Unboxing | Lenovo ThinkVision P32p-20 4K Monitor (and mini-review)

[@iorizzo91]

What is the difference between this and the T32p-20?

[@randkjournal]

The two models appear identical except the P32p-20 has more connectivity options than the T32p-20. Additionally, the P32p-20 is factory calibrated - out-of-the-box I did not make any colour adjustments other than to reduce the screen brightness. The P32p-20 also has a KVM feature of sorts. The T32p-20 does not appear to have this feature. Here's a link for a side-by-side feature comparison courtesy of DisplayDB - www.displaydb.com/compare/lenovo-thinkvision-p32p-20/lenovo-thinkvision-t32p-20 Additional links to the product datasheets for both monitor models: Lenovo P32p-20 - psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/datasheet/ThinkVision%20p32p-20_datasheet_EN.PDF Lenovo T32p-20 - psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/datasheet/ThinkVision%20T32p-20_datasheet_EN.PDF

[@iorizzo91]

@@randkjournal Thanks for that, I found the same links but I couldn’t find any detailed reviews on any of these monitors. I ended up going for the P32P-20. It was £70 more but hopefully money well spent!

[@randkjournal]

@@iorizzo91 I did not find any reviews on the P32p-20 either (even as of this writing). It was more an "educated leap of faith" based on specs and feedback from someone else who owned a "close enough" model. The specs were good and at the time, there was a substantial discount. I was looking for a 32" true 4K monitor. The P32p-20 fit the bill both in terms of value and features. Also, with the matte finish, there is no reflective glare so while images don't "pop" compared to displays with a glossy finish, for work, photo/video editing, and general use I find the P32p-20 more pleasant to look at especially for long periods of time. The display quality came as advertised. The out-of-factory colour calibration helped tip the scale for me. It came with the brightness value set at 75 which is too bright for my preference. I had to set it to 10. In the few weeks I've used it, this is the only display setting I have changed. For 4K video content, no complaints here. Definitely better all-around image quality than my older Dell XPS 2710 All-in-One that had a 27" 2K touch-screen display. I would say it has also better image quality than the Dell S3220DGF (I'm not sure if that's due to the difference in panel technology IPS vs VA). But I do prefer a flat panel vs a curved one so perhaps this is a bias. For FHD content, I'd say using a 4K display and especially one with a larger display/viewable area can make it "obvious" when you're viewing lower-quality/lower resolution video footage/images. Of course, this is not an issue with the monitor itself but rather the source material. For general use, I've had no issues with the monitor. I'm not a gamer so I can't provide any comments in that regard. My only gripes: Build quality. I've used Dell monitors and one HP monitor over the past several years. In comparing build quality, I find the plastic materials used in the P32p-20 gives it a "cheap" feel. But since I bought it at a substantial discount, and that any other monitor I looked at from Dell was substantially more expensive, this is something I can overlook. KVM. I was hoping I can daisy-chain my actual KVM switch to the HDMI input of the P32p-20. I have not been able to make this work as I intended. It only displays the "active" connection from the KVM switch. If I switch to a different port, it does not display on the P32p-20. There's much to investigate on this front so this is still work-in-progress. The things I like: fantastic display quality out-of-the-box, single cable "KVM" via USB-C and even USB-A, lower cost = value from all the features the P32p-20 offers.

[@oslius]

can anyone give me more info about the back label (the video has a capture of the label but it's unreadable)? i'm trying to find more data about the panel. Also you can tell me how is the viewing angle (i saw IPS with terrible viewing angle, worse than VA panels ), color shifting, ghosting/blur, flicker, bleeding ? maybe you guys can make a short video of the turned on monitor ? thank you

[@randkjournal]

Maybe another video (when work isn't getting in the way). 🤣 I use this mostly for work and more often than not, looking at it straight on. On occasion where I'm off-center, I don't notice any degradation in image quality Same thing if I adjust it vertically (the height-adjustable stand is another plus). My wife has the Dell S3220DGF - a VA panel. The P32p-20 in my opinion is better overall. Ghosting, blur, flicker, bleeding - I have not encountered any of these. Not sure if these occur under certain conditions but so far, so good. Note that I always have the monitor set to 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz. I've used HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C (laptop and Samsung S10+ Dex) - display quality is always outstanding.

[@jaimexdxd]

Hey my man, I was wondering, what's the red "groove" at the base? Is it for a pen? I'm at a loss

[@randkjournal]

When I first saw it, I initially thought it was for decorative purposes. But the "groove" is more useful than meets the eye. For one thing, it can actually be used as a slot for a mobile phone. I turn mine sideways and place it in the slot. Quite handy for keeping my desk free of clutter. I use a USB-C cable connected to the monitor to charge the mobile phone. And since I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S10+, I can use the monitor as the mobile phone's external display. Using Samsung DeX and mouse/keyboard connected via Bluetooth, I've now effectively turned the mobile phone as a second desktop "computer". Thanks for watching.

[@jaimexdxd]

@@randkjournal I thought smartphone but mine doesn't fit the case. That said, it's a not 9 so your idea is great, gonna try the setup soon, thank you for the answer!

[@randkjournal]

You're most welcome. My Samsung S10+ has a slim case and it fits nicely into the slot. My iPhone 12 has a thicker case and can only fit if I remove it from the case. Take care.

[@andras_green]

@@randkjournal please 🙏 tell me the length size (cm/mm) of this red-groove to understand what size of mobile could fit there in horizontal position 🤔 Thanks! 👌🇨🇦🇺🇦💝

[@randkjournal]

A shade over 16cm x 1.5cm. For reference - my iPhone 12 fits without a case. My Samsung S21 Ultra is too tall/long to fit into the groove. Nowadays, I use it to hold SD cards. 😁

[@standardindian]

Thanks for the vid, helped me box this up again for shipping

[@randkjournal]

😀A reverse unboxing. Didn't work out for you?

[@melodychords795]

Interesting. is it worth upgrading from a Dell 31.5" curved gaming monitor?

[@randkjournal]

Depends. I'm guessing yours is not full 4K? If so, I'd prefer the #Lenovo #ThinkVision #P32p-20. Build quality-wise, typically the Dell monitors I've used in the past are more solidly-built. This P32p-20 is colour-calibrated from the factory so no adjustments required. Just plug it in.

[@melodychords795]

@@randkjournal thanks. i'll keep my Dell. easier to spell

[@randkjournal]

Didn't think spelling the brand or model name is a criteria for selecting monitors. :-)

[@dracolnyte]

love this. I just bought this and this does not have DP out for daisychaining like the P27u-20 does, right?

[@randkjournal]

I've not tried daisy-chaining the P32p-20 to another display. But for the daisy chain to work, the monitor must support multi-stream transport (MST) over DP 1.2. It must also have a display output port. I think the P27u-20 does this over Thunderbolt. None of these are available on the P32p-20.

[@dracolnyte]

@@randkjournal thanks, will be cancelling the P32p to get the P27u

[@randkjournal]

I didn't need to daisy-chain the P32p - it is a large-enough display for my use. And as well, I don't have enough desk space for two of these. 😁 Enjoy the P27u.

[@meatballtime]

I'm in the market for a 27 - 32" 4K display and this is the only one that ticks the boxes of: KVM, USB-C w/ 90W, and ethernet is a nice bonus. I read your full review and the only thing I'm a little iffy about is your mention of the build quality feeling cheap. I've been longtime fan of Dell UltraSharp displays and if they had a successor to the U3219q with these specs, that'd be my go-to. Day to day, does the build quality bother you at all, or was it just during initial setup? And can you show or describe the process of using the KVM? I've got a MacBook Pro and Linux workstation I want to switch between and it'd be really nice if it were a quick switch operation. Cheers!

[@randkjournal]

Thanks for your questions. Build quality. This may be more a matter of preference and expectaion. I was comparing it to two solidly-built Dell products so that may not be fair. My specific gripes - the back panel, the control buttons, and the general "feel". But to your point, once the monitor is set up, it is not as bothersome. In the end, the image quality is what matters most. KVM. I've still yet to use the full KVM functionality. For now, audio and keyboard/mouse is "disjointed". Only video is the common denominator. I have a real KVM switch where I can press one button to "switch" between devices. With the P32p-20, there's no avoiding navigating the control menu to select the correct input source. In my case, I've three sources DisplayPort (main desktop)| HDMI (second desktop) | USB-C (for laptop). I need to press buttons on the monitor to navigate the menu system and select which source to display. However, if the laptop is unplugged, the monitor will switch back to the default source (which seems to be DisplayPort) or whichever input has an active connection. Note that while the laptop is connected via USB-C, the laptop is indeed charged at the same time. BTW - Dell has some new product releases during CES 2021. Since you're still looking, it may be worthwhile to check those too. Hope this helps. Good luck with the search.

[@lukenfoci]

I have been a dell boy when it comes to screen for some time as well. I got P32p-20 recently and it goes back to Lenovo for couple of reasons. Their website shows no bezel at the bottom, whereas what I received has a bezel as per this video. Another reason - I will get T32p-20 as it is cheaper and makes no difference to me if it has been or not calibrated. I do not need KVM switch as well, so it is not a biggie. Quality wise - I cannot see much difference. I recently purchased for my friend's business 4 Dells P2720 and whereas I love a tiny bezel at the bottom, quality of plastic is pretty much same to me. Lenovo just has slightly different looks, thick bezel at the bottom but to me plastic quality wise it is pretty much on pair with Dell.

[@meatballtime]

@@randkjournal Thank you for the detailed answer. I ended up finding a Dell U3219q for a similar price and went with that. I've been a life-long Dell monitor fan and this one is the quality and experience I've come to expect from Dell. I have seen some of the CES 2021 announcements which are exciting. The 5K2K display is especially interesting, but alas it's not on sale in Europe yet. I find the KVM in the U3219q works pretty well, almost too well. If I have my PC and MacBook both hooked-up and I"m using the PC and put it to sleep, it switches to the MacBook. But it does work. The external KVM as you describe may be a good solution.

[@randkjournal]

Congrats on the purchase. Can't really go wrong with Dell monitors. And with KVM functionality to boot, I'm glad you found what you're looking for. With a substantial discount, it was hard to pass up on the P32p-20 especially given its feature set. To date, I'm still pretty happy with this Lenovo ThinkVision. Now, when 8K becomes mainstream, it'll be time to look for a new display once again...

[@randkjournal]

@Luke Mx - sorry to see that you had to return the P32p-20. I wanted thin bezels as well and I nearly overlooked this if it weren't for Lenovo mentioning this in the specs: 3-side near-edgeless display. I started looking into the product images, the spec sheet and manual after that and found the bezels (at least the top and side bezels) thin enough. I own a Dell XPS 13 - with its InfinityEdge Display, this is the laptop that started the thin bezel frenzy so I was mildly disappointed that the P32p-20 bezels weren't that razor-thin. 😀

[@AM-nd2wq]

Display is matt or gloss finish?

[@randkjournal]

Matte (non-reflective).

[@aaronhong7759]

Is there any way you could measure the length and width of the base of the stand please?

[@randkjournal]

W - 11.25 inches D - 9.25 inches Thanks for visiting.

[@ciberhormaza]

could you please check if is there an option in the DP 1.2 to use as output port, as far as I kwno Dp 1.2 support daisy chain (to use another monitor through DP) but I want to be sure this model has it

[@randkjournal]

For the daisy chain to work: the monitor must support MST (multi-stream transport) over DP 1.2 and as well, have a display output port. Neither seems to be available on the P32p-20. I recall coming across some Dell monitors that support MST so perhaps other Lenovo monitors might as well. Thanks for watching.

[@JohnDoe-wi7eb]

Will this support a 2019 MacBook Pro with a 5300m?

[@randkjournal]

I'm not a Mac user so my reply would be merely an assumption... I've used numerous devices with this monitor - various desktops, various laptops and even smartphones. I used various connectivity options HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C - all of them worked at various resolutions and where supported up to 4K 30 or 60 Hz. I'd be surprised if the MacBook Pro does not work with this monitor.

[@boriscacic7165]

Hi can someone share experiance with This monitor P32P-20 how it is handling MacBook Pro M1, how Is responding to the laptop, usb -c port charging, word office text sharpnes etc ... thanks a lot

[@randkjournal]

While I do not own a MacBook Pro M1, I occasionally use the P32p-20 as an external display for the Dell Latitude 9410 or the Samsung S10 Plus. USB-C charging. Charging the laptop with a 4-cell 52Whr Lithium Ion battery takes approximately 2 hours from a near depleted state. Similar to traditional docks, simply plug the laptop in to charge, select the input source from the monitor to USB-C, and make sure your device is set to use the P32p-20 as its external display. With the S10 Plus, Samsung Dex lets me "dock" the mobile phone - so now I can use it as a spare Android-based "desktop computer". Image quality. This is by no means a scientific comparison but simply my observation and experience. Just by "eye-balling" it, text quality seems better on the P32p-20. Image quality appears no different than a device connected via HDMI or DisplayPort. Video quality however is where the difference lies. Note that my laptop is using an integrated Intel GPU connected via USB-C while my desktop is using an Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics card connected via DisplayPort - there's only so much that can be done over a shared interface vs one that is dedicated. Depending on the configuration of your device, your experience will likely vary.

[@boriscacic7165]

@@randkjournal Thanks for replying, one more question, how to change brightness on the monitor as while connected to my MB I don't have access to the monitor brightness command - unplug MB and just able to access basic set up ... nothing like change brightness or other settings ... any idea ?

[@randkjournal]

No problem. Not sure how it works on a MacBook Pro but with the Dell Latitude laptop (or any laptop I've used with the P32p-20) - whether I have mirrored display (duplicate what's displayed on the laptop to the external monitor) or extended display (laptop screen is display 1 and external monitor is display 2), I can always access the monitor controls directly using the control buttons on the monitor itself (but not from the laptop). If I increase the brightness from the laptop, it only increases the brightness level on the laptop's display but not the external monitor. Having the laptop connected does not affect the monitor's controls (no need to unplug the laptop). There is a Lenovo Display Control Center app. I've not used this on the laptop but I have used it on my desktop PC. The app lets me change a variety of settings including brightness. Perhaps installing something similar on your MacBook Pro may work for you. Just note that my desktop is connected via DisplayPort so I'm not sure if this will work for devices connected via USB-C. Hope this helps.

[@icedtamahawk]

Yo so whats the hz on this thing

[@randkjournal]

Thanks for visiting - 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz or 60 Hz.

[@icedtamahawk]

@@randkjournalok cool thanks for reply my dude

[@EblanteBatyr]

Glossy monitor?

[@randkjournal]

No. Matte finish and non-reflective.

[@EblanteBatyr]

@@randkjournal Are there glossy monitors for sale now? I am looking for a job

[@randkjournal]

See link - www.lenovo.com/ca/en/d/accessories-and-monitors/monitors/29-inch-monitors/?IPromoID=LEN859241. It looks like the Lenovo 4K monitors appear to have a matte finish. The main reason I suppose is there is no glare/reflection. I used to have a monitor with a glossy display. While it has more "pop", the reflectiveness was distracting for me. Good luck.