Lenovo's Display Disparity: Why AMD ThinkPads Are Missing Out on OLED

It looks like Lenovo is at it again, folks. If the latest whispers are true, anyone hoping to snag one of their new AMD Strix Point-powered ThinkPads, specifically the T14 Gen 6 or T14s Gen 6, might be a little disappointed on the display front. It seems these AMD models are going to be artificially capped at WUXGA IPS panels. And guess what? Their Intel siblings will have all the fancy OLED options, which, frankly, feels a bit unfair.

Now, this isn't exactly new territory for Lenovo. We've seen this kind of segmentation before, where AMD-based machines are held back in certain specifications compared to their Intel counterparts. It's almost as if they're deliberately creating a gap between their AMD and Intel offerings, pushing those who want top-tier features towards the Intel side of the aisle. For the upcoming AMD T14 Gen 6 and T14s Gen 6, the only display choice on the table will reportedly be that familiar 1920x1200 IPS screen. That's perfectly adequate for many, don't get me wrong, but it’s certainly not the bleeding edge when it comes to visual fidelity.

Compare that to the Intel versions – the T14 Gen 6 Intel and T14s Gen 6 Intel. These machines will apparently boast a much wider range of display choices. Alongside the standard WUXGA IPS, you'll find a gorgeous 2.8K OLED option, and even a crisp 4K IPS panel. It genuinely begs the question, why the stark difference? Why can't AMD users, who are often looking for a fantastic blend of performance and value, also get access to those truly premium display choices?

It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, isn't it? One has to wonder if this is a conscious strategic move by Lenovo. Perhaps they're trying to position AMD-based ThinkPads as the more "value-oriented" or "workhorse" machines for everyday productivity, while the Intel versions are meant to capture the "premium" segment, where users are typically willing to pay extra for those higher-resolution, more vibrant screens. Or maybe, just maybe, it's a supply chain issue, though that seems less likely given how often we've seen this pattern play out over the years.

Whatever the reasoning, for potential buyers, this means a significant choice has to be made. If you're dead set on an AMD Strix Point processor for its efficiency or specific performance characteristics, you might simply have to compromise on your display quality. If a stunning OLED screen is a non-negotiable for your work or entertainment, then it looks like you'll be nudged towards an Intel-powered ThinkPad, even if AMD was your original preference. It's a tricky situation for consumers who genuinely want the best of both worlds. We're expecting these new ThinkPads to hit the market sometime in Q2 or Q3 of 2024, so we'll have to wait and see how this all plays out in real-world availability.