Mehul Reuben DasFeb 28, 2023 06:48:25 IST
Execs:
– Construct high quality and weight
– Crisp, sharp and vibrant 2K touch-enabled show
– Banging set of audio system, mics and webcam
– Efficiency
– Wonderful keyboard
– 5G connectivity
Cons:
– Solely two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports together with energy.
– No SD Card slot
– Can get just a little sizzling throughout resource-intensive duties
Value: Rs 2,14,700 for the examined configuration
Ranking: 4.25/5
There are a number of ultraportable, skinny and lightweight laptops in the marketplace which can be additionally succesful sufficient to get the job executed. Nevertheless, discovering an ultraportable laptop computer that weighs lower than 1 kilogram, is like discovering a residing and respiration unicorn. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2, is that precise unicorn.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 is a tiny workhorse of a machine that weighs only a hair over 970 grams. It has good battery life, it’s constructed like a tank, comes with an beautiful show and has an Intel CPU that’s greater than highly effective sufficient to tackle no matter is thrown at it (inside purpose, in fact). Aesthetic smart too, the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 is sharp, smooth and understated.
Having mentioned that, it’s a bit on the pricier facet. However then, the specs construct and options are solely half the story right here. The place the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 actually reveals its price is the suite of ThinkPad-specific options that it comes with. That’s what you’re really paying for.
Designed and meant for professionals, this can be a no-nonsense work machine. We check out what makes the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 definitely worth the worth that Lenovo is asking for it.
Specs and options
The ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 that we examined got here with the Twelfth Gen Intel Core i7-1260P CPU which comes with a complete of 12 cores (4 Efficiency cores and eight Effectivity cores). Our unit was paired with a wholesome 16GB LPDDR5 SDRAM working at 5200MHz in a quad-channel configuration, though you’ll be able to spec it as much as an i7-1280P and 32GB RAM.
The CPU has a Max Turbo Frequency of 4.7 GHz on the P cores, and three.40 GHz on the E cores. For graphics, we have now Intel-integrated Iris Xe Graphics.
For the show, we get a 13-inch 2K (2160 x 1350), IPS show that has a matte anti-glare coating. The show which has been set in a 16:10 side ratio, makes use of a contact panel which helps as much as 450 nits of peak brightness and has a refresh charge of 60Hz. It additionally helps 99 per cent of the sRGB color vary and comes with Dolby Imaginative and prescient.
For storage, our unit had the top-of-the-line 1TB PCIe 4.0-based NVMe M.2 SSD. You additionally get a 49.5W 3-cell battery.
For ports, you get solely two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports and an audio jack. Wi-fi connectivity is taken care of by WiFi 6e, Bluetooth 5.2, and wi-fi 4G or 5G connectivity.
Then, there’s the entire suite of ThinkPad unique options.
There are a bunch of hardware-based safety features like ThinkShutter, Privateness Guard, Match on Chip Fingerprint, IR Digicam, Thunderbolt Safety, Chassis Intrusion Change, Chassis E-Lock, Good USB Safety, and USB Safe Arduous Drive SmartCard help
On the software program entrance, you get Look Privateness Alert, Lenovo WiFi Safety, BufferZone, Intel Authenticate, Intel Software program Guard Extensions, Self-healing BIOS, Safe Wipe and many others.
After which, there are a couple of creature comforts that make the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 the final word ultraportable laptop computer for professionals. A few of the most spectacular ones are the inclusion of the Dolby Suite, and the lengths to which Lenovo went to make sure a powerful constructed high quality.
Design and Construct:
To say that the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 is constructed like a tank can be a gross understatement. The Nano Gen 2 is a slim gadget, measuring in at 0.57 X 11.5 X 8.2 inches. The chassis is made up of matte black magnesium and aluminium and has a carbon fibre hybrid lid. The laptop computer cleared MIL-STD 810H torture assessments for street risks corresponding to tremors, shock, and temperature extremes.
Regardless of its diminutive measurement, you get a laptop computer that’s significantly powerful. There isn’t a deck flex by any means, and the show regardless of being a 16:10, doesn’t wobble while you elevate it up. Talking of lifting it up, the hinges are easy as butter and permit customers to select the lid up with only one finger, with out exerting any power on the bottom. The hinge additionally permits the show to be opened at a 180-degree angle.
We additionally love the act that Lenovo has gone for very minimal branding on the laptop computer. You get only one Lenovo badge on the laptop computer, and a few ThinkPad badges. The title of the ‘i’ in ThinkPad acts as a tiny LED indicator, which, is a neat little contact.
On the left, you get each the USB-C / Thunderbolt ports and a 3.5mm jack. These are all of the ports that you simply get, which is a disgrace. Whereas the truth that each the ports are Thunderbolt licensed is a pleasant contact, you’re significantly restricted if you wish to use a bunch of units and need to cost the laptop computer on the identical time.
What’s even worrying is that this, regardless of being a professional-grade laptop computer, doesn’t include an HDMI port or a card reader. On the very least, it ought to have had not less than one USB-A or one other USB-C port on the right-hand facet.
Talking of the right-hand facet, you get one other the ability button port and a few vents, which have an aggressive, however understated design. The fingerprint scanner is below the keyboard, proper beside the trackpad. You additionally get the Evo badging on the left-hand facet, so meaning the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 meets all of the requirements set by Intel
The Keyboard and trackpad
The keyboard on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 is without doubt one of the highlights of the gadget. Typing on it’s really a blissful expertise, Very hardly ever can we come throughout a keyboard that’s as inviting and as cajoling because the one discovered on the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2.
Throughout our thorough testing, not as soon as did we really feel that the typing expertise on the keyboard was missing in any means. Lenovo actually is aware of find out how to nail the keyboard. All of the laptops that we have now examined from Lenovo, have been nothing wanting beautiful.
Moreover, the keyboard is backlit. The structure is straightforward and well-spaced, and it doesn’t have any idiosyncrasy {that a} person would possibly want to regulate to – it merely works. We additionally love the truth that we have now devoted arrow keys, and separate Residence, Finish, Web page Up, and Web page Down keys.
The perform keys double up as keys to begin and finish video calls. In addition they get the standard quantity up and down, and brightness adjustment keys. To regulate the brightness of the keyboard’s backlight although, you’ll have to use the spacebar, which appears barely odd, however is definitely probably the most logical place if you consider it.
Then there’s the trackpad. It’s a small one, given the diminutive measurement of the laptop computer however nonetheless, it’s nice to make use of. The trackpad may have been barely larger, had it not been for the three switches on the prime of it, however then, these three switches, the left, proper and centre click on, is quintessential to a ThinkPad.
One other quintessential ThinkPad function is the crimson nubbin that you simply get proper in the midst of the keyboard. Relying in your use case state of affairs, you’ll both hate it or like it a lot that you simply really begin lacking it on different laptops. I, for one, can’t have sufficient of it. It helps in enhancing Phrase paperwork and Excel spreadsheets in a means that solely longtime ThinkPad customers can perceive.
The Webcam, mic and audio system
One of many requirements that Intel set for his or her Evo badges just lately, is the inclusion of a 1080p, FHD webcam, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 will get that. You additionally get IR functionalities which suggests that you could log in utilizing Home windows Hi there facial recognition. The digicam and the IR additionally help the Consumer Presence Sensing function and provide Zero Contact Login and Lock which helps you to lock and unlock the gadget as you method or stroll away out of your desk.
The pictures and the video that the webcam takes are well-lit and vibrant, with glorious readability, and is simply good for all of your work wants. You additionally get a privateness shutter on the webcam.
As for the audio system, you get two 2-watt woofers and two 1-watt tweeters, tuned and licensed by Dolby Atmos. General, the laptop computer will get fairly loud, however they don’t have a punchy bass. Having mentioned that, there isn’t a distortion even at full quantity, and the audio system are greater than sufficient to your convention calls or to eat content material on YouTube or Netflix. These audio system are actually good contemplating that that is ultraportable.
You additionally get 4 array microphones, 360-degree far-field pickup and Dolby Voice, which simply enhances the standard of your voice through the use of a bunch of various options. We actually cherished how the voice separation, dynamic levelling and noise discount labored on the laptop computer.
The Show
Lenovo is basically pushing the 16:10 side ratio in its laptops for some time now. The ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 is not any completely different. The taller side ratio makes engaged on paperwork and spreadsheets a pleasure – different productiveness duties, particularly photograph enhancing on Lightroom additionally reap the benefits of the taller display screen.
Our check unit got here with a 13-inch 2K (2160 x 1350), IPS touchscreen show, which was very responsive. There’s a variant with no touchscreen panel, which can be much more budget-friendly, so do test that out in case you’re contemplating the X1 Nano.
Whereas the show will not be as spectacular as an OLED panel would have been, however, it’s spectacular. The ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 has a refresh charge of 60Hz. The show is surrounded by fairly skinny bezels which makes utilizing it a really immersive expertise.
With a peak brightness of 450 nits, the show is surprisingly brilliant for an IPS panel. Moreover, it’s vibrant sufficient and could be very correct in reproducing colors, because it covers 99 per cent of the sRGB color house.
The panel is licensed by Dolby Imaginative and prescient, which signifies that the dynamic vary on the gadget is phenomenal and it reveals. Because of the capabilities of the show with colors, and content material consumption. You possibly can even play gentle, indie video games on the laptop computer and nonetheless get pleasure from them to the fullest. We wouldn’t hesitate to colour-grade movies or work on excessive res images on this show for skilled use, though rendering them to a file may be a slight concern in sure situations.
Efficiency
So far as ultraportable laptops are involved the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 is in a league of its personal relating to efficiency. Our check unit got here with a Twelfth Gen Intel Core i7-1260P CPU, with a Max Turbo Frequency of 4.7 GHz on the P cores, 3.40 GHz on the E cores, and 16 threads. It additionally got here with 16GB LPDDR5 SDRAM, rated at 5200Mhz. Should you’re searching for extra oomph, you’ll be able to spec your Xi Nano to incorporate an i7-1280P and 32GB RAM.
On paper, the Intel Core i7-1260P might look just a little underwhelming to some, however this 28W beast is greater than able to pulling its punches. The Core i7-1260P does fairly nicely is most artificial benchmarks and scores respectfully.
All of this comes all the way down to Intel’s thread director and the hybrid efficiency that comes with the splitting up of E-cores and P-cores. As anticipated, the Core i7-1260P does phenomenally nicely in gentle, single-threaded duties, however what is basically shocking is its efficiency in heavier multi-threaded duties as nicely.
This isn’t a gaming laptop computer and doesn’t include a GPU. Nonetheless, we had been in a position to play gentle video games like Rocket League, at 1920×1200, on the highest visible setting at some fairly playable framerates. Moreover, we had been in a position to batch-process a ton of photos in Lightroom whereas colour-correcting them, with none points.
There may be one concern although. Like all ultraportables, the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 does warmth up just a little, particularly below constant heavy load. This occurred to us after we had been benchmarking the laptops, and as soon as throughout an prolonged interval of colour-correcting photos.
The laptop computer will get just a little toasty below such circumstances, however to not the extent the place it ought to be alarming. However even in the course of the thermal peaks, there’s no signal of thermal throttling. That is due to Lenovo’s cooling design for the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 and the generously sized vents and warmth pipes within the laptop computer.
Battery Life
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 comes with a 49.5W 3-cell battery, which comes with a slightly nifty 65W charging brick. Regardless of its diminutive measurement, the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 has a reasonably respectable battery life. Intel’s energy effectivity actually involves life right here.
With that however, in a median working day which concerned a ton of writing, some photograph enhancing, a complete lot of shopping, and fairly a little bit of content material consumption on YouTube and Netflix, we obtained about 7-8 hours at about 60 per cent display screen brightness, which is nice.
Throughout our thorough battery testing although, which principally is replaying a 4K video on the loop, repeatedly, the laptop computer conked out in just below 4 hours or so.
Whereas Intel’s Twelfth-gen P-series processors do take a toll on battery life we get to see a big increase in energy. Additionally, you must contemplate the truth that you’re driving a 2K show that’s vibrant and sharp. Sure, there are different ultraportables on the market which have higher battery life. Are they as succesful because the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2? Not by a mile.
Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 strikes an ideal steadiness between efficiency, portability and productiveness. There have been days once I simply tossed the laptop computer in my backpack and forgot if it was in there or not – you actually don’t really feel its weight while you’re carrying it in your backpack.
Sure, there are some shortcomings. We might have cherished to see some extra ports on the laptop computer, not less than a USB-A or an extra USB-C port on the right-hand facet, and possibly the warmth dissipation may have been higher.
And, sure an SD card slot has turn into a vital in laptops, particularly for one which prices as a lot because the X1 Nano does. The efficiency and have units which can be unique to ThinkPads, nevertheless, do make up for a number of the shortcomings. As a pure work-specific ultraportable laptop computer, although, there’s hardly something on the market that beats the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2, particularly when you think about that attractive display screen, and that superior keyboard.
