Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen1 vs Gen2 Differences Compared

Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 1 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2: What’s New and Improved?

Lenovo’s ThinkPad series has long been a favourite among professionals for its specifications, durability, performance, and reliability. The ThinkPad P15s, a mobile workstation and portable version of the P15, designed for professionals who need power on the go or powerful performance in a portable package has seen upgrades with the release of its second and third generation.

There are some key differences between the generations as always, but we are focusing on the Gen 1 and Gen 2 mobile workstations. If you are looking to upgrade but wondering whether the ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 is worth it over the Gen 1, or simply trying to decide between the two you are in the right place. We have broken down the key differences to help you make an informed decision.

The Processor (CPU): A Leap in Performance

The most significant upgrade in the ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 is its processor. While the Gen 1 model was equipped with Intel’s 10th Generation Comet Lake CPUs, the Gen 2 models have Intel’s 11th Generation Tiger Lake CPUs which are slightly more advanced in the following areas:

• Improved performance: The 11th Gen Intel processors feature higher clock speeds, better multi-threading capabilities, and improved efficiency.
• Integrated Iris Xe Graphics: The Gen 2 models benefit from Intel’s Iris Xe integrated graphics, which offer a noticeable boost in graphical performance compared to the Gen 1’s UHD Graphics.
• Enhanced AI capabilities: The 11th Gen processors come with Intel’s AI Boost, which accelerates machine learning tasks.

For professionals working with demanding applications like CAD, 3D rendering, or data analysis, the Gen 2’s processor upgrade is a step in the right direction and provides a perfect blend of improved performance and efficiency.

Graphics: Integrated and Dedicated GPU Options

Both generations of the ThinkPad P15s come with optional NVIDIA Quadro dedicated and Intel integrated graphics. The Gen 2 models have newer, more capable and powerful NVIDIA T500 with 4GB of GDDR6 RAM and Intel Iris® Xe Graphics:

• Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 1: NVIDIA Quadro P520 (2GB GDDR5)
• Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 1: Intel UHD Graphics
• Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2: NVIDIA T500 (4GB GDDR6)
• Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2:  Intel Iris® Xe Graphics

The NVIDIA T500 and Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 in the Gen 2 model provide better performance for GPU-intensive tasks making it a better choice for professionals who rely on graphics-heavy applications on the go.

Memory and Storage: Faster and More Efficient

While both generations support the same DDR4 48GB maximum amount of RAM, the Lenovo ThinkPad 15s Gen 2 models support faster DDR4-3200MHz memory speeds and a faster PCIe Gen 4 SSD which is a much-needed improvement in memory and storage technology:

• Memory: Both models support up to 48GB of RAM, but the Gen 2 uses faster DDR4-3200MHz memory compared to the Gen 1’s DDR4-2666MHz.
• Storage: The Gen 2 supports PCIe Gen 4 SSDs, which are significantly faster than the Gen 1’s PCIe Gen 3 SSDs. This means faster boot times, quicker file transfers, and improved overall responsiveness.

I/O Wired Connectivity: Future-Proofed & Faster

The ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 includes updated faster and more versatile connectivity options like Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.0 to keep up with the ever-changing modern technology standards:

• Thunderbolt 4: The Gen 2 model features 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports, offering faster data transfer speeds and support for multiple 4K displays. The Gen 1 only has Thunderbolt 3. This means the USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port on the Gen 1 has been replaced with a Thunderbolt 4, which is compatible with the USB-C standard.
• HDMI 2.0: The HDMI port on the ThnikPad P15s Gen 2 is now HDMI 2.0 compared to the HDMI 1.4b on the Gen 1 models. The Ethernet connectors, MicroSD slot, and the 3.5 mm audio jack remain unchanged.

HDMI 1.4b and 2.0 both support 4K displays with the only difference being HDMI 1.4 only support 4K video/ resolution at a refresh rate of 24hz while HDMI 2.0 can achieve high-quality 4K video/ resolution at 50 and 60Hz, another welcome news for professionals looking to utilise external displays.

Wireless Connectivity: Upgradeable and Flexible

The ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 is Bluetooth 5.2 and 5.3 hardware-ready and utilises compatibility for 4G and eSIM WWAN cards from Quectel with EM120R and EM160R 4G LTE compared to the Fibocom L850 and L860 4G LTE cards compatibility on the Gen 1 models.

• Bluetooth 5.2 and 5.3 Ready: Gen 2 utilises the same Bluetooth 5.1 as Gen 1 but is Bluetooth 5.2 and 5.3 hardware-ready.
• eSIM WWAN cards: Gen 2 supports Quectel with EM120R and EM160R 4G LTE cards and Gen 1 supports Fibocom L850 and L860 4G LTE cards
• Wi-Fi 6E: The Gen 2 supports Wi-Fi 6E, providing faster wireless speeds and better connectivity in crowded environments. The Gen 1 is limited to Wi-Fi 6.

While both the Gen 1 and Gen 2 support Wi-Fi 6, the Gen 2 steps it up with the newer Wi-Fi 6E which supports the 6GHz spectrum with faster speeds and lower latency.

Design and Build: Subtle Refinements, Same ThinkPad P15s Quality

Both mobile workstation generations share the iconic sturdy and robust ThinkPad design Lenovo is known for with a combination of metal and hybrid polymer material, providing great structural integrity and rigidity.

Lenovo has added Aluminium Top models, which are Storm Grey in colour instead of Black on the Polycarbonate and ABS Top construction starting with P15s Gen 2 models. This means the P15s Gen 2 is officially slightly heavier at 1.783 kg (3.93 lbs) compared to the 1.75 kg (3.86 lbs) of the Gen 1 and Black Gen 2 models.

The keyboard cover for Gen 2 is also constructed from polycarbonate, ABS / Talc15, and magnesium alloy, which is different from that of Gen 1.

Apart from these subtle but excellent differences, you’ll be happy to hear, that the Build Quality, Design, Dimensions and general size remain unchanged, which is a good decision by Lenovo. But bear in mind you can still end up with a heavier P15s Gen 2 depending on the build and specifications.

Operating Systems: Upgraded and Upgradeable

The ThinkPad 15s Gen 1 and Gen 2  are compatible with various operating systems such as Windows, Ubuntu Linux LTS, but the Gen 2 comes with Windows 11 out of the box while Gen1 comes with Windows 10 which can be upgraded to Windows 11 due to having TPM 2.0 firmware integrated.

There is also no official Red Hat Enterprise Linux support for the Gen 2. The good news is Windows 10 and 11 are available for both generation models.

Conclusion

The Lenovo ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 is a clear upgrade over the Gen 1, offering a second colour choice, better performance, improved graphics, faster storage, and more modern connectivity options. If you’re a professional who needs a powerful, reliable and slightly faster or requires a mobile workstation with newer ISV Certification, the Gen 2 is the better choice.

However, if you’re on a budget and don’t require the latest hardware, the ThinkPad P15s Gen 1 will still be up to the task. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your specific needs and budget.

One thing is certain: whether you choose the Gen 1 or Gen 2, you’re getting Lenovo’s durable, high-quality mobile workstation that lives up to the ThinkPad legacy and the same Mil-Spec Test “MIL-STD-810G military test”.