Lenovo · 2023
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2
Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS, Radeon RX 6500M
The 16-inch design ThinkPad with a 7940HS, a Radeon RX 6500M dGPU and a 4K OLED option, and it is all AMD on mesa with no NVIDIA driver to wrestle.
from € 2.799 $2,599 RRP
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- Best for programming creative work AI and data work
- Linux: out of box
Scorecard
Mean of six category scores, 0 to 10. Compiled from public sources. How we rate.
Strongest on display and build, with no category below average.
- Battery 6/10
- Display 8/10
- Build 8/10
- Keyboard 8/10
- Speed 8/10
- Value 5/10
Worth knowing
Stands out
- Linux runs out of the box
- Bright 400-nit screen, readable in sunlight
Watch for
- RAM is soldered, no upgrade later
Linux
Excellent · Best on ubuntu LTS. Confidence: high · How we score
Linux compatibility, per distro
- Ubuntu LTS Out of the box
- Wi-Fi : works
- Bluetooth : works
- Fingerprint : broken
- Webcam : works
- Audio : needs tweak
- Suspend : needs tweak
5 stack. The big upside over a P16v on Linux is that everything graphical is AMD mesa: 7940HS iGPU plus a 6500M dGPU both on the open driver, no NVIDIA proprietary tax.
Ubuntu certified: ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 (Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS) →Show full report
graphical is AMD mesa: 7940HS iGPU plus a 6500M dGPU both on the open driver, no NVIDIA proprietary tax. Same haptic-touchpad story as the Z13: basic tracking on 6.5, pressure tuning is manual. Fingerprint reader has no libfprint driver. Audio wants a sof UCM profile. RAM is soldered LPDDR5X-6400 to 64GB, no SO-DIMM slots.
- Fedora Out of the box
- Wi-Fi : works
- Bluetooth : works
- Fingerprint : broken
- Webcam : works
- Audio : needs tweak
- Suspend : needs tweak
Fedora on a current kernel runs the 7940HS plus 6500M fully on mesa, which is the cleanest discrete-GPU experience in the 16-inch business laptop bracket. Same dead fingerprint and same audio UCM caveat.
See the broader picture in the Linux compatibility hub, the full compatibility matrix, and the buying guides.
Specs
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS |
|---|---|
| GPU | AMD Radeon RX 6500M (4GB) |
| RAM | 32 GB (soldered, not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 1 TB |
| Screen | 16" 3840x2400 @ 60Hz, 400 nitsbright enough for sunlight |
| Weight | 2.1 kgaverage weight |
| Battery | 72 Wh, around 6 h real-world |
Common questions
- Does the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 (Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS, Radeon RX 6500M) work with Linux?
- Yes, on a clean install it works with no tweaking (verified on Ubuntu LTS, Fedora). Ubuntu-certified for 22.04 LTS on the Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS with the RX 6500M discrete via the OEM kernel 6.5 stack.
- What does the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 (Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS, Radeon RX 6500M) cost?
- RRP is about 2599 USD (2799 EUR in the EU); street price is often lower.
- Is the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 (Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS, Radeon RX 6500M) good for programming?
- For programming we score it 5/10 on value and 8/10 on performance.
- How heavy is the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 (Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS, Radeon RX 6500M)?
- 2.1 kg (4.63 lb). That's heavy for a daily commute.
- What's the battery life like?
- A 72 Wh pack, around 6 hours real-world mixed use. We score battery 6/10.
- Can I upgrade the RAM or storage?
- RAM is soldered, so the 32 GB it ships with is the RAM it dies with. Storage starts at 1024 GB on this configuration.
Ready to buy the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 (Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS, Radeon RX 6500M)?
Prices are indicative. How we make money.
from € 2.799 $2,599 RRP
Check price on AmazonShown in EURUSD, switch with the currency toggle in the header. This is an indicative RRP, not a live price.
As an Amazon Associate (US, NL, DE, UK programs), qualifying purchases via this link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Other markets not yet enrolled. How we make money. Verified 2026-05-21.
