ThinkPad X1 devices are known for being thin, light, and powerful, but this year Lenovo is taking them to the next level with new Yoga Laptops that feature Titanium and Carbon exteriors; there’s even a detachable 2-in-1 ThinkPad X12 device!
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6
If we’ve learned anything in the last year, it’s that remote working requires effective collaboration tools. Lenovo and Intel recently sponsored a study that suggested that “50 percent of employees feel their PC devices are out-of-date and would prefer businesses to focus on the fundamental daily technology experience.” Lenovo’s focus through 2021 will be “to deliver workspace solutions for a distributed workforce that enable more agile collaboration. Investing in technologies in endpoint devices, smart collaboration, video conference optimized visuals, and valuable docking options can make a significant difference in productivity and efficiency at any location.”
For ThinkPad, Lenovo’s emphasis will be on “enabling communications to stay in touch wherever the user is, optimizing system features for the best conferencing experience, boosting security for user and IT department piece of mind, and implementing technology that enhances user well-being.”
Here are some highlights regarding updates to the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 line before we dive into the new laptops:
• All ThinkPad X1 models will include 5G-ready options to enable faster wireless WAN (WWAN) connection speeds. If you aren’t in a 5G-enabled area, the module also supports 4G-LTE networks, and you’ll be future-proofed when 5G is available in your area.
• ThinkPads have built-in WiFi 6, so they can take advantage of high-speed wireless infrastructures when a WWAN signal is not available.
• On the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and X1 Yoga models, Lenovo introduces Dolby Voice for better than ever conferencing experiences; Dolby Voice uses spatial audio technology “that separates voices for a more natural, less fatiguing meeting when using compatible services. Dolby Voice also optimizes speaker and microphone performance with features such as dynamic leveling to automatically adjust for voices that are quieter or further away and noise suppression that reduces unwanted background noises and echoes, no matter what meeting platform you use.” This technology also improves speech recognition for voice assistants.
• Across the ThinkPad X1 portfolio, certain displays are being enhanced with blue light reduction to reduce eye strain, which should come in handy since so many of us are spending a lot of time in video conferences. The new 16:10 or 3:2 screen ratios will also offer more pixels per real estate, increase screen-to-body ratios, and may help improve productivity with better content distribution on display.
• Lenovo’s latest X1 portfolio supports Dolby Vision on select displays for lifelike image quality and incredible color fidelity along with Dolby Atmos Speaker System, which enables spectacular Dolby Atmos audio experiences. The X12 also offers Dolby Vision support with Dolby Audio Speaker System for crystal clear audio
• The ThinkPad X1 portfolio (except for the X1 Fold) is designed on the Intel Evo platform and powered by 11th Gen Intel Core processors with Intel Iris Xe graphics to deliver improved speed and intelligence6. Working in tandem with ThinkShield security solutions, Intel Hardware Shield, available exclusively on the Intel vPro platform, provides integrated hardware-based PC protection for more secure business productivity.
• Security and the ComputerVision Experiences (CVx) are further improved with the addition of Human Presence Detection for zero-touch log-in through Windows Hello facial recognition, which will also lock the system when users walk away. Optional PrivacyGuard ePrivacy displays will help protect users from prying eyes, and PrivacyAlert will warn them of shoulder surfers. Integrating the fingerprint on the power button helps efficiency by combining two functions into a single action.
• Available across the entire ThinkPad line is the latest update of Lenovo Commercial Vantage. The latest version, 1.3, will offer a new and improved layout and user interface, making it easier for users to control and customize the unique hardware features built into their device and IT admins to manage the end-user experience better.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga
This Is the ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga, which means it’s strong as steel but less dense, so your laptop will look good and function as a weapon*. The thinnest ThinkPad yet, The X1 Titanium Yoga is a svelte, 11mm (0.4″) thin with a 3:2 ratio, 13.5″ display. This model features Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for amazing viewing and sound quality, and you can expect to see it this month, starting at $1,899.
*Do NOT use any laptop, Thinkpad or otherwise, as a weapon, no matter how annoying your coworkers are.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6
Lenovo has completely redesigned the next two laptops we’ll mention, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 and the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9. Lenovo is introducing improved user experiences built around the laptops’ all-new 16:10 aspect ratio displays with them. These two models will feature low blue light, an integrated fingerprint reader on the power button, and new ComputerVision Experiences (CVx) support by a human presence detection sensor for better security and easier use.
Both laptops already had Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Speaker Systems. But the X1 Carbon and X1 Yoga are also the world’s first laptops to support Dolby Voice, which promises to deliver “a supreme conferencing experience that feels more natural, reduces listener fatigue, and sounds stunningly clear to make meetings more productive.”
This is the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6, which will come equipped with Dolby Voice to make conference calls that much more smooth and pleasant. That comes in starting at $1,569 in February.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9
If you prefer a more traditional laptop and don’t need the Yoga flexibility, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 will also offer Dolby Voice as well as the usual Lenovo security features like a fingerprint reader and a human presence detector (so, you know, time-traveling robots can’t steal your data). Both the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 and the Carbon X1 Gen 9 will also be 5G compatible if you ever travel outside of WiFi again. Look for X1 Carbon to hit in February, starting at $1,429.
Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable
Maybe you want ultraportability … enter the ThinkPad X12 Detachable. It’s a 12.3″ tablet with a Corning Gorilla Glas display; it can be used with either a Lenovo Precision Pen or a Digital Pen if you choose. It has a detachable backlit folio keyboard. Lenovo will also offer ThinkPad Thunderbolt and USB-C Smart Docks with Microsoft Azure Sphere to make the docks are smart enough to update themselves and remotely monitor devices. If all that sounds good to you, look for these to start at $1,1149 this month.
Via Lenovo
