Whether you should buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon depends on your needs and preferences as a laptop user. The X1 Carbon is one of Lenovo’s premium ultrabook offerings, known for its lightweight and durable construction, security features, and strong performance. However, it also comes at a high price point compared to other ultrabook options. Evaluating the X1 Carbon’s pros and cons can help determine if it’s the right choice for your next laptop purchase.
What is the ThinkPad X1 Carbon?
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is Lenovo’s flagship ultrabook, part of the company’s popular ThinkPad line of business laptops. Currently in its 9th generation, the X1 Carbon continues the ThinkPad tradition of high-quality engineering and reliability. Some key features of the X1 Carbon include:
- A lightweight carbon fiber construction weighing around 2.5 pounds
- A 14-inch display with 1080p or higher screen resolutions
- The latest Intel Core processors, up to an i7
- Fast SSD storage and abundant RAM options up to 16GB
- Sturdy military-grade durability testing
- Long battery life of up to 15 hours on a charge
- Enterprise security and management features like dTPM encryption
The X1 Carbon squeezes premium hardware and features into an extremely portable 14-inch laptop design. It’s made to deliver strong productivity and performance in a slim and lasting package. However, this comes at a steep price, with the X1 Carbon starting at around $1,500 depending on custom configuration.
X1 Carbon Pros
Portability
One of the X1 Carbon’s biggest advantages is its extraordinarily lightweight and slim build. Starting at just 2.5 pounds for the laptop alone, it’s one of the lightest 14-inch notebooks in its class. It measures only 0.59 inches thick when closed. This extreme portability makes it an ideal choice if you need to carry your laptop frequently for work or school. It can easily fit into a backpack or briefcase without adding much bulk. The compact size also makes it convenient for using in tight spaces like airplane seats or coffeeshop tables. If you need a large screen in a small package, the X1 Carbon delivers.
Durability
ThinkPads are known for their durability, and the X1 Carbon lives up to this reputation. It undergoes 12 different military-grade certification tests, meaning it can withstand extreme temperatures, shocks, vibrations, and more. The carbon fiber reinforced chassis is very strong yet flexible. There’s little flex or creaking when you twist the base. The lid uses a roll cage design to protect the display from pressure damage. Spills onto the keyboard can drain out the bottom without harming components. Overall, the X1 Carbon is built like a tank with very durable materials, perfect for travelers and Business users who need to rely on their laptop daily. It can handle being tossed into a bag and taken on the road for years without falling apart.
Performance
With the latest Intel processors, generous SSD storage, abundant RAM, and integrated Intel graphics, the X1 Carbon delivers snappy productivity performance for most Business and professional needs. CPUs up to an i7 with vPro support provide fast speeds for spreadsheets, documents, browsing, presentations, and more. Storage is configurable up to 1TB of PCIe solid state storage for quick access to files and fast boot times. The lack of a discrete GPU limits gaming capabilities, but the integrated graphics easily handle video streaming and visually-intensive Business tasks. Overall, the performance is reliable and fast for Business laptop needs without being overkill.
Connectivity
The array of ports on the X1 Carbon covers all the bases for connectivity. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports for lightning-fast data transfers to external displays and devices. There’s also two standard USB-A 3.2 ports for broad peripheral compatibility, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a headphone jack. Optional mobile broadband with global 5G connectivity enables internet access anywhere. And Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6 allow connections to wireless peripherals and fast networking speeds. The X1 Carbon has all the wired and wireless connectivity you’ll need in a modern ultrabook.
Security
IT departments and other security-focused users will appreciate the many security features of the X1 Carbon. Available dTPM 2.0 chip encryption helps secure sensitive data. The optional touch fingerprint reader built into the palmrest allows for biometric logins. And ThinkShutter, a physical cover for the webcam, prevents spying. On the software side, options like Intel vPro manageability provide remote administration and control capabilities. The X1 Carbon has both the hardware and software security measures for peace of mind, especially important for large enterprises deploying fleets of laptops.
Keyboard
ThinkPads are renowned for their keyboards, and the X1 Carbon follows suit. The backlit keyboard has sculpted and curved keys to match the shape of fingers, with plenty of 1.5mm key travel for a responsive typing experience. There’s also a soft-touch deck for comfort on the palms. And the TrackPoint nub and physical buttons allow mouse control without lifting hands off the home row. For productivity and lots of typing, the X1 Carbon’s keyboard is comfortably among the best.
X1 Carbon Cons
Price
The biggest downside of the X1 Carbon is its premium price that puts it out of reach for many buyers. A base model starts at around $1500, but can climb to over $2000 once you add more RAM, storage, mobile broadband, and other options. That’s very expensive compared to mainstream ultrabook competitors like the Dell XPS 13. You’re paying a premium for the ThinkPad brand name and enterprise-level features when sometimes equivalent performance and quality can be found for much cheaper. The X1 Carbon is a serious investment in terms of laptop spending budget.
Display Resolution
While the X1 Carbon display is vivid and has a thin bezel around the edges, the maximum resolution is only 1920 x 1080 FHD for the non-touchscreen model. Many competing ultrabooks in this price range offer displays with much higher 2560 x 1600 or even 3840 x 2160 4K resolutions. If you need extremely sharp text and clear visuals, the X1 Carbon’s 1080p display may not satisfy. For basic Business use it’s likely sufficient, but creative pros may want higher pixel density. External monitors can make up for it somewhat via the Thunderbolt ports if needed.
Bulkier Than Some Alternatives
Even though the X1 Carbon is impressively thin and light, there are lighter and more compact options available too. The X1 Carbon is still fairly bulky compared to alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro that push closer to 2 pounds and 0.4 inches thickness. And convertible 2-in-1 models can get even thinner when opting for weaker hardware. If every ounce and millimeter of size makes a difference, the X1 Carbon won’t beat the most portable contenders. But it gets remarkably close for a standard clamshell with strong internals.
No Discrete GPU Option
While integrated Intel graphics provide decent performance for Business and office use cases, some users require the accelerated performance of a discrete GPU. Unfortunately, the X1 Carbon does not offer any configuration options with a dedicated Nvidia or other graphics card. Other ThinkPad models do allow this, but not the X1 Carbon line currently. That limits its capabilities for intensive gaming, CAD and 3D design work, certain content creation uses, and other graphics-focused applications.
Limited Memory/Storage Upgrades
The X1 Carbon maxes out at 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage from the factory. While sufficient for many users, some need upgrades beyond this for memory-intensive workloads. Unlike earlier models, the RAM is now soldered and cannot be upgraded after purchase. And the storage uses an M.2 stick so cannot be upgraded to larger capacity than 1TB either. Users who need frequent storage upgrades or more than 16GB RAM will need to look elsewhere or rely on external storage solutions.
Who Is the X1 Carbon Best For?
With its high price but strong Business-focused feature set, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is best suited for certain types of professional users:
- Business travelers who need a durable and portable machine.
- Enterprise and government employees using managed and secured devices.
- Office workers and professionals needing lots of typing comfort.
- Students and academics carrying their laptop frequently.
For these users, the premium build quality, security, keyboard, and performance of the X1 Carbon justify the high costs. More budget-focused buyers may still appreciate the X1 Carbon’s quality but find better value in lower-priced alternatives.
Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon continues to live up to its heritage as a top-tier ultrabook for Business use cases. Its slim yet durable construction, Enterprise security features, comfortable keyboard, and strong productivity performance make it a great choice for professionals on the go. However, budget buyers may want to look at more affordable options unless X1 Carbon’s specific benefits are indispensable. Overall, the X1 Carbon earns its reputation as a leading mobile productivity notebook, albeit with a premium price tag.
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Models Comparison
| Model | Year | CPU | RAM | Storage | Display | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X1 Carbon Gen 7 | 2019 | 8th Gen i5/i7 | Up to 16GB | Up to 1TB SSD | 14″ 1080p or 4K | 2.4 lbs |
| X1 Carbon Gen 8 | 2020 | 10th Gen i5/i7 | Up to 16GB | Up to 1TB SSD | 14″ 1080p or 4K | 2.3 lbs |
| X1 Carbon Gen 9 | 2021 | 11th Gen i5/i7 | Up to 16GB | Up to 1TB SSD | 14″ 2K 165Hz | 2.49 lbs |
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Sample Configurations
| Config | CPU | RAM | Storage | Display | GPU | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i5-10210U | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 1080p | Integrated | $1509 |
| 2 | i5-10310U vPro | 16GB | 512GB SSD | 1080p Touch | Integrated | $1799 |
| 3 | i7-10610U vPro | 16GB | 1TB SSD | 4K | Integrated | $1999 |
| 4 | i7-1185G7 vPro | 32GB | 1TB SSD | 2K 165Hz | Integrated | $2499 |
ThinkPad X1 Carbon vs Dell XPS 13
The X1 Carbon and XPS 13 are two of the most popular ultrabook models for premium Business and professional use. How do they compare?
| ThinkPad X1 Carbon | Dell XPS 13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 14″ 1080p or 4K | 13.3″ 1080p or 4K |
| Thickness | 0.59 inches | 0.58 inches |
| Weight | 2.49 pounds | 2.59 pounds |
| CPU | Up to i7 vPro | Up to i7 |
| RAM | Up to 16GB | Up to 32GB |
| Storage | Up to 1TB SSD | Up to 2TB SSD |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A, HDMI, headphone jack | 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2, microSD card reader, headphone jack |
| Price | Starts at $1509 | Starts at $999 |
In summary, the X1 Carbon offers stronger Business features like vPro CPU options, while the XPS 13 has consumer advantages like a smaller footprint, higher display resolutions, and more memory/storage capacity. But both are excellent premium ultrabook choices with the X1 Carbon catering more to Business use cases.