Lenovo’s ThinkPad Z16 (Gen 2), together with its smaller Z13 sibling, launched in 2023 and have been going robust as stable choices for ThinkPad followers who desire a extra futuristic design and AMD Ryzen efficiency. The laptops function a slim aluminum physique that helps set them other than different extra conventional ThinkPads.
In my ThinkPad Z16 (Gen 2) overview, I remarked, “The laptop computer is put collectively nicely. The traces come collectively properly, and the chassis is stable sufficient that it would not creak when twisted. In actual fact, it would not actually twist in any respect.” The draw back to the slim design is that RAM cannot be upgraded within the Z16 or Z13. It is soldered to the principle board, however you’ll be able to stand up to 64GB from the manufacturing unit.
However, Lenovo has made the M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD accessible, permitting you to improve your laptop computer’s storage after buy. Lenovo presents 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities from the manufacturing unit, with learn speeds hitting 6,991MB/s and write speeds 5,628MB/s in my testing. These are respectable outcomes, particularly for a contemporary enterprise laptop computer, however you may want a bigger capability. You may additionally wish to avoid wasting cash on the time of buy, choosing the smallest capability solely to improve your self when it is in your palms.
On this information I am going to stroll you thru the method of upgrading the ThinkPad Z16 (Gen 2)’s SSD, in addition to lay out the instruments and {hardware} you will want for a profitable improve.
What you will want
Instruments and {hardware} for the job
To improve the SSD in your ThinkPad Z16 (Gen 2), you will want, at minimal, a small Phillips-head screwdriver, plastic pry instrument, and alternative SSD. And since the Z16 (Gen 2) has simply the one M.2 slot, those that wish to clone the manufacturing unit SSD’s knowledge to the brand new SSD ought to look into an exterior SSD enclosure.
one of the best M.2 SSDs accessible right this moment, Samsung’s 990 Professional must be a fantastic slot in your Z16 (Gen 2). In our Samsung 990 Professional overview, we known as it “the top of Gen 4 SSD efficiency,” which is precisely what the Z16 helps. It is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, with costs beginning at about $110. Samsung optionally bundles the 990 Professional with a heatsink, but it surely’s for desktop use solely. Except you are regularly coping with enormous file sizes and sustained heavy load, the 990 Professional should not trigger thermal points in your laptop computer.
The iFixit Important toolkit has every little thing you want to get the job executed, and also you may wish to think about selecting up an anti-static wristband. Static electrical energy could cause harm to inside elements, and anybody in a chilly, dry local weather is aware of how frequent it may be.
Tips on how to again up and put together your knowledge
Home windows set up and cloning info
The ThinkPad Z16 (Gen 2) has only one M.2 slot for an SSD, that means your improve choices are a bit extra restricted than in a laptop computer with a number of slots.
Those that have simply obtained the laptop computer with out actually including any private knowledge can swap the SSDs and carry out a contemporary set up of Home windows 11. Even when you’ve got some knowledge on the manufacturing unit SSD, you’ll be able to at all times again it up in cloud storage or on a dependable exterior SSD and transfer it again to the brand new inside Z16 SSD after the improve.
We’ve a information on methods to set up Home windows 11 on a brand new PC to assist get you thru the method. It is necessary to notice that there are some steps required earlier than the SSD improve can happen, so you’ll want to learn by means of the separate information earlier than going that route.
If you happen to’ve been utilizing the ThinkPad Z16 (Gen 2) for awhile and wish to swap storage whereas conserving primarily the very same setup, cloning the manufacturing unit SSD must be the appropriate alternative. As a result of there’s only one M.2 slot contained in the laptop computer, an exterior SSD enclosure is required. The brand new SSD goes into the enclosure, you plug the setup into your laptop computer through USB-C, and also you carry out the cloning course of. This makes an ideal clone of information, apps, drivers, and even Home windows settings on the brand new SSD; all that is left is to swap out the drives and proceed utilizing your laptop computer as regular. Try our information on methods to clone an SSD for a full clarification and step-by-step directions.
Tips on how to improve the SSD in Lenovo’s ThinkPad Z16 (Gen 2)
With knowledge backed up or cloned to the alternative SSD, it is now time to get into the precise SSD improve. Energy off your laptop computer, disconnect any cables and dongles, and make some room in a well-lit house. The screws on the underside panel are captive and can stay in place when loosened, however you may nonetheless wish to maintain a small receptacle close by to catch any small elements (just like the screws that holds the M.2 SSD in place).
- Unscrew the 5 fasteners on the laptop computer’s backside panel utilizing a Phillips-head screwdriver.
- Pry the backside panel away from the remainder of the chassis utilizing a plastic pry instrument. Begin on the again alongside the hinges; the entrance has angled clasps that may break if compelled aside first.
- Unscrew the two fasteners holding the copper SSD cowl in place.
- Take away the outdated SSD by pulling it out of the M.2 slot at a few 20-degree angle. Don’t carry straight up.
- Insert the new SSD into the M.2 slot on the similar angle. It’s keyed and can solely match correctly a technique.
- Screw within the two fasteners that maintain the copper SSD cowl in place.
- Exchange the backside panelbeginning alongside the entrance to make sure the angled clasps are in place.
- Apply even strain to clip the backside panel into place on all sides.
- Screw within the 5 fasteners on the backside panel.
That is the entire course of! You are now free to energy in your ThinkPad Z16 (Gen 2). Those that selected to carry out a contemporary Home windows set up can go forward with ending up the method now. As soon as Home windows is nice to go, you’ll be able to transfer any knowledge you saved elsewhere again to the laptop computer. And in case you cloned drives earlier than the improve, every little thing in your high-end laptop computer ought to look the identical (albeit with some added space for storing).
You’ll want to try our assortment of one of the best upgradeable laptops to see choices with much more accessible inside {hardware}.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2
AMD-based ThinkPad
$1362 $2269 Save $907
The ThinkPad Z16 (Gen 2) units itself other than different ThinkPads due to some futuristic options and a premium aluminum physique. Its RAM is soldered to the principle board, however there’s an accessible M.2 SSD slot that permits for storage upgrades after buy.
