Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon has confirmed its price through the years, time and time once more. Now in its thirteenth technology, Lenovo would possibly simply have made it into probably the most opulent AI-powered laptop computer cash should buy. 

After some hands-on time with the brand new Aura Version of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon at IFA 2024 in Berlin, all I can suppose is ‘I need one’.

Every thing appears nice spec-wise. It’s powered by Intel’s brand-new Core Extremely processor (Collection 2) with Intel Arc Xe2 graphics and built-in NPU providing as much as 48 TOPS, 3x the AI efficiency of the earlier technology ThinkPad X1. It’s additionally, as you’ll count on, able to a Home windows Copilot+ expertise when Microsoft rolls that out for Intel chips later this 12 months. 

However I’m significantly impressed with the design of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon — and with an extremely neat celebration trick that’s unique to Lenovo.

At simply 2.16lbs it’s one of many lightest laptops I’ve picked up in a very long time, nearly feeling prefer it’s only a chassis with no internals. The lid opens incrediblely easily with a minimal quantity of effort – all the pieces feels plush. 

Lenovo has additionally stored the setting in thoughts with a customer-replaceable battery, 90 % recycled magnesium within the C cowl, and one hundred pc plastic-free packaging constituted of bamboo and sugarcane. 

Onto the Aura Version’s celebration tips, that are branded as AI after all.

I like the concept of “Good Modes.” A fast faucet of a modes key on the keyboard summons a small window the place you possibly can choose Defend, Consideration, Collaboration, and Wellness together with energy modes. These will help you focus and are customizable so you can also make them work to your wants.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Lenovo’s actual celebration trick right here is Good Share, the place you possibly can bodily faucet your cellphone on the facet of the lid and, like magic, a window pops up together with your gallery to switch your photos between the 2 units. 

Reasonably than one thing like NFC to set off the connection, Lenovo says it makes use of ‘sensor fusion’ with parts like listening for the resonance of the faucet in addition to the accelerometer within the cellphone. It then makes use of a mixture of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for the connection. 

When it really works (I used to be taking a look at a pre-production pattern) it’s nearly instantaneous, and importantly works with each Android and iPhone. You simply want the Intel Unison app in your cellphone and, for now not less than, the Good Share function is unique to Lenovo. 

In any other case, Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon Aura Version touts issues like a whopping ‘greater than 18 hour’ battery life, a Haptic ForcePad, a stunning 14-inch 2.8K OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh price, and an honest choice of ports. 

All of this makes it an ideal candidate for work journeys (like IFA), the place I would like my laptop computer to energy by means of all the pieces I’m doing with out slowing down or operating out of juice midway by means of the day. 

I’m drafting an e-mail to the IT division to request one as my subsequent machine. Though at a beginning worth of $1,999, I’m not so hopeful will probably be authorised.