The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 emerged as a formidable mobile workstation, designed to deliver exceptional performance for professionals requiring serious computing power on the go.

This iteration represented a significant leap, particularly with its updated 16-inch display, a shift from the previous 15.6-inch form factor, and the integration of Intel’s 11th Gen H-series processors and NVIDIA RTX professional graphics.

For those deeply entrenched in CAD, 3D rendering, video editing, or complex data analysis, the P1 Gen 4 aimed to be a portable powerhouse, blending ThinkPad’s renowned durability and keyboard comfort with the muscle needed for demanding tasks.

It was built for resilience and sustained performance, making it a go-to for engineers, designers, and content creators who couldn’t afford compromises when working away from their desks.

Product	Key Feature 1	Key Feature 2	Ideal User
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4	11th Gen Intel Core/Xeon	NVIDIA RTX A-series Graphics	Engineers, Content Creators
Dell XPS 15	InfinityEdge Display	Slim, Premium Design	General Productivity, Multimedia
HP ZBook Studio G8	Professional Graphics Options	HP DreamColor Display	Designers, Animators
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch	Apple M1 Pro/Max Chip	macOS Ecosystem	Creative Professionals, Developers
Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition	NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000	Vapor Chamber Cooling	Game Developers, 3D Artists
LG Gram 16	Exceptionally Lightweight	Long Battery Life	Mobile Professionals, Students
External SSD	High-Speed Data Transfer	Portable Storage	Any user needing extra fast storage

Table of Contents

Design and Build Quality: A ThinkPad Through and Through

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 didn’t reinvent the wheel in terms of its aesthetic, largely sticking to the classic ThinkPad design language. And that’s a good thing for many. It’s about subtle refinement, not flashy redesign.

This particular model, released in 2021, continued to uphold the brand’s reputation for robust, business-grade construction.

Material Choice and Durability

Lenovo opted for a blend of materials to strike a balance between strength and weight. The chassis typically features a carbon fiber weave on the lid and a magnesium alloy for the base. This combination provides exceptional rigidity while keeping the laptop relatively light for a workstation of its caliber. It’s not just about looks. it’s about practical resistance to the bumps and knocks of daily professional life.

Carbon Fiber: Known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, contributing to the P1 Gen 4’s portability without compromising structural integrity. It also gives the lid a distinctive, professional look.
Magnesium Alloy: Offers excellent heat dissipation properties and is robust, ensuring the internal components are well-protected.
MIL-STD-810G Testing: Like many ThinkPads, the P1 Gen 4 was subjected to military-grade testing for durability. This means it’s designed to withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, vibration, and dust, making it a reliable companion for fieldwork or demanding environments.

Portability for a Workstation

While it’s a workstation, the P1 Gen 4 aimed to be more portable than many of its competitors.

With the 16-inch screen, it did get a bit larger, but Lenovo worked to keep the thickness and weight down.

Aspect	P1 Gen 4 Approximate	Typical 16-inch Workstation Approximate
Weight	3.99 lbs 1.81 kg	5.5 lbs 2.5 kg +
Thickness	0.74 inches 18.9 mm	1.0 inches 25 mm +

This focus on portability meant that while it wasn’t an ultrabook, it was significantly easier to carry around than many traditional mobile workstations.

This was a crucial selling point for professionals who often moved between different offices, client sites, or even worked remotely from various locations.

Performance: Unleashing Raw Power for Professionals

The heart of any workstation is its raw processing capability, and the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 certainly didn’t disappoint.

It was engineered to handle demanding applications that would bring lesser machines to their knees.

Processor Options: Intel’s 11th Gen H-Series

At its core, the P1 Gen 4 leveraged Intel’s 11th Gen H-series processors, offering a significant performance uplift over previous generations. These chips, designed for high-performance laptops, provided excellent multi-core capabilities crucial for tasks like rendering, compiling code, and complex simulations. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2021)

Intel Core i7-11800H: A popular choice, offering 8 cores and 16 threads, with a Max Turbo Frequency of up to 4.60 GHz. Excellent for balanced performance across a variety of professional applications.
Intel Core i9-11950H: For users demanding even more, this option bumped up the clock speed and often included vPro technology for enhanced security and manageability.
Intel Xeon W-11855M: The top-tier professional option, also with 8 cores and 16 threads, but supporting ECC Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is critical for applications where data integrity is paramount, such as scientific computing or financial modeling, as it can detect and correct memory errors on the fly.

This range of processors allowed users to configure the P1 Gen 4 precisely to their workload and budget, ensuring they weren’t over- or under-provisioned.

Graphics Capabilities: NVIDIA RTX Professional GPUs

While the CPU handles general computations, professional graphics cards are the true workhorses for visual design, CAD, and rendering. The P1 Gen 4 came equipped with NVIDIA’s RTX professional GPUs, offering a substantial boost in performance and features.

NVIDIA RTX A2000: The entry-level professional GPU, still very capable for mainstream CAD, design, and some video editing. It provides dedicated RT Cores for ray tracing and Tensor Cores for AI acceleration.
NVIDIA RTX A3000: A step up, offering more CUDA cores, RT Cores, and Tensor Cores, suitable for more complex 3D modeling, larger assemblies, and faster rendering times.
NVIDIA RTX A4000: A powerhouse option, ideal for serious 3D rendering, virtual reality development, and complex simulation work. This GPU delivers significantly more computational power.
NVIDIA RTX A5000: The absolute top-tier offering for the P1 Gen 4, providing workstation-class performance for the most demanding tasks, including high-end animation, photorealistic rendering, and machine learning development.

These GPUs are optimized and certified for a wide range of professional applications, ensuring stability and performance that consumer-grade cards often cannot match.

This is crucial for professionals who rely on their software to run flawlessly, as driver optimizations make a significant difference.

RAM and Storage Configurations

Beyond the CPU and GPU, ample and fast memory and storage are non-negotiable for a professional workstation.

RAM: The P1 Gen 4 supported up to 64GB of DDR4-3200MHz RAM, configured in two SODIMM slots. For most users, 16GB or 32GB would suffice, but 64GB was available for those dealing with massive datasets, large CAD assemblies, or multiple virtual machines. The option for ECC memory with the Xeon processor was a significant differentiator for mission-critical applications.
Storage: It featured two M.2 PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD slots. This meant incredibly fast read/write speeds, drastically reducing application load times and file transfers. Users could configure up to 4TB of storage 2x 2TB drives, which is crucial for professionals working with large video files, project assets, or extensive datasets. The PCIe Gen 4 interface offered roughly double the bandwidth of Gen 3, a tangible improvement for high-throughput workloads.

This combination of cutting-edge processors, powerful professional graphics, and ample high-speed memory and storage ensured the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 was a true performance beast, capable of tackling virtually any professional workload thrown at it.

Display Options: A Visual Feast for Creators

The display is a critical component for professionals who spend hours looking at their screens, especially those in design, video editing, or engineering.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 made a significant jump to a 16-inch panel, providing more screen real estate, a welcome change for productivity.

16-inch Aspect Ratio and Resolution

A key differentiator for the P1 Gen 4 was its move to a 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This is a noticeable improvement over the traditional 16:9 displays found in many laptops. HP Spectre x360 14 (2023)

16:10 Aspect Ratio: Provides more vertical screen space, which is incredibly beneficial for productivity applications, coding, document editing, and especially for creative work like video editing timelines or CAD software, where vertical room can reduce scrolling.
Resolution Options:
- WQXGA 2560 x 1600: This was a common base option, offering a sharp image and good pixel density. It’s an excellent balance between resolution and battery life for many users.
- UHD+ 3840 x 2400: The premium option, delivering incredibly sharp, detailed visuals. Essential for professionals working with high-resolution images, 4K video, or intricate designs where every pixel matters.

Color Accuracy and Brightness

For creative professionals, color accuracy isn’t just a nice-to-have. it’s a necessity.

The P1 Gen 4 offered panels designed with this in mind.

Color Gamut Coverage:
- WQXGA Panel: Typically covered 100% sRGB, which is excellent for general use, web design, and many business applications.
- UHD+ Panel: Often boasted 100% Adobe RGB and 100% DCI-P3 coverage. This is crucial for photographers, video editors, and graphic designers who need to ensure their work’s colors are accurate across different mediums and devices.
Brightness: Panels typically offered 500 nits of brightness, making them usable in brightly lit environments and providing vibrant HDR content if supported.
Dolby Vision HDR Support: Some configurations of the UHD+ panel included Dolby Vision HDR support, enhancing contrast and color depth for compatible content, particularly useful for video post-production.

Anti-Glare vs. Touch/Glossy

Users could typically choose between anti-glare and touch-enabled glossy displays.

Anti-Glare: Preferred by many professionals for extended work sessions, as it significantly reduces reflections from ambient light sources, reducing eye strain. This is often the default for the WQXGA panels.
Touch/Glossy: Some configurations offered a touch-enabled glossy screen, sometimes with Gorilla Glass for added durability. While it means more reflections, it can enhance vibrancy and offers touch input for certain workflows.

The diverse display options ensured that whether you prioritized pixel density, color accuracy, or touch functionality, there was a P1 Gen 4 configuration to meet your specific visual needs.

Keyboard, TrackPad, and Connectivity: The ThinkPad Experience

The ThinkPad reputation for an excellent keyboard is legendary, and the P1 Gen 4 2021 continued this tradition.

Beyond the keyboard, robust connectivity options are paramount for a mobile workstation.

The Legendary ThinkPad Keyboard

For many, the ThinkPad keyboard is a primary reason to choose these laptops. The P1 Gen 4 upheld this standard.

Tactile Feedback: Known for its deep key travel and satisfying tactile feedback, allowing for comfortable and accurate typing for extended periods. This is a huge win for writers, programmers, and anyone who spends hours typing.
Dish-Shaped Keys: The slight dish shape of the keycaps helps cradle the fingertips, improving typing comfort and reducing errors.
Backlighting: Multi-level backlighting is standard, making it easy to work in dimly lit environments.
Spill-Resistant: The keyboard is typically spill-resistant, providing an extra layer of protection against accidental spills, a small but important detail for professionals.

TrackPoint and TrackPad

Complementing the keyboard are the iconic TrackPoint and a responsive TrackPad.

TrackPoint: The classic red pointing stick embedded in the keyboard remains a favorite for many ThinkPad users, allowing for precise cursor control without lifting hands from the home row. This is particularly useful in CAD applications where fine movements are needed.
Glass Surface TrackPad: The large, precision glass TrackPad supports Windows Precision drivers, offering smooth multi-finger gestures and accurate tracking. Its size provides ample room for navigation.

Port Selection and Connectivity

Connectivity is crucial for a professional workstation.

The P1 Gen 4 offered a comprehensive array of ports to eliminate the need for dongles in most scenarios. LG gram 17 (2021)

Thunderbolt 4: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports are a highlight, offering blazing fast data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, power delivery, and the ability to connect multiple external 4K displays or an eGPU enclosure. This is critical for docking solutions and high-bandwidth peripherals.
USB-A: Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports ensure compatibility with legacy devices and standard USB peripherals.
HDMI 2.1: An HDMI 2.1 port allows for direct connection to external monitors and TVs, supporting up to 4K resolutions at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz.
SD Card Reader: A full-size SD card reader is invaluable for photographers and videographers for quick media transfer.
Headphone/Mic Combo Jack: A standard 3.5mm jack for audio.
Power Input: A proprietary slim-tip power connector for the high-wattage charger.

Wireless Connectivity

For wireless needs, the P1 Gen 4 was equipped with the latest standards.

Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax: Provides faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded network environments. Essential for quick cloud access and large file downloads.
Bluetooth 5.2: For connecting wireless peripherals like mice, keyboards, and headphones with improved range and stability.
Optional WWAN: Some configurations offered optional WWAN 4G LTE or 5G support, allowing professionals to stay connected even without Wi-Fi, critical for fieldwork or constant connectivity needs.

This comprehensive suite of input devices and connectivity options ensures the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 is not just a powerful machine, but also a highly usable and versatile one for any professional setting.

Cooling and Thermals: Taming the Beast

High-performance components generate heat, and how a laptop manages this heat directly impacts sustained performance and longevity.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 was designed with a robust thermal management system to ensure its powerful internals could operate effectively under load.

Vapor Chamber Cooling System

Lenovo employed a vapor chamber cooling system in the P1 Gen 4, especially for configurations with higher-end GPUs like the RTX A4000 or A5000.

Principle: Vapor chambers are highly efficient at heat spreading. They contain a small amount of fluid that vaporizes when heated, carrying heat away from the component, and then condenses in a cooler part of the chamber, releasing the heat to fins where it can be dissipated by fans. This continuous cycle provides superior heat transfer compared to traditional copper heat pipes.
Benefits: This technology allowed the P1 Gen 4 to maintain lower temperatures on the CPU and GPU, which is crucial for preventing thermal throttling during intensive tasks. Lower temperatures mean the components can sustain their boost clocks for longer periods, resulting in better real-world performance for rendering, simulations, and gaming.

Dual Fan Design

In addition to the vapor chamber, the P1 Gen 4 featured a dual fan design.

Strategic Placement: The fans are typically positioned to pull cool air in and exhaust hot air efficiently from the chassis, often from the rear and sides.
Acoustics: While powerful, Lenovo aimed to keep the fan noise at a reasonable level even under load. For a workstation, some fan noise is expected during heavy tasks, but the goal is to make it a consistent hum rather than an annoying whine. Users often have different preferences for fan noise, but the P1 Gen 4 generally performs well in this regard for its class.

Thermal Management Software

Lenovo’s ThinkPad Vantage software or similar system utilities plays a role in managing thermal performance.

Power Modes: Users can often select different power profiles e.g., “Intelligent Cooling,” “Extreme Performance,” “Battery Saver” which adjust CPU/GPU power limits and fan curves to balance performance with acoustics and battery life.
Monitoring: The software allows users to monitor system temperatures, fan speeds, and CPU/GPU utilization, providing insight into how the system is performing under various loads.

Performance Under Sustained Load

For a workstation, peak performance numbers are less important than sustained performance. How well the P1 Gen 4 maintained its clock speeds and performance over a long rendering job or a lengthy simulation was a key indicator of its thermal efficiency.

While no thin and light workstation can completely eliminate thermal throttling under the most extreme, prolonged loads, the P1 Gen 4’s cooling system was designed to mitigate it effectively, ensuring that professionals could rely on its power for critical tasks without significant performance degradation due to heat.

Security and Manageability: Enterprise-Grade Protection

ThinkPads are synonymous with enterprise-grade security and manageability features, and the P1 Gen 4 2021 continued this tradition.

These features are crucial for businesses and professionals handling sensitive data or operating within regulated environments.

Hardware-Level Security

The P1 Gen 4 incorporates several hardware-based security measures that go beyond software solutions.

Discrete Trusted Platform Module dTPM 2.0: This dedicated chip provides hardware-based encryption and security functions, such as securely storing cryptographic keys, allowing for secure boot processes and BitLocker drive encryption. It helps protect against unauthorized access to data.
Intel vPro Platform Optional: Available with certain Intel Core i7, i9, and Xeon processors, vPro offers a suite of hardware-based features for enhanced security and remote management. This includes remote out-of-band management capabilities, allowing IT departments to diagnose, repair, and protect the system even if the OS is not responsive.
Self-Healing BIOS: If the BIOS becomes corrupted, this feature can automatically restore a previous working version, preventing costly downtime.
Physical Security:
- Kensington Lock Slot: Allows for physical tethering of the laptop to prevent theft in public or office environments.
- Webcam Privacy Shutter ThinkShutter: A physical slider that covers the webcam, providing a simple yet effective way to ensure privacy when the camera is not in use.

Biometric Authentication

Quick and secure login methods are essential for productivity.

Fingerprint Reader: Integrated into the power button, allowing for one-touch login via Windows Hello. It’s fast, convenient, and more secure than traditional password entry.
IR Camera for Facial Recognition: An optional infrared camera enables Windows Hello facial recognition, allowing users to log in just by looking at the laptop. This is particularly convenient in various lighting conditions.

Software and Manageability Features

Beyond hardware, Lenovo provides tools and features for easier deployment, management, and security.

Lenovo Commercial Vantage: A specialized version of Vantage software designed for enterprise use, offering features like remote health monitoring, driver updates, and system configuration.
Microsoft Endpoint Manager formerly Intune Compatibility: Designed to be easily managed and deployed within large enterprise environments using standard IT management tools.
BIOS Security Features: Comprehensive BIOS settings allow IT administrators to disable specific ports, manage boot options, and set supervisor passwords, providing granular control over the device’s security posture.
NIST SP 800-147 Compliance: Adherence to this standard ensures secure firmware updates, protecting against malicious firmware injection.

Security Feature	Benefit
dTPM 2.0	Hardware-level encryption, secure boot
Intel vPro	Remote management, enhanced hardware security
Webcam Privacy Shutter	Physical privacy control
Fingerprint Reader/IR Camera	Fast, secure biometric login
Self-Healing BIOS	Protection against BIOS corruption
Kensington Lock Slot	Physical anti-theft

The robust array of security and manageability features in the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 underscores its positioning as a reliable, secure choice for businesses and professionals who prioritize data protection and efficient IT administration.

Battery Life and Power Adapter: On-the-Go Productivity

While mobile workstations are known for their power, their usefulness on the go is heavily dictated by battery life and the practicality of their power adapters.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 aimed for a balance here.

Battery Capacity and Real-World Usage

The P1 Gen 4 was equipped with a 90Wh battery, which is a sizable capacity for a laptop of its class. However, the actual battery life varied significantly depending on the configuration and workload. Dell XPS 13 (2024)

CPU/GPU Impact: Models with the more powerful Intel Core i9 or Xeon processors and especially the higher-end NVIDIA RTX A4000/A5000 GPUs would naturally consume more power, leading to shorter battery life.
Display Resolution: The UHD+ 3840 x 2400 display consumed noticeably more power than the WQXGA 2560 x 1600 option due to the higher pixel count and often higher brightness.
Workload:
- Light Usage Web browsing, document editing: Users could typically expect 6-8 hours of battery life with the WQXGA display.
- Moderate Usage Light photo editing, coding: This would likely drop to 4-6 hours.
- Heavy Usage Rendering, CAD, video editing: During intensive tasks, battery life would be significantly shorter, perhaps 1-3 hours, as the CPU and GPU would be working at full tilt, consuming maximum power.

Key Takeaway: For serious compute-intensive tasks, always plan to be near an outlet. The battery is there to provide mobility for lighter work or brief bursts of heavy work.

Power Adapter and Charging

Given the high power demands of the components, a powerful external power adapter was necessary.

Wattage: The P1 Gen 4 typically shipped with a 170W or 230W slim-tip power adapter, depending on the CPU/GPU configuration. The higher wattage was crucial for systems with RTX A4000/A5000 GPUs to ensure the laptop received enough power under full load and could charge simultaneously.
Slim-Tip Connector: Lenovo uses its proprietary slim-tip connector for the primary power input. While Thunderbolt 4 ports can support power delivery, the wattage required for the P1 Gen 4 under load usually exceeded what a standard USB-C charger could provide effectively e.g., 100W USB-C PD. Therefore, the dedicated adapter was essential for sustained performance.
Rapid Charge Technology: Like most ThinkPads, the P1 Gen 4 supported Rapid Charge technology, allowing the battery to charge up to 80% in about an hour. This is incredibly useful for quick top-ups between meetings or flights.

While the battery life might not compete with ultrabooks, it’s competitive within the mobile workstation category, especially considering the power packed inside.

The rapid charge feature helps mitigate situations where a full charge isn’t possible, making the P1 Gen 4 a practical choice for professionals on the move, provided they manage their expectations for heavy workload battery drain.

Software and User Experience: ThinkPad Refinements

Beyond the hardware, the software environment and overall user experience contribute significantly to a workstation’s value.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 delivered a clean Windows experience complemented by useful Lenovo utilities.

Operating System and Pre-installed Software

The P1 Gen 4 primarily shipped with Windows 10 Pro, which is the preferred operating system for most business and professional users due to its advanced security features, remote desktop capabilities, and domain joining options. Users also had the option for Windows 10 Home or, eventually, an upgrade path to Windows 11.

Minimal Bloatware: A hallmark of ThinkPads is their relatively clean software image. Unlike many consumer laptops, the P1 Gen 4 generally comes with minimal pre-installed third-party bloatware, leading to a snappier out-of-the-box experience.
Lenovo Vantage: This is Lenovo’s primary utility for managing the system. It offers:
- System Health Checks: Diagnostics for hardware components.
- Driver and BIOS Updates: Keeps the system up-to-date with critical updates.
- Warranty Information: Easy access to service and support details.
- Power Management Profiles: Allows users to switch between performance, balanced, and battery-saving modes.
- Keyboard/TrackPad Customization: Fine-tuning settings for input devices.
- Wi-Fi Security: Basic network security monitoring.

Audio and Webcam Quality

While not the primary focus of a workstation, decent audio and webcam quality are increasingly important for virtual meetings.

Dolby Atmos Speaker System: The P1 Gen 4 often featured Dolby Atmos-tuned speakers, which provided surprisingly good audio quality for a laptop, especially for voice calls and media consumption. It offered a spatial audio experience, enhancing clarity.
Full HD 1080p Webcam: Many configurations came with a 1080p webcam, a significant upgrade from the common 720p webcams found in many laptops. This translates to clearer video during online meetings, which is crucial for professional communication.
Dual-Array Microphones: Noise-cancelling dual-array microphones ensured that voice input was clear, even in moderately noisy environments, helping to filter out background distractions during calls.

User Feedback and Common Impressions

Overall, user feedback for the P1 Gen 4 generally highlighted its strengths as a powerful and reliable workstation. Framework Laptop 13 (2021)

Pros Frequently Mentioned:
- Excellent Performance: Consistent praise for its ability to handle demanding applications.
- Superb Keyboard: A perennial ThinkPad highlight.
- High-Quality Display Options: Especially the UHD+ panel for color-critical work.
- Robust Build Quality: The durability is a major draw.
- Port Selection: Comprehensive port array reduces dongle dependence.
Cons Sometimes Noted:
- Battery Life Under Load: As expected for a workstation, intense tasks drain the battery quickly.
- Price: Premium performance comes at a premium price.
- Fan Noise Under Load: While managed, high-load scenarios still result in audible fan noise.
- Weight: While light for a workstation, it’s still heavier than ultrabooks, which is a trade-off for power.

The P1 Gen 4 delivered a well-rounded user experience, combining Lenovo’s enterprise focus with the raw power needed by professionals.

The thoughtful inclusion of features like the 1080p webcam and Dolby Atmos speakers addressed modern professional needs for effective virtual collaboration, while the core ThinkPad strengths like the keyboard and minimal bloatware ensured a productive and reliable computing environment.

Conclusion: Is the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 Still Relevant?

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 was a compelling mobile workstation when it launched, offering a potent blend of high-end performance, classic ThinkPad durability, and a professional aesthetic.

Strengths That Endure

Many of the P1 Gen 4’s core strengths continue to hold up well, particularly for specific use cases.

Processing Power: The 11th Gen Intel H-series processors and NVIDIA RTX A-series GPUs are still highly capable. For many professional tasks like CAD, moderate video editing, data analysis, and software development, these components offer more than enough horsepower. Unless you’re tackling cutting-edge AI model training or 8K video production, the performance remains excellent.
Build Quality and Keyboard: The legendary ThinkPad build quality, including the carbon fiber and magnesium alloy chassis and the spill-resistant keyboard, ensures longevity. This machine was built to last, and its robust design is still a significant advantage over many contemporary laptops.
Port Selection: The comprehensive port array, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, and a full-size SD card reader, is arguably better than many newer, thinner laptops that have sacrificed ports for slimmer designs. This reduces the need for dongles and adapters, which is a massive productivity boon for professionals.
Display Options: The 16-inch 16:10 aspect ratio displays, especially the UHD+ panel with 100% Adobe RGB/DCI-P3 coverage, remain excellent for color-critical work. While newer displays might offer higher refresh rates, for professional content creation, color accuracy is paramount.

Considerations in Today’s Market

However, it’s important to acknowledge where the P1 Gen 4 2021 might show its age compared to newer models.

Newer Processors: Successive generations of Intel 12th, 13th, 14th Gen and AMD Ryzen 6000, 7000 series processors have brought efficiency improvements and architectural changes like Intel’s hybrid architecture that offer better performance per watt. While the P1 Gen 4 is powerful, newer chips might offer similar performance with better battery life or in a cooler package.
GPU Advancements: NVIDIA has released newer generations of their professional GPUs since 2021, offering further performance gains and efficiency improvements.
Pricing New vs. Refurbished: While you might find new stock at discounted prices, its true value now lies in the refurbished or used market. A well-maintained P1 Gen 4 can offer exceptional value for money for its performance class.
USB-C Charging: While it has Thunderbolt 4, the reliance on the proprietary slim-tip for full power means you can’t use a universal high-wattage USB-C charger for full performance, a minor inconvenience compared to some newer machines.

Ideal User Today

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 remains a highly relevant and capable machine for specific individuals and organizations:

Budget-Conscious Professionals: Those looking for a powerful mobile workstation without the top-tier price tag of the very latest models. Refurbished units offer excellent value.
Engineers and Designers: Users of CAD software e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Revit, 3D modeling e.g., Blender, Maya, and simulation tools will still find its CPU and RTX A-series GPU combination highly effective.
Video Editors and Content Creators: Especially those working with 1080p or 4K video, where the ample RAM, fast storage, and dedicated GPU acceleration remain beneficial.
Developers and Programmers: The excellent keyboard, powerful CPU, and ability to run multiple virtual machines make it a strong coding platform.
IT Departments: For organizations seeking reliable, manageable, and secure workstations that can withstand demanding use, the P1 Gen 4’s enterprise features are still highly desirable.

In essence, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 isn’t the absolute newest or fastest, but it’s far from obsolete.

It’s a testament to solid engineering, offering a robust and powerful platform that continues to deliver for demanding professional workloads.

If you find one at the right price, it could still be an exceptionally smart investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021?

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 is a high-performance mobile workstation laptop designed for professionals in fields like engineering, design, content creation, and data science, featuring a 16-inch display, Intel 11th Gen H-series processors, and NVIDIA RTX professional graphics. Dell Alienware m18 (2023)

What are the key specifications of the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4?

Key specifications include Intel 11th Gen Core i7/i9 or Xeon W-11xxx processors, NVIDIA RTX A2000, A3000, A4000, or A5000 professional GPUs, up to 64GB DDR4 RAM, up to 4TB NVMe SSD storage, and 16-inch WQXGA or UHD+ display options.

Is the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 suitable for gaming?

Yes, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 can handle gaming due to its powerful CPU and NVIDIA RTX A-series GPUs which share architecture with consumer RTX cards. However, it’s primarily optimized for professional applications, and dedicated gaming laptops might offer better value or higher refresh rate displays for gaming.

What display options were available for the P1 Gen 4?

The P1 Gen 4 offered 16-inch display options including a WQXGA 2560×1600 IPS panel, typically with 100% sRGB coverage, and a UHD+ 3840×2400 IPS panel, often with 100% Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 coverage, some with Dolby Vision HDR.

Does the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 have a good keyboard?

Yes, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 features the renowned ThinkPad keyboard, known for its excellent tactile feedback, deep key travel, dish-shaped keys, and spill-resistant design, making it ideal for extended typing sessions.

What kind of ports does the P1 Gen 4 have?

The P1 Gen 4 typically includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a full-size SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Can I upgrade the RAM and storage on the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4?

Yes, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 is highly upgradeable.

It supports up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM via two SODIMM slots and features two M.2 PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD slots for storage expansion.

What are the thermal management features of the P1 Gen 4?

The P1 Gen 4 employs a vapor chamber cooling system on higher-end configurations and a dual-fan design to efficiently dissipate heat from the CPU and GPU, ensuring sustained performance under heavy loads.

What is the battery life like on the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4?

Battery life varies significantly based on configuration CPU/GPU, display resolution and workload.

For light tasks, it can offer 6-8 hours, but intensive professional applications will drain the 90Wh battery much faster, potentially down to 1-3 hours. Dell XPS 14 (2024)

Does the P1 Gen 4 support Thunderbolt 4?

Yes, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, providing high-speed data transfer, power delivery, and multi-display support.

Is the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 heavy?

No, it’s relatively lightweight for a mobile workstation.

Weighing approximately 3.99 lbs 1.81 kg and being around 0.74 inches thick, it offers a good balance of portability and power.

Does the P1 Gen 4 have a webcam privacy shutter?

Yes, it typically includes the ThinkShutter, a physical privacy shutter for the webcam, allowing users to physically block the camera when not in use.

What operating system does the P1 Gen 4 run?

The ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 2021 primarily shipped with Windows 10 Pro, with an upgrade path to Windows 11.

Is ECC memory supported on the P1 Gen 4?

Yes, ECC Error-Correcting Code memory is supported if you configure the P1 Gen 4 with an Intel Xeon W-series processor.

What security features does the P1 Gen 4 offer?

Security features include a discrete TPM 2.0 chip, optional Intel vPro, a fingerprint reader, an optional IR camera for facial recognition Windows Hello, and a Kensington lock slot.

What is the advantage of a 16:10 aspect ratio display?

A 16:10 aspect ratio provides more vertical screen real estate compared to traditional 16:9 displays, which is beneficial for productivity applications, coding, and content creation as it reduces the need for scrolling.

Can the P1 Gen 4 run 4K video editing smoothly?

Yes, with its powerful Intel 11th Gen H-series processors, NVIDIA RTX A-series GPUs, and ample RAM/NVMe storage, the P1 Gen 4 is well-equipped to handle 4K video editing smoothly, especially with appropriate proxies.

Is the P1 Gen 4 good for CAD software?

Absolutely. Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023)

Its professional-grade CPU, NVIDIA RTX A-series GPUs certified for CAD software, and robust memory/storage configurations make it an excellent choice for CAD applications like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Revit.

Does the P1 Gen 4 come with a full-size SD card reader?

Yes, it typically includes a full-size SD card reader, which is convenient for photographers and videographers.

What is the maximum storage capacity supported?

The ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 supports up to 4TB of NVMe SSD storage, configured with two M.2 PCIe Gen 4 drives 2x 2TB.

Is the P1 Gen 4 still relevant in 2024?

Yes, the P1 Gen 4 remains a relevant and capable mobile workstation in 2024, particularly for professionals needing strong performance for applications like CAD, video editing, and software development.

It offers excellent value in the used or refurbished market.

What is the main power adapter wattage for the P1 Gen 4?

The main power adapter for the P1 Gen 4 is typically either a 170W or 230W slim-tip adapter, depending on the GPU configuration, to ensure adequate power for demanding tasks.

Does the P1 Gen 4 support Wi-Fi 6?

Yes, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 is equipped with Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax for faster and more stable wireless connectivity.

What kind of webcam does the P1 Gen 4 have?

Many configurations of the P1 Gen 4 feature a Full HD 1080p webcam, providing clearer video quality for online meetings compared to standard 720p webcams.

Can the P1 Gen 4 be used with an external GPU?

Yes, thanks to its Thunderbolt 4 ports, the P1 Gen 4 can connect to external GPU eGPU enclosures, though its integrated NVIDIA RTX A-series GPUs already offer significant power.

What is the primary difference between the P1 Gen 4 and earlier generations?

The most significant differences for the P1 Gen 4 2021 were the upgrade to Intel 11th Gen H-series processors, NVIDIA RTX A-series professional GPUs, and a larger 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Acer Swift Go 14 (2024)

Does the P1 Gen 4 have a numpad?

No, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 being a 16-inch form factor focused on portability does not include a dedicated numerical keypad numpad on the right side of the keyboard.

Is the P1 Gen 4 good for machine learning or AI development?

Yes, the P1 Gen 4 with its NVIDIA RTX A-series GPUs, especially the A4000 or A5000, which feature Tensor Cores, is well-suited for entry to mid-level machine learning and AI development tasks requiring GPU acceleration.

How durable is the ThinkPad P1 Gen 4?

The P1 Gen 4 is built to ThinkPad’s high durability standards, featuring a carbon fiber lid and magnesium alloy chassis.

It often undergoes MIL-STD-810G testing, indicating resistance to various environmental stresses.

What is the maximum external display resolution supported by the P1 Gen 4?

Via its HDMI 2.1 port, the P1 Gen 4 can support an external display up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz.

The Thunderbolt 4 ports can also drive multiple 4K displays.

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 (2021)