Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbonthe laptop we are telling you about in this review, is a certainty for those who work: it is no coincidence that this 2023 edition is the eleventh. Although the design remains almost unchanged compared to the recent past, Lenovo has updated the chip to the thirteenth generation of Intel processors, includes the 5G chip (optional) and offers an OLED screen as an alternative for those who want something more. But it retains its original pointing system and a truly excellent keyboard.
There’s no doubt about it: it’s a great quality laptop. And we think that the difference is not just the premium specifications, but the overall user experience is really solid. However, it doesn’t mean that it will meet all your needs: in this review we try to help you understand whether the new ThinkPad is for you.
Our review of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (2023)
The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (2023) arrives in its totally “plastic-free” packaging. Not only is the shipping box only made of cardboard and plant fibers, but we also have non-plastic recycled materials in the inner case made of sugar cane and bamboo, which are 100% compostable.
Lenovo also explains to us that it has used used recycled magnesium in 90% of the laptop’s case, with 98% of post-consumer recycled plastic for speakers. Recycled plastic that we also find around the battery (25-30%) and in the USB-C adapter included in the power supply (90%). In a premium product like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon we expect a serious commitment to sustainability. But we like to underline that, although the design of the device has remained recognizable (almost iconic) for some time now, become increasingly eco-sustainable.
The plastic-free packaging and black color of the laptop don’t make a “wow” effect when you open the ThinkPad box. But he doesn’t need to flaunt his worth: we can see the fact that it is top of the range from the details and in the user experience.
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Data sheet
The new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (2023) starts at a price of 2189,01 eurobut the version we tested reaches altitude 3488,02 euro using the configurator on the Lenovo website. Below we report the technical data sheet of the device under test, placing the basic option in square brackets (where different from the one under test).
- Processor: 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1355U 1.70 GHz [i5-1335U]
- Graphic card: Integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics card
- Installed RAM: 32.0 GB (31.7 GB usable) [16GB)]
- Memory: SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Performance TLC Opal da 2 TB [256GB]
- Screen: 14″ 2,8K (2.880 x 1.800) OLED [IPS 1.920 x 1.200]
- Webcam: FHD RGB+IR 1080P with Artificial Vision
- 4 microphones
- Wi-Fi 6E 11AX (2×2) vPro & Bluetooth® 5.1
- 5G (Fibocom FM350-GL 5G SUB6) [Opzionale]
- NFC [Opzionale]
- Fingerprint reader and facial recognition with Windows Hello
- Drums: 4 one, 57Wh. Charger CA Slim USB-C da 65 W a 3 pin, PCC 90%
The device we are testing represents almost the non plus ultra of this model. But you also find faster chips, like Intel Core i7-1365U e i7-1270P. Depending on the processor, you may have RAM da 16GB fino a 64GB. So performance will vary in more critical workloads. However, for normal office work even the Intel Core i5-1335U of the basic version should prove competitive.
Also be careful when comparing our impressions of the display, given that the other versions have a lower resolution LCD screen: IPS panels with 1,920×1,200 resolutions, with the option for touchscreen and ePrivacy filter.
For the rest, the evaluations of this review should also remain valid on the other variants – if you exclude the presence of 5G and NFC connectivitywhich not everyone will need.
Light and “classic” design (but with personality)
Without looking at the technical specifications, it is often difficult to distinguish one generation of ThinkPad X1 Carbon from another. Lenovo doesn’t change much in the design of its flagship business laptop. But it doesn’t lower its construction standards either: the Gen 11 also passed the US Department of Defense MIL-STD-810H tests and over 200 other durability tests. Design that wins cannot be changed – except for the use of greener materials, which we particularly appreciate.
The top finish of the device feels smooth to the touch, although the Checkered texture in shades of gray provides dynamism to the body. It does not retain fingerprints at all, unlike the rest of the body (both on the back and next to the keyboard) which is black and smooth. At the bottom you will find a grill to dissipate heat, as well as two speakers – you will find two more next to the keyboard.
The notes of color are few, but iconic. Up we find the writing ThinkPad X1, which we find at the bottom right also under the keyboard. On the external one, the red dot over the “i” lights up red when the laptop is turned on. Reds are also the trackpoint in the middle of the keyboard, as well as the bottom accents on the buttons above the trackpad. The screen bezels are discreet, although not extremely thin (which, however, should improve durability). The power button, which also contains a fingerprint readerit’s above the keyboard at the top.
Excellent weight, da only 1.12 kilograms. Compared to other 14-inch laptops, it has nothing to envy: even the Macbook Pro 14 weighs more. The difference is made by the carbon, which makes this laptop resistant but very light. We are used to often carrying the laptop with us for work, but we noticed that ThinkPad X1 Carbon weighs only 100 grams more than the backpack in which we placed it. If you have to travel and need an (excellent) laptop keyboard, there are very few better alternatives.
Port selection
On the left (looking at the display) you will find due porte USB-C Thunderbolt 4, which you can use for charging or to connect any type of peripheral. But you also find a USB-A 3.2 port and an HDMI 2.0. We would have preferred the more powerful HDMI 2.1, but it seems like an acceptable compromise.
On the right, however, you will find one slot Nano Kengsintona door USB-A 3.2uno slot per nano-SIM (optional) and the entrance jack 3.5 for headphones.
It’s missing slot to read SD cards, that we would have dedicated even in a laptop without a dedicated video card – not only professional photographers use them.
However, we would like to point out the double possibility for biometric access with Windows Hello: there is both the webcam with face recognition (with physical slider to close the webcam for privacy), and the fingerprint reader on the power button.
Connectivity
The connectivity of this laptop deserves a paragraph of its own. During most of the hours we tested the Lenovo ThinkPad adapter for USB-C or USB-A). But we often had to move, working from the train or subway. Normally, we would use the WiFi hotspot from the phone to connect to the network: the laptop’s WiFi 6E connects quickly and without problems. But the (optional) possibility of insert a SIM into the laptop and connect directly this way It really seems very comfortable to us. There is also the possibility of using an eSIM, to have the complete package. If you travel often, dedicating a data plan to this PC is recommended.
Also excellent Bluetooth 5.3 to connect headphones and accessories: we have never had connection or latency problems. However, we used littleNFC (optional), but it is more due to lack of accessories and dedicated services than for the laptop. However, we appreciate the completeness.
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 review (2023): excellent performance (not only) for those who work
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon X1 (2023) that we tested in this review has a single chip processor Intel Core i7-1355U. It is one of Intel’s thirteenth generation U series processors, intended for use in laptops to guarantee good performance without compromising battery life. But this doesn’t mean that it isn’t powerful, especially if you make a generational leap of a few years: this computer can guarantee respectable performance.
Also complicit lots of fast LPPDR5 RAM and the rapid memoria SSD, in daily “office” use we never had even one uncertainty. We kept several Edge pages open, made full use of the Office package, made video calls and followed streaming conferences. The fans activated, although remaining silent, only for brief moments and at full load. The laptop only warmed up significantly while we were running some benchmarks and installing about ten updates during the work day. But never excessively, continuing to work without problems.
If you use it for what Lenovo designed it for, ThinkPad X1 Carbon performs perfectly – better than many much thicker laptops. But you can also go a little further, with some light graphics editing and even some games. Don’t get us wrong: if you want to watch videos every day and play the best video games released this year in full detail, this is not the laptop we recommend. Let’s just say that there’s enough power to use it outside the office too, occasionally. Especially with this OLED screen, even if it’s just to catch up on a TV series on the train or a film on the plane.