Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
MSRP $1,680.00
“The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is not a performer, however excels in battery life and safety.”
Professionals
- Strong construct high quality
- Dizzying array of show choices
- Wonderful keyboard
- Above-average battery life
- Good enterprise help
Cons
- Touchpad is just too small
- Costly for the efficiency
A laptop must be pretty refined by the point it’s hit its tenth era. That’s significantly true with one as iconic because the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, the corporate’s marquee business-oriented skinny and light-weight laptop.
Lenovo didn’t mark the X1 Carbon’s tenth era with a spectacular transforming. As an alternative, it additional refines the celebrated design with a number of small however significant refinements, because it’s been doing in each era since its launch.
These small tweaks, alongside an replace to Intel’s Twelfth-gen CPUs, depart this premium enterprise laptop on the prime of its recreation, even when its worth nonetheless doesn’t make it a very life like mainstream client choice.
Worth and configurations
Mark Coppock/Digital Developments
I reviewed a $1,680 configuration with a Core i7-1260P CPU and a 14-inch 16:10 UXWGA (1920 x 1200) low-power IPS show.
After all, Lenovo supplies a number of different configuration choices with the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10. CPUs vary from the 28-watt, 12-core/16-thread Core i5-1540P to the 28-watt 14-core/20-thread Core i7-1280P with vPro. As we’ll see within the show part beneath, there are a dizzying variety of show choices that make it potential (if difficult) to dial in exactly the specified effectivity and show decision and high quality.
Concerning pricing and utilizing Lenovo’s configurator, issues begin at $1,320 for a Core i5-1540P, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a 256GB PCIe SSD, and a 14-inch 16:10 WUXGA (1920 x 1200) low-power, anti-glare IPS show. On the excessive finish, you’ll spend $2,595 for a Core i7-1280P with vPro, 32GB of RAM, a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, 4G LTE, and a 14-inch 16:10 WQUXGA (3840 x 2400) anti-reflective, anti-smudge contact show.
These are steep reductions from the retail costs, they usually aren’t out of line for the enterprise viewers that’s more likely to be most within the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10. When it comes to worth, it’s inexpensive than the extra highly effective Apple MacBook Professional 14 and across the similar worth as a equally configured Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7.
Design
Mark Coppock/Digital Developments
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 enjoys the identical skinny and light-weight chassis as earlier than, constructed of magnesium alloy within the chassis and carbon fiber within the lid. It’s subjected to the standard army testing for robustness as all ThinkPads. Nonetheless, like most laptops with magnesium and carbon fiber, there’s some bending within the lid and flexing within the keyboard deck.
Within the ThinkPad’s case, although, it’s very minor and most of the people received’t discover it, however it doesn’t fairly reside as much as the requirements of extra strong machines just like the Dell XPS 15 and the MacBook Professional 14. The hinge is completely balanced, gentle sufficient to open the lid with one hand however stiff sufficient to carry the show in place.
The magnesium and carbon fiber do carry a significant profit when it comes to the ThinkPad’s weight, which is available in at simply 2.48 kilos. It’s additionally skinny at 0.60 inches, with bigger bezels for a contemporary laptop and thus extra width and depth than some.
What can I say? The most recent ThinkPad X1 appears to be like exactly like a ThinkPad.
By comparability, the strong aluminum MacBook Professional 14 with a 14.2-inch show weighs 3.5 kilos and is 0.61 inches thick, whereas being simply barely thinner and shallower regardless of the bigger panel. The MSI Status 14, alternatively, is a bit of wider and a bit of shallower whereas weighing a whopping 4.64 kilos and coming in at 0.63 inches thick. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is among the lighter 14-inch laptops round whereas being fairly sized in all dimensions.
Aesthetically, what can I say? The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 appears to be like exactly like a ThinkPad — all-black chassis, minimalist traces and angles, crimson LED do on the stylized ThinkPad X1 emblem on the lid and crimson TrackPoint nubbin in the course of the keyboard. It’s a conservative, iconic design that’s recognizable from a distance. Finally, it’s extra placing than simplistic machines just like the Status 14 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7, whereas being much less elegant than the MacBook Professional 14. However no person will probably be embarrassed taking it right into a enterprise assembly.
Ports and connections
Connectivity is generally strong for a 14-inch machine, with two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 help, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, a full-size HDMI 2.0b port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. There’s no SD card reader, which is disappointing.
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 present the newest in wi-fi connectivity, and a Nano SIM slot is non-obligatory supporting 4G LTE WWAN.
Keyboard, touchpad, and webcam
Mark Coppock/Digital Developments
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10’s keyboard has barely modified from the usual ThinkPad model. The keycaps are squared off, giving a extra streamlined look and, for my part, a greater really feel. The switches appeared a bit lighter than many ThinkPads I’ve examined, and that’s an enchancment in my e-book. I’ve often discovered ThinkPad keyboards to require an excessive amount of power. There’s nonetheless loads of journey and a exact, snappy bottoming motion, making it a wonderful keyboard for lengthy typing classes. Lenovo additionally constructed air consumption holes into the keyboard to enhance thermal efficiency, and waterproof seals keep the keyboard’s spill resistance. The structure stays the identical, together with the odd swapping of the left Fn and Ctrl keys.
The touchpad is wider than earlier fashions and nonetheless hosts two buttons to help the crimson TrackPoint nubbin in the course of the keyboard. That makes the touchpad barely bigger than previously however nonetheless smaller than you’ll discover on many aggressive 14-inch laptops. Its glass floor is clean and supplies dependable help for Home windows 11 multitouch gestures. And the TrackPoint works in addition to ever for these ThinkPad diehards preferring it.
Home windows 11 Good day passwordless help is supplied by a fingerprint reader constructed into the facility button embedded within the deck above the keyboard. The facility button’s placement helps keep away from unintentionally urgent the improper key, and the fingerprint reader labored rapidly and reliably in my testing.
Lastly, the webcam is Full HD (1080p) and has a webcam privateness shutter. The webcam supplies wonderful video high quality in regular and low-light environments and will meet anybody’s videoconferencing wants. There are alternatives for a Full HD webcam with infrared for facial recognition and one other with Lenovo’s Pc Imaginative and prescient technology.
Efficiency
Intel’s Twelfth-gen Core i7-1260P is our most-reviewed CPU over the past a number of months. It’s widespread amongst skinny and light-weight laptops just like the Carbon X1 Carbon, and we’ve seen some stratification within the chip’s efficiency. As a 28-watt, 12-core (4 Efficiency and eight Environment friendly), 16-thread processor, the Core i7-1260P has supplied a minimum of strong productiveness efficiency, however some laptops have carried out higher than others. The Acer Swift 3 2022 and MSI Status 14 are two laptops that supplied total superior efficiency than the typical, whereas the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is amongst these offering considerably much less efficiency.
That’s not a shock given how earlier fashions within the line have dealt with efficiency. This ThinkPad was significantly sluggish in our CPU-intensive benchmarks in comparison with opponents, together with video encoding in Handbrake and the 3D rendering benchmark in Cinebench R23. The laptop’s PCMark 10 Full end result, a measure of a mixture of productiveness, multimedia, and inventive duties, was additionally decrease than the typical and even fell behind the ninth era mannequin with a Core i7-1165G7.
Efficiency didn’t reside as much as this CPU’s potential.
Oddly sufficient, I used Lenovo’s thermal administration utility, and it carried out worse in some checks in efficiency mode than in balanced mode.
Regardless of having the next wattage chip inside, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 7 carried out extra just like the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 with a 15-watt, 10-core (two Efficiency and eight Environment friendly), 12-core Core i7-1255U. I can’t say that the ThinkPad suffered from any uncommon points with throttling, a minimum of not more than the remainder of the thin-and-light area, however it didn’t carry out as much as this CPU’s potential.
After all, that doesn’t imply you’ll discover. It’s nonetheless a quick sufficient laptop for demanding productiveness duties, and it’s sooner than Intel’s Eleventh-gen equivalents typically. However the ThinkPad’s means to deal with heavier duties in inventive purposes is considerably lower than with another aggressive machines.
Geekbench (single / multi) |
Handbrake (seconds) |
Cinebench R23 (single / multi) |
PCMark 10 Full |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (Core i7-1260P) |
Bal: 1,531 / 8,209 Perf: 1,580 / 8,342 |
Bal: 133 Perf: 138 |
Bal: 1,538 / 6,993 Perf: 1,538 / 6,783 |
4,982 |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (Core i7-1165G7) |
Bal: 1,327 / 5,201 Perf: 1,556 / 5,490 |
Bal: 170 Perf: 190 |
Bal: 1,469 / 4945 Perf: 1,463 / 4,968 |
5,147 |
MSI Status 14 (Core i7-1260P) |
Bal: 1,505 / 10,041 Perf: 1,477 / 10,604 |
Bal: 114 Perf: 97 |
Bal: 1,553 / 8,734 Perf: 1,567 / 10,450 |
6,201 |
Acer Swift 3 2022 (Core i7-1260P) |
Bal: 1,708 / 10,442 Perf: 1,694 / 10,382 |
Bal: 100 Perf: 98 |
Bal: 1,735 / 9,756 Perf: 1,779 / 10,165 |
5,545 |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 (Core i7-1260P) |
Bal: 1,650 / 8,080 Perf: 1,621 / 8,544 |
Bal: 116 Perf: 120 |
Bal: 1,587 / 7,682 Perf: 1,611 / 8,078 |
5,537 |
MSI Summit E14 Flip (Core i7-1260P) |
Bal: 1,485 / 7,732 Perf: 1,472 / 10,276 |
Bal: 152 Perf: 94 |
Bal: 1,536 / 6,793 Perf: 1,536 / 9,124 |
4,910 |
Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (Core i7-1255U) |
Bal: 1,703 / 6,520 Perf: 1,685 / 6,791 |
Bal: 153 Perf: 141 |
Bal: 1,729 / 6,847 Perf: 1,773 / 7,009 |
5,138 |
Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (Ryzen 7 6800U) |
Bal: 1,417 / 6,854 Perf: 1,404 / 7,223 |
Bal: 112 Perf: 111 |
Bal: 1,402 / 8,682 Perf: 1,409 / 8,860 |
5,647 |
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 makes use of Intel’s Iris Xe graphics, and it was a mean performer in each the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark and Fortnite at 1200p and epic graphics. You’ll need to restrict your gaming to older titles and esports.
3DMark Time Spy |
Fortnite (1080p/1200p Epic) |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (Intel Iris Xe) |
Bal: 1,816 Perf: 1,820 |
Bal: 17 fps Perf: 16 fps |
MSI Status 14 (RTX 3050) |
Bal: 4,438 Perf: 4,451 |
Bal: 23 Perf: 26 |
Acer Swift 3 2022 (Intel Iris Xe) |
Bal: 1,967 Perf: 1,967 |
Bal: 19 fps Perf: 19 fps |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 (Intel Iris Xe) |
Bal: 1,899 Perf: 1,886 |
Bal: 17 fps Perf: 16 fps |
MSI Summit E14 Flip (Intel Iris Xe) |
Bal: 1,740 Perf: 1,959 |
Bal: 15 fps Perf: 19 fps |
Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (Intel Iris Xe) |
Bal: 1,492 Perf: 1,502 |
Bal: fps Perf: fps |
Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (Radeon graphics) |
Bal: 2,110 Perf: 2,213 |
Bal: 19 fps Perf: 19 fps |
Show and audio
Mark Coppock/Digital Developments
Lenovo provides a mind-boggling assortment of show choices for the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10. There are seven 14-inch 16:10 panels to select from, differentiated by an alphabet soup of acronyms. First, there are three WUXGA (1920 x 1200) LP (low-power), AG (anti-glare) panels, one non-touch and two touch-enabled. One of many WUXGA shows with contact consists of Lenovo’s Privateness Guard function. Subsequent is a 2.2K (2240 x 1400) AG IPS display screen, adopted by a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED AGARAS (anti-glare, anti-reflection, anti-smudge) show. Lastly, there are two WQUXA (3840 x 2400) IPS shows, one LP AG non-touch and one LP AOFT (Add-on Movie Contact) AGARAS contact.
Whew.
My review unit was geared up with the WUXGA LP AG contact show, which appeared high-quality throughout my testing. It was a lot shiny, colours appeared dynamic with out being oversaturated, and blacks have been deep for an IPS panel.
My colorimeter confirmed my subjective expertise. The show hit 411 nits of brightness, which is effectively above our 300-nit threshold and greater than shiny sufficient for any indoor lighting situation you’re more likely to face. Its distinction was additionally wonderful at 1660:1, effectively concerning the 1000:1 we prefer to see in premium shows. That resulted in true blacks, for instance, textual content that pops on a white background (my private commonplace) and loads of element in darkish photos.
Colours hit the premium laptop common of 98% of sRGB and 76% of AdobeRGB, though I’ve seen extra shows currently falling within the 80s for AdobeRGB. Coloration accuracy was okay at a DeltaE of 1.96, beneath the two.0 mark that’s the minimal for inventive work however nonetheless greater than I prefer to see. The MSI Summit E14 Flip and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 had wider and extra correct colours.
This is a wonderful show for productiveness employees and media shoppers, however it falls in need of what creators are in search of. Nonetheless, Lenovo provides so many show choices that definitely anyone can dial in a show that may meet their wants.
Brightness (nits) |
Distinction | sRGB gamut | AdobeRGB gamut | Accuracy DeltaE (decrease is healthier) |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (IPS) |
411 | 1660:1 | 98% | 76% | 1.96 |
MSI Status 14 (IPS) |
317 | 1820:1 | 97% | 72% | 3.67 |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 (IPS) |
386 | 1900:1 | 100% | 81% | 0.78 |
MSI Summit E14 Flip (IPS) |
516 | 1320:1 | 100% | 89% | 1.10 |
Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 7 (OLED) |
406 | 28380:1 | 100% | 95% | 0.87 |
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon (OLED) |
397 | 27590:1 | 100% | 96% | 0.88 |
Two downward-firing audio system put out a shocking quantity of quantity, and the standard was higher than I anticipated. Together with clear mids and highs with out distortion, I heard a contact of bass. The audio system have been sturdy sufficient for Netflix binging classes and casual music listening, though a great pair of headphones will nonetheless present the highest quality.
Battery life
Mark Coppock/Digital Developments
My review unit used a 28-watt CPU and a low-power WUXGA (also referred to as Full HD+) show. Its 57 watt-hours of battery capability is a bit of gentle for a 14-inch laptop, particularly in comparison with the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7 with its 75 watt-hour battery. I wasn’t anticipating all-day battery life.
After working our suite of battery benchmarks, I got here away principally impressed. Its 7.5 hours in our internet shopping check that cycles by way of a sequence of complicated web sites is about half an hour lower than we prefer to see, however it was aggressive amongst our comparability group. The Yoga 9i Gen 7 lasted longer, as did the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 (with 71 watt-hours) and the AMD-equipped Asus ZenBook S 13 OLED with a power-hungry show. Even so, the ThinkPad did okay. In our video check that loops a neighborhood Full HD Avengers trailer, it lasted for 14.5 hours, a robust rating doubtless because of its low-power show. And at last, within the PCMark 10 Functions check that’s the most effective indication of productiveness battery life, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 made it to 10.75 hours, an above-average end result.
General, the ThinkPad’s battery life is fairly good, promising a full day’s work until you push the CPU. You’ll get much less out of a few of the obtainable higher-resolution shows in addition to the OLED choice, however stick to this show and also you received’t want to hold your charger with you.
Internet shopping | Video | PCMark 10 Functions |
|
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (Core i7-1260P) |
7 hours, 39 minutes | 14 hours, 34 minutes | 10 hours, 42 minutes |
MSI Status 14 (Core i7-1260P) |
5 hours, 11 minutes | 6 hours, 2 minutes | 7 hours, 2 minutes |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 (Core i7-1260P) |
10 hours, 10 minutes | 16 hours, 12 minutes | 10 hours, 33 minutes |
MSI Summit E14 Flip (Core i7-1260P) |
7 hours, 23 minutes | 9 hours, 0 minutes | 7 hours, 54 minutes |
Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 7 (Core i7-1260P) |
9 hours, 10 minutes | 12 hours, 45 minutes | 8 hours, 32 minutes |
Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (Core i7-1255U) |
6 hours, 42 minutes | 11 hours, 6 minutes | 8 hours, 43 minutes |
Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (Ryzen 7 6800U) |
8 hours, 4 minutes | 13 hours, 13 minutes | N/A |
Our take
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is a well-built and extremely configurable laptop with choices for the form of administration and safety that companies crave. For that viewers, it’s a strong providing at a good worth.
For anybody else, the ThinkPad’s efficiency is missing and it doesn’t supply as a lot to justify its excessive worth. ThinkPad followers will find it irresistible, however different mainstream consumers ought to do their purchasing first.
Are there any alternate options?
Dell’s Latitude 7430 is a possible different for the enterprise market, providing related administration and safety and an analogous pricing scheme. It doesn’t supply the identical breadth of show choices because the ThinkPad.
Lenovo’s Yoga 9i Gen 7 is a robust competitor for the mainstream market, providing a extra gorgeous design, the flexibleness of a 2-in-1, higher efficiency, and related battery life. It prices a bit much less as effectively.
Lastly, Apple’s MacBook Professional 14 is a compelling choice that’s exceptionally well-built and provides superior efficiency and battery life. It provides only one show choice, however it’s nearly as good as something Lenovo has to supply. You’ll spend a bit extra on the excessive finish, although.
How lengthy will it final?
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is well-built and will final for years of typical abuse. Its parts are totally up to date and can hold Home windows 11 buzzing alongside. I’m glad to see the three-year guarantee, which must be included with all enterprise class and premium laptops.
Must you purchase it?
Sure, when you’re a businessperson who will profit from plugging into an enterprise atmosphere or a ThinkPad fan who’s in search of the newest and best.
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