Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen5 Review (2020)
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 (2020) is the most recent replace of the very best multimode ThinkPad Lenovo has. Designed to be an incredible do-it-all laptop computer with loads of ports and an built-in pen for tablet-like apps. Constructed for endurance and longevity, customers can configure it for a variety of use instances.
Specs Highlights
Configuration as examined
Our check unit is provided with an Intel i7-10610U processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD (Samsung MZVLB512HBJQ-000L7, 475GB accessible) and the 4K 14.0” Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR display, which is the very best for picture high quality. In line with the Lenovo web site, this configuration sells for $2399 as of immediately.
System configuration choices
The Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga X1 configuration choices are fairly huge and canopy a big array of use instances and worth factors. None of them is “cheap,” however that’s anticipated from a enterprise laptop computer.
The CPU choices don’t embody the latest Intel “Ice Lake” 2020 household of processors, however from the “Comet Lake” household launched final yr. The reason being that Comet Lake is appropriate with a few of the safety features enterprises need. We’ll cowl the efficiency and implications later.
- CPU: Intel i5-10210U, i5-10310U, i7-10610U, i7-10510U
- RAM: 16GB max
- 14-inch Show
- Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR display, 4K (3840×2160), WVA, 1500:1 distinction ratio, 90% gamut, 500 nits (contact)
- display, WQHD (2560×1440), WVA, 1000:1 distinction ratio,72% gamut, 300 nits (contact)
- PrivacyGuard display, FHD (1920×1080), WVA, 1500:1 distinction ratio, 72% gamut, 500 nits (contact)
- Low Energy display, FHD (1920×1080), WVA, 700:1 distinction ratio, 72% gamut, 400 nits (contact)
Industrial Design
The Lenovo Yoga X1 is a compact multimode 14” laptop computer constructed round an aluminum CNC chassis that’s extraordinarily inflexible and sturdy. It is likely one of the few non-ruggedized laptops licensed to the MIL-STD-810G sturdiness requirements of the U.S army (~12 checks or so).
Lenovo’s sturdiness standards embody a spill-resistant keyboard, a function that has saved the day numerous instances in Laptop computer historical past. That must be a typical function on all laptops, but it surely comes with a worth, I suppose.
The additional sturdiness is usually a successful argument in case you are poised to lose some huge cash as a consequence of downtime as a result of your laptop computer is down throughout a visit and even throughout common instances. That’s actually true for enterprise customers and for vacationers like me.
“THE EXTRA DURABILITY CAN BE A WINNING ARGUMENT”
That’s the reason I often journey overseas with two laptops as a result of it’s horrible to attempt procuring a brand new laptop computer with the right keyboard and software program when you find yourself out of the country.
The laptop computer’s basic look is like final yr’s ThinkPad Yoga X1, and plainly Lenovo doesn’t need to change one thing that at present works fairly nicely.
The laptop computer may be open very simply to entry the elements, so it’s nice for repairability. The SSD may be modified with out hassle, and there’ s even a second SSD slot accessible. The RAM is soldered, so select correctly at buy time.
Regardless of being a 14” laptop computer, the Lenovo X1 Yoga Gen5 weighs 1350g (2.99Lbs), which makes it extraordinarily aggressive with the smaller opponents. The Dell XPS 13 is 10% lighter, and the MacBook Air is simply %4.5 lighter and each don’t provide wherever close to the identical variety of ports.
Keyboard and Trackpad
As typical with Lenovo, the keyboard is incredible and really agreeable to sort with. We see many laptops go by our workplace (and in tradeshows). Whereas many have nice keyboards, Lenovo retains producing distinctive ones, to the purpose that the Lenovo standalone ThinkPad keyboard announcement was one of the vital fashionable accent articles on our web site.
The Trackpad has a really easy floor that’s in all probability manufactured from glass, as a result of there’s no friction when utilizing it. The Trackpad’s floor is a bit small in comparison with different laptops, and I’m certain that some folks will complain about this, particularly these utilizing superior gestures involving three or extra fingers. Nonetheless, most individuals solely use two-fingers gestures.
“LENOVO KEEPS PRODUCING EXCEPTIONAL KEYBOARDS”
The three bodily trackpad buttons present superior accuracy and management, and whereas that is considerably a matter of preferences, I discover having bodily buttons a lot better in case you are a heavy trackpad person.
Lenovo’s TrackPoint (the crimson dot above the B key)can be one thing that may be a sway think about itself for probably the most hardcore Lenovo customers. I admit that I don’t use it, however after testing it, I can perceive why some folks can get used to it close to the purpose of dependancy.
Ports
One of many robust factors of the Lenovo X1 Yoga is the sheer variety of ports accessible, regardless of being a really mild and compact laptop computer.
You’ve gotten two USB-C, two USB-A, a full-size HDMI, a proprietary Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, and an anti-theft attachment. Simply having full-size USB ports is commonly extremely handy.
“INCREDIBLY CONVENIENT”
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga may be barely larger than ultra-small 13.3” laptops just like the Dell XPS 13 (test our evaluate). Nonetheless, with out the additional quantity, it might simply be inconceivable to have all these ports accessible, along with the marginally bigger show.
- 2x USB3.1 Gen1 (1x At all times On)
- 2x USB-C 3.1 Gen2 / Thunderbolt 3 (energy supply and DisplayPort)
- HDMI, ethernet extension connector
- Nano-SIMcard slot(WWAN fashions solely)
- 5mm audio combo jack
- Facet docking connector
- Safety keyhole
Sound high quality
The sound high quality of the X1 Yoga has dramatically improved over the previous couple of years, and this model nice. The sound is all the time good with audio system on all sides no matter which mode the laptop computer is in.
Even at most settings, the sound doesn’t distort, and voices are clear. In the event you have been to match it to the Lenovo C940’s sound bar’s incredible sound high quality, it’s not at that stage but. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen5’ss sound doesn’t have the identical highly effective bass, but it surely’s getting shut.
Show
The Lenovo X1 Carbon has wonderful show choices and relying in your sort of labor, it’s possible you’ll choose one or one other. The excellent news is that every one have actually good coloration and brightness specs, and now we have been capable of visually affirm that it’s certainly the case with our check unit.
If battery life is paramount, go for a 1920×1080 show because the 4K possibility may scale back battery life by 35-40%. I really like utilizing the touchscreen, and the excellent news is that every one choices I’ve seen are touch-enabled.
Inventive staff ought to purpose for the 4K model because it has the very best picture high quality. Use the proportion of (NTSC) gamut color-coverage as a tough information for coloration precision.
The one factor that I want to see sooner or later is a 4/3, 19/10, or any side ratio that provides us barely extra vertical area for higher productiveness.
Lastly, the privateness guard is a cool function in the event you work on delicate info in public locations (practice, aircraft, bus, café) and need to black-out your display to somebody sitting subsequent to you.
- 14-inch Show
- Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR display, 4K (3840×2160), WVA, 1500:1 distinction ratio, 90% gamut, 500 nits (contact)
- display, WQHD (2560×1440), WVA, 1000:1 distinction ratio,72% gamut, 300 nits (contact)
- PrivacyGuard display, FHD (1920×1080), WVA, 1500:1 distinction ratio, 72% gamut, 500 nits (contact)
- Low Energy display, FHD (1920×1080), WVA, 700:1 distinction ratio, 72% gamut, 400 nits (contact)
Digital Pen
The Lenovo X1 Yoga has an built-in pen, and that’s the greatest manner to make sure that the pen is out there and charged while you want it. You heard that proper: the pen recharges each time to place it again in its slot and does so rapidly.
As a tradeoff, the pen’s profile is skinny, making it appropriate for short-term utilization equivalent to drawing schemas and taking notes for a gathering. As a sketch artist, you may need to purchase one other pen, a pen case, or something to enhance the ergonomics.
The ink’s latency is nice, however it’s not as quick as what you might get with an iPad Professional, for instance, relying on how delicate you might be about latency. Most individuals that I do know don’t thoughts, however I’d advocate that designers attempt it if attainable.
Webcam
Laptop computer cameras haven’t developed a lot, apart from bodily dimension reductions, lately and the identical is true for this laptop computer. The picture high quality is obvious and comparable with opponents and customarily, a selfie digicam from a reasonably priced smartphone will fare higher.
Off the 2 webcam choices you might have (plain, or with IR), we anticipate the webcam with IR to carry out slightly bit higher, not due to the IR, however as a result of it’s a special module which might be a bit costlier and with barely greater high quality sensor and lens.
With the current lock downs and prolonged “work at home” durations, it’s maybe time to extend the webcam digicam high quality to not less than match smartphones selfie cameras
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Pace
The system efficiency of the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen5 may be very respectable for its class, however it’s attainable to seek out opponents with barely higher CPU and graphics choices.
For workplace purposes, the CPU and Graphics efficiency gained’t matter as a lot, and most of the people gained’t be capable of inform the distinction. Nonetheless, in the event you deliberate on doing video modifying, or use apps with heavy scientific computations, then it might have an effect on perceived efficiency.
The SSD storage efficiency very nicely, and this ThinkPad might have a bonus towards opponents relating to disk-heavy workloads.
The quantity of RAM often doesn’t have an effect on benchmark testing and outcomes, however in the true world, we advocate choosing 16GB, particularly in the event you are likely to preserve browser tabs open or use memory-heavy apps equivalent to Photoshop or Premiere.
15-inch computer systems such because the Lenovo X1 Excessive would offer you a lot greater absolute efficiency if it got here all the way down to uncooked energy. If you wish to follow an ultracompact, need greater efficiency and are prepared to drop a few of the reliability options there are options.
Geekbench checks the CPU and reminiscence sub-systems
PCMark 8 Work checks basic workplace productiveness efficiency
This can be a check for picture/video modifying efficiency
This data-storage velocity check exhibits actually good efficiency
Firestrike is for game-like, GPU heavy, purposes
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Battery Life
The battery capability of the ThinkPad X1 Yoga is equal final yr’s mannequin and nicely throughout the regular capability present in competing laptops within the 13.3-14” class.
With our power-hungry 4K show (set to 150 NITs brightness), we acquired 5 hours and 38mn on the PCMark 8 Work battery benchmark. That is fairly spectacular and ought to climb as much as 9.5 hours in the event you go for the FHD show.
That’s the reason we all the time urge customers to take a little bit of time to consider whether or not they want prolonged battery life, as an alternative of a higher-quality show.
When it’s time to recharge, the 65W Lenovo charger will replenish the laptop computer even quicker than Lenovo’s personal Yoga C940 and almost twice quicker than Dell’s newest XPS 13 laptop computer.
Trying on the Lenovo official specs, we observed that some X1 Yoga fashions include a 45W energy adapter, so this can be one thing value verifying if quick charging is essential to you.
ThinkPad X1 Yoga Safety features
As a result of you possibly can lose your laptop computer with probably Terabytes of information on it, safety may be excessive in your listing, and I’ve grouped them in three classes. Some may be discovered on shopper laptops, whereas others are usually not.
The Fingerprint Reader, IR Digital camera with Home windows Hey, and ThinkShutter digicam privateness cowl are handy options, and I anticipate everybody to make use of these.
The ThinkPad PrivacyAlert, ThinkPad PrivacyGuard display helps you stop different folks from peeking at your display whereas working in a busy public space.
Lastly, the Kensington lock slot might help stop theft (often while you go away your momentary desk), and the Discrete TPM2.0 is an encryption function that it’s best to take a look at in the event you by no means need information to get into the flawed arms, however most individuals don’t use it.
Conclusion
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen5
The Lenovo X1 Yoga is a superb enterprise laptop computer that IT departments and enterprise vacationers love. It’s much less more likely to expertise a essential failure and trigger downtime, due to its licensed and confirmed sturdiness.
The 14-inch show makes it a bit extra comfy (than 13.3-inch laptops) to work on for the highway warrior who goes from lodge to lodge. If you’re prepared to sacrifice display dimension and keyboard efficiency for a barely lighter weight or quicker laptop computer, some competitors does exist.
Enterprise customers will usually require the Intel vPro safety and administration function set that justifies utilizing a 2019 processor platform for now.
Nonetheless, semi-pro and self-employed customers are unlikely to totally use vPro and will decide the the X1 Yoga for its design. They may additionally take a look at the Lenovo Yoga C940 which gives remarkably comparable efficiency in a shopper laptop computer.
The CPU efficiency shouldn’t be far behind the newest CPUs, so it’s not an enormous drawback. The Graphics efficiency might have been higher, so when you have GPU-heavy purposes, this may be a friction level.
In the long run, the Lenovo X1 Yoga Gen5 is a really well-balanced enterprise laptop computer relating to portability, sturdiness, and efficiency.
Total product score: 8.7/10
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