TestPad X1 Carbon 2019: The 7th generation of Lenovo impresses



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ThinkPad X1 Carbon open now

New year, new ThinkPad X1 Carbon: it is easy to think that the annual iterations of laptops would be mundane. However, here we are talking about one of our most rewarded laptop lineup here at HotHardware. Expectations are high. Lenovo's flagship product from last year really impressed us, with its power combined with a lightweight, well-designed package, an impressive 2560×1440 Dolby HDR IPS display and excellent battery life. This model has won an Editor's Choice Award and remains one of our favorite ultraportables for business. How could we still improve the 2019 variant?

Carbon fiber top for ThinkPad X1

For starters, this year's model is thinner, lighter, features even more powerful hardware under the hood and offers an even nicer screen. Intel has updated its low-power processors Kaby Lake R, so we have Intel's newest born here just before the attack of the 10 km Ice Lake, which will reach probably not the critical mass until the fourth quarter. Whatever the case may be, CPU models with and without vPro remote management features are available. Lenovo also offers a vertiginous choice of display technologies: a 1080p touch screen, the same 1440p screen as the model from last year and a new 4K IPS panel brighter. All this material is packaged in a thinner and lighter frame than the last time. It is certainly not a cheap PC, but with a high-end machine, the hope is that you buy more than specifications. The quality of the construction must be excellent and additional features that are worth paying for you need to accompany you. Let's see what the latest ThinkPad X1 Carbon has in store for its lower price.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 7th Generation
Specifications and features
Processor Intel Core i7-8665U with vPro (1.90 GHz, max 4.80 GHz, 4 cores, 8 MB cache) – Tested
Intel Core i7-8565U processor (1.80 GHz, max 4.60 GHz, 4 cores, 8 MB cache)
Intel Core i5-8365U with vPro (1.60 GHz, maximum 4.10 GHz, 4 cores, 6 MB cache)
Intel Core i5-8265U processor (1.60 GHz, maximum 3.90 GHz, 4 cores, 6 MB cache)
BONE Windows 10 Pro 64 bit – Tested
Windows 10 Home Edition 64-bit
Display 14 "4K (3840×2160), 10 bit color, 500 nits, HDR400 certified – Tested
WQHD 14 "(2560 x 1440) IPS, 300 nits, anti-reflective
14 "FHD (1920×1080) IPS, low power consumption, 400 nits, anti-glare
14 "FHD (1920×1080) IPS PrivacyGuard, 400 nits, anti-glare
Touch FHD 14 "(1920 x 1080) IPS, 300 nits, anti-glare
Graphic Intel UHD 620
Storage room Samsung PM981a NVMe M.2 SSD up to 1 TB (x4 channels) – 1 TB tested
Memory 16 GB LPDDR3-2133 MHz (soldered)
l & # 39; Audio Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
Camera 720p webcam with infrared sensor; Windows Hello support and ThinkShutter privacy protection
Networking Intel Wireless-AC 9560 (802.11ac)
Ports: left 1x HDMI 1.4
2x Thunderbolt 3 (socket supported)
1x USB-A 3.0
1x proprietary dock connector
1x headphone / microphone combo jack
Ports: right 1x USB-A 3.0
1x Kensington lock port
Keyboard Backlit white LEDs, Tenkey-less style, keyless, Chicklet style
Drums 4 cell Li-Ion (3230mAh 15.36v, 50 Wh)
Weight Starts at 2.4 lb (1.08 kg)
Dimensions 12.71 x 8.54 x 0.58 inches (323 x 217 x 14.95 mm)
guarantee Limited to 1 year
Price Starting at $ 1,253.40 ($ 1999 as currently configured)

When several configuration options are listed above, we tested the configuration in bold. Here we have the biggest and meanest X1 Carbon you can buy. You get a Samsung Terabyte of the latest and best performing NVMe SSDs, as well as Intel's updated Core i7-8665U with four cores and eight threads, as well as eight megabytes of L3 cache. This processor reaches a maximum of 4.8 GHz, which is sure to make a big difference in short bursts. 16GB of LPDDR3 memory powers the CPU and acts as a frame buffer for the integrated UHD 620 graphics processor.

ThinkPad X1 Carbon hdr display
ThinkPad X1 Carbon 4K HDR400 Screen – Nit 500 – In a nutshell, crisp

The graphics processor emits pixels on a 500-nit bright and brilliant 500K (3820×2160) IPS display with Dolby Vision and HDR400 certifications. While the display is not an OLED Panel, it is still very beautiful and very competitive with the OLED laptop screens that we have seen. Its pixel density of 314 dpi provides very sharp text and images, and the saturation and contrast levels of the colors are good. As expected, Windows detects the 4K display's HDR tint mapping capabilities and provides a flip-flop to support HDR content. If 500 nits of brightness spoil your retina, do not worry: lower settings can reduce screen backlighting to much lower levels, and we've had no problem at all. Use in poorly lit areas. Speaking of darkness, the keyboard features a white LED backlight that lets you see what you are doing when the ambient light is dim. Although the X1 Carbon is not a two in one device with a dedicated touch screen or tablet mode, the screen opens up to 180 degrees, which makes it completely flat on our table.

ThinkPad X1 Remaining Carbon Carbon Ports
ThinkPad X1 carbon ports (left side): a lot of IO but no slot for MicroSD card

There is a lot of connectivity on this 14 "laptop.On the left you will find a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports, which also support the USB 3.1 gen 2 via their type C connectors. A proprietary network extension The port as well as the two sockets support a variety of ThinkPad docking stations.You will also find USB 3.0 Type-A, HDMI 1.4 and 4-pin headphone jacks, as well as USB ports. another USB 3.0 Type-A port on the right side The Kensington lock connector, the power button and a vent allowing the system to vent excess heat.The only port that is really missing is an SD card reader If it is probably difficult to find room for such a small system, it remains to be missed, especially in this price range, consider us disappointed.

ThinkPad X1 carbon straight carbon ports
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Keyboard Logo

While laptop keyboards can never receive feedback or tactile feedback from your favorite mechanical map, the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon's keyboard area is really nice to type as usual. There is enough running for the keys to be responsive and the slight concave shape cradles your fingertips. It's not much different from last year's ThinkPad, but we'd like to thank Lenovo for sticking to something that works really well and maintaining what we consider to be one of the best laptop keyboards. sector. Speaking of which, as usual, Lenovo's trademark Trackpoint brand is located in the center of the keyboard to move the mouse. There is also an adequate touchpad (but not too big) at the bottom. Touch gestures for scrolling and zooming work as expected. It has three buttons, just like the custom ThinkPad. To the right of this is a fingerprint sensor for people wishing to access the system without a PIN or password.

ThinkPad X1 Carbon shutter privacy

At the top of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon screen is a 720p webcam with an infrared sensor, which supports Windows Hello for unlocking the face. The ThinkShutter physical cover for the camera is that of the model from last year, which privacy conscious users will really appreciate. Windows can not access the camera at all when the shutter is enabled. When the shutter is open, a white LED indicates that the camera is capturing a video. Although Lenovo is not the only company to do this (some HP EliteBook systems also offer it), we think the ThinkShutter is really nice.

Then we will open that baby and see what's under the hood.

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