Lenovo’s ThinkBook series has been around for a while. The original ThinkBook was announced in 2019, with the Gen 2 model arriving a year later. Now we’re on the third generation of this laptop, and it’s a beauty.
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is designed for business users and graphic designers. It’s the first laptop with a 17.3-inch ultra-wide display, making it ideal for running multiple apps simultaneously. But the actual attraction is the secondary 8-inch color screen right next to the keyboard that can pull off all sorts of tricks.
It’s powered by a 12th-generation Intel Core i7 processor paired with 16GB RAM, making this laptop an excellent choice for demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is expensive and has some of the best specs available in its class.
But is it worth the hefty price tag? This review looks at the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 in detail to determine if it’s worth your money.
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Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 Overview
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a traditional laptop with a modern design. It looks like one of those professional workstations you would see in a science lab or an office. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a sturdy laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance and aesthetics.
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is the first laptop with a 17.3-inch ultra-wide display with a Full HD resolution. With the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3, Lenovo has created a fantastic notebook. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is frequently priced at $1,407.90, putting it in the higher tier price point regarding business laptops.
However, it also has some unique features that make it worth considering if you’re looking for a feature-packed laptop that can be used at home and in the office.
Release Date and Price
According to the Lenovo website, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 has a starting price of $1,407.90, which gets you the 12th Generation Intel Core i5-12500H Processor, 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
You can step up to the Core i7-12700H processor for $1,889. If you opt for the higher-end CPU, you can get 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for $2,141.40. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 was launched in May 2022.
Design
- Disclosure: Brand New Computer has been resealed to upgrade the Memory or SSD. One-year warranty from the manufacturer. Three-year warranty for upgraded Memory/SSD for Issaquah Highlands Tech...
- 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor (2.80 GHz, up to 4.70 GHz with Turbo Boost, 4 Cores, 8 Threads, 12 MB Cache); 16GB DDR4 Memory; 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, anti-glare, 250 nits; Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics functions as UHD Graphics - Expandable to 3 montiors via HDMI, Thunderbolt 4, Type-C, Max resolution for the...
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.4a), 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (Supports DisplayPort and Power Delivery), 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (1 always on), 1 x...
- Windows 10 Professional 64-bit, FREE upgrade to Windows 11 Pro available. Ideal for School Education, Designers, Professionals, Small Business, Programmers.
Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 offers a unique design that sets it apart from the rest of the company’s laptops. It’s the first laptop with a 17.3-inch ultra-wide display, making it ideal for running multiple apps simultaneously. It also has a secondary 8-inch color screen right next to the keyboard that can pull off all sorts of tricks.
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 comes with an aluminum chassis which gives it a sleek look and feel, weighing 4.3 pounds. It’s lighter than many other laptops, making it easy to carry around for long periods. The lid has a brushed metal finish, which looks great and feels solid.
Keyboard
The ThinkPad keyboard has been a staple of the brand for years, and this one is no different. It’s one of the best keyboards you can get on a laptop.
When pressed, the keys are soft and have just enough resistance to make them easy to type on without any mistakes or typos. You’ll also find no flexes in the keyboard when typing quickly or heavily.
The travel distance is also reasonable, with 2mm between each key press which ensures that each stroke registers accurately and makes it easy to type at high speeds without having to worry about missing keys or hitting the wrong ones by mistake.
Second Screen
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 has primary and secondary touchscreen displays next to the keyboard. This makes for exciting possibilities for multi-window usage scenarios (and an aesthetically pleasing look).
The bottom display is touch sensitive and can be used as a trackpad, or a secondary screen for showing off photos or browsing social media feeds while working on something else simultaneously. It supports Windows Ink, so you can write notes on the screen and even use a stylus to draw pictures or sign documents.
Connectivity
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 has four USB-C ports, two of which are Thunderbolt 3. There’s a full-size HDMI port, an SD card reader, and an Ethernet jack.
Display
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a 17.3-inch laptop with a display resolution of 3072 x 1440. The secondary display measures 8 inches with a resolution of 800 x 1280 and multitouch capabilities.
The display looks sharp and crisp. The bezels are thin, and the screen is bright enough to use comfortably in sunlight. It’s not as bright as the displays on some other laptops, but it’s still good enough for outdoor use.
Processor
The entry-level Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is powered by a 12th-generation Intel Core i5-12700H processor. The CPU performance is suitable for general use.
However, if you plan on doing heavy video editing or gaming, you may want to consider upgrading to the Core i7-12700H processor. It has a higher base frequency and can handle more intensive processing tasks.
Storage
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 offers massive storage space for your files, photos, videos, and more. You get up to 1TB of storage space on this laptop – plenty of room for all your media files. In addition to the hard drive, there’s also an SD card slot so you can quickly transfer photos from your camera directly into your computer.
Battery
Lenovo promises up to 11 hours of battery life on the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3. This should still get you through an average workday without needing to plug in, though you’ll want to keep an eye on that battery meter if you’re planning to use the laptop away from a power outlet for a long time.
Specifications
| Processor | 12th Generation Intel Core i5-12500H 12th Generation Intel Core i7-12700H |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Display | Main display: 17.3″, 3K (3072 x 1440) Secondary display: 8″ (800 x 1280) |
| Memory | Up to 32GB LPDDR5 |
| Battery | Up to 11 hours |
| Storage | Up to 1 TB PCIe SSD |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics |
| Security | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 |
| Audio | 2 x 2W Harman Kardon stereo speakers Dolby Atmos® Speaker System |
| Camera | FHD IRWebcam privacy shutter |
| Dimensions | 15.9~17.9mm x 410mm x 228mm |
| Weight | Starting at 2kg / 4.4lbs |
| Color | Storm Grey |
| Connectivity | WLAN: WiFi 6E 802.11AX Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | USB-C Thunderbolt 4USB-C 3.2 Gen 2USB-A 3.2 Gen 1USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 HDMI Headphone jack |
| Keyboard | 13″ backlit Glass touchpad |
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 Review
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a solid business-class laptop. It’s relatively affordable, lightweight, and comes with a 17-inch display. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 isn’t a powerhouse and is not meant for heavy gaming, but it can handle intensive tasks like video editing and word processing without breaking a sweat.
The ThinkBook’s display has a 3072 x 1440 resolution and IPS technology, so it looks good from nearly every angle. You can get up to 16GB of RAM in the base model of the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3, which should be plenty for most business users who need to multitask between several apps simultaneously.
The only downside here is that you’ll have to spend extra money if you want more than 512GB of SSD storage with the base model; no configurations are available. The 1TB model with the i7 processor will cost around $2,000.
- Disclosure: Brand New Computer has been resealed to upgrade the Memory or SSD. One-year warranty from the manufacturer. Three-year warranty for upgraded Memory/SSD for Issaquah Highlands Tech...
- 12th Generation Intel Deca-Core i7-1255U (10 cores 12 threads, base clock speed 1.7GHz, max turbo to 4.7GHz, 12MB L3 Cache); 16GB (8GB Soldered + 8GB SODIMM) DDR4 Memory; 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD (2 x...
- 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, Anti-Glare, 300 nits, Narrow Bezel; Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics functions as UHD Graphics - Expandable to 3 montiors via HDMI, Thunderbolt 4, Type-C, Max resolution...
- Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.4a), USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (Supports DisplayPort and Power Delivery), 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (1 always on), HDMI 2.1...
- Windows 11 Professional 64-bit - Ideal for School Education, Designers, Professionals, Small Business, Programmers, Streaming, Online Class, Remote Learning, Zoom Meeting, Video Conference, etc.
Still, the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a thin, light, and powerful laptop made for business users. It has a comfortable keyboard, an extensive secondary screen, and numerous ports. The display is bright and sharp with sound color reproduction.
The ThinkBook Plus also runs quietly and stays calm under heavy loads. It’s not quite as fast as some other laptops in its class, but it’s still more powerful enough for most business users.
With the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3, Lenovo has created a notebook with a 17.3-inch display designed for business users. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is priced at around $1,775, which puts it in the middle of the road regarding business laptops.
However, it also has some unique features that make it worth considering if you’re looking for a powerful laptop that can be used at home and in the office.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Innovative second 8-inch screen | Could be too wide for some backpacks |
| Ultra-wide main display for multitasking | Battery life is shorter than claimed |
| Powerful 12th gen Intel Core CPU | |
| Digital pen included |
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3: Is It a Buy?
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a high-quality laptop with superb performance, excellent battery life, and a gorgeous display. It’s also beautiful with its thin bezels, so it’s perfect for people who want something that looks more like a MacBook than a regular laptop.
The secondary display is the main highlight of this laptop. This makes for exciting possibilities for multi-window usage scenarios. It is touch sensitive and can be used as a trackpad or secondary screen for showing off photos or browsing social media feeds while working on something else simultaneously.
Buy it if…
You want a solid, reliable business laptop
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a powerful laptop built to last. It has a durable aluminum chassis and can be configured with up to a 12h-generation Intel Core i7 processor. If you need a business laptop that can handle heavy workloads and multitasking, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 will do the job.
You are a student or a professional who needs a versatile laptop for college or work
You want to buy a computer with good battery life, and you don’t mind carrying it around all day. The ThinkBook Plus is a good choice if you’re looking for a business laptop that’s easy to use, comfortable, and relatively affordable. The 17.3-inch laptop is available in several configurations that range from $1,700 to $2,200.
Don’t Buy it if…
You want to play high-end games or do heavy photo editing work on the go
This model is probably unsuitable if you want a lightweight laptop with a good battery life. At just over 4 pounds, this laptop is bulky and does not have enough battery life to justify it being so heavy.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Jack Skeens/Shutterstock.com.
