Pros
- AMD CPU offers outstanding application and decent graphics performance
- Attractive, modern take on traditional ThinkPad design
- 2.8K OLED display is awesome
- Comfortable keyboard
- Responsive and accurate haptic touchpad
Cons
- Heavier than competing 14-inch models
- 13.3-inch display can start to feel cramped
- Merely average battery life
- Minimal ports
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2 is an outlier among ThinkPads. Lenovo introduced the Z13 ultraportable two years ago, and it immediately stood out from the staid ThinkPad pack with its AMD-only offerings inside an incredibly compact chassis that featured a funky webcam module, haptic touchpad and the option for a synthetic leather lid. Gen 2 keeps the same recycled aluminum enclosure and updates the AMD silicon to Ryzen Pro 7000 processors while swapping the leather-like treatment for a woven flax fiber material as an optional lid covering. Our review unit didn’t feature the flax fiber lid but did come equipped with the top display option, a spectacular 2.8K OLED touch panel.Â
The ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2 is a marvel for its exceptional build quality and trim dimensions. It feels like a tiny tank of a laptop, and I have no doubts about its ability to withstand the bumps and bruises of business travel. It’s unquestionably well crafted and offers strong overall performance, but with a price that can quickly rise to nearly $2,000 with upgrades you’ll likely want, it faces stiff competition among premium business ultraportables, including from Lenovo itself. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 and HP Dragonfly G4 are better picks for most business travelers because they offer roomier, 14-inch displays while weighing a few ounces less than the…
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