ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 is at present on sale for $1,106, which is 30% off the common worth.
- It is surprisingly versatile for its 13-inch dimension and comes with a robust processor and spectacular battery.
- Nevertheless, its ultraportable kind issue limits it to means it solely has USB-C ports.
Regardless of its bite-sized kind issue, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 is a powerhouse. Lenovo first confirmed off this ultraportable at CES 2024, and preliminary impressions have been targeted across the return of Magic Bay, a mix-and-match household of peripherals that connect with the laptop computer through magnetic pogo-pins (assume MagSafe, however for laptops).
However despite the fact that the Magic Bay merchandise may be essentially the most attention-grabbing, this Lenovo laptop has much more going for it below the hood. In truth, this laptop computer is surprisingly versatile.
The ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 comes with the Intel Core Extremely 5 125H processor (2.4 GHz) however will be supercharged with the Intel Core Extremely 9 — an possibility I used to be shocked to see for this laptop computer — which propels it to be in step with different performant enterprise machines (elevating the value over $400 within the course of).
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The review unit I tested was snappy sufficient with the Extremely 5 and had completely no issues multitasking with a handful of productiveness apps and a number of browser tabs throughout two shows. Additionally, this laptop computer is compact sufficient to make transporting to and from the workplace a breeze, making me query why I selected to have a 16-inch as my major driver.
However then I began engaged on the 13.5-inch show, and I remembered. Do not get me unsuitable, the show on the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 appears to be like good — actually good, truly, with 500-nit brightness and a 120Hz variable refresh charge. However its dimension, even at max decision, ends in a display that may appear a bit of cramped should you’re used to extra actual property. Finally, it is a tradeoff that comes down to private choice.
The efficiency and flexibility of this laptop computer ideas the dimensions towards the constructive, nonetheless. In my benchmarking of this laptop computer, I acquired stable learn and write speeds from the SSD in PCMark 10, and barely higher efficiency out of the Intel Core Extremely 5 in Cinebench than I anticipated.
The reminiscence on the ThinkBook 13x can also be among the quickest you will get in an ultraportable of this dimension, because the 8400MHz dual-channel RAM is soldered in with the intent of future-proofing the laptop computer. However should you go for the Intel Core Extremely 5, the utmost quantity of RAM you will get is 16GB. In an effort to bump it as much as 32GB, you may should spring for the Core Extremely 9 chip. I’d have favored to see the 32GB possibility accessible with the inexpensive processor.
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Following in that vein, it is a laptop computer wanting towards the long run, not attempting to be backward suitable, and that is evident in its choice of ports. You get three USB-C ports on this machine, all of that are Thunderbolt 4 suitable. With three Thunderbolts, you do not really want an HDMI or USB-A, but it surely does include a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the ability button can also be a fingerprint reader.
Regardless of its small dimension, the keyboard feels spacious and crisp. Its distinctive design extends the keyboard all the way in which to the very fringe of the system with just about no bezels, leading to satisfyingly thick keys equal in dimension (and even greater) than you’d see on a 16-inch. The shortage of a right-side quantity pad compounds this truth additional.
This laptop computer’s chassis is available in a metallic “Luna gray” colorway and a restricted version white coloration referred to as “Seashell” that I want I might have seen up shut and private, because the default grey is completely company in look.
That mentioned, the ThinkBook 13x feels extraordinarily stable — iron-clad, I’d even say — with just about no bend or give to the chassis. Its sturdiness is measured towards 12 military-grade certification strategies, incomes it the MIL-STD 810H normal. Should you favor this model of laptop computer, you may love the laptop computer, which regardless of its dimension, is nothing if not sturdy.
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Okay, let’s discuss concerning the Magic Bay. Should you’re into laptop computer equipment or have a drawer filled with webcams, positively check out this. The modular versatility of the Magic Bay ecosystem offers this laptop computer (and different Lenovo machines that assist it) the flexibility to put on many hats, relying on the equipment you are into.
For instance, the Magic Bay Light might act as a hoop gentle should you’re taking calls in suboptimal lighting, or the Magic Bay LTE Hotspot can safe your web connection if the Wi-Fi is spotty. There are additionally extra apparent add-ons, like exterior storage, followers (for you, not the laptop computer), or perhaps a second show, though these are in varied phases of improvement and availability.
It is the Magic Bay Studio, nonetheless, that’s the most instantly helpful add-on. It is a 4K webcam with built-in audio system, and it elevates this laptop computer into pro-creator territory. It is but to be seen how far Lenovo will take the Magic Bay merchandise, but it surely’s one thing that I believe might work properly if executed neatly.
Should you’re questioning how all these add-ons relate to the battery life, fortunately, the ThinkBook 13x just isn’t missing in that division. It comes with a 74WHr battery, which is a pretty big capability for a 13-incher.
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In my testing, I acquired properly over 10 hours in PCMark 10’s battery take a look at, and barely lower than that operating my very own take a look at with a YouTube livestream at 50% brightness and 50% quantity over Wi-Fi. That is positively a laptop computer that may deal with a day of heavy work with ease and prolong into the second day with gentle or intermittent use.
The very last thing that shocked me about this laptop computer was the sound high quality. The Harman Kardon audio system have spectacular bass and quantity, notably for such a small machine, including additional to its versatility.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Should you’re in search of a 13-inch laptop computer that’s highly effective and versatile, take a critical take a look at the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4. For the sale worth of $1,106, the highly effective processor choices, sturdy battery life, and the Magic Bay make it a stable 13-inch choose, particularly for distant and hybrid staff.
In order for you a 13-inch laptop computer with related specs however is a bit of simpler on the price range, MSI’s Prestige 13 AI Evo is a stable various that begins at $899. Should you like ThinkBooks however are in search of a bigger display, try the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1.