Lenovo has released a new line of laptops under its Thinkpad brand with updated specs and prices, putting them up against the recently updated MacBook Pro.
The “thinkpad x1 carbon vs macbook pro reddit” is a comparison of the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon and the Apple Macbook Pro 2020. The two devices are compared in terms of performance, design, battery life, price, and more.
We put the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon to the test and compared it to the MacBook Pro (2020) Carbon in terms of performance, price, display quality, battery life, portability, and other factors.
The Ranking with the test results can be found above, and the in-depth reports on the two Work Station Laptops can be found below.
Apple MacBook Pro comes in first place (2020)
- The best mobile workstation, particularly for creative and traveling workers.
- Keyboard is really comfortable, and the Touchbar is very handy.
- Excellent battery life
- More costly than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon
In the new MacBook Pro 16′′, Apple has addressed the shortcomings of its predecessor. Let’s take a look at what Apple’s newest laptop has to offer.
There were various issues with the 15-inch MacBook Pro. The CPU throttling under load and the keyboard were the two most serious flaws. With the new model, both should be a thing of the past. To add to the anticipation, Apple nailed it with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro. There is, however, still potential for development.
The contents of the package aren’t exactly unexpected. There’s also some documentation and two old Apple stickers, in addition to the MacBook and charger. There’s nothing else. Dongles must be purchased individually.
Ports & Design
It’s a MacBook Pro, and it’s the latest model. As a result, the quality of the job is faultless. Everything feels amazing, even the casing, which is constructed of recyclable aluminum. There aren’t any jagged edges or sloppy transitions. Buyers may also anticipate a faultless smartphone for the $2500 price tag.
Let’s start with the size of the display. The new MacBook Pro boasts a bigger display and smaller bezels than the previous model. So the size difference between it and its 15-inch predecessor isn’t that significant. Regardless, it still fits well in my messenger bag. Although the weight of slightly over 4.4 lbs is a little too much for me. As a result, a true backpack is preferable.
The remainder of the design modifications are subtle, but they have a significant influence. The MacBook Pro 16-inch is somewhat thicker than its predecessor. Because Apple is adopting a new keyboard, this was essential. I’ll go into more detail about this later. The “esc” key and the touch ID sensor should also be listed. To the left and right of the touch bar, they are now independent pieces.
Apple may also employ a bigger battery because of the increased size and thickness. The MacBook Pro’s 99.8Wh battery is wafer-thin enough to meet the US FAA’s restriction for laptop batteries for domestic flights. In the corresponding chapter, you may learn more about battery life.
MacBooks have only had Thunderbolt 3 for a long time, which is both good and terrible. It’s a good thing, since Thunderbolt 3 makes everything go quicker. You have a bad life because you are a donkey. A USB flash disk from a customer? Hopefully, the adaptor is not on the desk but in the bag. Using an SD card to edit images. What happened to the SD card reader?
In any case, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro has four Thunderbolt 3 connections in total, two on each side. That’s good when used with a docking station, but I still want a built-in card reader. By the way, the 3.5mm jack connection on the right side is still there.
Display
16 inches is a strange measurement. The displays on notebooks are generally 15.6 inches or 17.3 inches in size. As a result, 16 inches is unusual. This also gives you more work space. This may be altered by resizing the apps in the settings, as normal.
The display brightness is 500cd/m2, according to Apple. In practice, the display brightness is changed based on the amount of light in the room. The 16-inch MacBook Pro will level out at roughly 300cd/m2 in a workplace with typical lighting. It will attain the desired display brightness if you take it outdoors (or, in our case, shine a 60-watt studio spotlight at it).
However, at maximum brightness, the light becomes uneven in certain areas. With just a little less lighting, the variances level off significantly better.
In terms of resolution, there’s also nothing to complain about. With a resolution of more than 200ppi, the content is presented clearly. TrueTone guarantees that colors are rendered appropriately in different lighting conditions. It’s a terrific feature that you only realize you don’t have when you don’t have it.
Software
MacOS is one of the few Windows alternatives available. This operating system is used by over 10% of all computers on the planet. Catalina is the name of Apple’s most recent operating system. Apple is still working on a few issues in this area. I had to restart the MacBook Pro many times a day since it was not responding as it should. With earlier MacBooks, I didn’t require this.
Otherwise, the Mac version of iTunes with Catalina is no longer available. The apps “Music,” “Podcasts,” and “AppleTV” have taken its place. This should make it easier for you to locate what you’re looking for in a software. The majority of the music still reminds you of the old iTunes.
Smaller enhancements include a customisable full-screen mode for Windows, the ability to utilize an iPad as a second screen, and the ability to manage practically anything with voice commands. Nothing earth-shattering, just fine-tuning that works.
Performance
The predecessor still had the issue of not keeping the clock of its CPU for a long time. Throtteling continues, although the period between now and then has increased to an acceptable level. However, as one would expect from a “professional” notebook,
All apps run fast thanks to the Intel Core i9 processor and 16GB of RAM. With Adobe products, there are just minor glitches (Photoshop & Lightroom). I can’t say who is to blame right now since I can’t make a final judgment.
The new MacBook Pro is, of course, also available in far greater sizes. The built-in SSD is restricted to 8TB while the RAM is limited to 64GB. With a better CPU and a bigger graphics card, the setup costs approximately $2500.
Emissions and battery life
The new 16-inch MacBook Pro features a 99.8Wh battery, as previously stated. This allows for long battery life. Especially for simple chores like emailing, browsing, and so forth. After six hours of usage on a peaceful working day without picture processing, I still had roughly half of the battery remaining. I can’t think of anything else I’d want.
If the battery runs out of juice, the 96W USB-C charger and “Fast Charge” will quickly recharge it. However, laptop power banks will not be able to charge the 16-inch MacBook Pro in this manner.
When you have a lot of electricity, you also have a lot of heat. The 16-inch MacBook Pro also produces a lot of waste heat. The palm rests are a good example of this. They’re virtually always warm, but that’s all they are. They never get to a point where they’re uncomfortable.
Aside from that, the MacBook Pro’s fans turn on rapidly, which is likely owing to the 15-inch model’s tendency of overheating. The new fans are larger and provide a 28 percent increase in airflow.
Trackpad & Keyboard
Apple Scissor switches will be the standard from here on. Apple had previously depended on Butterfly-Switches for all MacBooks (Air & Pro). These keyboards, as wonderful as they were to write on, were also prone to mistakes.
Individual keys were no longer functional due to even small dust. This should be avoided with the updated switches. However, only a long-term test can determine if this is true in the long run.
Typing is, in any case, a lot of fun. Despite the fact that I preferred the old keys with nearly zero keystrokes, I quickly got friends with the new Scissor switches. Even with the smallest keystroke, typing is quick and error-free. This gets a perfect score. Only the trackpad surpasses it.
Apple is the only company that can make trackpads like Apple. They feel great and click in the same manner in every position. The motions are also really accurate. It’s the same with the new MacBook Pro 16-inch. Furthermore, this trackpad is deserving of the term “giant” in a good sense.
Sound
There are six speakers in all on the new MacBook. They’re also made to counteract each other at all times. As a result, when the volume is turned up, the enclosure does not begin to tremble.
Aside from that, the sound on the 16-inch MacBook Pro is the greatest I’ve ever heard on a laptop. It even outperforms the previous champion, the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Everything is simple to grasp and seems to be well balanced, whether it’s the highs, mids, or lows.
Verdict
The MacBook Pro 16-inch is without a doubt the greatest laptop I’ve ever used. It has excellent build quality, the i9’s performance is more approachable, the display is stunning, and the speakers are superb. I was first skeptical of the new keyboard, but I quickly became used to the scissor switch.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is not for everyone, with a starting price of $2500 (with an Intel Core i9 CPU), but for professionals and particularly demanding customers who want to work with MacOS and be mobile on top of that, there is no other option.
Apple’s MacBook Pro 2020 has the best performance and user interface of any notebook manufacturer, which is why it is ranked top above the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is ranked second (2020)
- HD Colorful Display
- Excellent loudspeakers
- Price is less than that of the MacBook Pro 2020.
- No m-SD port and a smaller battery
Even flatter and lighter, but keyboard regressions. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is Lenovo’s business flagship, and it has so far impressed with its ultra-portable design, which comes without losing interfaces or performance.
The seventh generation is much smaller and has new screens. Can the ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2020 with WQHD display maintain its predecessor’s success, or is the 2018 version a better option? Update 10.09. : The test has been finished.
After the ThinkPad X1 Carbon from 2017 and 2018 had the same casing (with just minor optical modifications), Lenovo is now offering a fully redesigned case for the 7th iteration of its business notebook. As a consequence, a 14-inch laptop with a weight of just 2.42 lbs has been created that, according to the maker, does not sacrifice functionality.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2020 20QE000VGE is our current test device, and it comes with a Core i7 CPU, 16 GB RAM, and a 512 GB NVMe SSD. The matt WQHD screen with 2,560 x 1,440 pixels is built in, as was the case with the predecessor. Only models with the optional 4K UHD display get the new carbon fiber design on the lid; all other models get the traditional black.
The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2020 is compared to its predecessor as well as the current ThinkPad T490s/T495s. We’re still waiting for the competition’s latest models. We’ll be using the HP EliteBook x360 1040 G5 and the Dell Latitude 7490 till then.
Design
Lenovo has given the ThinkPad X1 Carbon’s 7th iteration an entirely new casing. It is lighter and more compact, but the alterations are minor and the benefits are difficult to see. We have the predecessor in addition to the 2020 X1 Carbon, and even in direct comparison, the new model is difficult to identify.
There hasn’t been much of a difference in terms of appearance, since the black surfaces are same. The new carbon appearance on the lid is only available on the new X1 Carbon 2020 with the optional 4K HDR screen, but it’s just cosmetic.
On the plus side, the little slimming hasn’t had a significant impact on stability or craftsmanship. In direct comparison to the 2018 model, there is no discernible change in the stability of the screen cover. In exchange, the central portion of the base unit may be pulled down a little easier.
However, in reality, this only comes into play when you “hammer” on the keys with vigour. The hinges have also been changed, and they are now a little tighter (also in the second test device with the 400 nits display). When you wish to open the lid with with one hand, the base elevates slightly.
Unfortunately, Lenovo has not included the ThinkPad T490’s surface coating in the X1 Carbon, despite the fact that fingerprints and grime were not an issue there. However, you will need to clean the X1 Carbon from time to time. Lenovo employs two distinct base unit versions, much as the contemporary ThinkPad X1 Yoga 2020 (whose base unit is almost similarly made).
Because the microSD reader has been removed, models without an LTE module will also be shipped without a SIM slot on the rear. We’re not sure why they didn’t remain with the original arrangement and at least continue to provide a microSD reader instead of producing two distinct casings.
Our size chart, in addition to the comparative photos, demonstrates that the change between the 2018 and 2020 X1 Carbon is minor. The slightly reduced height (-1 mm) is the most visible difference, although even this will be difficult to achieve in reality. Nonetheless, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a 14-inch business laptop that is incredibly portable.
The Lenovo’s low weight is particularly appealing, since the HP EliteBook x360 1040 G5, for example, has a little smaller footprint but weighs 0.66 lbs more. When compared to the ThinkPad T490s, the Dell Latitude 7490 is substantially bigger and heavier.
Interfaces & Ports
The links have changed little, mostly in terms of placement. The power button has been relocated to the right side, similar to the current ThinkPad X1 Yoga, and the USB port has been relocated to the center, however the 3.5 mm jack has been relocated to the left side. There are also two full-fledged Thunderbolt 3 ports, a native LAN output that may be used with the accompanying adapter, and a standard-sized HDMI port. The X1 Carbon 2020 can drive three screens in total, with the highest resolution being 5,120 x 2,880 pixels (60 Hz) through Thunderbolt 3 and 4,096 x 2,160 pixels (24 Hz) via HDMI.
In general, we believe it’s a good thing that consumers still receive a decent mix of current USB-C connections, including Thunderbolt 3, and older USB-A connectors, since adapters aren’t necessary in daily life.
What we don’t understand is the problem with the card reader: why the predecessor’s microSD reader was just discontinued (despite its poor location) remains a mystery. After all, there’s place for the nano-SIM card, thus we could have used a combination SIM/mSD slide here.
Our test equipment uses the well-known Intel Wireless-AC 9560 WiFi module, which masters the most prevalent standards and achieves acceptable transfer rates in our standardized test with the Linksys EA8500 router. We were also unable to notice any issues with the wireless network connection in practice.
Unfortunately, Lenovo does not sell a more recent WiFi 6 module out of the box, and the WiFi module cannot be swapped afterwards. However, a WWAN module is offered as an alternative. Regrettably, there is also the restriction that you must select before purchasing; otherwise, the case version without a SIM slot is available.
Because there are just 5 normal cross screws, the bottom case cover may be removed quite simply. The cover rises a little after unscrewing, and you can simply remove the lid. We’re relieved that it can be done differently, especially following the new ThinkPad T490 debacle.
However, once inside, the service options are restricted. The fan, battery, M.2 SSD, and M.2 WWAN module are all accessible. The WiFi module is soldered in place, and the CPU takes over some of the operations.
Touchpad & Keyboard
When looking at the current ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2020’s keyboard, it’s difficult to discern the difference at first. With slightly curved keys and a two-stage white lighting that is a little uneven, you get the characteristic chiclet input (see picture below).
Unfortunately, the lighting still lacks a brightness sensor. We loved the keyboard in the previous 2018 model in particular, since such a rich stroke in conjunction with the rather lengthy key stroke was anything but standard for a tiny tablet. The outcome was a very pleasant typing sensation with clearly defined feedback, thanks to the highly solid base unit.
Due to the slimmer chassis, Lenovo had to cut the key stroke from 1.8 to 1.5 mm, and the height of the key caps was also reduced from 5.3 to 4.5 mm.
Clearly, we’re grumbling on a high level here, and although the keyboard is still excellent, particularly in compared to the competition, the typing sensation has deteriorated since the 2018 model. The shorter stroke length is noticeable, and the typing seems to be a little shaky overall.
Another distinction is the TrackPoint keys’ design. They’ve become entirely flat, which is a matter of taste and doesn’t have to be a bad thing. However, compared to the X1 Carbon 2018, the two keys have substantially more play, reducing the accuracy of the inputs. Furthermore, the left button on our test device often becomes stuck in the bottom left area, making double-clicks particularly difficult.
The problem is somewhat better on our second test device (both touchpads/TrackPoints are from ELAN): the key does not get stuck, but there is still some light play, and they make a louder clicking noise.
It’s possible that there are still issues with the initial batches (we have the first devices for testing), but with a flagship laptop from a major brand, that shouldn’t be an issue.
The touchpad itself is simple to operate and has superb gliding qualities, as expected. You may push the surface down in the bottom section, which generates a really rich and not cheap-looking clicking noise.
In a direct comparison, we can’t discern any difference between the two generations. There are no issues implementing instructions or wiping movements with up to four fingers since it’s a Windows precision pad.
Display
For the X1 Carbon 2020, Lenovo offers five alternative displays, two of which were also available last year: the FHD touch panel with a brightness of 300 cd/m2 and the matt WQHD screen from our test unit.
Unfortunately, the brightness is still 300 cd/m2, which is much lower than the normal panel (1080p, 400 cd/m2). There’s also a new 4K UHD HDR screen with a brightness of 500 cd/m2 and an optional FHD panel with a built-in privacy filter (also 400 cd/m2, presently not available).
Subjectively, the WQHD panel is an excellent screen for a business laptop: the colors are vivid, information is shown clearly, and there are no ghosting issues due to poor reaction times (unlike some of the new low-power FHD screens).
The new panels offer a distinct advantage in terms of brightness, with an average of little over 300 cd/m2 and a maximum of over 400 cd/m2. The comparably high black value, along with a subpar contrast ratio of just 786:1, leaves us a little underwhelmed.
This is more than enough for a business laptop, but it might go much farther. Positive: Halos don’t cause any issues (screen bleeding).
The calibration of the panel in factory condition might also be improved, since the panel has a lot of potential. We found quite substantial departures from ideal values in compared to the sRGB standard with our X-Rite-i1Pro2 spectrophotometer, notably in grayscales. There’s also a small green/blue color cast, although this is only noticeable if you’re used to working with calibrated displays.
The findings have visibly improved as a consequence of the calibration; nonetheless, 100% red still deviates from the desired value (DeltaE less than 3). However, the lower screen brightness (30 cd/m2) is a downside of the calibration. Some photographs can undoubtedly be modified on the move thanks to the almost full sRGB coverage, but the new Full-HD displays aren’t much worse.
The WQHD display of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon has a matt finish and may therefore be used outdoors in theory. If you deactivate the dynamic brightness adjustment in the Intel driver, the brightness is not decreased in battery mode. The following photographs were shot under the scorching summer heat, yet there is still something to be seen in this setting. When the screen is switched off, though, it becomes much more enjoyable.
We wanted to determine whether there was a meaningful difference between the two panels outside because we already had the test device with the 400 nits-1080p display. The answer is unmistakable: yes. If you often use the X1 Carbon on the go or in bright surroundings, the basic FHD screen is the way to choose.
Because Lenovo employs an IPS display, there are no issues with viewing angle stability. Even at greater angles, there is only a little loss of brightness, and the image information is always visible.
Performance
In comparison to the previous chapter, not much has changed in terms of performance. Lenovo uses Intel’s latest Whiskey Lake CPUs, but they’re still paired with LPDDR3 RAM. The inbuilt Intel GPU handles the graphical computations, which is more than enough for everyday office tasks. The AMD version of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon has yet to be launched.
The drivers currently do not seem to be fully mature, since the power restrictions (both short and long term) are set at an extremely high 51 watts. This results in wildly varying clock speeds under stress, which we’ll go over in further depth in the next sections. Lenovo’s Vantage software saw another update. For the “intelligent cooling” option in some recent models, the program now refers to the standard Windows power controller (see screenshot).
There seem to be issues with latencies at the moment, since the tool LatencyMon indicates significant deflections with both active and inactive WiFi connections. There were no issues with the predecessor, thus Lenovo should give an update. At this point, the initial BIOS upgrade to version 1.04 hasn’t helped.
Intel’s Whiskey Lake CPUs are available in four distinct configurations for the 2020 ThinkPad X1 Carbon. All of them are quad-core CPUs with a 15-watt TDP. Lenovo also sells the two vPro variants, Core i5-8365U and Core i7-8665U, in addition to the two ordinary versions, Core i5-8256U and Core i7-8565U, which are also present in most consumer goods.
Aside from additional administration features, both of them reach a slightly greater turbo clock rate. The i7-8665U, which can attain a maximum turbo clock rate of up to 4.8 GHz, is the fastest CPU in our test device.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon benefits from the speedy Core i7 processor, even when just one core is used. Even if the maximum clock rates aren’t attained, the first run of the multi-test yields a very excellent result. As a result, the new model is a few percentage points ahead of the 2018 X1 Carbon, indicating that the thinner chassis had no impact on cooling.
The Core i7-8665U isn’t worth the additional money when it comes to sheer performance. However, the vPro functionality continues to play a part here, which might be useful for bigger businesses. In battery mode, performance is unaffected.
Note: The Windows power regulator must be set to Best Performance for full CPU performance; otherwise, the power limitations will be reduced to lesser settings (20/15 watts for Better Performance; 7.5/10 watts for More Battery Efficiency).
The issue with the high TDP restrictions becomes obvious in the Cinebench multi loop, which simulates constant CPU stress. The CPU is almost always near to the 100°C threshold, which causes performance reductions from time to time throughout the test. With an average of 632 points, the end result is definitely not terrible, but with a little tweaking, there may be much more.
There is, of course, the option of lowering the processor’s core voltage in addition to modifying the TDP restrictions. This article explains how to accomplish it in great detail. Note that the processors operate differently, and the findings cannot simply be copied from one machine to another.
Our test device’s Core i7-8665U couldn’t be fully optimized since we could only cut the voltage by 0.070 volts for reliable operation. As a consequence, the clock rate is greater at the same temperature, which leads to better performance in our benchmarks. However, this has no effect on the processor’s core behavior, and the fluctuations remain.
In this chapter, we can be quick since the system functions well thanks to the fast components that you would expect from a new and costly laptop in 2020. So far, we haven’t run across any issues.
To ensure compatibility, we installed Ubuntu 19.04 as a test. The touchpad didn’t function throughout the installation, but the TrackPoint worked. However, once installed, everything worked well. This comprises the hotkey functions, such as brightness and volume, as well as the communication modules (WiFi, Bluetooth). The only thing that wasn’t detected was the built-in WWAN module.
In the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which has a memory capacity of 512 GB, a fast PCIe SSD from Western Digital is at work. In the delivery condition, 437 GB are still accessible. The performance of the NVMe SSD is excellent, and it does not have to compete with Samsung or Intel.
Gaming Capabilities
The graphics card is still Intel’s well-known UHD Graphics 620, so there are no surprises there. Its integrated GPU provides enough performance for all typical multimedia applications, and the inbuilt video decoder makes viewing high-resolution films a breeze. More technical details on the UHD Graphics 620 may be found here.
The iGPU’s full capability is accessible thanks to the dual-channel memory allocation, but we’re still at a very low level here. In battery mode, performance is unaffected.
There are two ways to play decently on the X1 Carbon 2020: confine yourself to older and less demanding games, where high settings are typically unavailable, or attach an additional graphics card at home, which isn’t an issue owing to the Thunderbolt 3 connection.
Our technology section has more gaming benchmarks with the Intel UHD Graphics 620.
Levels of noise and temperature
The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2020’s fan is luckily quite quiet, since it is normally turned off while the machine is idling or under low stress. Even small load surges may typically be handled without the need of a fan (e.g. program installations). Also, the irritating fan revving up in mains operation, which we’ve seen in other ThinkPads in the past, hasn’t been an issue here so far.
Even after the fan is turned on, it takes some time for the fan to become noticeable. We were able to identify a total of three fan speeds, with the lowest being 28.6 dB(A) and the highest being 31.5 and 33.1 dB. (A). The fan noise, on the other hand, isn’t distracting or high-pitched. Other electrical sounds, such as coil spinning, had no effect on our test apparatus.
Surface temperatures are not an issue while the engine is idling or under low load. However, when the base unit is under stress, the center top portion of the unit becomes quite warm, approximately 47 °C, which is also visible while typing. The bottom remains a little colder, but in this extreme circumstance, you shouldn’t leave the gadget on your thighs for too long. Because the fan outlet is on the right side, mouse users may experience a warm hand.
We find a lot of variation in performance in the stress test using the two synthetic tools, Prime95 and FurMark. Because of the high power constraints, the CPU strives to attain extremely high clock speeds on a regular basis, which results in high temperatures.
As a result, performance plummets dramatically. The processor’s power usage varies from 4-51 watts with an average of 21 watts throughout our test.
Sound
The speakers are perhaps the most noticeable change between the old and new ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which is unexpected for a professional tablet. The two 1 Watt modules from the 2018 X1 Carbon have been replaced with a total of four speakers, which Lenovo touts as Dolby Atmos compatible.
The two loudspeakers in the front area on the bottom have been beefed up to 2 watts each and are now backed up by two extra 0.8 watt modules above the keyboard.
The effect is visible and audible, and it is not limited to the commercial sector. Despite the lack of a dedicated subwoofer, there is some bass, and the sound has gotten much more voluminous in direct comparison, but speech intelligibility has remained excellent.
With the new X1 Carbon 2020, we viewed numerous trailers and listened to music – the improvement is enormous. If you have to choose between the X1 Carbon 2018 and the 2020, the speakers may be enough to persuade some people to go with the new model.
Along with the speakers, you’ll receive the Dolby Atmos app, which has a variety of settings as well as an individual equalization. The dynamic preset, which adapts the sound based on the source, does a good job, and human intervention is seldom required.
Consumption of energy
Similarly to the processor’s changing frequency, power consumption under load swings dramatically. We detected a high of 67.5 watts at the start of the stress test, although it fluctuated between 13 and 60 watts during the length of the test, with an average of roughly 30 watts. As a result, the provided 65 watt power supply (0.8 pounds) is adequately sized.
In contrast to the 2018 model (also WQHD), power consumption has risen somewhat under load, however Lenovo was able to improve the rates in idle. With keyboard lighting, we establish a minimum of 3 watts and a maximum of 8.9 watts.
In the previous, the maximum output was still 11.9 watts. On the highest setting, the keyboard lighting consumes roughly 1.8 watts, while on the lowest setting, it consumes just about 0.8 watts.
Life of the battery
Because of the smaller housing, the battery capacity has been reduced: Only 51 watt-hours remain from the 2018 model’s 57 watt-hours. In our initial runtime testing, this has a commensurate effect: Under load, it lasts a little more than 80 minutes, and one charge lasts a little more than eight hours in the practical WiFi test (brightness 150 cd/m2; 72 percent in our panel).
As a result, the new X1 Carbon behind all models of its predecessor, even the ThinkPad T490s with the low-power FHD display, which lasts substantially longer (+2 hours). The WiFi lifespan is decreased to only 6 hours when the display brightness is set to maximum.
The video test, in which we loop the short film Big Buck Bunny, looks a little better. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon’s brightness is restricted to 150 cd/m2, and its battery life is almost 10 hours.
Verdict
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2020 (or 7th generation) is also an excellent business notebook. However, Lenovo’s choice to make the casing thinner once again has had unfavorable consequences, which are seen in practice.
This has nothing to do with the case’s quality: the stability is somewhat poorer than before, but this shouldn’t be a problem in normal life. The quality of the job is still superb.
The most visible difference, particularly when compared to predecessors, is the typing sensation, which is due to the shortened key stroke. The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2020’s keyboard is still excellent, particularly when compared to many other Ultrabooks, but the predecessor’s keyboard was simply superior. The battery capacity has to be lowered somewhat as well, resulting in shorter runtimes.
Aside from that, there are a few minor irritants, such as the lack of an SD card reader (ideally microSD rather than no card reader at all), the omission of modern WiFi 6 modules, and the resurrected issue with LTE modems that cannot be adapted.
With the WQHD display, not much has changed. Without PWM, it’s still an excellent alternative, but it should be tuned if feasible. Overall, the performance is marginally improved, but only the benchmark data can tell you that.
However, there is one significant upgrade, particularly the speakers. The difference between the 2018 and 2020 X1 Carbon is significant, and the new speaker system isn’t only for business laptops. If you can’t decide between the two versions and want superb sound, the latest model is the way to go.
The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon is lighter and more compact than before, yet you won’t notice the difference in regular use. Unfortunately, the key stroke has been shortened, as can be seen while typing. Nonetheless, Lenovo’s incredibly tiny ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which has now received some acceptable loudspeakers, still delivers an excellent overall package.
Overall, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon falls short of the Apple MacBook Pro 2020. If you don’t need the better loudspeakers, the 6th generation X1 Carbon is a great option, since these versions are now on sale in many stores and may save you a lot of money.
The “thinkpad vs macbook 2021” is a comparison between the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon and the Macbook Pro 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whats better ThinkPad or MacBook?
A: I have no idea what you are talking about.
Are Macbooks better than Lenovo?
A: It is highly debated between Macbooks and Lenovo. Some argue that the MacBooks are better, while others argue its not true at all.
Is Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon a good laptop?
A: Yes, I would say that it is a pretty good laptop. It has a lot of power and the battery lasts for about 10 hours.
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