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
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 these affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Other markets not yet enrolled. How we make money. Verified 2026-05-21.
- 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.
- How heavy is the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 (Ryzen 9 PRO 7940HS, Radeon RX 6500M)?
- 2.1 kg (4.63 lb). That's average weight.
- 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 1 TB on this configuration.
- Which operating systems are supported?
- Ships with Windows. It also runs Linux; see the Linux block above for per-distro detail.
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 these affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Other markets not yet enrolled. How we make money. Verified 2026-05-21.
