The cheapest thinkpads with the old AMD CPUs for God knows what reason. And a higher price tag for an E series thinkpad makes it a tough sell. Although, if the market is terrible, which it always is in India, it’s a good alternative.
Customized as per your wish: https://lenovo-in.zlvv.net/21m6cto1wwin2
Configuration that you should chose:
OS: I still can’t find a genuine source for Windows keys, so if you’re ready to run Windows without activating license or you know the other ways of activating it or willing to run Linux, it might be okay to get the Windows License here even if it costs Rs.5000 but considering it’s a budget laptop, I would drop it.
RAM: 16GB (SODIMM, unless the price difference between 8 and 16 is so large that you can get this RAM in the difference). Don’t try to do 8GB+8GB RAM. This isn’t DDR4, it’s DDR5, any configuration will work. But it’s better to go with the 16GB varaint even if it’s a bit more expensive becuase then you won’t have a redundant 8GB RAM when you have to upgrade this machine later.
SSD: 512GB (TLC/QLC whatever you can get)
Display: 1600p 100% sRGB (Even though this is expensive, it’s the only reason to go for the custom build)
Camera: Select the best one.
Base Material: Aluminium (Caution: If you haven’t grounded the third pin in your house even atleast for your laptop, it will shock you. Already covered here.)
Wifi: Best one.
Fingerprint: Yes.
Keyboard: Best one(The one with backlight).
Battery: Higheset Capacity.
Power Chord: If Slim version available, go for that.
The 74k version is the only one to get. The two other CPUs are too close to the price and the 7335U is so weak that you might as well get the last gen one.
→63k Lenovo Thinkpad E16 Gen 2-7335U--100%-57Wh
→70k Lenovo Thinkpad E16 Gen 2-7535HS--100%-57Wh (Just get the best one if you’re thinking of this CPU)
→72k Lenovo Thinkpad E16 Gen 2-7535U--100%-57Wh (Just get the best one if you’re thinking of this CPU)
→74k Lenovo Thinkpad E16 Gen 2-7735U--100%-57Wh
Intel Core Ultra 125U or 125H → Not yet announced at the time of writing this but if available, should be preferred.
Initial thoughts:
The 74k price tag at first glance looks too expensive to me. Also the display this time are very very expensive.
I keep reading about Thinkpad experience going down recently where people including me have started to wonder if the thinkpads are still that sturdy, well built machine that they used to be or not? From memory I remember the laptop turning off if you pick it up with one hand, a telltale sign of motherboard bending very common in Dell’s Inspiron series. So, getting the Aluminium body is crucial. You might drop this laptop for it. Now, I need more data before I can make final decisions about it.
Main reason to consider this Thinkpad over the last gen one is the iGPU.
Pros:
Netural:
Cons:
Remember, the laptop isn’t very light, with the charger it’s 2.3kg, if you can go upto 3kgs with a bit bulky laptop, please go with gaming laptops, they are way way better if you can let go off long battery life.
The non-custom models as of writing this didn’t have 100% sRGB screen by default becuase companies think Indians are stupid and will buy anything in stores, you can still get the last gen version with 100% sRGB screen which you will get quickly delivered:
1) Thin but prefer others→47k Lenovo Thinkpad E16 Gen 1-7530U---100%-47Wh Link 1: https://lenovo-in.zlvv.net/21jts01700 Video: https://youtu.be/LZr5_KmXZxs
2) Also check the non-custom/quick delivery models here and if they have 100% sRGB screen, if they have, they can be considered.
There are some other varints too which come with three years ADP unlike the Thinkpads(Though Thinkpads being well built are an exception to the Always get ADP rule). These laptops I rarely recommend but after discussing with some people I have recommended these laptops on a few occasoins and they might be worth looking into.
2) →72k IdeaPad Pro 5 Intel-125H---100%-Wh Link 1: https://lenovo-in.zlvv.net/OrGWnG Video:
3) →72k Ideapad Slim 5 Gen 9-8845HS---126%-Wh Link 1: https://lenovo-in.zlvv.net/21nJjG Video:
There will be more alternatives in the non-gaming section of the laptop sheet at https://ni6hant.com/mtf/
1) https://psref.lenovo.com/Product/ThinkPad/ThinkPad_E16_Gen_2_AMD