebcam shutterdTPM 2.0
Battery45Wh65W AC adapter45Wh65W AC adapter
Dimensions13.03 x 9.25 x 0.75 inches(331mm x 235mm x 19.1mm)14.43 x 9.84 x 0.83 inches(366.5mm x 250mm x 21mm)
WeightFrom 3.49 pounds (1.58kg)From 4.39 pounds (1.99kg)
ColorBlackBlack
AvailabilityMay 2021May 2021
Starting price$689$689

ThinkPad P14s and P15s

The ThinkPad P14s, P14s i, and P15 laptops are mobile workstations that can handle more demanding workloads while remaining mobile-friendly. Lenovo highlights that they can run programs like AutoCAD LT, Autodesk Revit, and SolidWorks despite their more compact form factors. The P14s runs on an AMD Ryzen 5000 series mobile processor with integrated AMD Radeon graphics. There are also options for P series laptops with 11th Gen Intel Core processors with NVIDIA T500 discrete graphics.

These laptops also have X-Rite factory color calibration, meaning they're color accurate out of the box.

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CategoryLenovo ThinkPad P14sLenovo ThinkPad P15s
OSWindows 10 HomeWindows 10 ProUbuntu Linux 20.04 LTSRed Hat LinuxWindows 10 HomeWindows 10 ProUbuntu Linux 20.04 LTSRed Hat Linux
ProcessorUp to 11th Gen IntelCore i7AMD Ryzen 5000 MobileUp to 11th Gen IntelCore i7
RAMUp to 48GBDDR4-3200MHzDual channelUp to 48GBDDR4-3200MHzDual channel
GraphicsIntel Iris XeNVIDIA T500 (4GB)Intel Iris XeNVIDIA T500 (4GB)
StorageUp to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDUp to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Display14 inches1920x1080 (FHD)500 nits, ePrivacy400 nits, Low power300 nits, TouchIPS, 300 nits3840x2160 (UHD)IPS, 500 nitsHDR400Dolby VisionX-Rite Color15 inches1920x1080 (FHD)Touch, non-touch300 nits3840x2160 (UHD)IPS, 600 nitsHDR 400Dolby VisionX-Rite Color
PortsTwo USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1)Two Thunderbolt 4HDMI 2.0Ethernet3.5mm audiomicroSD readerTwo USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1)Two Thunderbolt 4HDMI 2.0Ethernet3.5mm audiomicroSD reader
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6EBluetooth 5.2LTE CAT12, CAT16NFCWi-Fi 6EBluetooth 5.2LTE CAT12, CAT16
CameraFront-facing 720pIR cameraFront-facing 720pIR camera
SecurityFingerprint readerCamera shutterdTPM 2.0Fingerprint readerCamera shutterdTPM 2.0
Battery50Wh65W AC adapter57Wh65W AC adapter
Dimensions12.95 x 8.94 x 0.70 inches(329mm x 227mm x 17.9mm)14.4 x 9.76 x 0.75 inches(365.8mm x 248mm x 19.1mm)
WeightFrom 3.24 pounds (1.47kg)From 3.87 pounds (1.76kg)
ColorBlackStorm GreyBlackStorm Grey
AvailabilityMarch 2021 (i)May 2021March 2021
Starting price$1,389 (i)$1,169$1,389

ThinkPad T series

The ThinkPad T series focuses on productivity and comes in a variety of sizes and configurations. The lineup includes the T14s, T14, and T15 powered by 11th Gen Intel vPro processors and the T14s and T14 powered by AMD Ryzen 5000 series mobile processors.

You can get up to a 14-inch UHD HDR Dolby Vision display that can reach up to 500 nits of brightness or up to a 15.6-inch UHD HDR Dolby Vision display that can reach up to 600 nits. The displays should be bright enough for most settings, including outdoor use, depending on how much sunlight you're dealing with.

The T14s models integrate a fingerprint reader into the power button and feature Human Presence Detection.

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CategoryLenovo ThinkPad T14Lenovo ThinkPad T14s
ProcessorUp to 11th Gen IntelCore i7 vProAMD Ryzen 5000 MobileUp to 11th Gen IntelCore i7 vProAMD Ryzen 5000 Mobile
RAMUp to 48GBDDR4-3200MHzDual channelUp to 32GBLPDDR4x-4266MHz
GraphicsIntel Iris XeIntel UHDNVIDIA MX450 (optional)Intel Iris Xe
StorageUp to 2TB M.2 PCIe SSDUp to 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD
Display14 inchesFHD, IPS, 250 nitsFHD, IPS, 300 nitsFHD, IPS, Touch, 300 nitsFHD, IPS, Low power, 400 nitsFPD, IPS, Touch, PrivacyGuard, 500 nitsUHD, IPS, Dolby Vision, 500 nits14 inchesFHD, IPS, 300 nitsFHD, IPS, Touch, 300 nitsFHD, IPS, Touch, PrivacyGuard, 500 nitsUHD, IPS, Dolby Vision, 500 nits
PortsTwo Thunderbolt 4HDMI 2.0EthernetSD card reader3.5mm audioTwo Thunderbolt 4Two USB-A 3.2HDMI 2.03.5mm audio
AudioDolby AudioDolby Audio
CameraFront-facing 720pIR cameraFront-facing 720p IR hybridFront-facing 1080p IR hybrid
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6ELTE CAT12, CAT16LTE CAT4 (PRC)NFCWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6E4G LTE CAT 125G LTE CAT20LTE CAT4 (PRC)NFC
SecurityFingerprint readerWebcam shutterdTPM 2.0Fingerprint readerWebcam shutterdTPM 2.0
Battery50Wh65W AC adapter57Wh65W AC adapter
Dimensions12.9 x 8.9 x 0.70 inches(329mm x 227mm x 17.9mm)12.89 x 8.82 x 0.64 inches(327.5mm x 224mm x 16.14mm)
WeightFrom 3.23 pounds (1.47kg)From 2.83 pounds (1.28kg)
ColorBlackBlack (antimicrobial)Storm GreyBlackStorm Grey
AvailabilityMarch 2021 (i)May 2021March 2021 (i)May 2021
Starting price$1,389 (i)$1,159$1,499 (i)$1,279

ThinkPad T15

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CategoryLenovo ThinkPad T15
ProcessorUp to 11th Gen IntelCore i7 vPro
RAMUp to 48GBDDR4-3200MHzDual channel
GraphicsIntel Iris XeIntel UHDNVIDIA MX450 (optional)
StorageUp to 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD
Display15.6 inchesFHD, IPS, 300 nitsFHD, IPS, Touch, 300 nitsUHD, IPS, Dolby Vision, 600 nits
PortsTwo Thunderbolt 4Two USB-A 3.1HDMI 2.0Ethernet3.5mm audioSD card reader
AudioDolby Audio
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6ELTE CAT12, CAT16NFC
CameraFront-facing 720pIR camera
SecurityFingerprint readerWebcam shutter<br<dTPM 2.0
Battery57Wh65W AC adapter
Dimensions14.4 x 9.76 x 0.75 inches(365.8mm x 248mm x 19.1mm)
WeightFrom 3.86 pounds (1.75kg)
ColorBlackBlack (antimicrobial)Storm Grey
AvailabilityMarch 2021
Starting price$1,379

ThinkPad X13 and X13 Yoga

The ThinkPad X13 and X13 Yoga are lightweight laptops that prioritize portability. They feature a 16:10 aspect ratio, which allows you to see more on a screen at once without bulking up the body too much. They have always-on always-connected technology, which makes it quicker to jump right into work.

The ThinkPad X13 i and X13 Yoga are powered by 11th Gen Intel Core vPro processors, and the ThinkPad X13 runs on an AMD Ryzen 5000 series mobile processor.

The X13 is a traditional clamshell laptop, though it can open flat, which is useful for presenting. The X13 Yoga is a flexible 2-in-1 that can flip around into different modes, including working as a tablet.

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CategoryLenovo ThinkPad X13Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga
ProcessorUp to 11th Gen IntelCore i7 vProAMD Ryzen 5000 MobileUp to 11th Gen IntelCore i7 vPro
RAMUp to 32GBLPDDR4x-4266MHzUp to 32GBLPDDR4x-4266MHz
GraphicsUp to Intel Iris XeUp to Intel Iris Xe
StorageUp to 2TB M.2 PCIe SSDUp to 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD
Display13.3 inches16:10 aspect ratioFHD+, IPS, 100% sRGB, 300 nitsFHD+, Touch, 100% sRGB, 300 nitsFHD+, IPS, PrivacyGuard, 500 nitsQHD+, IPS, Low power, 400 nits, Low blue light13.3 inches16:10 aspect ratioTouchFHD+, 300 nitsFHD+, 300 nits, Anti-reflectiveFHD+, PrivacyGuard, 500 nitsQHD+, 400 nits, Low blue light
PortsTwo Thunderbolt 4Two USB-A 3.2HDMI 2.03.5mm audioTwo Thunderbolt 4USB-A 3.2HDMI 2.03.5mm audio
AudioDolby AudioDolby Audio
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 64G LTE CAT125G LTE CAT20LTE CAT4 (PRC)NFCWi-Fi 6LTE CAT 12LTE CAT4 (PRC)NFC
CameraFront-facing 1080p IR hybridFront-facing 720p IR hybridUp to 720p IR hybrid
SecurityFingerprint readerWebcam shutterdTPM 2.0Fingerprint readerWebcam shutterdTPM 2.0
Battery41Wh or 54.7Wh65W AC adapter52.8Wh65W AC adapter
Dimensions12.04 x 8.55 x 0.72 inches(305.8mm x 217.06mm x 18.19mm)12.01 x 8.42 x 0.61 inches(305mm x 213.9mm x 15.39mm)
WeightFrom 2.62 pounds (1.19kg)From 2.65 pounds (1.2kg)
ColorBlackStorm GreyBlack carbon fiber
AvailabilityMarch 2021 (i)May 2021April 2021
Starting price$1,299 (i)$1,139$1,379

Many of the new ThinkPad laptops start rolling out in March 2021, though you'll have to wait until as late as May 2021 to purchase some of them.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.