Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and Z16 Gen 2 hands-on: Nifty upgrades for hybrid work

Back at CES, lenovo it showed off a huge portfolio of new gadgets, including a true dual-screen laptop and a desk lamp that doubles as a webcam. But now Lenovo is back at Mobile World Congress with some more refreshed laptops and tablets, headlined by two exciting updates to the ThinkPad Z family.

Designed to be the ideal companion for hybrid workers, the new ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2 and Z16 Gen 2 feature an all-AMD configuration. You’ll be able to choose from a range of Ryzen 7000 processors and even an optional Radeon 6650M graphics card in the larger Z16, along with up to 64GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage. However, for people who are constantly in and out of video calls, the ThinkPad Z13 and Z16’s new communication features might be the biggest draw.

That’s because, in addition to the new Full HD webcams, you’ll also get support for Wi-Fi 6E and Dolby Voice-enabled microphones, so you should look and sound great in Zoom meetings. But my favorite new feature is TrackPoint’s quick menu, which can be accessed simply by double-tapping the company’s signature red button. This opens a window that allows you to quickly adjust things like camera settings, microphone volume, voice dictation, noise suppression, and more. You can even customize the settings you want to see for quick access to the things you tend to change most often and I think it’s a great way to add new features to a classic component like the TrackPoint.

Other specs include up to a 13.3-inch 2.8K OLED display on the Z13 Gen 2 or a larger, higher-resolution 16-inch 4K OLED panel on the Z16 Gen 2. Lenovo has also retained handy features like a shutter electronics for the webcam, plus dual speakers with Dolby Atmos, two or three USB ports depending on the system, and a dedicated SD card reader on the Z16.

Meanwhile, to help enhance your mouse-using experience, both the Z13 and Z16 Gen 2 feature Sensel’s Fusion FX touchpad, adding more sophisticated haptics, better palm rejection, and more. In addition to being physically larger (120mm wide), longtime Trackpoint fans will also appreciate that the Sensel’s touchpad supports three virtual haptic buttons that sit on top of the touchpad, so you’ll still have easy access to left and right mouse clicks. without having to go too far.

Finally, the last big change for the Z13 is that along with the default aluminum finish, as part of its commitment to sustainability, Lenovo is also introducing a new flax fiber top that is made from waste material collected during the manufacturing process. harvest. This material is something we’ve seen before on a handful of concept cars from companies like Porsche and Polar Starbut Lenovo says this is the first time this fiber-reinforced flax material will be available in a consumer electronics device.

Admittedly, this isn’t for everyone, but I like it because it looks almost like a futuristic version of wood paneling. Not only does this add a bit of warmth to the laptop’s appearance, just like a pretty piece of furniture, each linen fiber top features a unique grain, giving the whole system a bit of extra personality. On top of that, Lenovo says the lid is attached to a top cover made of 75 percent recycled aluminum.

While their designs don’t change much (aside from the new lid option in Z13), the addition of faster components, larger touchpads, and better conferencing features should make the second-generation ThinkPad Z-series laptops even better. to get the job done: both at home and in the office. And thanks to its optional flax fiber lid, the Z13 Gen 2 might just be the most stylish and sustainable ThinkPad yet.

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