SeekerLenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
I’ll admit, with laptops this small, my expectations drop due to the limited space. But this 2021 ThinkPad X1 Carbon exceeded my expectations. I could easily use this device as a primary computer, especially while on the road. Considering how well it performs, the stellar inputs, all the configuration options, and the battery life, there’s little to complain about.
-- As reviewed by UltrabookReview
Product details
- First available mid 2021, the flagship ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 is a powerhouse of performance boosting features in an ultrathin and ultralight form factor. Stay productive wherever work takes you with an impressive 16:10 display, a wider TouchPad, and a larger battery than previous generations. With a host of docking options, including Thunderbolt 4, USB C and USB 3.0 docks, you can connect to multiple peripherals, experience faster downloads, and enjoy quick file transfers.
- RESPONSIVENESS REIMAGINED: Built on the Intel Evo platform, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 laptop delivers a powerhouse combination of performance, responsiveness, battery life, and stunning visuals. Minimal preloaded applications mean maximum battery life and responsiveness for users, and faster deployment for IT admins. Speedy WiFi 6 lets you jump on crowded public platforms fast while avoiding lag-time and buffering.
- PORTS: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 // 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On) // 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.4a) // 1x HDMI 2.0b // 1x Headphone microphone combo jack (3.5mm) // Does NOT include the optional LTE sim card slot found on 4G WWAN Mobile Broadband configurations.
- SECURITY and PRIVACY: Fingerprint Reader, Camera with Windows Hello, Enabled Discrete TPM 2.0, BIOS Absolute Enabled, TCG certified, Kensington Nano Security Slot, match-on-chip touch style fingerprint reader on the power button, Camera privacy shutter. With a suite of built in ThinkShield security solutions, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 safeguards your data. Biometrics provide an extra secure fingerprint reader integrated with the power button to log in and boot up instantaneously.
- PROCESSOR: 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor (2.80 GHz, up to 4.70 GHz with Turbo Boost, 4 Cores, 8 Threads, 12 MB Cache) // STORAGE: 512 GB PCIe OPAL SSD, // MEMORY: 16 GB LPDDR4X 4266MHz (Soldered) // CERTIFICATIONS: EPEAT Gold, Energy Star 8.0, TCO Certified 9.0, RoHS compliant
- DISPLAY: 14.0" FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS, anti-glare, low power, 400 nits // CONNECTIVITY: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, 802.11ax 2x2 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 // Fingerprint Reader // Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics // Windows 10 Pro 64 preinstalled (No charge Windows 11 Pro Available) // 720p HD Camera
- AUDIO: Dolby Atmos Speaker System with two upward-firing speakers and two downward-firing woofers, Four 360-degree far-field microphones, Dolby Voice // BATTERY: Up to 16.7 hours based on testing with the MobileMark 2018 standard. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage, and other factors. // KEYBOARD: US English standard QWERTY, 6-row, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
PROS
+ ThinkPad design and looks, excellent build quality
+ good keyboard and trackpad, fingerprint reader, IO
+ several interesting 16:10 screen options, matte or touch
+ lots of options on SSDs, RAM, IR camera
+ good speakers for the class
+ 57 Wh battery and long battery life on the FHD screen variants
CONS
- keyboard backlighting needs to be switched on every boot
- webcam could be better
- gets expensive when specced up
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Expert reviews and ratings
By The Verge on August 07, 2017
No hybrid distractions, just a pure, distilled laptop
85
By UltrabookReview on December 06, 2021
I’ll admit, with laptops this small, my expectations drop due to the limited space. But this 2021 ThinkPad X1 Carbon exceeded my expectations. I could easily use this device as a primary computer, especially while on the road. Considering how well it performs, the stellar inputs, all the configuration options, and the battery life, there’s little to complain about.
90
By The Verge on August 13, 2012
The brainy professor goes on a diet
75
By UltrabookReview on March 18, 2014
On a first look, Lenovo's ThinkPax X1 Carbon 2014 looks like a great machine. Sleek, solid, powerful and packed with the latest features, it sound like a great pick for business environments. Unfortunately though, Lenovo chose to redefine the keyboard, trackpad and ports selection, and by doing so, alienated the professional users and heavy typists that would usually buy such devices.
60
By TechRadar on January 08, 2017
Lenovo refines the already excellent ThinkPad X1 Carbon, making it smaller and lighter, while cutting bloatware and adding more power with Kaby Lake processors.
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By TrustedReviews on December 03, 2012
You may remember the original
90