For years, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon has been a gold standard for mobile professionals seeking a blend of lightweight design, robust performance, and legendary reliability. Now, the 12th generation (Gen 12) has arrived for 2024, promising to refine the winning formula. I've delved into the latest reviews and first impressions to give you a comprehensive look at this highly anticipated laptop. Let's see if the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 truly deserves its crown.
A Familiar Yet Evolved Design
Lenovo isn't looking to "rock the boat" with the Gen 12. The design language remains distinctly ThinkPad, boasting a sleek, matte black finish. However, subtle yet significant changes contribute to an even more refined experience. The chassis still utilizes carbon fiber for the top, but now incorporates recycled aluminum and magnesium in the mix, along with some post-consumer materials. This not only maintains the impressive lightness – starting at just 1.08 kg (2.42 lbs) and even less for some configurations – but also contributes to a premium and durable feel. In fact, the Gen 12 is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, making it incredibly travel-friendly. Its MIL-STD-810H certification assures that it can withstand the rigors of daily use, including drops, spills, dust, and extreme temperatures.
One of the most noticeable visual updates is the new brushed aluminum "communications bar" at the top of the lid. This houses the infrared (IR) webcam for Windows Hello facial recognition and a dual microphone array. This design choice allows for thinner bezels around the display, contributing to a more modern aesthetic. The iconic ThinkPad X1 logo remains on the lid, alongside subtle Lenovo branding. The lid still passes the one-finger opening test and can lay flat at 180 degrees, offering versatility for various working scenarios.
However, the matte finish, while elegant, is noted to be susceptible to fingerprints.
Stunning Display Options with a Welcome Refresh
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 offers expanded display options, catering to different user preferences. You can choose between a Full HD+ IPS display (1920 x 1200) with either 400 or 500 nits of brightness and a 60Hz refresh rate, or the more premium 2.8k OLED display (2880 x 1800) with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Both options feature a productivity-friendly 16:10 aspect ratio.
The 2.8k OLED panel is particularly noteworthy, offering vivid colors, excellent contrast, and deep blacks. The jump to a 120Hz refresh rate significantly enhances the responsiveness of Windows 11 and makes the user interface feel much smoother. The displays also boast an anti-reflective and anti-smudge coating, which effectively reduces glare, making it easier to work in various lighting conditions. While the color vibrancy of the matte finish might not be as punchy as a glossy screen, it's a worthwhile trade-off for reduced reflections. It's worth noting that there is no 4K Plus resolution option this year, similar to the previous generation. Touch functionality is available on both the IPS and OLED options, providing flexibility for different usage styles.
Some reviewers noted that the 400 nits of brightness on the base IPS panel might not be sufficient for outdoor use. The OLED panel, while beautiful, may also impact battery life compared to the IPS option.
A Keyboard Evolved: Familiar Feel with Notable Changes
The legendary ThinkPad keyboard remains a central highlight of the X1 Carbon experience, known for its excellent tactility, feedback, and key travel. Typing long documents and emails is a pleasure on this spill-resistant keyboard. However, Lenovo has introduced some controversial yet potentially user-friendly changes.
The Control (Ctrl) and Function (Fn) keys have been swapped, with Ctrl now positioned on the far left, a layout more common on other laptop brands. While this might initially upset long-time ThinkPad users, it aims to attract users from other ecosystems and can be reconfigured in Lenovo Vantage. Tactile markings have been added to specific keys (Fn, F, H, Insert, down arrow, Enter, volume down/up) to improve discoverability and usability, particularly for the visually impaired. The power button has been moved to the right side of the laptop, and the fingerprint scanner is now located within the keyboard deck, to the right of the spacebar. This means you can no longer power on and log in simultaneously, a change some users might find less convenient.
The trackpad has been significantly enlarged, now measuring 120 mm or 4.7 inches, offering more space for gestures and navigation. It features a smooth glass surface and a satisfying, quiet but tactile click. Palm rejection is reported to be excellent. Notably, Lenovo will be debuting a haptic touchpad later in the year, offering a different tactile feedback experience. For traditionalists, the iconic red TrackPoint remains, complete with its double-tap gesture that brings up the ThinkPad TrackPoint Quick Menu for controlling microphone, battery, audio, and voice typing.
Performance for Productivity: Intel Core Ultra Takes Center Stage
Under the hood, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 is powered by the latest 14th Gen Intel Core Ultra processors. Review units have been tested with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (28W CPU) and the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U. These processors, built on the Intel Evo platform, offer a balance of performance and efficiency for everyday tasks, multitasking, and productivity work. The integrated Intel Arc Graphics provide a significant step up in graphical performance compared to previous generations' Iris Xe graphics, allowing for smoother light video editing and playable frame rates on older or less demanding games with lowered settings.
The Gen 12 also features a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which offloads AI-related tasks from the CPU and GPU, improving efficiency and performance in applications like Windows Studio Effects for background blur, auto-framing, and eye contact during video calls. Features like Microsoft Copilot are seamlessly integrated, leveraging the AI capabilities of the Intel Core Ultra processors.
While the Gen 12 isn't designed to be a high-end gaming or content creation powerhouse, it handles typical business workloads with ease, including Microsoft Office, web browsing, and even light photo and video editing. The system can be configured with up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM running at 6400 MHz, though it is soldered and not user-upgradable. For storage, the Gen 12 typically comes with a user-upgradable NVMe SSD, with options up to 2TB. Review units have shown excellent read and write speeds. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with optional 5G mobile broadband available for always-on connectivity. Some reviewers expressed disappointment at the lack of Wi-Fi 7 support.
Despite the improved cooling system with larger fans positioned further apart, the thin and light chassis can still experience thermal throttling under heavy sustained loads, which is expected for this class of device. However, surface temperatures generally remain relatively cool, and fan noise is reported to be well-managed, typically staying below 36 dB even under load.
Comprehensive Ports for the Modern Professional
Despite its thin profile, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 maintains a solid port selection, catering to the needs of business users who often require more than just USB-C. You'll find:
- Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports
- Two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports (one often used for charging)
- One HDMI 2.1 port
- One 3.5mm microphone/headphone combo jack
- One Kensington lock slot
- Optional nano-SIM card slot for mobile broadband
The placement of some ports has changed compared to the Gen 11, with the HDMI port and SIM tray moving to the opposite sides. While the inclusion of legacy USB-A ports is appreciated, some might find the lack of a USB-C port on the right side inconvenient for certain charging scenarios.
Enhanced Webcam and Surprisingly Good Audio
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 offers a choice between an FHD 1080p or a UHD 8-megapixel webcam, both with IR capability for Windows Hello. The 1080p webcam generally delivers solid image quality for video conferencing, with good clarity and color vibrancy, even in low-light conditions. However, some reviewers noted potential oversharpening or an orange tint in certain lighting. A physical privacy shutter is included for enhanced security. The dual 360-degree microphones with AI-based noise cancellation ensure clear audio during calls, even in noisy environments. The system is also Zoom certified.
The speakers have been redesigned and are now hidden behind the keyboard. Despite this unconventional placement, they manage to deliver surprisingly good audio quality with Dolby Atmos support. The sound is reported to be clear and pleasant, with a noticeable bass, a significant improvement over previous ThinkPad generations. The keyboard perforations are utilized to enhance sound distribution. While some might miss the traditional side-mounted speaker grills, the overall audio experience is a definite plus.
Respectable Battery Life for a Premium Ultrabook
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 is equipped with the same 57Wh battery as its predecessor. Battery life will vary depending on the display option and usage patterns. Reviewers testing the 2.8k OLED model at 120Hz reported getting around 9 hours and 58 minutes on the PC Mark 10 Modern Office test and 9 hours and 33 minutes on video playback, which are respectable figures for a high-resolution OLED display. Users opting for the Full HD+ IPS display can expect longer battery endurance. Real-world battery tests with a mix of productivity tasks yielded around 4 hours and 8 minutes on a configuration with a less power-hungry U-series CPU and almost full brightness. Battery life will naturally decrease under heavier workloads. The included compact 65W USB-C charger allows for convenient charging.
Key Differences from the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
For those familiar with the previous generation, here's a quick rundown of the notable changes in the Gen 12:
- Redesigned keyboard with swapped Ctrl and Fn keys, tactile markings, and relocated power button and fingerprint scanner.
- Larger 120mm glass touchpad, with an optional haptic touchpad coming later.
- New display options, including a 2.8k OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Upgraded to Intel Core Ultra processors with integrated Intel Arc Graphics and a dedicated NPU.
- Redesigned speakers hidden behind the keyboard.
- Different port placement.
- Thinner and lighter chassis.
- New "communications bar" housing the webcam and microphones.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Pros:
- Extremely thin and lightweight design
- Durable build quality with MIL-STD-810H certification
- Excellent keyboard with improved accessibility features
- Larger and responsive touchpad, with a haptic option on the horizon
- Stunning 2.8k OLED display option with 120Hz refresh rate
- Good selection of ports, including USB-A and Thunderbolt 4
- Optional mobile broadband (5G) for always-on connectivity
- Enhanced webcam options with IR for Windows Hello and physical shutter
- Surprisingly good audio quality from redesigned speakers
- Respectable battery life, especially with the IPS display option
Cons:
- Soldered RAM, meaning no user upgrades
- No 4K Plus display option
- Matte finish susceptible to fingerprints
- Swapped Ctrl and Fn keys might be disruptive for some users
- Power button relocation and separate fingerprint scanner might be less convenient
- Performance is good but not class-leading compared to some competitors
- Can experience thermal throttling under heavy loads
- Starting price can be high
Who is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 For?
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 remains an excellent choice for mobile professionals and business users who prioritize a lightweight and durable laptop with a fantastic keyboard, a great display (especially the OLED option), and a comprehensive set of features designed for productivity on the go. The optional mobile broadband is a significant advantage for those needing constant secure internet access. While not a gaming rig or a dedicated workstation, it offers sufficient performance for everyday business tasks and even some light creative work.
Pricing and Availability
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 has a starting price of around $1,449 USD, with configurations varying significantly based on the processor, RAM, storage, and display options. Models with the Core Ultra 7 processor, more RAM, and the OLED display will naturally cost more. It's always recommended to check Lenovo's website and authorized retailers for the latest pricing and configurations, as Lenovo often runs aggressive sales.
Final Verdict: Still a Top Contender
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 continues the legacy of its predecessors, offering a refined and powerful ultrabook for the modern professional. While some of the design changes, particularly the keyboard layout, might take some getting used to, the overall improvements in display technology, performance, and audio make it a compelling option. Despite facing strong competition, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 remains a top contender in the premium business laptop segment, delivering a balanced package of portability, performance, and the legendary ThinkPad experience.
Have you had a chance to try the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12? What are your thoughts on the changes? Let us know in the comments below!