ThinkPad Z series
| Company type | Line of laptops |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Lenovo (after acquisition of IBM's PC division) |
| Headquarters | Beijing , China |
| Products | Laptops |
| Parent | Lenovo |
The ThinkPad Z series represented a short-lived lineup of Lenovo laptops introduced shortly after the company’s 2005 acquisition, with a focus on enhanced multimedia capabilities. This series brought new features to the ThinkPad range, including 16:10 aspect ratio screens and built-in webcams—available exclusively on the Z61m and Z61t models. The original Z60m and Z60t units were launched in 2005, featuring 15.4-inch and 14.1-inch displays respectively, and shared design elements with the R52 model. By November 2006, the Z series was integrated into the T60 lineup through a new 15.4-inch widescreen version, marking the end of the initial Z series.
Lenovo revived the Z series in 2022 with the introduction of the Z13 and Z16 laptops, which were marketed as high-end, slim-and-light devices powered by AMD Ryzen 6000 mobile processors. These models aimed to compete directly with products like Apple’s MacBook Air and Dell’s XPS 13. Despite a new generation release toward the end of 2023, the long-term direction of this series remains unclear.
History and reception
The ThinkPad Z60m and Z60t were unveiled on 20 September 2005 and earned acclaim for their titanium cover design along with strong performance driven by Intel Pentium M CPUs and Mobility Radeon X600 graphics (specifically in the Z60m). On 16 May 2006, Lenovo launched successors—the Z61m and Z61t—equipped with Intel Core processors, improved 16:10 screens on the Z61t, and integrated webcams. At that time, a budget-friendly variant named Z61e was also introduced, which lacked features such as dedicated graphics cards.
While both the Z61m and Z61t received positive reviews, critics pointed out that the Z61m was somewhat bulky compared to peers, whereas the Z61t offered a more compact form factor relative to models like the T61. Subsequent iterations incorporated Intel Core 2 Duo processors for enhanced performance.
The premium-tier Z61p model debuted on 18 July 2006, boasting a high-resolution 1920×1200 panel, ATI FirePro V5200 graphics, and options for Core 2 Duo CPUs; however, it did not include the titanium lid option found on earlier models.
By late November 2006, Lenovo phased out the Z61m and Z61p in favor of widescreen T60 and T60p models. The Z61t was succeeded by the widescreen T61 in May 2007.
| Model | Release (US) | Dimensions (mm / in) | Weight (min) | CPU | Memory (max) | Graphics | Storage | Networking | Audio | Screen | Battery | Other | Operating System | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14" | ||||||||||||||
| ThinkPad Z60t | September 2005 | Template:Smalldiv | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:LaptopWeight | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor; |Intel Pentium M 740-780 Intel Celeron M 360J-380 |
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Safe | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial |
|
HD Audio & AD1981HD with stereo speakers & mic jacks | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;{{partial" |Anti-Glare: 14" 1280x768 (200 nits) |
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Safe | ||
| ThinkPad Z61t | May 2006 | Template:Smalldiv | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:LaptopWeight | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor; |Intel Celeron M 410-420 Intel Core Duo T2300E-T2500 Intel Core 2 Duo T5500-T7200 |
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Safe | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial |
BCM5752M gigabit ethernet Atheros AR5006EX Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG optional BT 2.0 V.92 modem Optional WWAN slot (Sierra Wireless) |
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;{{partial" |Anti-Glare: |
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial |
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Safe |
|||
| 15.4" | ||||||||||||||
| ThinkPad Z60m | September 2005 | Template:Smalldiv | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:LaptopWeight | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor; |Intel Pentium M 740-780 Intel Celeron M 360J-380 | ||||||||||
... [Table continues with similar compression for remaining models]
Contemporary Redesign
In January 2022, Lenovo introduced its modern laptop lineup starting with the Z13, available in three distinct finishes: a leather-covered lid accented with bronze paired with a black base, a fully black variant without leather or bronze details, and a silver version crafted from recycled aluminum resembling the all-black model. The Z16 was exclusively offered with a silver lid and black base, excluding any leather options. These refined materials emphasized Lenovo’s premium flagship status, positioning it as a direct rival to ASUS, Apple, and Dell.
The keyboard adopted a slimmer profile featuring a red trackpoint; however, dedicated physical buttons were replaced by a haptic feedback trackpad. The lid housed an integrated “Communications Bar” combining the webcam, Windows Hello infrared sensor, and microphone array. Connectivity was streamlined to USB-C ports only, all supporting high-speed data transfer up to 40 Gbit/s via Thunderbolt 4/USB4.
Each laptop was equipped with AMD Ryzen processors, showcasing AMD’s CPUs and integrated graphics solutions as a strategic highlight.
Z13 Gen 1
The first generation Z13 was exclusively powered by AMD Ryzen 6000 Pro series processors with Radeon integrated graphics. Memory configurations allowed up to 32 GB of soldered LPDDR5-6400MHz RAM, while storage options included up to 1 TB NVMe 2242 SSD. Additionally, an optional WWAN slot provided support for 4G-LTE connectivity.
| Model | US Launch | Dimensions (mm / in) | Minimum Weight | Processor | Maximum Memory | Graphics | Storage | Connectivity | Audio | Display | Battery Capacity | Additional Features | Operating System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13" | |||||||||||||
| ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 |
January 2022 | 294.4 × 199.6 × 13.99 11.59 × 7.86 × 0.55 |
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:LaptopWeight | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor; |AMD Ryzen Pro 5 6650U 7 6850U 7 6860Z |
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Safe | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial |
Optional WWAN Slot |
High Definition Audio & Realtek ALC3306 featuring stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support, and dual microphones with Dolby Voice | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;{{Safe|Haptic Touchpad
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Z16 Gen 1
Following the precedent set by the first-generation z13, the initial Z16 model incorporated AMD's Ryzen 6000 Pro processors. Users could select between integrated Radeon 6xx graphics or the discrete Radeon 6500M GPU. Memory configurations offered up to 32 GB of soldered LPDDR5 running at 6400 MHz, while storage options supported a maximum of a 2 TB NVMe 2280 SSD. Additionally, there was an optional WWAN slot for 4G-LTE connectivity.
| Model | Release (US) | Dimensions (mm / in) | Weight (min) | CPU | Memory (max) | Graphics | Storage | Networking | Audio | Screen | Battery | Other | Operating System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16" | |||||||||||||
| ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 |
January 2022 | Template:Smalldiv | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:LaptopWeight | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor; |AMD Ryzen Pro 5 6650H 7 6850H 9 6950H |
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Safe | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | No Onboard Ethernet
Qualcomm Wifi 6E (NFA725A) + BT 5.2 Optional WWAN Slot |
High Definition (HD) Audio & Realtek ALC3306 with stereo speakers within Dolby Atmos and dual-microphone array, 360° far-field with Dolby Voice | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;{{Safe|Haptic Touchpad
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2023
Announced in July and released by October of 2023, the second generation of the Z13 and Z16 preserved much of the original design language while upgrading internal components. These models transitioned to AMD Ryzen 7000 Pro processors and expanded maximum RAM capacity to 64 GB of LPDDR5x-6400 MHz memory (noting that although rated at 7500 MHz, it runs at a lower speed due to platform constraints).
Z13 Gen 2
Among the notable design revisions from the previous generation, the leather-covered lid was replaced with one made from Flax Fiber cloth, and the all-black color option was removed. However, the recycled aluminum finish remained available.
| Model | Release (US) | Dimensions (mm / in) | Weight (min) | CPU | Memory (max) | Graphics | Storage | Networking | Audio | Screen | Battery | Other | Operating System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13" | |||||||||||||
| ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2 |
October 2023 | Template:Smalldiv | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:LaptopWeight | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor; |AMD Ryzen Pro 5 7540U 7 7840U
|
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Safe | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | No Onboard Ethernet
MediaTek Wifi 6E (RZ616) + Bluetooth 5.3 Optional WWAN Slot |
High Definition Audio & Realtek ALC3306 with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, dual-microphone array, 360° far-field with Dolby Voice | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;{{Safe|
Haptic Touchpad
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Z16 Gen 2
The primary revision in the second-generation Z16 was the elimination of the optional WWAN slot, a feature that remains available on the Z13 along with its optional 4G modem.
| Model | US Launch | Dimensions (mm / in) | Weight (minimum) | Processor | Maximum Memory (max) | Graphics | Storage Options | Connectivity | Audio | Display | Battery Capacity | Additional Features | Operating System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16" | |||||||||||||
| ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 |
October 2023 | Template:Smalldiv | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:LaptopWeight | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor; |AMD Ryzen Pro 5 7640HS 7 7840HS 9 7940HS
|
style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Safe | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | No Integrated Ethernet
MediaTek Wifi 6E (RZ616) + Bluetooth 5.3 WWAN Slot Not Included |
High Definition Audio & Realtek ALC3306 with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, dual-microphone array, 360° far-field with Dolby Voice | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;Template:Partial | style="background:Template:LaptopPaletteColor;{{Safe|
Haptic Touchpad
|
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Modern Reception
The devices were widely commended for their energy-efficient performance, ease of portability, and refreshed aesthetics. Nevertheless, the redesign attracted some critique due to exclusive reliance on USB-C ports, necessitating adapters to connect older peripherals.
Concerns were raised about thermal management, with some reviewers observing that the keyboard area heats up during intensive workloads. Additionally, the keyboard's dimensions were criticized for not being accommodating enough for users with larger hands.
Opinions on the updated design were mixed; certain critics believed it emphasized style at the expense of practicality, while others felt the appearance strayed too far from classic ThinkPad characteristics, resembling consumer-grade laptops more than traditional business machines.