The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 is a follow-up of the unique X1 Nano [Gen 1], which was a breakthrough within the ultralight laptop computer world. The Nano sequence is designed to take the portability of the ThinkPad X1 sequence to the intense, and it has confirmed extensively profitable.
This second technology pushes the idea to the following degree, due to system efficiency and different {hardware} updates from cautious person suggestions evaluation. The second-generation ThinkPad X1 Nano builds upon the identical sub-two kilos extremely mobility idea initially launched however makes use of probably the most trendy {hardware} when launched.
“~22% LIGHTER THAN THE MACBOOK AIR”
As such, Lenovo is focusing on a selected viewers that cares initially about extremely mobility. That’s fairly totally different from virtually some other skinny & mild, such because the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, Dell XPS 13, HP Spectre X360, and naturally, the MacBook Air and MacBook Professional. All are constructed as all-rounded, skinny & mild.
Nonetheless, the MacBook Air weighs 1270g vs. the X1 Nano Gen 2’s 995g, a really noticeable distinction from a person expertise perspective.
The chassis may accomodate an non-compulsory 4G or 5G modem for many who need to maximize their productiveness. Whereas WIFI may be extensively out there, it can not evaluate with the rapid and ubiquitous protection of 4G/5G (for a value).
Specs Highlights
Our assessment unit ($2150 as examined) got here geared up with the Intel Core i7-1280P (28W TDP), 32GB RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage, which is superb for a laptop computer of this dimension and weight. Lenovo has many extra processor choices, relying in your desired computing pace and finances.
| Processor | Cores | Cache | Graphics |
| Core i5-1240P | 12 (4 P-core + 8 Ecore) | 12MB | Intel Iris® Xe |
| Core i5-1250P | 12 (4 P-core + 8 Ecore) | 12MB | Intel Iris Xe |
| Core i7-1260P | 12 (4 P-core + 8 Ecore) | 18MB | Intel Iris Xe |
| Core i7-1270P | 12 (4 P-core + 8 Ecore) | 18MB | Intel Iris Xe |
| Core i7-1280P | 14 (6 P-core + 8 | 24MB | Intel Iris Xe |
The soldered RAM may be chosen as 16GB or 32GB of reminiscence with none improve choices, so select fastidiously. 32GB of RAM on an ultramobile is a formidable reminiscence choice if you happen to can afford it, however observe that it received’t have an effect on the benchmark outcomes.
“FORMIDABLE MEMORY OPTION”
The SSD choices are 256/512/1024GB of storage, which must be enough for the meant office-productivity viewers Lenovo is catering to.
Industrial Design
General, the X1 Nano Gen2 design is similar to the earlier technology, so every part associated to design, ergonomics, and extremely mobility is just about the identical, and it’s honest to contemplate this model a efficiency replace primarily.
If you happen to’re new to the ThinkPad X1 Nano sequence and by no means had one in your arms, you could be stunned at how mild it feels. Many individuals suppose I’m handing them an empty laptop computer shell once they maintain it for the primary time. This laptop computer is ~22% lighter than the MacBook Air.
The chassis is painted with the long-lasting “ThinkPad Black” mushy paint, however if you happen to’re getting the dearer touch-display choice, you’ll get a luxurious carbon weave show cowl. It’s not current on this particular unit, sadly.
In contrast to many different extremely cell laptops, this X1 Nano Gen2 is designed to be opened and maintained by the person (or the IT division). It’s potential to take away the underside cowl to entry the user-replaceable SSD. Sadly, the RAM is soldered (quite common for ultra-compact laptops).
Keyboard and Trackpad
As a result of it’s so skinny, the spill-resistant keyboard has a shorter key journey than your standard-size ThinkPad laptop computer. Nonetheless, the journey stays considerably deeper than the newer MacBook Professional keyboard, which is extraordinarily shallow.
The tactile suggestions is sharper than different ThinkPads, and I prefer it. If you happen to’re a ThinkPad fan, you may need to take a look at it earlier than shopping for to gauge how a lot it suits your style, however I discover it very snug and extremely suggest it.
For reference, I take advantage of an IBM Mannequin M as my desktop keyboard and a Logitech Mechanical MX Mini after I journey. I additionally personal a Keychron V1 (Khail white switches) and Keychron K1 (Gateron blue switches).
The trackpad feels super-smooth and works nice. It’s not the largest you may get on a laptop computer this dimension, however I like having the bodily trackpad buttons as a result of they’re extra correct. I don’t use the Trackpoint, nevertheless it stays a extremely sought-after characteristic for a lot of ThinkPad customers.
For further safety, there’s a fingerprint reader to the suitable of the trackpad, and I extremely suggest utilizing it along with the IR webcam logging. Each are very safe and extra handy than typing an extended password.
Ports
The laptop computer is so skinny that Lenovo didn’t embrace any USB-A or different giant ports. That’s regular for ultramobile laptops. Nonetheless, two Thunderbolt 4 ports may very well be prolonged utilizing a TB/USB dock (from Anker or Sabrent) at residence or the workplace.
I’m curious to see if Lenovo might modify the rear of the chassis to suit full-size ports. I don’t suppose that may in the end kill the silhouette of the laptop computer whereas giving customers a few full-size ports. Having one USB-A and one HDMI connector could be wonderful nevertheless it’s understandably very difficult to implement.
Sound
The X1 Nano Gen 1 options nice sound high quality much like the unique mannequin. The sound coming from the quad-speaker setup (2W x2 woofers and 1W x2 tweeters) is highly effective and general spectacular for this dimension. Nonetheless, there’s a little bit of distortion at most quantity, and the bass may very well be increased.
That mentioned, the sound is loud sufficient that I can’t think about utilizing a 100% quantity in a resort room, airport, and even throughout a gaggle name on the workplace, so I don’t suppose this might be an issue.
Show
Like beforehand, Lenovo has two 13” show choices: contact and non-touch. Each use a low-power 60Hz IPS LCD panel with 450 NITs brightness, 100% sRGB protection, 85-degree view angle, and a 1000:1 distinction ratio.
The display screen’s body is surprisingly inflexible for such a skinny show and solely bends barely if you happen to actively attempt to deform it. There’s virtually no flex when opening the laptop computer with one hand…
“FOR PROFESSIONAL LIGHT CREATIVE WORK”
That’s an impressive brightness and coloration gamut, which permits for skilled mild inventive work equivalent to design, pictures, and internet improvement. You’ll most likely use a monitor or a a lot greater and costly cell workstation if you happen to want one thing higher-end.
The (2160×1350) 2K decision stays a wonderful alternative as a result of it’s considerably sharper than 1080p whereas not undermining the battery life as a 4K show would.
Webcam
The 1080p webcam is a notable enchancment from the earlier 720p one. Since persons are far more on video calls, it’s not a negligible enchancment. It might even change into a sway issue within the ~2 Lbs class as a result of all elements have to be as small as potential, which can have an effect on the picture high quality.
The standard may be very cheap and higher-than-average in low mild for its value class. There’s some noise (grain), however the framerate stays excessive, and the standard is sweet sufficient to have a productive video name with out the video stream high quality turning into a distraction.
Lenovo promotes that the lens has an f/2,0 aperture (and a quad-microphone array), which signifies that OEMs may quickly begin competing over digicam specs, as they do on smartphones.
Efficiency
Our ThinkPad X1 Nano has an Intel Core i7-1280P CPU, even quicker than the 1260P within the X1 Carbon Gen 10 we reviewed earlier. As such, the laptop computer scores increased in CPU benchmarks like Geekbench (~2X quicker than the earlier technology) and productiveness benchmarks equivalent to PCMark 10.
That is probably the most noticeable and useful enchancment for these hesitating to get an X1 Nano Gen 1 due to potential efficiency tradeoffs.
The identical is true for GPU-heavy exams equivalent to 3DMark TimeSpy. Whereas this isn’t a gaming machine, each CPU and GPU exams present you don’t go away any efficiency on the desk by going from the X1 Carbon Gen10 to the X1 Nano Gen 2. For a productiveness laptop computer, it packs critical computing energy.
“THE MOST NOTICEABLE AND VALUABLE IMPROVEMENT”
Do not forget that the X1 Nano sequence is just not designed to be a high-performance workstation. There’s a single cooling fan set to maintain noise ranges comparatively low, so its cooling energy isn’t maximized.
Due to that, operating the CPU at 100% for prolonged durations will finally construct up warmth and trigger some thermal throttling. That mentioned, your typical workplace apps mustn’t trigger any of that.
The SSD efficiency is decrease than the X1 Carbon storage, however this didn’t negatively have an effect on the benchmark outcomes, even in these PCMark 10 exams with some disk exercise concerned.
The X1 Nano SSD we examined is a “KBG5AZNT1T02 LA KIOXIA” 1TB, whereas the one within the X1 Carbon Gen10 is a Samsung MZVL2512HCJQ-00BL7 512GB.
Efficiency/Weight Ratio
When a laptop computer is so mild, it’s essential to take a look at the efficiency/weight ratio; few folks analyze that. The info exhibits the X1 Nano Gen 2’s unbelievable efficiency/weight ratio in all benchmarks, which is extraordinary for the ultramobile class.
This ratio must be THE efficiency metric to observe for as a result of nobody buys this sort of pc to attain “absolute efficiency,” which we already established as wonderful on this class.
Battery Life
The PCMark 10 Fashionable Workplace battery life yielded 8hrs 8mn for this laptop computer and its 49.6 WH battery capability. That’s considerably lower than what we acquired with the primary technology X1 Nano Gen 1, however this may be very simply defined by the a lot increased efficiency of the X1 Nano Gen 2.
The X1 Nano Gen 2 has a way more highly effective and power-hungry processor, and we’re testing absolutely the quickest model of this laptop computer. If you happen to would fairly have an extended battery life and absolute pace is just not essential, you may go for the Core i5-1240P model, which doesn’t characteristic as many “Efficiency” (high-power) CPU cores.
Utilizing a Lenovo 65W charger, we observed that whereas the battery might nonetheless declare to be “fast-charge” enabled, it was not charging as quick because the X1 Nano Gen1 or the newest X1 Carbon Gen 10.
Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (official page) is a superb skinny & mild (~2Lbs) laptop computer. All information factors present it. Nonetheless, within the ultramobile class, it stands unchallenged.
That’s “why” folks need to purchase this pc, which is supported by the market information we studied. Individuals evaluate it to the iPad, which signifies they need one thing a lot lighter than a skinny & mild laptop computer. However in order for you a Home windows pc that runs all of the [Windows] apps you already use, the iPad received’t minimize it.
“IN THE ULTRAMOBILE CATEGORY, IT STANDS UNCHALLENGED”
Subsequent, information exhibits folks evaluating it with skinny & mild, such because the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10, XPS 13, MacBook Air (M1, M2), ThinkPad Z13, and ThinkPad T14. Nonetheless, these are considerably heavier than the X1 Nano Gen 2, so I contemplate them in one other class and really feel fully totally different whenever you carry them.
If you need 0.3” to 1” extra in show diagonal and don’t thoughts the additional weight, that could be a very good purpose to get one. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re after the lightest 13” pc with out compromising on efficiency, the X1 ThinkPad Nano Gen 2 is the one recreation on the town. It’s merely the most effective ~2Lbs laptop computer in the marketplace proper now.
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