One major switch from the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 to the Gen 11 model is from 28-watt P-series Intel 12th-gen CPUs to 15-watt U-series Intel 13th-gen processors. You can still get Intel vPro if you’re buying for an enterprise that can make use of the additional management and security features. However, on paper, the movement to lower-power CPUs seems like a potential disadvantage.

In our benchmarks, though, the Gen 11 did just fine. With a Core i7-1355U with 10 cores (two Performance cores at 5GHz and eight Efficient cores at 3.7GHz) and 12 threads, the newer model was faster than the Gen 10 with the Core i7-1260P, a 12-core (four Performance cores at 4.7GHz and eight Efficient cores at 3.4GHz), 16-thread CPU.

Both laptops provide fine productivity performance, but the Gen 11 is a bit faster, at least in performance mode. Fan noise with things cranked up wasn’t egregious, and so it’s not too bad of a trade-off. While the synthetic benchmarks gave the Gen 10 model an advantage in balanced mode, the Gen 11 did better in the more real-life PCMark 10 Complete benchmark that was run in balanced mode.

Both of the Gen 10 and Gen 11 models we tested use a 14.0-inch 16:10 WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) IPS display non-touch display, and their colorimeter results were very close. The Gen 11’s panel was more accurate and had just slightly better color width, but for all intents and purposes, the displays are identical. They’re both fine for productivity users but won’t excite creators.

Lenovo did switch up the display options with the new model, offering a privacy panel for the Gen 11 model, but dropping the option of a UHD+ IPS display. Creators will want to opt for the 2.8K (2,880 x 1,800) OLED display for the best colors and contrast.

As before, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 uses two downward-firing speakers to provide the sound, and they were fine. There was plenty of volume, with clear mids and highs and a tiny bit of bass. You’ll want some headphones for the best music and streaming quality, but you’ll get away with just the speakers for most uses.

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 remains just as thin and light as its predecessors. Lenovo didn’t mess with a good thing with this refresh.

At the same time, the primary advantage of the switch to low-power CPUs is, theoretically at least, improved battery life. And indeed, we see that the Gen 11 lasted significantly longer in each of our tests. It’s much more likely that you’ll get a full day’s work out of the newer model than the previous generation.

As long as you can get a ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 for around the same price as the Gen 10 model, then you’ll definitely want to opt for the update. It’s faster and gets better battery life, while enjoying identical experiences in the build quality, keyboard and touchpad, and display.

The newest model just solidifies the ThinkPad X1 Carbon as the premier business-class machine in the lineup. It’s well worth its price, and the earlier generation would have to be offered at a very significant discount to make it more attractive.

Editors’ Recommendations