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The release of a new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a highly anticipated event in the year of laptops. Now on its 7th generation, this machine is, for many, the benchmark in high end ultraportable computing. The annual upgrade is an opportunity for Lenovo to present its best mobile technology to business users. This year, we have an even lighter laptop, with a screen of up to 4K, up to 1 TB of storage and the latest Intel 8th generation processors. Of course, this is not a computer for cash-strapped people, with prices starting at £ 1,429.99 (VAT inc., £ 1,191.66 excluding VAT).
Whereas the ThinkPad X1 Carbon (7th generation) contains a 14 inch screen, it is exceptionally light, starting at 1.09 kg. It can be assumed that the design team of Lenovo simply has not managed to bring it under the magical bar of 1 kg, but this remains an impressive feat: the model of the l & # 39; last year weighed 1.13 kg.
The 7th Generation ThinkPad X1 Carbon runs on 8th generation Core i5 or i7 processors with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. Screen options range from FHD / 300nits to 4K / 500nits, with PrivacyGuard available on the FHD / 400nits model.
Pictures: Lenovo
The chassis does not sacrifice any strength in search of a low weight. The X1 Carbon (7th generation) meets the MIL-STD 810G standard, which means it is ideal for use in very cold and hot weather, as well as to withstand falls and strokes. The construction is as solid as we expected from the X1 Carbon series: there is some bending in the lid, but not enough to sound the alarm, while the base is very solid.
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The 4K screen model comes with a carbon fiber weave pattern on the top cover.
Image: Sandra Vogel / ZDNet
With a maximum thickness of 14.95 mm, the edges can usually accommodate standard connectors rather than mini versions (see below). The cone towards the front is not as good as on some laptops – it is perhaps for this reason that the thickness of the leading edge is not documented ( even if at 10 mm, this is really not a cause for embarrassment). The office space of 323 mm wide and 217 mm thick is little more than a sheet of A4 paper.
Two finishes are available: both are black, with the option of a woven carbon fiber finish on the top cover of 4K models. My examination unit had this finish, which looks elegant, although I'm not sure if I'm missing it.
This is not a 360 degree convertible laptop. For this, you will have to wait (not very long) for Lenovo to release the ThinkPad X1 Yoga (4th generation). Here, the screen will be swivel enough to sit flat on a desk, but no further.
The 14-inch screen is in frames that Lenovo does not care about, perhaps because they do not record any results. My dimensions have a width of 6 mm on the side panel of the outer edge, while the top panel measures 12 mm.
The screen itself is currently available in three different versions in ready-made configurations. The entry-level model features an IPS FHD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels) with a maximum brightness of 400 nits and an anti-reflective finish. The mid-range model has the same 300nits panel with touch support. The high-end model offers a resolution of 2,560 by 1,440 and a resolution of 300 points, but no touch support.
There is also the 4K IPS screen (3840 x 2160) with DolbyVision, HDR400 and 10-bit color, which was sent to me. This non-touch screen is nice to work because it is sharp, bright (500nits) and clear.
Lenovo has put in place an "eye care" mode that reduces the blue light on the screen. It will be welcome to all those who need to work in the wee hours.
One of the security features of the laptop is PrivacyGuard, which reduces the viewing angles of the screen, so that people sitting nearby can not watch what you are doing over your shoulders. If this sounds appealing, be aware that it is not available on the 4K screen, which means that I have not been able to test PrivacyGuard.
If you want to use this laptop for multimedia, you should note the quality of the audio subsystem. The Dolby Atmos system is based on stereo speakers whose grids are located just above the keyboard. These sounds generate a high quality sound: the music is incredibly rich in bass and, even if the fidelity is lost to the maximum of its volume, you do not really need to go there. 60%.
If you are tempted by the 4K display, know that it crushed the 51Wh battery of my evaluation unit. Lenovo quotes a battery life of up to 18.3 hours, but the 4K screen does not allow it: the preconfigured screen brightness of 100% to work on battery consumed 28% d & rsquo; A full battery in two hours. By lowering the brightness to 80% (it was not comfortable to fall below this mark), the battery increased to 43% after two hours. During this period, I used to do a mix of classic tasks over a Wi-Fi connection: writing in a web application, streaming music and browsing the web.
Fortunately, the X1 Carbon (7th generation) supports fast charging, which has helped rebuild my evaluation unit from 56% to 100% in one hour.
The keyboard is backlit and splashproof, and has a positive and clickable action. The touchpad integrates an NFC touchpoint and a fingerprint reader is on the right.
Image: Sandra Vogel / ZDNet
The splash-proof backlit keyboard complies with Lenovo's usual high standard. The Belly keys are large enough to allow a tactile hit at full speed, and the Enter key has a double height and a nice width. Even the arrow keys are well dimensioned – these are not the narrow pellets you get in small format notebooks. The keys, which bounce well when you press them, have an audible "click", which will be particularly noticeable if you are a heavy hand typist.
If something is suffering from the relatively small footprint of this laptop, it's the touchpad. It must be compatible with Lenovo's trademarked TrackPoint trio of buttons, to be used with the iconic red pointing stick located between the G, H and B keys. The relatively truncated wrist rest does not leave much room for action. space for the touchpad itself, which seems wide enough, but could be a little deeper. It contains an NFC touchpoint and a fingerprint reader on the right.
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The PrivacyGuard option and the fingerprint sensor are part of a range of security features, including a discrete TPM module (dTPM) and a ThinkShutter slider blocking the camera. People who are concerned about people sitting next to them glancing at their screens might also be concerned about people standing behind them. The infrared camera has a feature called PrivacyAlert that will give you a contextual notification if someone is looking over your shoulder. Note however that the hybrid infrared camera is a configurable option and that on all three versions of the Lenovo UK website, it is only the most expensive.
Here are the three commercially available options in the UK at the time of writing (users can customize them if they wish):
- Intel Core i5-8265U, Windows 10 Home Edition, FHD 14-inch FHD Monitor (1920×1080) IPS 400nits Anti-Glare, Intel UHD Graphics 620, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
£ 1,429.99 (VAT Included: £ 1,191.66 Excl. Tax) - Intel Core i7-8565U, Windows 10 Pro, anti-glare touch screen IPS 300nits FHD 14 inch (1920×1080), Intel UHD Graphics 620, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD
£ 1,769.19 (including VAT, £ 1,474.32 excluding taxes) - Intel Core i7-8665U, Windows 10 Pro, non-glare anti-glare screen IPS 300nits WQHD 14 inch (2560 x 1440), Intel UHD Graphics 620, 16 GB RAM, 1TB SSD, mobile broadband Fibocom L850-GL 4G LTE CAT9, HD IR / 720p camera with microphone
£ 2,132.39 (Including VAT £ 1,776.99)
Right edge (top): power button; USB 3.1. Left edge (above): USB-C Thunderbolt 3 / power supply; USB-C Thunderbolt 3; Ethernet / connection (owner); USB 3.1; HDMI; 3.5 mm audio.
Image: Lenovo
The integrated mobile broadband SIM connector (if present) is located on the back of the chassis. On the right edge, there is just a full USB 3.1 port, plus the power button. The left edge houses everything else: a USB-C Thunderbolt 3 port also serves as a power connector, leaving a second USB-C Thunderbolt 3 port free to use. There is also a proprietary Ethernet port that requires a £ 19.99 adapter (VAT included); It is also at this point that you connect the Lenovo docking station if you need more connection options. Integrated connectivity is complemented by another USB 3.1 port, a full-size HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
conclusions
Image: Lenovo
Lenovo does not change the ThinkPad X1 Carbon's overall design year after year because it does not need to do so: its distinctive appearance is well established. But inserting a 14-inch screen into a chassis weighing less than 1 kg is a real feat, especially as the 7th generation model adds user-friendly features to businesses such as Eye Care, PrivacyGuard and PrivacyAlert. alongside very good speakers.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has always had a high price, and of course, the more options you add, the higher the cost. Think carefully about the 4K screen option: this may sound appealing, but you will sacrifice touch support and PrivacyGuard, and the battery actually runs out. Also consider the brightness when setting your screen options – 300nits may not reduce it if you work a lot outside.
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