This is the 2024 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13. From a design standpoint, it has maintained a very similar look throughout the years, and for a good reason. Many employees and company executives use this style of laptop, and any dramatic changes could cause confusion. However, this consistency is also beneficial because Lenovo has nailed a form factor and design that many people appreciate.
There’s nothing crazy about the design. You have a carbon fiber chassis that makes the laptop pop and keeps it super light—just over 2 lbs. Of course, there are some drawbacks; the material picks up a lot of fingerprints, and if you rub anything against it, it may appear scratched. But this laptop is MIL-STD 810H tested, so it can withstand some elements. You have the Lenovo logo and ThinkPad X1 branding at the top. A small LED light indicates when the laptop is in use. The reverse notch houses the webcam and makes it extremely easy to open with one hand.
Ports
On the left-hand side:
- USB-A 3.2 port
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
On the right-hand side:
- Kensington lock
- Full-size HDMI 2.1 port
- Another USB-A 3.2 port
- Combo audio jack
- Power button
The power button being on the side has its pros and cons. The downside? If you move the laptop slightly forward or backward, you might accidentally press it, putting the laptop to sleep. The upside? If the laptop is docked at your desk, you can turn it on without opening the lid.
Display
The display opens 180°, making it perfect for those who want to slide it under a monitor while using an external keyboard. The keyboard remains one of the best in the industry—way better than the MacBook. If you haven’t tried a ThinkPad X1 keyboard, go to a store and test it out. The key shape, size, travel distance, and actuation are all top-notch. You also get a TrackPoint (the “nipple”), which some users still appreciate as it allows for easy navigation without moving hands away from the keyboard.
However, the TrackPoint does take up space, which limits the touchpad size. The glass touchpad uses Windows Precision drivers, but it doesn’t feel great. It has a slight rattle, similar to a wet diaper, making it less satisfying to use.
Screen
The OLED display is a 14-inch, 16:10, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz panel. It delivers:
- Great color accuracy
- Beautiful contrast
- Deep blacks
However, it has a matte finish, which reduces reflections but also mutes vibrancy compared to a glass-covered OLED panel. Additionally, the screen has PWM flicker below 50% brightness, which could be an issue for users with sensitive eyes.
Camera & Audio
At the top, you get a 1080p webcam with a privacy shutter. It delivers decent video quality, and the microphones perform well.
Internals
This model features:
- Intel Core Ultra 7258V CPU
- 32GB LPDDR5X RAM
- Intel Arc 140V integrated GPU
- 1TB NVMe SSD
It can handle Photoshop effortlessly, but it’s not ideal for video editing or heavy code compiling. If you’re working with large LLMs (local AI models), it can handle up to 3 billion parameters, but 7 billion might be pushing it.
Despite being a Lunar Lake CPU, performance lags behind AMD’s latest chips. However, the battery life is solid at 15 hours—though some competitors manage 24 hours on similar workloads. The fan noise maxes out at 48 dB, staying quieter in balanced mode.
GPU & Gaming
The Intel Arc GPU is surprisingly powerful for a thin-and-light laptop. It outperforms the AMD RX 890M. In Overwatch, it reaches 100 FPS, but frame drops can disrupt gameplay. Lenovo likely implemented power and thermal limitations to keep fan noise low.
Upgradability
Getting inside is super easy—just four Phillips screws. No fancy tools required.
Inside, you get:
- Two cooling fans
- A large copper heat pipe
- Two NVMe SSD slots (one occupied, one open for upgrades)
- Wi-Fi 7 (soldered)
- Soldered RAM
- 57Wh battery (easily replaceable)
The Bottom Line
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 is a solid laptop with good build quality, light weight, great keyboard, and decent battery life. But at $2500, it’s expensive. You can get a similar laptop for $1000 less without losing much in performance or build quality.
If you’re buying in bulk for a company, Lenovo likely offers corporate discounts. But if you’re an individual user, there are better value options.
FAQs
1. Is the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 good for gaming?
- Not really. While the Intel Arc GPU is decent, frame drops make gaming inconsistent.
2. Can you upgrade the RAM on this laptop?
- No, the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard, so choose wisely before purchasing.
3. How does the battery life compare to competitors?
- It lasts 15 hours, which is good but falls short of other Intel Lunar Lake laptops that reach 24 hours.
4. Is this laptop worth $2500?
- For corporate buyers, yes. But for individual users, there are cheaper alternatives with similar specs.
5. Does it have a touchscreen?
- No, this model does not include a touchscreen.
