Review Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 3-21SSS00F00 · Core Ultra 5 225U
Lenovo ThinkPad E16 G3-21SSS00F00 · Core Ultra 5 225U
Intel Core Ultra 5 225U · Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arrow Lake) · 16GB DDR5-5600 (1× SO-DIMM) · 1TB SSD (SK Hynix PVC10) · 16″ 2560×1600 IPS 120Hz · 1.708 kg
Aluminum chassis – very good 120Hz WQHD screen, Thunderbolt 4,
long battery runtime (~13h), 2× SSD slots, 2× RAM slots up to 128GB.
Low GPU performance, review unit with single channel memory, no card reader.
Excellent office laptop – but skip the iGPU for gaming.
Display – 16″ IPS · 2560×1600 · 120Hz · 99.1% sRGB · VRR
Panel: MNG007DAB-1 – 16″ 2560×1600, IPS, matte, 120Hz, Adaptive Sync.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brightness (centre) | ~446 cd/m² |
| Contrast | 1352:1 |
| sRGB coverage | 99.1% |
| AdobeRGB coverage | 73.5% |
| Display P3 coverage | 71.3% |
| Response time (B/W) | 5.9 ms |
| Response time (grey) | 12.6 ms |
| PWM | Not detected |
| Finish | Matte |
- 120Hz refresh rate with VRR
- Excellent sRGB coverage (99.1%)
- Good brightness and contrast
- No PWM flickering
Panel FRU: MNG007DAB-1 (16″ 2560×1600 IPS, 120Hz, matte)
Processor – Intel Core Ultra 5 225U · 12c/14t · Arrow Lake-U
- Model: Intel Core Ultra 5 225U – 2× P-Core, 8× E-Core, 2× LP-E-Core
- Boost: 4.8 GHz (P-core)
- TDP: 52 W PL2 / 35 W PL1 (sustained)
- Cinebench R23 Multi: ~11,612 pts
- Good performance for office work
CPU FRU: Intel Core Ultra 5 225U (Arrow Lake-U, soldered BGA)
Graphics – Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arrow Lake) · very low performance
- Model: Intel Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arrow Lake)
- 3DMark Time Spy: ~1,737 pts
- Cyberpunk 2077 (FHD Ultra): ~11.4 fps
- Lowest Intel iGPU – not for gaming
| Benchmark | Score |
|---|---|
| 3DMark Time Spy | 1,737 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike | 3,607 |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 5,022 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (FHD Ultra) | ~11.4 fps |
| Baldur's Gate 3 (FHD Ultra) | ~12.2 fps |
GPU performance is extremely weak – only for basic display output.
GPU FRU: Intel Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arrow Lake) (integrated, soldered)
Memory – 16GB DDR5-5600 · 2× SO-DIMM · Upgradeable to 128GB
- Capacity: 16 GB DDR5-5600 (1× 16 GB module – single channel)
- 2× SO-DIMM slots – one empty
- Upgradeable to 128 GB
- Single-channel memory limits GPU performance
RAM is fully upgradeable – a key advantage.
RAM FRU: SO-DIMM DDR5-5600 16GB – replaceable
Storage – 1TB SK Hynix PVC10 · PCIe 4.0 · 2× M.2 slots
- Drive: SK Hynix PVC10 HFS001TEM4X169N – 1 TB, PCIe 4.0 ×4
- Seq. read: ~6,602 MB/s
- Seq. write: ~4,687 MB/s
- 2× M.2 slots (2242 + 2280) – one empty
- No throttling in DiskSpd loop
SSD FRU: SK Hynix PVC10 HFS001TEM4X169N (1 TB, M.2 2242, PCIe 4.0)
Battery – ~13 hours · 64 Wh
- Capacity: 64 Wh
- WiFi surfing (150 nits): ~13 hours
- Excellent battery life
Battery FRU: 64 Wh (internal) – serviceable
AC Adapter FRU: 65W USB-C
Chassis & Connectivity – Aluminum · Thunderbolt 4 · Wi-Fi 6E
- Materials: Aluminum chassis (lid + base)
- Weight: 1.708 kg (3.77 lbs)
- Dimensions: 356 × 249 × 17.1 mm
- Left: HDMI 2.1, USB-C 3.2 Gen2 (DP 1.4 + PD), USB-C Thunderbolt 4 (DP 2.1 + PD), USB-A 3.2 Gen1, 3.5mm audio
- Right: USB-A 3.2 Gen2, Gigabit Ethernet, Kensington lock
- Thunderbolt 4 support
- No card reader
- Wi-Fi 6E (Intel AX211)
WLAN FRU: Intel AX211 (Wi-Fi 6E) – M.2 2230, replaceable
Serviceability – 2× SO-DIMM · 2× M.2 · excellent upgradeability
| Component | Replaceable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSD | ✅ Yes | 2× M.2 slots (2242 + 2280) – one empty |
| RAM | ✅ Yes | 2× SO-DIMM – up to 128GB |
| Wi-Fi | ✅ Yes | M.2 2230 – replaceable |
| Battery | ⚠️ Limited | 64 Wh – internal but replaceable |
| CPU/GPU | ❌ No | Soldered BGA |
Excellent upgradeability – RAM, SSD, and Wi-Fi are replaceable.
Components FRU / Model Numbers
| Component | FRU / Model |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 5 225U (Arrow Lake-U, soldered) |
| GPU | Intel Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arrow Lake) (integrated, soldered) |
| RAM | SO-DIMM DDR5-5600 16GB – upgradeable to 128GB |
| SSD | SK Hynix PVC10 HFS001TEM4X169N (1 TB, M.2 2242, PCIe 4.0) |
| Display Panel | MNG007DAB-1 (16″ 2560×1600 IPS, 120Hz, matte) |
| WLAN | Intel AX211 (Wi-Fi 6E) – M.2 2230 |
| Battery | 64 Wh (internal) |
| AC Adapter | 65W USB-C |
Procurement & Reseller Recommendations
CPUUltra 5 225U – solid office performance
Display120Hz WQHD – excellent value
Battery~13h – great runtime
Upgradeability2× RAM, 2× SSD – best in class
GPUVery weak – not for gaming
Value~€899 – excellent office laptop
Key Selling Points vs. Competitors
Strengths
- Aluminum chassis
- Very good 120Hz screen
- Thunderbolt 4
- Long battery runtime
- 2× SSD slots & 2× RAM slots
- Comfortable keyboard
Weaknesses
- Low GPU performance
- Single-channel memory on review unit
- No card reader
Pro tip for resellers & repair professionals:
• Highlight the 120Hz WQHD display and upgradeability – key selling points.
• Very weak GPU – not suitable for gaming; recommend Core Ultra 5 225H for better iGPU.
• Single-channel memory limits performance – upgrade to dual-channel for better results.
• Excellent upgradeability – 2× SO-DIMM and 2× M.2 slots.
• Long battery life and Thunderbolt 4 – great for business users.
• Highlight the 120Hz WQHD display and upgradeability – key selling points.
• Very weak GPU – not suitable for gaming; recommend Core Ultra 5 225H for better iGPU.
• Single-channel memory limits performance – upgrade to dual-channel for better results.
• Excellent upgradeability – 2× SO-DIMM and 2× M.2 slots.
• Long battery life and Thunderbolt 4 – great for business users.