The company’s new series of 14-inch laptops have several distinctive designs with a focus on design and performance. These include two unique designs, one with curved edges and one based on the popular Qwerty keyboard. One also has a rugged design similar to that found in its flagship 13-inch ThinkPad X1 Max line, which is said to deliver an even stronger punch as the laptop gets bigger. Lenovo claims a variety of configurations including a base model for $249.99, a Core i5-1130G4 chip for $249.99 and a Core i7-1185G7 chip for $399.99. Its newest lineup also includes a 3rd-gen Core i3 model priced at $279.99.
The first Intel-based ThinkPad was released around 2006 and it was designed in collaboration with Apple and marketed under the name “Pico Alto”. The device was meant to address the needs of those who wanted a small-screen computer that had a large screen. However, ThinkPad did not stay around long. In 2010, the brand dropped the Pico brand name due to a negative image associated with them and they rebranded itself with the current logo (or stylized version) in 2015. Under this newer look of Lenovo ThinkPad, there are many components added to enhance the look and feel. Among these is wireless charging, mini webcam, fingerprint scanner and more besides an all-metal chassis with aluminum, glass and fabric that enhances the durability. A lot of the features seen here will continue to be exclusive to Lenovo ThinkPad.
As mentioned previously, the 15.6 inches variant is powered by an Intel Core i5-1130G4 CPU coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It has an optional DisplayPort 1.4 with support for up to 500 nits max brightness and 100Hz refresh rate. Lenovo’s other models come with either 8GB or 16GB RAM for 4GB and 32GB of PCIe NVMe storage, each with 256GB of memory. The system has an HD webcam, Dolby Atmos and four speakers. Additionally, both models come with Windows 10 Home out of the box. Other versions include a Core i3 version with 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD and either 8GB or 16GB RAM for 2TB USB 3.0 NVMe SSD Storage and a Core i7 version running up to 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with 9GB DDR4 along with a 7th Generation AMD Radeon RX Vega M43 GPU. Both models only come with Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy. There is no option to install any additional accessories like ethernet ports, microSD slot or Thunderbolt 4 ports. You can also connect up to five external devices. Users can opt for different colors (Black & Decker blue, JBL pink, Redmi purple, Sky Blue, Wired White, TCL Yellow). Connectivity options on the main body include two HDMI connections one going into the rear panel, another going through a single speaker and a third coming from an SD card slot. All three models offer Wi-Fi b/g/n. While users can choose between two wireless chargers, the Dell Latitude G 15 (model number L1532L) and the HP 17c (model number H1701) are the most powerful of all. They come with a 50W charger to charge your device and there are multiple port accessibilities such as USB Type-C ports, two USB 3.0 ports (two on top, one underneath) and an eMMC bay USB-C port. An Ethernet port is available on both models.
Its build quality and display are nothing short of impressive across the board. Lenovo says its ThinkPad comes in various configurations ranging from Intel Core i9 and Core i7 chips to the fastest configuration of dual-core AMD Ryzen 5000 processors. Some key specifications you will see are: A 12GB of RAM and a 512 GB solid-state drive, up to 16GB of Intel UHD Memory ECC memory and up to 256 GB UHS-II M.2 flash expansion slot for data transfer. Also, some variants are equipped with NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 2060 Ti graphics cards providing a smooth gaming experience. The 14-inch model ships in two configurations starting with just the right size keyboard deck, while others come with separate keyboards, mice and extra storage for the back of the machine. Along with a preinstalled Nvidia GeForce MX350Ti discrete GPU, the model ships with 16GB of dedicated video memory and 8GB of audio memory. Performance and battery life are pretty good on our tests. We ran for over seven days with the core i7 model which took a heavy toll on us; however, we were able to get around with it with relative ease. During testing, the older models performed well especially with Chrome OS and Microsoft Teams.
In terms of aesthetics, Lenovo thinkpad’s new colorways are much better than before. For example, the matte gray looks great against a silver hue. Similarly, the white is also a bit much because it comes in a very glossy finish. This model is the one that gives off the best aesthetic vibe considering it is made with high-end materials. The matte model is made with premium aluminum so the construction feels sturdy and solid. Whereas if you go for the soft shell model, this one is coated in polycarbonate and looking lightweight makes it easy to grip and hold on to. Apart from this model and the black model, there are some white variants that are very attractive too. While none are matte or glossy, there are some options in the form of paint that can add some personality. They can be painted a number of dark hues such as blue, green, red, brown or yellow.
Among other things, the models have 360° hinge which allows you to change direction with ease. As far as the keyboard layout goes, the firm’s latest designs ensure comfortable typing experience with improved responsiveness. The QWERTY keyboard provides plenty of space for individual keys and supports DRS and low latency responses are quick and responsive. Another feature where the keyboard really shines are the capacitance sensing that allows for accurate placement of your finger on the pad and ensuring that your fingers always find their way to your desired location while typing. On the left side of the 14-inch model is a 720p USB 3.0 port, an SD card reader and a stereo output. On the right side of the 14-inch model is a USB 2.0 port, USB 3.0 hub, USB 3.0 cable and power connector. To further improve the user experience, you can add up to two USB 2.0 ports (at least one per device), two 3.0 ports or a USB-C connector depending on your need. Along with that, there are two HDMI inputs along with an IP68 rating which means the laptop won’t easily drop and shatter.
Although the company does not reveal what hardware components make their mark on the range, we do know the laptops will ship with preinstalled Acer Swift 3i M.2 22 inch FHD display giving a resolution of 1080p, 240Hz refresh rate and HDR10 certification. Lenovo claims the display is among the brightest ever and offers 1000 nits peak brightness. The laptop also has a 144Hz touch response that you can enjoy with the new Zen Mode. The latest model will also take advantage of the built-in Gigabit Ethernet that comes with the machine along with full 802.11ac standard. According to Lenovo, the models will be available in mid-March for $499.99, $599.99, B$199.99 and C$349.99.
