ThinkPad X1 series
The ThinkPad X1 series is a line of high-end ThinkPad laptop and tablet computers produced by Lenovo. It is a sub-series of the ThinkPad X series designed to be extra premium with material that make them lighter and portable, having been originally classed as Ultrabooks. While the ThinkPad T series is the flagship ThinkPad line, the ThinkPad X1 series's X1 Carbon specifically has been cited as a flagship model since its introduction in 2012.
The current model list contains four product lines:
- X1 Carbon – mainstream premium 14-inch model
- X1 Yoga/2-in-1 – the convertible 14-inch version
- X1 Fold – the first foldable personal computer
- X1 Extreme – 15.6-inch advanced ultra-light premium laptop; the same model with a Quadro GPU known as ThinkPad P1
- X1 Titanium Yoga – a convertible 13.5-inch version with titanium body
- X1 Nano – a 13.3-inch version – the lightest ThinkPad model
Launch
In early August 2012, Lenovo released the ThinkPad X1 Carbon as the 14-inch successor to the original ThinkPad X1. The X1 Carbon was first released in China due to the popularity of ThinkPads in that market. In November 2012, Lenovo announced a touch-screen variant called the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch designed for use with Windows 8. Its display makes use of multi-touch technology that can detect simultaneous inputs from up to ten fingers. On the performance of the X1 Carbon Touch's SSD, Engadget states, "The machine boots into the tart screen in 11 seconds, which is pretty typical for a Windows 8 machine with specs like these. We also found that the solid-state drive delivers equally strong read and write speeds, which we noticed the last time we tested an Ultrabook with an Intel SSD. "
Models
2011
X1 (original)
An addition to the lightweight X series, weighing between 1.36 kg to 1.72 kg depending on configuration. It was the thinnest ThinkPad laptop to date at 16.5 and 21.5 mm. The screen is a LED-backlit HD infinity panel with resolution. Base configuration uses an Intel Sandy Bridge 2.5 GHz Core i5-2520M with 4 GiB of RAM, SATA SSD or hard drive, Intel Integrated HD Graphics, USB 3.0, backlit keyboard, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and an average of eight hours of battery life. The battery is internal and not removable, and there is no optical drive.The ThinkPad X1 laptop was released by Lenovo in May 2011. Notebook Review offered a positive opinion of the ThinkPad X1, saying that it was, "A powerful notebook that combines the durability and features of a business-class ThinkPad with the style of a consumer laptop." A 13.3-inch X1 ThinkPad was announced to be available in the UK on June 7, 2011.
The specifications of the ThinkPad X1 laptop are given below:
- Processor: Up to Intel Core i7-2640M
- Memory: Up to 8GiB DDR3 1333MT/s
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000
- Storage: 1 × SATA 6Gbit/s
- Battery: Up to 5.2 hours. This could be extended further to 10 hours with a slice battery.
2012
X1 Carbon (1st Gen)
The X1 Carbon features a solid-state drive instead of a hard drive. The base model has 4GiB of memory, an Intel Core i5-3317U processor, and a 128GiB SSD. The most expensive model has an Intel Core i7 processor and a 256GiB SSD. The X1 Carbon requires the use of a dongle to access wired Ethernet and some models include 3G or 4G cellular modems.The base model X1 Carbon has a TN screen with a resolution of 1600 by 900 pixels. The X1 Carbon weighs and measures by by . The X1 Carbon's roll cage is made of light-weight carbon-fiber and has a matte black finish.
In November 2012, Lenovo announced a touch-screen variant called the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch designed for use with Windows 8. Its display makes use of multi-touch technology that can detect simultaneous inputs from up to ten fingers.
In a review published for CNET, Dan Ackerman wrote, "At first glance, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon looks a lot like other ThinkPads, but in the hand it stands out as very light and portable. The excellent keyboard shows up other ultrabooks, and the rugged build quality is reassuring. With a slightly boosted battery and maybe a lower starting price, this could be a serious contender for my all-around favorite thin laptop."
In another review for CNET, Nicholas Aaron Khoo wrote, "For this geek, there are many things to like about this 14-inch Ultrabook when it comes to usability when traveling on economy class. These include the backlit and spill-resistant keyboard, side-positioned ports, nice viewing angles, TrackPoint, nicely implemented touchpad and biometric login. Unlike poorer cousin, the Lenovo IdeaPad U410, it is able to go into hibernate mode without having the user jump through hoops to enable it."
On the X1 Carbon Touch's SSD performance Engadget states, "The machine boots into the tart screen in 11 seconds, which is pretty typical for a Windows 8 machine with specs like these. We also found that the solid-state drive delivers equally strong read and write speeds, which we noticed the last time we tested an Ultrabook with an Intel SSD."
2012 Touch
In a review for Engadget, Dana Wollman wrote, "Starting with ergonomics, this has one of the best keyboard / touchpad combinations we've seen on a laptop, and that's not even counting that signature red pointing stick. We're also enamored with the design: aside from being well-made, the X1 Carbon Touch is also notably thin and light for a 14-inch machine, especially one with a touchscreen. The display is hardly our favorite, what with the narrow viewing angles, but at least the 1,600 × 900 resolution is nice and crisp."In its review of the X1 Carbon Touch, Wired wrote, "Lenovo also hasn't forgotten about the things that users actually care about. Audio is impressive and Dolby-certified. The keyboard is backlit and fully usable, and the glass touchpad was rock solid on this go-round with the Carbon." In its final verdict Wired stated that an "Excellent combination of performance, portability, and durability" and "the best keyboard going" make the Touch 'Wired."
2014
X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
The 2014 X1 Carbon features a 4th generation Intel processor and an "Adaptive Keyboard" touch bar where the function keys are normally located. The Home and End keys replaced the Caps Lock key, requiring the user to double-press the Shift key to activate Caps Lock. The Delete key was also repositioned to the right of the Backspace key instead of above it.Peter Bright wrote a disparaging review for Ars Technica. He found the X1 Carbon with the Lenovo named "Adaptive Keyboard" to be near perfect but unusable because the keyboard was so non-standard when compared with that of a desktop, the older ThinkPad T410s and Lenovo Helix keyboards. As a touch typist, he despairs at the removal of the function keys, and the repositioning of Caps Lock, replacing it with Home End, and, that pretty much each little-finger key has moved.
2015
X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
The 2015 X1 Carbon features a 5th generation Intel Core processor. Lenovo reverted to the traditional Function row from the innovative but confusing Adaptive Function Row, and resumed using dedicated mouse buttons under the TrackPoint. A fingerprint reader is to the right of the keyboard and can be used to log into Windows.In a review for Laptop Magazine, Mark Spoonauer wrote, "The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is easily one of the best business ultraportables available. While on the pricey side, the $1,754 configuration I reviewed delivers everything I want in a laptop: long battery life, a comfortable typing experience and strong overall performance. The X1 Carbon's design doesn't wow, but it's light and feels like it can stand up to abuse. However, the lack of an SD card slot is annoying, and I wish the 14-inch display were as bright as it is sharp
2016
X1 Carbon (4th Gen)
In January 2016 at the Consumer Electronics Show, Lenovo presented their fourth generation X1 Carbon.X1 Yoga
The first generation of the X1 Yoga was released in 2016, featuring a touchscreen with a 360-degree hinge. Unlike many other laptops in the X1 series, it features a stylus and a dedicated slot for it. Like many others in the X1 series, the X1 Yoga features a built-in fingerprint sensor, multiple USB ports, an HDMI port, and support for up to Intel i7 processors.X1 Tablet (1st Gen)
The X1 Tablet was Lenovo's first attempt at integrating a 2-in-1 Surface-like device into the X series. Following in the footsteps of the Thinkpad Helix, this new device was meant to appeal to those who want a thin and light laptop on the go. Featuring a 12" 3:2 FHD+ display with a resolution of 2160x1440 pixels at a peak brightness of 360 nits. The tablet came with the option to configure the processor with the 6th gen core M series, an ultra low power version of the existing Core i Series. Storage could be configured up to 1TB on an NVME SSD. RAM was configurable up to 16GB. The tablet itself without the keyboard is 291.5 mm × 209.5 mm × 8.75 mm. The tablet weighs 767 grams by itself, but could weigh as much as 1,310 grams with the addition of the keyboard and the productivity module. Lenovo claims ~10 hours of battery life.The computer came with a pen and the type cover in the box. When this tablet was released, there were external modules that could be attached using the bottom of the device. By default, there was a blanking plate that covers the module connectors. Once removed, you can connect docking accessories to the device. There were three models from Lenovo that could be connected.
The first was a productivity module that added an extra USB 3.0 Type A port, HDMI port, and a 24Wh battery that could extend your battery life by about ~5 hours according to Lenovo.
The second module was a projector module that contained a pico projector, HDMI, and a 10Wh battery for the module itself.
The third module that was released was a 3D camera attachment. However, this was more built for specialized 3D mapping tasks.