AIWA RS-55 Review: Retro Style Meets Modern Sensitivity In an era dominated by digital streaming and smart speakers, there is a unique satisfaction in the tactile click of an analog dial. For my latest test, I went back to basics with the AIWA RS-55 AM/FM receiver . AIWA is a legendary Japanese brand, and with the RS-55, they’ve managed to capture a vintage aesthetic without sacrificing the build quality we expect today.
Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 3: Flaw Fixed, Efficiency Gained
Hey everyone, and welcome back! I was excited to finally get my hands on the third generation of the Lenovo ThinkPad E16. As many of you know, I spent a good amount of time with the Gen 2, and while it was a solid business machine, there were definitely a few things that needed attention. This is my very first look at the Gen 3, and I wanted to share my initial feedback on what’s improved and what hasn’t.
The E16 Gen 3 I’m reviewing here is equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, shared Intel graphics, and 32GB of RAM.
Design and Build: A Familiar Face
If you liked the look of the Gen 2, you’re in luck, because the Gen 3 hasn't changed much. It sticks to the classic all-black ThinkPad design and, most importantly, feels massive and sturdy.
This is still not a light laptop, though. If you were hoping the third generation would shed some weight, you might be disappointed—it feels very similar in size, form factor, and weight to the Gen 2 [00:02:38]. On the plus side, that sturdiness translates to a very solid, reliable feel.
A small but important security win for me is the addition of a physical camera shutter [00:02:09]. I much prefer this to the digital shutters found on some of the cheaper Lenovo models, as it just feels more secure.
The Great Leap: Touchpad and Keyboard
Here’s where Lenovo listened, and it’s a huge relief. One thing I truly couldn't stand about the second generation was the touchpad—it was genuinely awful, to the point where I almost brought the laptop back because of it.
Thankfully, the E16 Gen 3 features a touchpad that is much more responsive [00:03:09]. The click feels significantly better compared to the Gen 2, and while it's not the biggest trackpad, it’s very usable and comfortable.
The keyboard is exactly what you’d expect from a business ThinkPad: comfortable and, crucially, quiet [00:04:00]. Having a quiet keyboard and trackpad is essential when working in shared spaces, and this laptop delivers on that front.
Power, Efficiency, and Battery Life
The Gen 3 uses the second-generation Intel Ultra processors, and the biggest benefit here seems to be efficiency and battery life. The performance is very solid, but the efficiency of this new chip is much better than the previous generation.
I’m talking about being able to easily go a full workday on a single charge if you’re doing standard office work, web browsing, and similar tasks [00:04:44]. Coupled with 32GB of RAM and shared graphics, this machine is definitely capable of handling light 4K video editing or some light gaming [00:05:30]. It’s a very efficient machine that offers excellent daily performance.
The Compromise: The Display
Now for the major downside, and it’s something I always notice in business-focused laptops: the display. In 2025, when we’re seeing 2K, 3K, and 4K screens on even compact laptops, the Gen 3 comes with a relatively low resolution.
The brightness is also nothing to write home about, sitting around 300 to 400 nits [00:06:13]. This is probably where Lenovo is keeping the price down and pushing the brighter, higher-resolution panels to their more premium ThinkPad series.
The silver lining, however, is that it’s a matte IPS screen. This is important because a matte screen helps tremendously in sunlight, and as an IPS panel (not OLED), it should reduce eye fatigue when you’re staring at it all day.
Initial Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 is positioned as a mid-level ThinkPad—it’s far from the high-end models, priced around €1,000 to €1,200 depending on the configuration.
Overall, my initial impression is that the Gen 3 addresses a critical flaw (the touchpad) while offering a significant upgrade in battery efficiency. It’s a very solid, reliable machine, even if you have to live with a relatively low-resolution, low-brightness screen. It certainly feels like a ThinkPad should: sturdy and dependable.
I'll be running a full battery of tests, including a closer look at battery life and, hopefully, seeing if the Wi-Fi reception issues I had with the Gen 2 have been resolved . Stay tuned for the full performance review!
Comments