Review Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2

Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 21M5002VGE · Ryzen 5 7535HS · Radeon 660M · Business Laptop Review

Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 · Ryzen 5 7535HS · Radeon 660M · 16″ IPS

AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS · AMD Radeon 660M · 32GB DDR5-4800 (2×16GB, upgradeable) · 1TB SSD (Samsung PM9C1a) · 16″ 1920×1200 IPS 60Hz matte · 1.916 kg
Quiet fanpractical system performance, robust metal case, solid battery life, barely heats up, easy to maintain, free SSD slot. Poor display scores, straightforward keyboard (for a ThinkPad), no USB4. A workhorse rather than a premium laptop – cuts corners in the right places.

Display – 16″ IPS · 1920×1200 · 60Hz · 58.2% sRGB

Panel: MNG007QS1-3 – 16″ 1920×1200, IPS, matte, 60Hz.

SpecificationValue
Brightness (centre)~364 cd/m²
Contrast1456:1
sRGB coverage58.2%
AdobeRGB coverage40.7%
Display P3 coverage39.4%
Response time (B/W)16.6 ms
Response time (grey)23.7 ms
PWMNot detected
FinishMatte
  • Good brightness and contrast
  • No PWM flickering
  • Very poor color gamut (58% sRGB)
  • Not suitable for color-critical work
Very poor color gamut – not suitable for editing or color work.
Panel FRU: MNG007QS1-3 (16″ 1920×1200 IPS, 60Hz, matte)
ICC profile available – calibrated ΔE 5.3

Processor – AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS · 6c/12t · Rembrandt R (Zen 3+)

  • Model: AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS – 6× Zen 3+
  • Boost: 4.6 GHz
  • TDP: 35 W PL2 / 30 W PL1 (sustained)
  • Cinebench R23 Multi: ~8,613 pts
  • Stable performance, efficient
CPU FRU: AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS (Rembrandt R, Zen 3+, soldered BGA)

Graphics – AMD Radeon 660M · integrated · 30W

  • Model: AMD Radeon 660M – RDNA 2
  • 3DMark Time Spy: ~1,782 pts
  • Cyberpunk 2077 (FHD Ultra): ~11.2 fps
  • Modest iGPU – for basic tasks and light gaming
BenchmarkScore
3DMark Time Spy1,782
3DMark Fire Strike4,497
3DMark 11 Performance7,442
Cyberpunk 2077 (FHD Ultra)~11.2 fps
GPU FRU: AMD Radeon 660M (integrated, RDNA 2)

Memory – 32GB DDR5-4800 · 2× SO-DIMM · upgradeable

  • Capacity: 32 GB DDR5-4800 (2×16 GB, SO-DIMM, dual-channel)
  • Upgradeable – two SO-DIMM slots
Two SO-DIMM slots – easy to upgrade.
RAM FRU: DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM (2×16GB) – replaceable

Storage – 1TB Samsung PM9C1a · PCIe 4.0 · dual M.2 slots (2242 + 2280)

  • Drive: Samsung PM9C1a MZAL81T0HDLB – 1 TB, PCIe 4.0
  • Seq. read: ~5,607 MB/s
  • Seq. write: ~2,791 MB/s
  • Two M.2 slots (one 2242, one 2280)
SSD FRU: Samsung PM9C1a MZAL81T0HDLB (1 TB, M.2 2242, PCIe 4.0)

Battery – ~8.9 hours · 57 Wh

  • Capacity: 57 Wh
  • WiFi surfing (150 nits): ~8.9 hours
  • Solid battery life for office work
Battery FRU: 57 Wh (internal) – user-replaceable
AC Adapter FRU: 65W USB-C (Lenovo)

Chassis & Connectivity – Aluminium/Plastic · Wi-Fi 6E · 2× USB-C · HDMI · RJ45 · 2× USB-A

  • Materials: Aluminium lid, plastic keyboard deck and bottom – robust, fingerprint-prone
  • Weight: 1.916 kg (4.22 lbs)
  • Dimensions: 356 × 248 × 21.3 mm
  • Left: USB-C 5Gbps (PD, DP), USB-C 10Gbps (PD, DP), USB-A 10Gbps, HDMI, 3.5mm audio
  • Right: USB-A 5Gbps, Gigabit LAN, Kensington lock
  • 2× USB-C with Power Delivery
  • RJ45 Ethernet
  • No USB4, no SD card reader
WLAN FRU: RealTek RTL8852CE (Wi-Fi 6E) – M.2 replaceable

Serviceability – RAM, SSD, Wi-Fi, battery replaceable · free SSD slot

ComponentReplaceable?Notes
SSD✅ Yes2× M.2 slots (2242 + 2280) – replaceable
RAM✅ Yes2× SO-DIMM slots – upgradeable
Wi-Fi✅ YesM.2 – replaceable
Battery✅ YesUser-replaceable
Keyboard❌ NoBuilt-in, not user-replaceable
CPU/GPU❌ NoSoldered BGA
Excellent upgradeability – RAM, SSD, Wi-Fi, battery all replaceable.

Components FRU / Model Numbers

ComponentFRU / Model
CPUAMD Ryzen 5 7535HS (Rembrandt R, Zen 3+, soldered)
GPUAMD Radeon 660M (integrated, RDNA 2)
RAMDDR5-4800 SO-DIMM (2×16GB) – replaceable
SSDSamsung PM9C1a MZAL81T0HDLB (1 TB, M.2 2242, PCIe 4.0)
Display PanelMNG007QS1-3 (16″ 1920×1200 IPS, 60Hz, matte)
WLANRealTek RTL8852CE (Wi-Fi 6E) – M.2 replaceable
Battery57 Wh (internal)
AC Adapter65W USB-C (Lenovo)

Procurement & Reseller Recommendations

CPURyzen 5 7535HS – solid
RAM32GB DDR5 – upgradeable
GPURadeon 660M – modest
Display58% sRGB – poor
Battery8.9h – good
Value~$729 – affordable business laptop

Key Selling Points vs. Competitors

Strengths

  • Quiet fan
  • Practical system performance
  • Robust metal case
  • Solid battery life
  • Barely heats up
  • Easy to maintain
  • Free SSD slot

Weaknesses

  • Poor display scores
  • Straightforward keyboard (for a ThinkPad)
  • No USB4
Pro tip for resellers & repair professionals:
Highlight upgradeability (RAM, SSD, Wi-Fi, battery) and free SSD slot – key selling points.
Quiet operation and solid battery life – good for office use.
Poor display (58% sRGB) – not for creative work.
Keyboard not as premium as other ThinkPads – manage expectations.
Great value for business and students – robust and reliable.