Ultraportability is what I love most about the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4. For someone who travels quite a lot within the metro, using a slim and lightweight 2-in-1 device accomplishes half of the job — well, almost.
Productivity, anywhere and anytime, is of utmost concern for writers and journalists. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3, at 13.3 inches, fits perfectly in a small backpack and, weighing only 1.25 kg (2.8 lbs), doesn’t strain my back when I move around.
In terms of looks, it can turn heads not only because it is compact but also due to its premium matte finish that gives off a business feel. For its price, the design and specs make perfect sense. You can play with its multimode feature, going from laptop to tablet to tent, which is perfect for client presentations.
Review: Lenovo Q24i-1L fits right in in a compact home workspace
Review: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i (14-inch): Light and powerful
Even more interesting is that Lenovo utilized 90% recycled magnesium in the A, C, and D covers, and incorporated PCC recycled plastic in the battery pack, speaker enclosures, and AC adaptors.
Consciously designed with sustainability in mind makes it even more meaningful to use your devices, especially today when e-waste keeps piling up.
The ergonomic lift hinge design enables me to shift from laptop to tablet in any situation. The high 84.3% screen-to-body ratio provides a fully immersive experience, especially when watching videos or playing less power-consuming games. It’s great for video editing too. The Eyesafe certification ensures that I can stay glued to the screen for longer periods, which is inevitable given that I spend most of my waking hours working online.
User Experience
I wasn’t a fan of the audio features of some devices I had the chance to review, but I am pleasantly surprised that I didn’t have to use external speakers with the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4, as it is equipped with user-facing Dolby Audio and Dolby Voice certifications.
The 5MP RGB+IR camera has significantly improved Lenovo’s visual quality compared to the one we reviewed many years ago. This means that video or online interviews can be easily uploaded to whatever channel with just a few enhancements.
The lone issue I have with the design is the lid, which isn’t easy to lift. It’s not ideal if you have to show something on the laptop in a hurry. You have to find a place to lay down your bags or whatever is in your hands and then open the laptop. But that’s it.
Performance
Usually, when you have an ultraportable device, there should be some compromises. However, Lenovo ensured that mobile productivity is achieved in this hybrid working environment. Built on Intel vPro, an Intel EvoTM Design, with 13th Gen Intel CoreTM i7 processor P or U series, Intel Iris Xe graphics, up to 32GB LPDDR5 memory, and up to 2TB Performance PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, I didn’t have issues with speed, especially when on video calls.
That is my primary issue with other devices, whether smartphones, tablets, or laptops. Some devices take a few seconds to process, say a photo capture. Fortunately, with the specs that Lenovo ThinkPad X13 was built on, that concern was non-existent… at least for now.
With 32GB LPDDR5 memory and up to 2TB Performance PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, video creators can be assured that they have enough space to store their works.
Security
A more than welcome optional feature for people who work from anywhere is the Lenovo ThinkShield with Human Presence Detection — which I didn’t get to use but I thought would be most helpful to share. Connecting to public Wi-Fi is unavoidable, especially when working in cafes or co-working spaces. ThinkShield ensures the security of your device, and you don’t have to worry about installing third-party software, which, in some cases, slows down the device. This laptop is also designed with Intel vPro platform security, including Intel Hardware Shield. It provides hardware-assisted virtualization and encryption that help prevent attacks against the OS.
As someone who strongly advocates security and data privacy, may I recommend sparing some of your budget for this feature as it would be worth it, especially if you use your laptop both for work and personal purposes.
Ultimately, even though it is marketed as a business laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 fits perfectly for any type of user. The design is compact and not too loud but packed with features that make it a perfect companion for anyone who is always on the go.