Colours on TN screens invert as soon as you look at them from any angle other than straight on, which fortunately is not the case with IPS panels. As such, there is a colour tint when looking sideways at the display from either the top or the bottom of the screen. This effect is negligible in daily use, but once we mention as there are many IPS panels that do not have this effect to the same extent. The availability of the X is currently limited to it not yet available in its standard configuration from many retailers. At the time of writing the X is available from dealers who participate in the Lenovo campus program or the Lenovo online store, in which you can configure the X on request.
There is currently one configuration available in the campus program, that which we are testing. Please see out CPU benchmark list for a better understanding of this processor. The iU is clocked at 3. The clock speed dropped by between to MHz for every pass of the Cinebench loop until it hits 2. Theoretically, the CPU could then increase its clock speed again, but this does not happen with the processor remaining at this level until the load test has ended.
The X outperforms the X1 Carbon in the individual test, with the X1 Carbon coming out on top when under continuous load thanks to its better cooling system. The X is half as fast as its successor, with the performance difference remaining the same across all tests. Lenovo has limited CPU performance while the X is on battery. Without a power supply, the X can only draw up to 29 W for twenty-eight seconds and work at around 3. The Cinebench multicore test reflects this, with the X achieving points on battery. We cannot fault the system performance. While the ThinkPad X still had a 2. This is no longer the case with the X though.
The X and its predecessors had only one RAM slot, meaning that it ran in single-channel mode.
Meanwhile, the X has soldered RAM that runs in dual-channel mode. While the GPU is not throttled on battery power, benchmark results are still affected because of the limits placed on CPU power. Despite the dual-channel memory, the X is not a gaming laptop. The GPU is too weak for anything other than older titles played at lower quality or very simple games from the Windows Store. The fan is almost always quiet when the X is at idle or under low load.
Under load, the fan is louder than its predecessor or the X1 Carbon While audible, the fan noise is not distracting as it is not at a high frequency.
The Core iU can maintain a TDP of 29 W for the first minutes of stressing testing, during which time the clock speed fluctuates between 1. As previously mentioned, the clock speed fails to recover as temperatures recover. After about twenty minutes of stress testing, the clock speed drops to between 0. This can be rectified by moving the mouse, which causes the CPU to clock back up to 2. However, the same thing happens again. Interestingly, the amount of time it takes for the CPU to clock extremely low speeds can be extended by moving the mouse.
This strange behaviour occurred in our load test too. ThinkPads are not known for having the best speakers, a trend that the X continues. The downward firing speakers are better than those on the X by simply being louder, but they do not produce exquisite sound. That does not mean the speakers are abysmal, particularly for laptop speakers. An alternative is the combo audio connector, which is on the left-hand side of the case and outputs clean sound to either external speakers or headphones. Under load, the X has the highest consumption because of its more powerful processor.
The X performs better at idle, only be beaten by the EliteBook G4. The only truer comparison is with the X1 Carbon , which with its higher-resolution display consumes significantly more at idle.
A controversial change with the X is the removal of the expandable battery, which all previous X series ThinkPads offered. The X has a single integrated Lithium Polymer battery with a 48 Wh capacity, which is approximately half of the combined 96 Wh battery that the X has thanks to its large 72 Wh external battery. The X no longer has that degree of flexibility which may scare off some users that need extra-long battery life.
That is not the full story though as the X is beaten in our battery life tests because of several factors.
The X benefits from lower power consumption, and we have only tested the 46 Wh combined capacity variant. Lenovo has equipped the X with a rapid charge function to cushion the loss of the removable battery. The X is probably the most comprehensive redesign of the current generation of ThinkPads, a factor that excites us about this device. It is a conceptionally different laptop than the ThinkPad X , which may well scare some of its fans. Overall, the X is a better laptop than its predecessor.. The most important aspect of this new design is the case, which is significantly better than its predecessor.
The change in material from glass fibre plastic to magnesium and carbon fibre has worked in terms of reducing thickness and weight.
The X roughly weighs the same as the X1 Carbon. This weight reduction has changed the anachronism of the X , a inch laptop thicker and heavier than its inch siblings. The case is not only thinner and lighter but also easier to service as Lenovo have removed the annoying and easily broken clips from the bottom case.
The fan runs less, the device runs cooler, power consumption has improved, and the display is brighter. Where there are good points there are also bad ones, with the bad occasionally outweighing the good. The X is not as flexible as its predecessor without the expandable removable PowerBridge battery, while the decision to omit an RJ45 Ethernet port on a business device is difficult to understand.
Downsizing from an SD to microSD card slot to save space is understandable, but its positioning and accessibility are not. A further drawback is related to how the X manages CPU performance. Typically, when a CPU lowers its clock speed because of high temperatures, that clock speed will return to its previous state once temperatures have dropped. This is not the case with the X, with the clock speed remaining low even when temperatures have dropped.
This may be fixable with a BIOS update, but there has been no word yet as to whether Lenovo plans to address this. Additionally, the CPU is throttled on battery, Lenovo may have done this intentionally though. We expect more than the poor colour space average since the X is such an expensive laptop. This is a point on which we criticised the X and the wider pool of business class laptops too. Lastly, Lenovo could probably have fitted the X with a We recommend the X despite the criticisms because overall it is simply a successful subnotebook.
The X is much cheaper than the X1 Carbon , making the Campus Version an attractive choice for students. In some areas, these competitors have the X beat, such as the inclusions of an Ethernet port and expandable RAM. While we recommend the Lenovo ThinkPad X, potential buyers must make their choice based on their own needs and preferences. Intel Core iU.
Intel UHD Graphics Lenovo homepage Lenovo notebook section. Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications. Lenovo ThinkPad X Left-hand side: USB 3. Right-hand side: USB 3. Touch fingerprint reader. As seen on an X1 Carbon The mechanical ThinkPad Ultra Dock offers numerous ports. A look inside.
The cooling system is easily accessible. Magnesium base cover without annoying clips. Input Devices — ThinkPad precision in a small format. Keyboard The keyboard is one of the few areas on the X that has not been changed from its predecessor, which is no bad thing as it remains one of the best laptop keyboards. Keyboard area. Mouse Replacement. Editors' Choice. Apple iPhone 11 Apple may have skipped flashy extras on this year's phones, but the iPhone 11 is the best midtier model the company's ever made.
Samsung Galaxy S20 5G Premium, pocketable and packed with all the features you need to level up your photography and power you through the day. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Samsung closed the camera gap with rivals and created a top-of-the-line phone for people who want the best Android has to offer.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G Excellent camera features aren't quite strong enough to overcome an awkward design, questionable battery performance and a sky-high price.