The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6, a flagship business laptop lauded for its portability and productivity chops, is facing scrutiny over the performance of its AMD Radeon 880M integrated graphics. Recent benchmark tests reveal that the GPU underperforms by as much as 25% compared to initial expectations, raising questions about thermal constraints, driver optimization, and AMD’s competitive edge in the integrated graphics arena.
According to detailed testing by NotebookCheck, the Radeon 880M in the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 lagged behind comparable systems in both synthetic benchmarks and real-world gaming tests. In titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Cyberpunk 2077, the GPU delivered frame rates up to a quarter lower than those seen in similarly configured laptops with the same Ryzen AI H-series processors. Even productivity tasks, such as GPU-accelerated video rendering, showed unexpected bottlenecks.
This performance gap comes at an awkward time for AMD. The company has long touted its Radeon integrated graphics as a superior alternative to Intel’s Iris Xe solutions, particularly for thin-and-light workstations. However, as noted in a recent analysis by GSMGotech, AMD’s lead appears to be narrowing. Intel’s upcoming Lunar Lake processors, with their redesigned Battlemage GPU architecture, threaten to erode Radeon’s reputation further—especially if thermal or power limitations continue to hamper AMD’s real-world performance.
Why Is the Radeon 880M Struggling?
Early speculation points to the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6’s slim chassis as a potential culprit. While the laptop’s 18mm profile makes it ideal for professionals on the go, its cooling system may lack the headroom to sustain the Radeon 880M’s peak performance. NotebookCheck’s tests showed significant thermal throttling during extended workloads, with GPU clock speeds dropping by nearly 15% after just 10 minutes of stress testing. Power limits imposed by Lenovo’s firmware could also be restricting the GPU’s capabilities to prioritize battery life—a critical feature for business users.
Driver immaturity is another factor. AMD’s Ryzen AI platform is relatively new, and software optimizations for the Radeon 880M’s RDNA 3.5 architecture may still be in progress. Users have reported sporadic crashes in creative apps like DaVinci Resolve, hinting at unresolved compatibility issues.
What Does This Mean for Buyers?
For professionals seeking a reliable business laptop, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 remains a strong contender, offering best-in-class keyboard ergonomics, robust security features, and all-day battery life. However, those needing consistent GPU performance for light gaming or content creation may want to wait for driver updates or consider bulkier alternatives with better cooling.
AMD and Lenovo have yet to comment publicly on the findings. In the meantime, potential buyers are advised to temper expectations—or check NotebookCheck’s full report and GSMGotech’s industry analysis for deeper insights.
As integrated graphics become increasingly vital for thin laptops, AMD’s ability to address these challenges could determine whether it retains its crown—or cedes ground to Intel’s resurgent ambitions.