Latest news with #ThinkPad
CNET
3 days ago
- CNET
Breaking From Tradition, ThinkPad X9 Offers a Cheap Path to OLED Ultraportable
7.8 / 10 SCORE Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition $1,337 at Lenovo Pros Thin, sturdy design Includes OLED display for a great price Excellent haptic touchpad Great battery life Cons So-so performance Keyboard isn't up to ThinkPad standard Heavier than it looks Aura Edition stuff is more marketing fluff than anything actually useful Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition 7.8/10 CNET Score $1,337 at Lenovo For a laptop line steeped in tradition like the ThinkPad, one that goes back before Lenovo acquired IBM's computer business, the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition marks a radical departure. For starters, it lacks a ThinkPad's familiar boxy shape and matte black finish. There's also no red TrackPoint pointing stick in the middle of the keyboard, and the keyboard itself isn't very ThinkPad-like. Flip it over, and you'll notice a pair of unusual design elements: a grooved bottom cover and what Lenovo calls an Engine Hub, a vented strip that houses the ThinkPad X9 14's cooling fans and ports. This hub protrudes from the bottom panel to optimize thermals while also allowing the rest of the laptop to be impressively thin. While I like the sleek look of the ThinkPad X9 14 and love its rigid, sturdy aluminum enclosure, it's significantly heavier than the carbon fiber ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition. The X9 might force you to carry around some extra weight, but its price is lighter. The X9 costs hundreds less while offering two key items found on the X1 Carbon: a beautiful OLED display and a generously proportioned haptic touchpad. If you can do without the pointing stick, then the ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition offers a well-rounded package at a more budget-friendly price than flagship business ultraportables like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 and the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i. Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition Price as reviewed $1,337 Display size/resolution 14-inch 2,880x1,800 120Hz OLED display CPU Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Memory 16GB LPDDR5-8533 Graphics Intel Arc 130V Storage 512GB SSD Ports 2 x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, combo audio Networking Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Operating system Windows 11 Pro Weight 2.84 lbs (1.28 kg) The ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition starts at just over $1,000, which is significantly less than the entry point for the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13. You'll spend closer to $2,000 for even the cheapest X1 Carbon Gen 13, and it won't have an OLED display or haptic touchpad, both of which come standard on all ThinkPad X9 14 models. The entry-level ThinkPad X9 14 features an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and a 1,920-by-1,200 OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and a rated 400 nits of brightness. My test model features three upgrades: a 512GB SSD for $100, a 2,880-by-1,800 OLED for $100, and Windows 11 Pro for $60. The 2.8K OLED panel not only supplies a higher resolution than the base display, it also comes with touch support, a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a rated 500 nits of brightness. At the time of this review, my test system was discounted to $1,337 at Lenovo. Other upgrades include two slightly higher-end Core Ultra 5 processors as well as a pair of Core Ultra 7 options, all of which come with 32GB of memory. The Core Ultra 5 228V upgrade with 32GB of RAM for only $20 is a great deal for just the memory upgrade alone. You can also outfit the laptop with up to 2TB of storage. One upgrade not offered that you can get with the X1 Carbon is mobile broadband, a feature many road warriors require for times when they can't connect to a Wi-Fi network. The ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition starts at £1,020 in the UK and AU$1,945 in Australia. Matt Elliott/CNET Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition performance My ThinkPad X9 14 test laptop isn't a speed machine. It features the baseline duo of the Core Ultra 5 226V and 16GB of RAM, which are the same specs you get with the Acer Aspire 14 AI, which is a fine laptop in its own right but a truly budget model that you can pick up for between $500 and $700. The ThinkPad X9 14 costs double that and beyond, once you start adding upgrades. You don't necessarily need to upgrade the ThinkPad X9 14 with one of the Core Ultra 7 processors, but either of the other Core Ultra 5 options would go a long way toward snappier performance simply for the 32GB of RAM that they include. As configured, the ThinkPad X9 14 finished near the back of the pack on our application benchmarks and was particularly lackluster on the multicore tests for Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024. Graphics performance from the integrated Intel Arc 130V was also so-so, trailing that of Core Ultra 7-based laptops with Intel's integrated Arc 140V graphics but ahead of models with integrated GPUs from AMD and Qualcomm on the 3DMark Steel Nomad test. Its score on Procyon's AI Computer Vision benchmark, which measures integer math proficiency for AI workloads, was slightly behind the scores from other laptops with current-generation AI CPUs but well ahead of the HP Pavilion Plus 14, which features a first-gen Intel Core Ultra chip. What the ThinkPad X9 14 lacks in raw performance, it makes up for in efficiency. It ran for more than 17 hours on our YouTube streaming battery-drain test, which is an excellent result for an Intel-based laptop. You can get longer battery life from a laptop based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon X series CPU, where we've regularly seen battery life of more than 20 hours, including Microsoft's 13-inch Surface Laptop, which lasted for more than 24 hours on the same test. The Core Ultra 5 226V from Intel's Lunar Lake series has none of the potential Windows-on-Arm software compatibility issues, however, and it still provides battery life long enough that you can leave your charger at home, take the ThinkPad X9 14 to work all day and return home with plenty left in the tank. Check out CNET's mobile CPU explainer for more details on what to expect from different laptop processors in 2025. A ThinkPad that thinks different Without the matte black finish and slightly chunky, boxy shape, the ThinkPad X9 14 doesn't look all that much like a ThinkPad. And the keyboard has a different look and feel, even without considering the distinct lack of the red TrackPoint in its center. I mean, there are still some ThinkPad touches, like the ThinkPad logo in the corner of the lid with the "i" getting the glowing-red-dot treatment, the notch above the display for the webcam and the sturdier single hinge for the display that runs nearly the width of the laptop. Matt Elliott/CNET Instead of the traditional matte black, the ThinkPad X9 14 features a brushed aluminum finish in a dark gray that's between Apple's space gray and midnight black options for its MacBooks. It's fairly rigid but doesn't have a very distinctive look, which maybe you won't mind if you aren't looking to make a statement with your work laptop. The keyboard also lacks distinction. The squared-off keys are a departure from the usual ThinkPad shape, where the keys have a rounded bottom. There's a hint of the rounded shape as the bottom edge of the X9's keys is gently sloped, but the keys certainly have a different look. They also have a different feel -- one that's not quite as plush as the ThinkPad X1 Carbon's. Because the ThinkPad X9 14 is so thin, key travel is shallower than on the X1 Carbon and feels rather generic, bordering on mushy. Matt Elliott/CNET The ThinkPad X9 14 scores points for being very thin -- it's less than 18 millimeters thick, or roughly 0.7 inches -- but it's not very light. At 2.8 pounds, it's merely average for its size. Other 14-inch laptops are much lighter, including the 2.2-pound ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 and the 2.6-pound HP EliteBook Ultra G1i. And among similarly sized consumer models, the 13.6-inch MacBook Air weighs 2.7 pounds and the Asus Zenbook A14 weighs just 2.2 pounds. Matt Elliott/CNET The ThinkPad X9 14 achieves its remarkable thinness by putting the cooling fans in the Engine Hub, a rectangular bump-out on the bottom panel. Between the two cooling fans is the Core Ultra 5 226V CPU and its integrated memory module. The ports are also located on either end of this hub: a Thunderbolt 4 port on either side, along with an HDMI out on the left and a headphone jack on the right. By placing these items in this vented strip, Lenovo says, the cooling and performance are optimized. I don't know if it helped the X9's performance any, but the laptop did stay cool and quiet during my time with it. The ThinkPad X9 14 lacks many of the advantages you get with the flagship X1 Carbon, but it includes two features I'd want in my primary work laptop: an OLED display and a haptic touchpad. Even the baseline X9 model comes with an OLED, and our unit included the upgrade option that delivers a higher resolution, a higher (and variable) refresh rate, increased brightness and touch support. It's a 2.8K-resolution OLED panel (2,880-by-1,800 pixels) with a variable refresh of up to 120Hz. Text and images look incredibly crisp with such a high resolution on a 14-inch display, and you get the vibrant colors and stellar contrast you'd expect from an OLED. It's definitely worth the modest $100 up-charge. Matt Elliott/CNET The haptic touchpad comes standard, and it's excellent. It's generously portioned, especially for a ThinkPad whose touchpad surface is usually squeezed by the two added mouse buttons wedged between it and the spacebar for the pointing stick. But without a pointing stick, there's more space for the touchpad. I loved having a consistent and customizable click response across its entire surface instead of just along its bottom half, as you'd get with a basic mechanical touchpad. So, what's with this Aura Edition business, you might be wondering. It comes from Lenovo partnering with Intel on a handful of "smart" features, such as smart sharing for swapping files between the laptop and your phone via Intel's Unison app. There's an attention mode where you can set a timer to limit or disable notifications, and a wellness mode that reminds you to take a break to rest your eyes or sit up straight when you begin to slouch. I don't like the idea of the camera monitoring me as I work, but maybe you miss having your mom or dad giving you proper posture reminders. Perhaps the most useful part of the Aura Edition thing is Smart Care, which provides specialized support for one year, where you get access to dedicated virtual and live agents. Matt Elliott/CNET The ThinkPad X9 14 offers both biometric options -- facial recognition via the webcam and a fingerprint scanner on the power button -- for secure logins. These are appreciated features on a consumer laptop and must-haves on a business machine. And the webcam itself is great: an 8-megapixel sensor that captures sharp, well-balanced images and video. Should I buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition? If you're a ThinkPad traditionalist, then it's best to pass on this model. But if you're looking for a business laptop for basic office tasks and want an OLED display and roomy haptic touchpad for a great price, then the ThinkPad X9 14 starts to look like a winner. Hide our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 How we test computers Photo Gallery 1/1 The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computerlike devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments. The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we're currently running on every compatible computer include Primate Labs Geekbench 6, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra. A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found on our How We Test Computers page. Hide our expert take Geekbench 6 CPU (multi-core) HP Pavilion Plus 14 11646 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 11079 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 11032 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 Aura Edition 11029 Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13 inch 10985 Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (DR04255) 10554 Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-52MT) 10082 Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition 9844 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Geekbench 6 CPU (single-core) Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (DR04255) 2792 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 2777 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 2742 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 Aura Edition 2728 Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-52MT) 2567 Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition 2563 Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13 inch 2400 HP Pavilion Plus 14 2267 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Cinebench 2024 CPU (multi-core) HP Pavilion Plus 14 643 Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13 inch 639 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 Aura Edition 583 Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-52MT) 567 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 557 Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (DR04255) 537 Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition 532 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 518 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Cinebench 2024 CPU (single-core) HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 123 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 121 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 Aura Edition 121 Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition 113 Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-52MT) 112 Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (DR04255) 111 Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13 inch 107 HP Pavilion Plus 14 98 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance 3DMark Steel Nomad HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 820 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 Aura Edition 728 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 680 HP Pavilion Plus 14 640 Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition 561 Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-52MT) 525 Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13 inch 228 Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (DR04255) 220 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance PCMark 10 Pro Edition Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 7114 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 6815 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 Aura Edition 6812 Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (DR04255) 6752 HP Pavilion Plus 14 6707 Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition 6589 Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-52MT) 6403 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Procyon AI Computer Vision (integer) Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13 inch 1935 Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (DR04255) 1766 Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-52MT) 1729 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 1705 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 1675 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 Aura Edition 1585 Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition 1392 HP Pavilion Plus 14 577 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Online streaming battery-drain test Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13 inch 24 hr, 20 min Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-52MT) 18 hr, 56 min Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 17 hr, 54 min Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition 17 hr, 19 min Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (DR04255) 14 hr, 55 min HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 13 hr, 39 min Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 Aura Edition 13 hr, 27 min HP Pavilion Plus 14 13 hr, 21 min Note: Longer bars indicate better performance
CNET
17-07-2025
- CNET
How We Test Antivirus Software
Protecting your devices from viruses and other malware is incredibly important, but effective antivirus detection isn't the only thing to consider when choosing security software. You also want to ensure that the program won't slow your devices down or interfere with everyday tasks. And if you're buying a full cybersecurity suite, you'll need to make sure it covers most or all of your security needs. Our testing processes are designed to help you find antivirus tools that meet all of these criteria. Testing environment All antivirus testing is conducted on a Lenovo ThinkPad with an Intel i5 Processor and Windows 11. Antivirus tools are also installed on a Moto G Stylus 5G Android phone for basic interface testing. Your experience with a specific antivirus may vary based on the devices you're using, especially if you have an older setup. Browser safety tools are tested on both Chrome and Firefox, with both browsers being updated to the most recent versions before testing. Online tools not directly connected to a browser, such as dark web monitoring, are tested in Firefox. All tests are conducted by CNET web hosting expert Dianna Gunn, who has 16 years of experience building websites and eight years of experience testing software. Features The first stage of testing is evaluating the features associated with the core antivirus and cybersecurity packages offered by the company. We consider both the features of the antivirus itself and the number/types of additional tools available. We then compare these features with the offerings of top antivirus companies to establish a features rating. Companies with numerous features for both cybersecurity and identity theft protection receive a 10/10 ranking. Usability The hands-on portion of testing begins with purchasing a plan, creating an account and testing the following areas of usability: Account management: How easy it is to access your products, billing and other account management areas How easy it is to access your products, billing and other account management areas Installation and setup: How fast and user-friendly the installation process is, as well as how easy it is to navigate the core antivirus and the corresponding Android app How fast and user-friendly the installation process is, as well as how easy it is to navigate the core antivirus and the corresponding Android app Additional tools: How easy it is to install and configure cybersecurity tools bundled with the antivirus, excluding identity theft protection tools Cybersecurity companies that make all three of these user experiences pleasant and welcoming to folks without technical experience receive a 10/10 usability ranking. Performance After installing the antivirus, we run it for two or three days while performing everyday tasks such as surfing the web (with five to seven tabs open) and editing images to get a feel for how the antivirus impacts device performance. We also check Task Manager periodically to see how much processing power (percentage of the CPU) and disk space the program is using. Over the course of our testing days, we run three of each antivirus scan type offered by the software. This typically includes regular scans, quick scans and deep scans. We time these scans and keep Task Manager open throughout to get a feel for the program's resource usage during scans. Finally, we move on to testing the additional tools, looking for a few key things: How quickly online data breach or dark web management tools perform their initial scans, the amount of data they procure within the first scan and the tools they provide for removing or protecting your data How fast and efficient performance tools are, as well as how effectively they identify areas for improvement How much browser safety tools impact the browsing experience Whether scam detection tools flag links from spam folders as suspicious How much the VPN reduces internet speed To receive a 10/10 ranking, all tools must be both fast and efficient, using minimal resources and making minimal impact on existing programs' operation so users can continue performing everyday activities. Information management and device performance tools must also accurately identify issues and provide tools or advice for fixing them. Security and privacy CNET doesn't conduct security testing due to concerns about infecting devices on a shared internet connection. Instead, we consider third-party testing from established labs with numerous years of experience testing antivirus software and membership in the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization. We primarily focus on test results from AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. We look for security scores of 5.5 out of 6 from AV-Test in the past six months and at least one AV-Comparatives award in the past year. We also evaluate how the cybersecurity company's additional tools protect users' privacy, with an emphasis on password managers and VPNs. The password manager should use AES-256 encryption and zero-knowledge infrastructure that prevents the company -- or anyone else -- from accessing users' passwords. The VPN shouldn't keep logs of IP addresses or internet activity, and any information it does keep – along with information sent through the VPN -- should use AES-256 encryption. Next, we analyze the company's privacy policies to determine how much information it collects about customers and what it does with that information. We pay special attention to whether the company shares customer data with third parties, the types of third parties it shares customer data with and when it shares that data. We also note where the company is located and its rules around if and when it shares data with public authorities. Finally, we research the company's history to learn if it's had any known data breaches. If data breaches have occurred, we consider how long it's been since those breaches, how transparent the company was about what occurred and how proactive the company was about fixing security issues. Companies can net a security ranking of 10/10 if they have: Consistent high scores in third-party security testing for at least six months Extensive privacy protocols for additional tools like the password manager and VPN Thorough privacy policies that state the company collects only data necessary for product performance Strict limitations on how and when it shares customer data with third parties, including government authorities No data breaches within the past five years A history of handling any past data breaches with transparency and efficiency Customer service We explore each company's customer service portal, looking for: A knowledge base with a prominent search function and links to common categories of questions, like account setup or installation Videos and images are included in knowledge base articles to make tutorials more accessible to visual learners Easily accessible live chat, phone and email support, preferably with 24/7 service We then contact the company through each method of communication to determine how fast and helpful its support representatives are. Companies receive a 10/10 customer service ranking if they provide an extensive knowledge base with significant multimedia content, 24/7 support via all three communication channels (live chat, phone and email), fast response times and helpful support representatives. Value After developing a thorough understanding of how the cybersecurity products work and how well the company protects its customers, we return to its website to re-evaluate its pricing plans. This time, we focus on comparing prices and features of the basic antivirus, mid-range plan and highest-tier plan to equivalent cybersecurity packages from popular companies. Companies with pricing in the average range ($30 to $70 per year for the basic antivirus, $150 to $200 for the mid-range plan and $200 to $250 per year for the highest tier plan) and a full roster of cybersecurity tools, including identity theft protection, will receive a value ranking of 10/10. Overall ranking Overall rankings are determined by averaging out subcategory rankings. Antivirus companies with a ranking of 8.5 and above are considered for an Editors' Choice award. Companies with a ranking between 7 and 8.5 are included in best lists with recommendations for specific use cases unless there are significant issues with security or privacy. Companies that don't receive at least a 7 in our reviews are not recommended.
Digital Trends
02-07-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
This Lenovo ThinkPad laptop is over $1,400 off — hurry while stocks last!
Now's an excellent time to take advantage of laptop deals from Lenovo, which has slashed the prices of a wide range of devices for its Black Friday in July sale. Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops are up to 45% off, and here's one of the most interesting offers available with such a discount — the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 at $1,440 off its estimated value of $3,199, so you'll only have to pay $1,759. That's an excellent price for this fantastic productivity tool, but you're going to have to push forward with your purchase as soon as possible because stocks may run out at any moment. Why you should buy the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 laptop Lenovo inherited the ThinkPad line from IBM, and has maintained its iconic look, sturdy design, and business-focused features, according to our explainer on the different Lenovo brands. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 is a great example of the series, especially if you're on the hunt for a laptop that will help you get through heavy workloads for work or school. It's equipped with components that will challenge those of the best laptops — the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U processor and integrated Intel Graphics, alongside 32GB of RAM that our laptop buying guide says is a necessity if you'll run demanding apps or create content. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 is a portable device as it only has a 14-inch screen, but its WUXGA resolution makes sure that you'll see sharp details and vivid colors. However, despite its size, the laptop will be able to fit all your apps and files as it comes with a 1TB SSD. It also ships with Windows 11 Pro, so you'll have access to the operating system's more advanced features. There's no need to wait until November to take advantage of Black Friday deals, as Lenovo has brought the shopping holiday forward with its Black Friday in July sale. This $1,440 discount for the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 caught our eye, as it slashes the device's price from its estimated value of $3,199 to only $1,759. Offers like this usually sell out quickly, so if you're interested in getting the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 laptop for nearly half-price, we highly recommend completing your transaction for it right now.
CNET
24-06-2025
- CNET
I Love Lenovo's Latest ThinkPad X1 Carbon but Was Shocked at the Cost of Upgrades
8.3 / 10 SCORE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition $2,474 at Lenovo Pros Exceptionally lightweight yet sturdy build Lengthy battery life Stellar 2.8K OLED display Best-in-class ThinkPad keyboard Cons Upgrades are pricey, particularly the OLED display Aura Edition features aren't likely to be of any interest or use 1080p webcam is disappointing given the price Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition 8.3/10 CNET Score $2,474 at Lenovo The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is Lenovo's flagship business ultraportable, and with the 13th generation, Lenovo has made strides in two key areas: system weight and battery life. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 is significantly lighter than last year's model and offers more than twice the battery time. And despite the appreciable decrease in weight, the X1 Carbon Gen 13 looks and feels nearly identical to previous models, serving up the familiar ThinkPad look with an exceptional keyboard and the twin input devices of the venerable pointing stick and more commonly used touchpad. For 2025, Lenovo also slapped an Aura Edition label on the X1 Carbon to show off its partnership with Intel for a few added "smart" features, the most useful being an Apple AirDrop-like ability to share files and photos between your phone and the laptop. I can take or leave the Aura Edition add-ons, and I'm glad that they didn't result in an overhaul of the X1 Carbon's design. I commend Lenovo on its adherence to the traditional ThinkPad DNA. Even in its 13th year, there's no mistaking the X1 Carbon for a run-of-the-mill ThinkPad. Judging by its price, there's also no mistaking the X1 Carbon as the top dog in Lenovo's ThinkPad lineup. It starts at a reasonable $1,655, but the price can quickly escalate. With only a few upgrades, my test model costs $2,474, making it a fit for only the most well-heeled business execs. As much as I like the X1 Carbon Gen 13, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i remains my pick for the best business laptop because it can regularly be found for hundreds less for roughly the same configuration. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition Price as reviewed $2,474 Display size/resolution 14-inch 2,880x1,800 120Hz OLED display CPU Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Memory 32GB LPDDR5-8533 Graphics Intel Arc 140V Storage 512GB SSD Ports 2 x Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, combo audio Networking Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Operating system Windows 11 Pro 24H2 Weight 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) The baseline model of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 costs $1,655 and features an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a 1,920x1,200-pixel IPS display. My test system costs $2,474 as configured with upgrades to the CPU, memory, display and OS. It features a Core Ultra 7 258V and double the RAM at 32GB. The display also gets a bump to a 2.8K-resolution OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, and the OS goes from Windows 11 Home on the baseline model to Pro on my test system. The biggest upgrade charge is an outrageous $490 for the OLED display on my test system, and that's not the most expensive OLED offered. Mine is an OLED rated for 400 nits of brightness and a 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rate. There's also an OLED option that adds $550 to the price that's rated for 500 nits and has a variable refresh rate between 30Hz and 120Hz. Neither offers touch support. Upgrading the CPU isn't cheap either, starting at a hefty $289 for my test system's Core Ultra 258V chip. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 starts at £2,250 in the UK and AU$2,498 in Australia. Matt Elliott/CNET ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 performance I've seen the Core Ultra 7 258V processor in many laptops recently, including the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10, the Acer Swift 14 AI and the Asus Zenbook S 14. The HP EliteBook Ultra G1i has a nearly identical Core Ultra 7 268V chip with slightly higher max CPU and GPU frequencies, along with a couple more GPU TOPS. Both the 258V and 268V processors have eight physical cores (four performance and four low-power efficient cores) and lack Intel's Hyper-Threading technology that allows a physical core to act as two virtual cores. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 performed as expected for an Intel Lunar Lake laptop, delivering stronger single-core performance than multicore performance because of the lack of Hyper-Threading. It also had decent-enough graphics performance for having an integrated GPU and competitive AI performance among modern AI laptops. Matt Elliott/CNET The highlights of its benchmark results were its stronger-than-expected score of more than 7,000 on PCMark 10 and its lengthy battery life. It lasted nearly 18 hours on CNET's YouTube streaming battery drain test -- that's more than four hours longer than the EliteBook Ultra G1i, which features a Lunar Lake chip and a 2.8K OLED display. And it's more than twice the battery life of last year's X1 Carbon Gen 12. The Acer Swift 14 AI illustrates the added battery life you get with a lower-resolution IPS display; it has the same Lunar Lake CPU as the X1 Carbon Gen 13 and lasted more than 22 hours on the same test. Same familiar look with less weight The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 looks no different than last year's Gen 12 model, which looked very similar to the X1 Carbon model that preceded it, and so on. The ThinkPad DNA remains a comforting constant through the years. This year's Gen 13 model features the boxy, matte-black ThinkPad look with red accents, with which you're likely familiar. Despite the recognizable design, this year's model becomes strikingly different than those of previous years as soon as you pick it up. It's incredibly -- shockingly -- light. It's the lightest 14-inch laptop I can recall reviewing. It weighs a hair under 2.2 pounds, putting it in the rare company of 14-inch laptops that weigh less than a kilogram. Matt Elliott/CNET Last year's Gen 12 weighed 2.4 pounds, which was ever-so-slightly lighter than the 2.5-pound Gen 11 model. So, the jump from 2.4 pounds to 2.2 pounds is a big one. If your job has you on the road a lot, then the X1 Carbon Gen 13 makes a great travel companion. With the tiny USB-C charger, the total travel weight is just 2.7 pounds. This isn't a light and flimsy laptop either -- it feels just as rigid and sturdy as the previous two models I looked at. And according to Lenovo, it passed a series of MIL-STD 810H tests to prove its ability to withstand drops, vibration, shock, dust, extreme temperatures and more. To put the X1 Carbon Gen 13's extreme lightness in perspective, the EliteBook Ultra G1i weighs 2.6 pounds, and the Acer Swift 14 AI weighs a touch less than 3 pounds -- that's the usual range for a 14-inch laptop. The only other laptop that comes close is the Asus Zenbook A14, whose unique Ceraluminum chassis is 0.01-pound heavier than the X1 Carbon Gen 13. Matt Elliott/CNET What's amazing is that the weight loss doesn't change the feel of the keyboard. The keys offer the plush response that ThinkPad fans have come to love over the years, and you also get the little red pointing stick in the middle of the keyboard with its own mouse buttons above the touchpad. The only change to the keyboard is the addition of the Microsoft Copilot key, which takes the place of the right Ctrl key in the bottom row. If you plan on using the touchpad more than the pointing stick, you can swap out the mechanical touchpad for one with haptic feedback. I enjoyed the soft, quiet clicks of the mechanical touchpad on my test system, but the haptic touchpad will do away with the diving-board effect of clicks feeling firmer near the top and squishier near the bottom of the touchpad while also offering the ability to customize the intensity of the click response. The haptic touchpad also gives you a bit larger touchpad surface area because it integrates the mouse buttons for the pointing stick into a narrow strip at the top. Matt Elliott/CNET The 2.8K OLED panel is excellent. It boasts deep black levels, vibrant colors and crisp text and images. Its color performance was great, covering 100% of the sRGB and P3 color spaces and 97% of AdobeRGB on my tests with a Spyder X colorimeter. It also hit a peak brightness of 423 nits, which exceeded its 400-nit rating. The matte finish was very effective at combating glare and reflections, and the 120Hz refresh rate resulted in smooth movement. All that said, the $490 that Lenovo charges to upgrade from the base IPS display is outrageous. The 1080p webcam above the display is also a bit disappointing. Given its position as the top ThinkPad laptop and the accompanying premium price, the X1 Carbon Gen 13 ought to have a 1440p webcam so you can appear sharper on Zoom and other video calls. The 1080p cam will get the job done, but you'll just look a little pixelated. If you spend a lot of time on video chats, I recommend configuring it with the optional 8-megapixel webcam. Matt Elliott/CNET The port selection is great, even if both Thunderbolt 4 ports are located on the left side. The pair of USB-A ports is split, but that's less usual than being able to use the USB-C charger from either side of the laptop. It offers Wi-Fi 7 wireless connectivity, and you can get optional 5G for an extra $200. Now, about the Aura Edition bit: It's largely useless. There's a smart sharing feature that lets you swap files between the X1 Carbon and your phone if you install the Intel Unison app on your phone. And there are smart modes for setting a timer to focus or a wellness mode that reminds you to take a break to rest your eyes, as well as a creepy posture warning you can enable that uses the webcam to track how you're doing at sitting up straight and not slouching in front of the laptop. You also get increased device support -- virtual and live agent -- for one year. Is the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 a good business laptop? The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 is an excellent business laptop if you're willing to spend a premium for it. The OLED display is great, but the exorbitant upcharge to get it is a tough pill to swallow. With or without the OLED upgrade, the X1 Carbon Gen 13 is particularly well suited for those who travel regularly for work or have a daily commute because of how light and long-running it is. And then there's the sturdy build quality and fantastic keyboard that's a part of nearly every ThinkPad. If you want an OLED laptop for work and want to spend less than $2,000 on it, then look to pick up the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i when it's on sale. It's heavier than the X1 Carbon Gen 13 but can usually be found at a discount of $1,899 or $1,999, which is significantly less than the nearly $2,500 that my X1 Carbon Gen 13 costs. Hide our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 How we test computers Photo Gallery 1/1 The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computerlike devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments. The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we're currently running on every compatible computer include Primate Labs Geekbench 6, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra. A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found on our How We Test Computers page. Hide our expert take Geekbench 6 CPU (multi-core) HP EliteBook X G1a 14,224 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 13,471 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 11,919 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition 11,079 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 11,032 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 11,029 Asus Zenbook S 14 10,948 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 10,918 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Geekbench 6 CPU (single-core) HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 2,777 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition 2,742 HP EliteBook X G1a 2,729 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 2,728 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 2,701 Asus Zenbook S 14 2,681 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 2,448 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 2,321 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Cinebench 2024 CPU (multi-core) HP EliteBook X G1a 991 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 739 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 610 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 583 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition 557 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 518 Asus Zenbook S 14 484 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 488 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Cinebench 2024 CPU (single-core) HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 123 Asus Zenbook S 14 122 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition 121 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 121 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 121 HP EliteBook X G1a 112 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 109 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 102 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance 3DMark Steel Nomad Asus Zenbook S 14 882 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 871 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 820 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 728 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition 680 HP EliteBook X G1a 603 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance PCMark 10 Pro Edition Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition 7,114 HP EliteBook X G1a 7,068 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 6,815 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 6,812 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 6,811 Asus Zenbook S 14 6,684 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 6,178 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Procyon AI Computer Vision (integer) Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 1,792 Asus Zenbook S 14 1,790 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 1,759 HP EliteBook X G1a 1,753 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 1,705 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition 1,675 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 1,585 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Online streaming battery drain test Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 23:11 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 22:13 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition 17:54 Asus Zenbook S 14 15:20 HP EliteBook X G1a 14:50 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 13:39 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 13:27 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 8:34 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance
Al Bawaba
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Al Bawaba
Driving Innovation: Lenovo and F1® Embracing an AI Future Together to Boost Technical Operations
Formula 1® and Lenovo today announced a successful trial of Lenovo's AI-powered ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition laptop at the Event Technical Centre (ETC) showcasing the possibilities the new era of intelligent computing can have in motorsport operations. As part of a continued multi-year partnership, focused on innovation and performance, F1 tested the Lenovo AI PC on-site within the ETC during the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2025 supporting race data processing and operational efficiency. The trial marked a pioneering moment for AI-enhanced edge computing in the world's most data-rich sport. Roberto Dalla, Chief Technical and Engineering Officer of Formula 1 said, 'The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition marks a significant advancement in smart technology, seamlessly integrating advanced features like Smart Modes, Smart Share, and Smart Care to enhance both user experience and productivity, which we had the opportunity to test during the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2025. With the Intel Lunar Lake Platform and Copilot+ features, this AI-enabled device is designed for high performance and energy efficiency – qualities that align with our aggressive pursuit of being net zero carbon by the end of the decade. In the world of Formula 1, where every second counts, innovations like these allow our teams to process data faster, collaborate more seamlessly, communicate more effectively, and stay focused on creating our award-winning international broadcast for our fans worldwide.' 'It was exciting to see our innovative AI PC tested in one of the most high-pressure environments—during a F1 Sprint weekend,' commented Dr. Tolga Kurtoglu, Chief Technology Officer at Lenovo. 'Through our partnership with Formula 1 we're able to push the boundaries of technological innovation in motorsports —not just to support race operations, but to create unforgettable experiences for fans around the world. This recent trial highlights the potential of AI-enabled hardware to streamline content creation, accelerate storytelling, and help fans feel closer to the action in real time.' The F1 Event Technical Centre (ETC) is a temporary, portable technology hub deployed onsite at every race event. It serves as the central point for acquiring, data, and feeds that are then sent back to the Media & Technology Centre (M&TC) in the UK, the heart of F1's broadcasting operations. The ETC is designed to be compact, efficient, and reliable, ensuring uninterrupted critical services like the timing system and telemetry. Lenovo products—ranging from laptops and tablets to workstations, monitors, servers, and Motorola smartphones—are deeply integrated within the ETC, delivering advanced solutions that enable F1 personnel to monitor vital race operations. The new features found in the ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition laptop, could enable F1 to streamline communications, enhance remote collaboration, enable seamless content sharing across devices, and accelerate data processing to deliver faster insights and smarter strategic decisions. With features like all-day battery life and military-grade durability , Lenovo's AI PC has the potential to help drive a faster performance, enhanced mobility, and longer lasting operations which ultimately results in a richer, more immersive experience for fans worldwide. Furthermore, this trial highlights that as well as being more energy efficient, Lenovo's high-performance PCs can help Formula 1 reduce its overall hardware footprint required at each race. By relying on more capable devices, the need to ship large quantities of equipment from race to race is decreased—cutting down on energy consumption, transportation emissions, and the demand for air conditioning onsite. Another way the two brands are working together on a smarter, more sustainable approach. Building on the success of the initial trial in Shanghai, Formula 1 and Lenovo will continue to explore opportunities to test AI PCs and other cutting-edge technologies throughout the 2025 season. While performance on the track remains critical, the partnership's broader ambition is to continuously elevate broadcast operations and enhance the fan viewing experience, bringing fans even closer to the heart of the action.
