Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 10) vs. X1 Yoga (Gen 7)
Two of the best ThinkPads face off to determine which one is best suited for you.
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High-end notebook
The X1 Carbon (Gen 10) is the right choice for anyone who doesn’t plan on using their laptop as a tablet. It’s absolutely loaded with extra security features, and Intel’s 12th Gen Core CPUs can easily handle a heavy workload.
Extra versatility
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 7) brings many of the same high-end features as the X1 Carbon, though its ability to rotate around 360 degrees adds a ton of versatility. If you like swapping between tablet and PC, this is the way to go.
Tech specifications
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These two laptops were both announced at CES 2022, and both are now available to purchase at Lenovo’s website and at some third-party retailers. Let’s break down the tech specifications available in each laptop to get an idea of how closely they’re related.
Design and features
TheThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 10)and theX1 Yoga (Gen 7)share a lot of the same features, though their builds differ due to the form factors. The former is a standard notebook with a lid that can open about 180 degrees, while the latter is a convertible that can rotate around a full 360 degrees for tent, stand, and tablet modes. The X1 Yoga comes in a Storm Grey color, while the X1 Carbon comes in the classis ThinkPad Black. Both are made from aluminum and both have MIL-STD 810H durability certification.
Both laptops have the coveted ThinkPad keyboard with cupped keys, ample travel, and an incorporated TrackPoint system with pointing nub and physical mouse buttons. Flanking the keyboards are top-firing speakers that pump out loud sound thanks to dual tweeters and dual woofers. They also haveDolby Atmos. These are part of the overall updated communication bar on both laptops.
Lenovo has gone all in for these generations, adding quad-array microphones with Dolby Voice, cameras with FHD resolution, IR hybrid or discrete options, and optional “Computer Vision.” This is essentially Lenovo’s version ofhuman presence detectionthat utilizes a neural processing unit to see who’s in front of the PC. If it’s not you, neither laptop will even attempt to wake up. It can also dim the display when you’re not looking. Both laptops also have fingerprint readers, camera shutters, dTPM 2.0 chips, lock slot, and some Privacy Guard display options.
Ports are the same across laptops, with dualThunderbolt 4, dual USB-A, HDMI, and 3.5mm audio. As for physical dimensions, you’re getting about the same footprint no matter the laptop you choose. The X1 Carbon does weigh about a half-pound less due to it not having the extra convertible goodies that the X1 Yoga packs in.
Along withWi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, both laptops have optional 4G LTE and 5G connectivity to keep you connected even outside of Wi-Fi range.
Displays and inking
The X1 Carbon (Gen 10) have seven displays from which to choose, ranging from FHD+ to UHD+ with plenty of stops in between. You have a choice of FHD+, 2.2K, 2.8K, and full UHD+ resolution. All use an IPS panel, save for the 2.8K option, which goes for OLED and HDR 500. You get either 100% sRGB or 100% DCI-P3 color reproduction, anti-glare or anti-reflective finish, and most have a low power designation. If you wantDolby Vision, it’s available with the UHD+ screens. All have a 16:10 aspect ratio.
The X1 Yoga (Gen 7) understandably only comes with touch displays due to its convertible form. There are four displays from which to choose, including FHD+ and UHD+ resolutions. The high-end option uses an OLED panel with 500 nits brightness, anti-reflective finish, Dolby Vision, HDR 400, and low power designation.
The X1 Yoga also has an incorporated active pen for inking. All you have to do is pull it out of its silo on the side of the laptop. If you’re keen on taking notes or sketching diagrams by hand, this is the way to go.
Performance and price
Part of making your decision will come down to how much performance you need. This can often lead you away from one laptop or the other, but Lenovo makes it easier by offering the same hardware across PCs. In both laptops you get the choice ofIntel’s 12th Gen mobile processorsfrom U- and P-Series lineups. There are vPro and non-vPro chips available, with up to a Core i7-1280P or i7-1265U available.
Memory has been bumped up to LPDDR5-5200MHz for these generations, and you can get up to 32GB in either laptop. Storage options include M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSDs with up to 2TB of storage. Both laptops use integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics; no room for anything discrete here.
As for battery life, it will largely come down to which display and CPU you choose. Both laptops have a 57Wh battery.
Lenovo’s pricing is always on the move due to frequent sales and coupons, but as it stands right now the X1 Carbon is a bit more affordable. That’s usually the case when comparing convertibles with notebook PCs. These are both some of thebest business laptopsaround, and prices climb quickly to reflect their status. Our roundup of thebest Lenovo laptopshas some more affordable alternatives if you don’t want to pay quite as much for a business partner.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 10) costs a bit less due than its Yoga sibling, and it comes with more display options. If you don’t need inking or a convertible build, this is a great premium pick with a focus on business.
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 7) costs a bit more than the X1 Carbon, but its added versatility and built-in active pen will no doubt be top-of-mind for many people. If you need a high-end convertible business laptop, this is one of the best.
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Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than eight years of experience writing about laptops, PCs, accessories, games, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.
