Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and Z16 Gen 2 hands-on: Slick updates for hybrid work

Again at CES, Lenovo confirmed off an enormous portfolio of recent units together with a true dual-screen laptop and a desk lamp that doubles as a webcam. However now, Lenovo is again at Cell World Congress with just a few extra refreshed notebooks and tablets headlined by two attention-grabbing updates to the ThinkPad Z household.

Designed to be ideally suited companions for hybrid staff, the brand new ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2 and Z16 Gen 2 function an all-AMD setup. You’ll be capable to select from a variety of Ryzen 7000 processors and even an non-compulsory Radeon 6650M graphics card on the bigger Z16, together with as much as 64GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage. Nevertheless, for people who find themselves always hopping on and off video calls, the ThinkPad Z13 and Z16’s new communication options is perhaps the larger draw.

That’s as a result of along with new full HD webcams, you’ll additionally get help for Wi-Fi 6E and Dolby Voice-enabled microphones, so it is best to look and sound good on Zoom conferences. However my favourite new function is the TrackPoint Fast Menu that may be summoned by merely double-tapping the corporate’s signature pink nub. This opens a window that permits you to rapidly regulate issues like digital camera settings, mic quantity, voice dictation, noise suppression and extra. You may even customise which settings you wish to see so you may have quick entry to the belongings you have a tendency to alter most frequently and I feel it’s an effective way of including new performance to a traditional part just like the TrackPoint.

Different specs embody as much as a 13.3-inch 2.8K OLED show on the Z13 Gen 2 or a bigger and better decision 16-inch 4K OLED panel on the Z16 Gen 2. Lenovo has additionally retained useful options like an digital shutter for the webcam, along with twin audio system with Dolby Atmos, two or three USB ports relying on the system, and a devoted SD card reader on the Z16.

In the meantime, to assist enhance your mousing expertise, each the Z13 and Z16 Gen 2 function a Fusion FX touchpad from Sensel, which provides extra subtle haptics, higher palm rejection and extra. On high of being bodily bigger (120mm throughout), long-time Trackpoint followers will even admire that Sensel’s touchpad helps three digital haptic buttons that run throughout the highest of the touchpad, so that you’ll nonetheless have easy accessibility to left and proper mouse clicks with out having to succeed in too far.

Lastly, the final massive change for the Z13 is that alongside the default aluminum end, as a part of its dedication to sustainability, Lenovo can be introducing a brand new flax fiber lid which is comprised of waste materials collected in the course of the harvesting course of. This materials is one thing we’ve seen earlier than on a handful of idea vehicles from firms like Porsche and Polestar, however Lenovo says that is the primary time this bolstered flax fiber materials will likely be accessible on a shopper digital machine.

Admittedly, this isn’t for everybody, however I type of prefer it as a result of it appears nearly like a futuristic tackle wooden paneling. Not solely does this add a bit of heat to the laptop computer’s look, identical to a pleasant piece of furnishings, every flax fiber lid incorporates a distinctive grain, which supplies the entire system a little bit of added character. On high of that, Lenovo says the lid is bonded to a high cowl comprised of 75 p.c recycled aluminum.

Whereas their designs aren’t altering a ton (other than that new lid possibility on Z13), the addition of speedier elements, bigger touchpads and higher conferencing options ought to make the second-gen ThinkPad Z-series laptops even higher at getting work achieved – each at house or within the workplace. And because of its non-compulsory flax fiber lid, the Z13 Gen 2 is perhaps probably the most trendy and sustainable ThinkPad but.

The ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2 is anticipated to go on sale someday in July beginning at $1,249, with the ThinkPad Z16 Gen arriving a bit later in August beginning at $1,749.