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Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 (Ryzen7 6850U, 32GB LPDDR5-6400Mhz, 1TB SSD, 13.3" 1920x1200 100% sRGB 400nits) $1,835.99 Delivered @ Lenovo

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Finally pulled the trigger on a laptop, deal seemed too good to pass up! Amazing price combining 50% discount on starting price ($1,799 down from $3,599 RRP which is a bit of a joke…) with some big discounts on upgrades.

Stack 13% cashback from Cheddar (expires tomorrow 14 Feb 2023) for even more savings: https://www.getcheddar.com.au/brand/lenovo-g9jp80/deal/13-pe… (possibly capped at $100, although mine said it tracked $238.68). expired
Cashrewards 12% cashback.

Selections and pricing

Starting price $1,799.99
13.3" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), IPS, Anti-Glare, Non-Touch, 100% sRGB, 400 nits, Low Power -$200
AMD Ryzen™ 7 PRO 6850U Processor +$99 (normally $250)
32 GB LPDDR5-6400MHz (Soldered) +$79 (normally $285)
1 TB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe Gen4 TLC Opal +$59 (normally +$399.99)
TOTAL $1,835.99

Cashback (13%) -$238.68
TOTAL after cashback $1,597.31

Alternatively, the above but with the OLED display is $2,186.00 before cashback (+$350.01 on the above, select 13.3" WQXGA+ (2880 x 1800), OLED, Anti-Reflective/Anti-Smudge, Touch, 100% DCI-P3, 400 nits).

Reviews

Lots of reviews online, some of the most detailed ones are from Notebook Check:
* Non-touch version: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-Z13-laptop-rev…
* OLED version: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-Z13-G1-OLED-Re…

Personally I chose the matte non-touch display which is cheaper and also gives significantly longer battery life.

Related Stores

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closed Comments

  • +7

    Very good price. Back when I was looking at them they were a) too expensive and b) did not have a higher RAM and better screen options.

  • +13

    I use business PC for work, but thanks to that, I'd never ever buy a laptop without USB C PD and thunderbolt 4 now, ever.

    • +5

      Docking stations are great

    • +5

      Yup we run Lenovo at work and my biggest regret for my Ryzen is that I didn't pay attention to the ports and it doesn't do USB PD and/or Thunderbolt.

      You can get Thunderbolt compatible AMD but they are rare and it's a premium (which for $3500RRP should be included IMO)

    • +4

      Can someone tell me why TB4 is so uber?

      I've got USB C run a small plug in dock of it and can output to a 4k monitor and plug in other stuff to it

      • Can it charge? Not sure why the uber hype about it too

    • +3

      thunderbolt 4

      Intel is really pulling a dodgy with the marketing. USB4 is basically TB3, so this Z13 will support all TB3 docks and accessories at full speed.

      Yes, you do lose out on TB4, but I also can't imagine why one would realistically need TB4 speeds on a machine like the Z13.

      • +1

        because it costs $1,800….

      • How is that dodgy marketing? TB3 has been out for 6+ years and even then you are stuck at 4k 60hz.

        You won't know the limits of TB3 until you've lived with it to find out the limitations on your setup.

        • +15

          How is that dodgy marketing?

          It's dodgy marketing because Thunderbolt has been an absolute mess in terms of the way that it's been implemented. The complexity is that Thunderbolt is a proprietary (sort of) standard that is based off open standards. In other words, one can replicate the functionality of Thunderbolt with open standards, one just cannot actually call it Thunderbolt.

          On top of that, the delineation between TB3 and TB4 is also a complete mess. TB3 was made an open-standard, which is now USB4, with TB4 only offering certain marginal improvements over TB3 (e.g. doubling the PCIe data rate from 16Gbps to 32Gbps). What percentage of people use external GPUs and require that additional bandwidth? Likely not many purchasing a business notebook like this (hence my original comment).

          The long and short is that if you plug this Z13 into a TB3 dock, it will work, if you plug it into a TB4 dock, it will most likely work. For all intents and purposes for the vast majority of users, the Z13 has TB, it is just not "allowed" to be called TB because it's an AMD notebook.

          TB3 has been out for 6+ years and even then you are stuck at 4k 60hz.

          What percentage of users need more than 4K60 on a business laptop?

          You won't know the limits of TB3 until you've lived with it to find out the limitations on your setup.

          I use TB3 daily in various setups - including my main setup, which is 2 x 3440x1440 ultrawides at 75 Hz.

          No limitations from my side, but ultimately, I'm not trying to drive 4K 144Hz panels.

  • +1

    where the ports?

  • +2

    need a laptop with 64GB RAM :(

    • +1

      y

      • +1

        Z

      • +19

        Running chrome

      • +10

        multiple VMs

        • +2

          Microsoft Teams!

    • +1

      but 8gb is enough!

    • +1

      Unfortunately, the memory here is soldered to the motherboard. You can choose between configurations with 16 or 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, running at 6400MHz in quad-channel mode.

      https://laptopmedia.com/highlights/inside-lenovo-thinkpad-z1…

      Bigsads. My Lenovo X1 came with 16gb from factory and I upgraded to 2x32gb DDR4. Would be nice to run 64GB on a newer model, soldered ram is very limiting.

      If you held onto the laptop for a few years it may even be economical to upgrade it to 2x64gb ddr5 and have 128gb ram.

    • +1

      The upcoming X1 Carbon Gen 11 supports 64GB ram but will probably cost an absolute bomb on launch! I don't personally need 64GB ram and don't expect to anytime soon. If I did and I wanted something portable I would probably get the Framework laptop DIY edition and purchase ram separately (although that has different compromises, particularly battery life). If portability isn't essential then there's plenty of larger laptop options with user upgradable memory.

    • Even my 10 year old clevo P150em laptop has 32gb ram so I feel your pain. Interesting that ram has gotten faster but not much denser in 10 years.

  • +1

    not even a usb port?

    • +2

      2 x USB4 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort™1.4a)

  • +2

    Great deal if you don't need the ports

    • +2

      2 x USB4 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort™1.4a)
      1 x Headphone / mic

      • +1

        Do you think you are disputing their comment or do you realise you are providing evidence to support their comment?

        • +3

          Are you asking a question or making a statement?

  • If you're after a more traditional ThinkPad like a T14/P14s, T14s, then they're available with similar specs for around $2k including 3 year onsite warranty with some negotiation.

    • -1

      With a display right out of 2013.

      • I got the 400nit low power display. It's actually quite colour accurate (100% sRGB) especially when calibrated. Mine is LP140WU1-SPB2 (LG Display). It might not be available to configure yourself (on T14/T14s) but if you ask, they can do it for you. I got the P14s, and that one was available to configure on the site.

        • Oh no shiz? They can sometimes configure machines with panels which don’t show up as an option?

          I’d have bought the T14s by now if it had a non-caveman spec display option.

          • +2

            @seerious: It's still available - you just need to ask for it. I got a random Lenovo call the other day, and just out of curiosity, I speced up my ideal system T14s (AMD 6850U, 32GB, 400nits), but they screwed up on the quote on some minor details (like what they told me), and since I already have one, I can't be bothered chasing it up.

            To see what's actually available, look up the PSREF for the specific model you're after, and you'll see.

            • @happychappy1: Out of curiosity how much did they quote? I had actually been pretty regularly checking the Lenovo site to check for better screen options for the T14s. Good to know for future reference that I should have just asked!

              • +1

                @Rebs: https://imgur.com/a/EWDrpNt

                This was through the education store.

                • @happychappy1: That's definitely an interesting option, ticks a lot of boxes! For my personal use case I'd probably prefer the T14s if the pricing was similar but the Z13 being ~$700 cheaper after cashback ($1,597.31 v $2,300) is pretty significant. Thanks for the tip, will definitely try requesting quotes for any future Lenovo purchases!

                  • @Rebs: The one I got had mobile broadband included. If you took that away, then it could probably come down to around 2k.

            • @happychappy1: I just got off a chat on regular Lenovo store specifically asking about the T14s AMD with a better screen and was told no they can't configure other screens in PSREF file. Only the two low colour accuracy 300 nit screens shown on the configuration page.

              If I'd know, I would have asked for a quote, if it worked.

        • The P14s was actually another main contender for me since it could be specced with the 400nit screen on the Lenovo site. Currently the P14s AMD with Linux starts at $1,497.30 on the public site and $1,069.00 on the EDU site with the 6650U/16GB Ram and 300nits screen, but the upgrades aren't discounted so it ends up more expensive than this deal with 6850U/32GB Ram/400nit display (even with the base 256GB SSD, which could easily be upgraded later). I almost bought it when Cashrewards recently had 12% cashback on the EDU site but at the time it was shipping in 7-8 weeks (now 6-9 days). Cheddar cashback doesn't work on the EDU site. Both seem like awesome laptops and I think I would have been pretty happy with the P14s too!

  • +4

    Arctic Gery

    Damn Hardley Normal is everywhere!

  • Very light on the ports. Product page doesn't specify weight

  • shizen. wish I hadn't upgraded a couple of months ago. awesome deal

    • +2

      There are certain issues with this model, like the haptic touchpad, limited hinge opening angle, and non-ThinkPad keyboard layout (it's similar to a HP Envy 13) - even the Ctrl and FN keys are swapped around (more similar to other PC notebooks).

      • even the Ctrl and FN keys are swapped around (more similar to other PC notebooks).

        Its how it should be. There was no reason it should have been swapped around in the first place.

        Why bother ruining the typing experience for what? Just to stand out and be different.

        • +1

          It depends on what you're used to there's no right or wrong way. My muscle memory is adjusted for the different location (it's also the same Macs. which I also own). Even the Tex Shinobi has the same layout https://tex.com.tw/products/shinobi. Given that all ThinkPads have had the same layout for FN and CTRL on the left for over 30 years, I'd say the Z series isn't really a proper ThinkPad.

          • @happychappy1: ditto - this thinkpad is built more like their thinkbooks but with the thinkpad premium…

      • +2

        You can change it in the BIOS, if it bothers you that much, the keys are the same size, you can change it in the BIOS and pop off the keys and swap them around.

        • My comment was just about standardising things that can be standardised.

          Yes i know you can change things in the bios. But it didnt need to have to be this way.

          We are calling for usb c everything so that every device no matter the manufacturer complies with the one singular standard. Why cant it be the same for keyboards?

          And please can someone not just neg this comment without wading into the argument. For or against i would like to hear your take on it.

          • @xoom: I wasn't even responding to you.

            I don't have a view on it either way (so not sure why you're going after me specifically). Just pointing out that the resolution to all of this petulant arguing is that you can just swap it to the way you want it.

            • @p1 ama: My bad. I meant no offense for my comment.

              Just saying that sure we can change it but why should should it have been that way.

              If you dont have a view in it either way is fine also.

      • First thing I do is swap the FN and ctrl locations so it matches every other keyboard ever.

  • +1

    Thanks.

    TOTAL $1,835.99

    Cashback (13%) -$238.68
    Commonwealth Credit Card Bonus: -$250
    Claim back GST 10%: -$183.5

    TOTAL $1163.83. Good bargain.

    • Commonwealth Credit Card Bonus: -$250

      Commonwealth bank?

      • Maybe a bonus from a min spend? But weak compared to $800+ in points.

        CommBank never offer good cards, and I've been banking with them for 20 years.

        • Yeah it’s for a new credit card (low fee type) with cba

      • +1

        Commonwealth Low Fee Credit Card or Low Rate Credit Card. Spend $1500 within 3 months you get $250 or $300 cash back.

    • Claiming GST on a product before cash back. Tax avoidance - Illegal

      Not declaring cashbacks as income, Tax avoidance - illegal.

      hahah

  • +4

    Ouch, this stings!! Ordered one late Dec last year, minus the 1TB but pricing no where near.

    Ah well - you win some, you lose some.

    • How do you like it now? Is it a decent laptop?

      • Yeah I'm happy with it.

        Battery life is good. I'm not a 'heavy' user by any means and I definitely didn't need 32GB ram - but I plan to keep this long term, so thought why not?!

        Admittedly I haven't 'pushed' it too much, but I've not noticed any performance issues. Can't say I've heard the fan/s come on at all and temps have not been an issue.
        Edit: Just as I typed this, had to transfer a large amount of data and the fans have turned on. I did also change the power mode to best performance, temps have risen as expected.

        One criticism from many enthusiasts is the Z13's keyboard travel and that fact it's shorter than other's in the Thinkpad range. This is my first Thinkpad so I can't compare, but I find the keyboard very good and comfortable to type on.

        Build quality is solid - I've not noticed any flex. It's very compact and weight is about right for me - not too heavy, not too light.

        To those complaining this isn't a 'real Thinkpad' - I don't see the issue. Yes, it's very different from a traditional Thinkpad, but there's numerous other models in the range if this isn't to your liking.

  • Is cheddar cashback $100 or full 13%?

  • Great price, didn't see cashback and I'm overseas on May.

    I would be able to claim I think, so under $1,500.

    Still double what I paid for the HP i5 that does the job for what I need, so no point.

    • have spent $300 or more (including GST) with a single business at a store or a chain of stores covered by the same Australian Business Number (ABN)
      purchase goods no more than 60 days before departing Australia.

      just found it on the gov website. might be helpful for you.

      • Damm, just short! Haha

        Ohwell, it would of been a great deal!

        Great workstation, tho my HP 14" feels small compared to my 15" Ultrabook.

        I think if I'm spending 2k, I'm looking at Apple M1 Pros.

        Sub $1,500, pretty awesome if the timing was right.

  • -1

    wow didn't even know they did a Z series thinkpad. But looking at the photos, faux leather lid and that macbook-esque keyboard, which I can't imagine having a lot of key travel, it's pretty much the anti-thinkpad. If you are gonna get a ultrabook with a thin bezel and subpar typing experience, there are plenty of cheaper options out there.

    I personally got a 11th gen L13 thinkpad yoga recently for $800 delivered. It's not bleeding edge with max out specs, but it's as close to a quintessential thinkpad as you can get.

    • +1

      But looking at the photos, faux leather lid and that macbook-esque keyboard, which I can't imagine having a lot of key travel, it's pretty much the anti-thinkpad.

      Yes, and no. It's not a T or X series Thinkpad and doesn't aim to be. Lenovo needs to diversify in order to compete anyway. Thinkpads have been losing business market share, e.g. a lot of businesses I work with are now using Macbooks or Microsoft Surface…etc.

      If you are gonna get a ultrabook with a thin bezel and subpar typing experience, there are plenty of cheaper options out there.

      Silly comment really - can you actually link to something with similar specifications at a similar pricepoint?

      I personally got a 11th gen L13 thinkpad yoga recently for $800 delivered. It's not bleeding edge with max out specs, but it's as close to a quintessential thinkpad as you can get.

      Lol, how is an L-series a "quintessential Thinkpad", it just looks like one, it has none of the durability features of a T or X series Thinkpad.

  • Good machine but can get hot. If that was few years ago it was ok but after Apple introducing M chips, expectations much higher. At this price point and even non-discounted price could get MacBook Air or Pro M2 which are equivalent or higher in terms of capabilities. For sure this is when you are not tied to specific os.

    • +6

      M2 Pro are like 3k

      After cashback this is 1.5k.

      Not a fair comparison

    • But this is the AMD version of the Z series. AMD Ryzen CPUs are a completely different beast to Intel in terms of power consumption. I have used this laptop at work and it doesn't get hot for productivity work.

      • red dot area is around 50 degrees based on various youtube reviews.

        • +1

          The person talking about the M2 Pro needs to realise that it's temps can get up to 105c when under load.

          • @shellshocked: I have M1 Pro and under sever load fan started blowing very quietly and overall temperature not going very high was around like maybe around 40. But affected the performance quite noticeably.

          • +1

            @Alit: Note your review link is for the OLED version with a different custom CPU. That CPU has a higher boost clock and higher TDP.

        • but overall that's a good machine with this price point and quality, no regret

    • +1

      Good machine but can get hot.

      So can MacBooks - my M1 MBA consistently runs at over 90 degrees under load. People care too much about temperatures. It's fine.

      If that was few years ago it was ok but after Apple introducing M chips, expectations much higher.

      Agree and disagree - AMD has also really upped their game as well. The 6850U is a wickedly fast chip for its power envelope. It's a "U-class" chip (meaning 15W) which has performance very close to Intel's "P-class" chips, e.g. the i7-1260P (which is 28W).

      FWIW, it also smokes the Apple M2 in CPU intensive tasks, and is competitive in GPU intensive tasks. For example, the 6850U scores over 10,000 in Cinebench R23, the M2 scores around 8,500, so it's not a wash.

      That said, sure, there are definitely benefits to the M2 - I have an M1 MacBook Air myself and there are some really great benefits - e.g. unmatched battery life. When the M1 was released, it absolutely smoked everything, but today, Intel and AMD have become much more competitive.

      At this price point and even non-discounted price could get MacBook Air or Pro M2 which are equivalent or higher in terms of capabilities. For sure this is when you are not tied to specific os.

      Which specifically?

      Even with education discount, the M2 MacBook Air is around $1,700, with the M2, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage. This Z13, has a 6850U, 32GB RAM, and 1TB storage. Sure, get a MacBook if you want its specific features, but saying it's "higher in terms of capabilities" is nonsense - the same price gets you 1/4 the RAM, and 1/4 the SSD space.

      • ah non-discounted z13 I meant

  • +1

    Looks like this could make for a pretty solid desktop replacement if the USB 4.0 port supports PCIe Passthrough.

  • Reviews showing the GPU getting throttled hard and if LTT RAM assessment to be believed, 6400Mhz is the least stable RAM on Ryzen hardware.

  • How long before cheddar tracked?

    • About 40 minutes for me from when the order was placed. I made the order in the Cheddar app browser. It's showing as $238.68 pending in my account.

      • Hi Rebs! May I know what time you placed your order? Did mine at around 12am, still hasn't tracked

        • same here. around the same time, havent tracked either.

        • Order placed around 8:10pm last night (when I got the confirmation email from Lenovo), got a confirmation email from Cheddar that it tracked about 8:50pm. Pretty much posted this deal right after that!

  • +1

    Cheddar going to 404 screen for anyone else?

  • +1

    Really need something with a standalone numeric keypad for data entry otherwise this would be bang on.

    • Haven't really seen a numpad in a laptop this size and personally I prefer not having one even on larger laptops. If you don't mind the size increase and need a numpad the ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 AMD looks great. AMD processor paired with 86Wh battery. https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/p/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpadp/thinkpad-p16s-(16-inch-amd)/len101t0038

      Review: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-T16-G1-AMD-lap…

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