Key Points

  • Lenovo is one of the most popular PC brands in the world.Lenovo has released some variations of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon.ThinkPad lineup is Lenovo’s best-selling business-grade laptop series.

Lenovo, one of the most popular PC brands in the world, is back at it again with another generation of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon. It’s no secret that the ThinkPad is Lenovo’s most successful product. Most ThinkPads are portable and light, but the ThinkPad X1 Carbon takes portable performance to the next level.

© Elroygoh, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

With the perfect combination of high performance and portability, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is an ideal laptop for business users or creative professionals. But is this laptop worth all the hype? In today’s article, we’ll explore this model in detail and determine once and for all how it stands up to the competition. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Best Deal Today

Lenovo has released some variations of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, so picking out the best value can be a little problematic. We’ve taken the stress out of hunting down the best deal and compiled the most lucrative deals for you here.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Overview

Lenovo makes some of the best laptops in the market. Known for its robustness, design, and capabilities, the ThinkPad lineup is Lenovo’s best-selling business-grade laptop series, and it has won numerous awards and accolades. Additionally, NASA famously uses ThinkPads for their computers in space as they are the only laptops certified for use in the International Space Station.

Now in the 10th generation, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon remains one of the best-selling ThinkPad models for nearly a decade. The latest rendition of the X1 Carbon comes with notable improvements like squared keycaps and a larger touchpad. It also employs the latest generation of Intel processors and an integrated graphics chipset.

Release date and price

Lenovo initially launched the X1 Carbon series in August 2012. At the time, it was the lightest ThinkPad ever produced while still packing the performance specs of a larger model. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has undergone many updates, delivering new innovations and features with each generation.

The latest generation, launched in 2022, and prices, is fairly steep in price than similar laptops. However, the high price tag brings with it all of the advantages of the ThinkPad lineup. Depending on your configuration, you can expect to spend between $1100 and $4200 on your new ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

Different Models

There are multiple generations of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon on the market. If you’re shopping around, deciphering the differences between each generation can get a little confusing. While we are currently enjoying the 10th generation of this series, there are a few ways you can spot the identifying features of an earlier generation.

The first key is the processor. The Intel Core series was in its infancy when the first Carbon was released in 2012, and the first few ThinkPad X1 models used the 3rd gen. Intel CPUs. The second generation continued the trend, packing the 4th generation Intel CPUs.

Features

Lenovo has provided a multitude of options for the display. The 14-inch 16:10 aspect ratio is standard and uses the beloved “golden ratio” favored by gamers and content creators. Beyond this, buyers can pick from several different screen resolutions: from full 1080p up to 4K UHD. The highest model offers touch or non-touch 3840 by 2400 IPS display.

The display on the ThinkPad X1 is great for executive use, with privacy filters built right in. Additionally, the maximum brightness of 500 nits is ideal for use outdoors, in airports, cafes, or on a plane. Coupled with Eyesafe and anti-blue-light technology, this display is comfortable to prolonged use.

One drawback to this laptop is the sound system. ThinkPads have always been plagued with below-average audio. The sound system is another weakness of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and it doesn’t look like Lenovo has made any audio improvements from early models. 

©iStock.com/Andrew_Howe

Despite a few disadvantages, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is still a remarkable system in other ways. The webcam and microphone array, with deep, rich audio quality, is perfect for Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet calls. While older ThinkPads often used a 720p webcam, Lenovo has updated the X1 Carbon with a full HD 1080p webcam. The result is a crisp and clear picture, perfect for executive meetings. 

Additionally, Lenovo added an extra privacy-minded touch with a built-in webcam shutter. You can slide the cover over the lens when your webcam is not used for that extra peace of mind. 

You’ll find a good selection of ports to connect external monitors, docking stations, power banks, and peripherals. While most newer laptops do away with standard USB-A ports and HDMI, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon delivers. Along the sides of the laptop, you’ll find USB-A, USB Type-C, and HDMI 2.1 as well as two Thunderbolt ports.

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Review

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is designed for use in a harsh travel environment. If you take your laptop with you everywhere, a magnesium alloy case tested to MIL-STD 810H standards comes in handy. Besides creating a brilliant black finish, this material makes for a solid case to withstand all the stress you put on your laptop.

When you open the lid of this laptop, you’ll be greeted with the familiar black keyboard and red “TrackPoint” nub in the center. This characteristic feature of the ThinkPad series has been a unique ingredient since the earliest IBM models in the 1990s.

The keyboard is not without some drawbacks, though. The numeric keypad is missing. However, this does leave some extra room for the rest of the keyboard to be more spacious. Key travel is very good on this laptop, and typing is responsive and comfortable overall. 

Battery testing showed the ThinkPad X1 Carbon to be competitive. With an average of 12 hours of runtime on a full charge, you can expect to get through a full day of school or work, in addition to an afternoon streaming some shows on Netflix.

Classic functionality and style blend with a modern slender frame rivaling the legendary MacBook Air. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is definitely a solid MacBook Air alternative, weighing in at just 2.48 pounds, or 1.12kg. Unlike the Macbook, this laptop comes with Windows 11 Pro. Lenovo also sells configurations with Linux preinstalled for advanced users.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Has a lot of portsVery lightweightGood processorsGreat keyboard

Cons:

  • ExpensivePoor speakersThick bezels

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Is It a Buy?

While Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon has a remarkable design, some might not enjoy it. The X1 Carbon checks all of the boxes needed for a high-quality laptop, but if you are in the market for niche features not on this laptop, you should look elsewhere.

Buy it if…

You need a highly portable system with top-tier performance features. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is designed for the office worker or traveling professional who needs desktop-level performance in a lightweight package. If you need to use your laptop on the go for spreadsheets, PowerPoint, or documents, this is the right laptop for you.

Additionally, if you run Adobe applications like Photoshop or Illustrator, this system packs enough punch to finish the job quickly. Rendering images and exporting videos is swift and speedy with the multi-core processor, high RAM capacity, and NVMe solid-state drive.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a heavy-weight gaming computer or workstation. Although ThinkPad X1 Carbon is thin and light, it’s not the most upgradeable machine. If you need a system to handle multiple hard drives and quad-channel RAM, a workstation-class laptop like the Lenovo P17 would be better.

On the other hand, this laptop may also be overkill if you just need something basic and inexpensive. You can find cheaper systems to save your budget if you want the most basic laptop for college. However, the performance benefits of this laptop are undeniable if you have room in your budget to support its high price tag.

Next Up…

Take a quick peek at some of these interesting articles:

  • Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Workstation: Full Review with Specs, Features, and PricingTop 10 Largest Space Telescopes in OrbitThe Newest James Webb Image Looks Like a Tarantula