The best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops offer powerful performance, ergonomic keyboards, and some of the longest battery life you will ever see in a laptop,
With smart designs, rugged durability, and arguably the best keyboards on any laptop, ThinkPads have remained a popular choice for professionals since the IBM days. That the laptops are deployed by military institutions and NASA is proof enough of their reliability. Add in additional enterprise-level security features and that signature red trackpoint in the middle of the keyboard for productive cursor control, and it's not difficult to see why ThinkPads are some of the best business laptops we've ever tested.
But which is best? Our team of reviewers have gone hands-on with hundreds of the best laptops, comparing specs, benchmarking performances, and assessing build quality and design to find the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops for powering through every task.
The quick list
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 is undoubtedly a top business laptop of the modern era, thanks to a compact 14-inch screen, solid 32 GB RAM, a whopping 12 hours and 50 minutes battery life, and a super lightweight build of just 2.48 pounds.
The ThinkPad X13 is tailor-made for those pinching for pennies, and with a sleek 13.3-inch Full HD screen, 256GB SSD, and a weight of less than 3 pounds, there's plenty on offer as well. Its design screams practicality, thanks to a fingerprint sensor, a 180-degree folding hinge, and a webcam cover.
If you want to go all-out on a one-stop solution, there's none better than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5. Whether you're a video editor, an architect, an engineer, or want to go about 3D modeling with a minimum of fuss, its 12th Gen Intel i7 processor in tandem with an above-par GeForce RTX 3050 Ti is going to do the job for you.
The L13 Yoga 2-in-1 laptop is great for working professionals and students who'd like a super portable and compact laptop that doubles up as a tablet with a simple maneuver. Plus, it comes with a rechargeable pen, too, so you can take notes and unleash your creativity on a digital canvas with utmost smoothness.
The P16 Gen1 is an incredibly powerful machine, capable of ripping through tests and tasks like Machine Learning, AI, and digital content creation. It comes loaded with 32GB RAM and NVIDIA RTX A1000, which is one of the better graphics cards for mobile workstations.
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The X1 Nano lives up to its name, and with a weight of less than 2 pounds, it's the lightest ThinkPad ever. Combined with a compact 13-inch screen, a staggering 18 hours and 37 minutes of battery life, and comfortable pricing, it's surely one of the very best productivity laptops for on-the-go usage.
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If you’re in the market for battery life and portability and fancy an AMD-powered ThinkPad, the Z13 is, quite frankly, a no-brainer. On a single charge, it contains more juice than the majority of laptops and can easily power your work, multimedia, or casual browsing for more than a couple of days.
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What is the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptop in 2024?
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Best Lenovo ThinkPad laptop overall
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 is undoubtedly the best business laptop of the modern era, thanks to a compact 14-inch screen, solid 32 GB RAM, a whopping 12 hours and 50 minutes battery life, and a super lightweight build of just 2.48 pounds.
While it's marketed as a business laptop, upon trying it first-hand, I found it up-to-mark for other tasks as well, like photo editing, streaming movies, and even some light gaming—although it's nowhere close to what a Legion 5 Pro can give you.
In addition to being on par in battery efficiency (if not better) and lighter than the Apple MacBook Air and Dell XPS 13, it now boasts the latest 13th Generation Intel processor—a slight yet significant improvement from X1 Carbon Gen 10's 12th Generation Intel processor.
The 16:10 ratio is, again, a marginal improvement over traditional 16:9 laptops, while the build quality and the intuitiveness of the touchscreen are in line with what you'd expect from a top-of-the-line ThinkPad.
However, there has been one noteworthy downgrade, too. Lenovo has decided to do away with the much-revered 4K screen of the Gen 10 laptop and now offers a 1,920 x 1,200p display, a 2,240 x 1,400 IPS panel, and an OLED screen with a 2,880 x 1,800 resolution. That said, given that 4K on a 14-inch screen is nothing short of overkill, the change is understandable.
Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 review
Best budget Lenovo ThinkPad laptop
The ThinkPad X13 is tailor-made for those pinching for pennies, and with a sleek 13.3-inch Full HD screen, 256GB SSD, and a weight of less than 3 pounds, there's plenty on offer as well. Its design screams practicality, thanks to a fingerprint sensor, a 180-degree folding hinge, and a webcam cover.
The good news kept coming as the ThinkPad X13 was able to pass multiple military-grade durability tests to prove its ability to withstand the toughest of conditions, including freezing temperatures, high altitudes, and dust storms. This is in line with other ThinkPads, and it’s good to know that build quality isn’t something Lenovo has compromised to reduce price.
X13's battery life of around 8 hours on moderate usage is acceptable, especially for the price. The best part is that its rapid-charging technology will charge your laptop up to 80% in just an hour—combine this with its super sturdy build, and it's easy to see why it's one of the most travel-friendly laptops out there.
The screen, as I've mentioned, is more than decent, but what makes it even better is the anti-reflective finish, meaning the laptop is going to pull through nicely for multimedia consumption and productivity work.
Best Lenovo ThinkPad laptop for all-round use
If you want to go all-out on a one-stop solution, there's none better than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5. Whether you're a video editor, an architect, an engineer, or want to go about 3D modeling with a minimum of fuss, its 12th Gen Intel i7 processor in tandem with an above-par GeForce RTX 3050 Ti is going to do the job for you.
The GPU here also makes it a very capable gaming laptop, and you’ll easily be able to run 1080p games on high settings.
The 4K touchscreen is mighty impressive, and although there's no OLED screen option (like in the X1 Carbon Gen 11), you won't be left longing for it, as the 16-inch screen is bound to take your breath away. It's everything you want a potential desktop replacement to be—big, exotic, and practical.
As you'd expect from an out-and-out powerhouse, it's not very lightweight, nor does it lead the way in battery life. That said, at 8 hours and 37 minutes, its battery life is still better than most. For the price, though, it would be fair to expect 10+ hours of battery life.
Best 2-in-1 Lenovo ThinkPad laptop
The L13 Yoga 2-in-1 laptop is great for working professionals and students who'd like a super portable and compact laptop that doubles up as a tablet with a simple maneuver. Plus, it comes with a rechargeable pen, too, so you can take notes and unleash your creativity on a digital canvas with utmost smoothness.
As with any 2-in-1 laptop, the touchscreen is an important element, and a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS display does not disappoint. Although its Type-C ports don't support Thunderbolt 3, that's passable given that it's a sub-$800 machine.
The 11th Gen i7 processor isn't class-leading, but with 16GB RAM, it's ideal for coders, especially those programming for mobile devices and for long hours (impressive battery life of over 12 hours—with rapid-charging available), as they will be able to swiftly transform it from a laptop to a tablet.
Best mobile workstation Lenovo ThinkPad laptop
The P16 Gen1 is an incredibly powerful machine, capable of ripping through tests and tasks like Machine Learning, AI, and digital content creation. It comes loaded with 32GB RAM and NVIDIA RTX A1000, which is one of the better graphics cards for mobile workstations.
Besides being one of the top choices for photo editing and video editing, thanks to class-leading raw power under its hood, the P16 sets itself apart from other ThinkPads by offering a full-fledged numeric keypad on the right, which, once again, echoes how carefully crafted it is for productivity.
Yes, the pricing is steep, and the battery life is not as good as the other products on my list, but a 4K 16-inch screen sweeps all of that under the carpet, and serious professionals will find it tough not to be blown away by it.
Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation review
Best portable Lenovo ThinkPad laptop
The X1 Nano lives up to its name, and with a weight of less than 2 pounds, it's the lightest ThinkPad ever. Combined with a compact 13-inch screen, a staggering 18 hours and 37 minutes of battery life, and comfortable pricing, it's surely one of the very best productivity laptops for on-the-go usage.
The screen ratio at 16:10 is exactly what you get with an X1 Carbon, only this one will come in a much smaller package. What's more, you will certainly appreciate the 2K display, which easily eclipses peers like the X13 and the L13 Yoga. However, the X13 is much cheaper, so I wouldn't hold the 1080p screen against it.
A slight downside—if I were to be extremely nitpicky—could be its smaller number of ports. However, for its compact design and excellent power under the hood, that's hardly going to be a deal breaker.
Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano review
Best AMD Lenovo ThinkPad laptop
If you’re in the market for battery life and portability and fancy an AMD-powered ThinkPad, the Z13 is, quite frankly, a no-brainer. On a single charge, it contains more juice than the majority of laptops and can easily power your work, multimedia, or casual browsing for more than a couple of days.
Weight-wise, it's not quite as lightweight as the X1 Nano, but put it beside the X13, and you'll hardly notice a difference. The screen size of 13.3 inches is a compromise between the two models and looks nice and elegant.
The lack of USB-A ports means that it'll be an added expense to connect an external mouse or keyboard, which is admittedly disappointing since it's already one of the more premium ThinkPads you can get.
However, if you can spare the extra dollars, you'll be treated with performance levels that are on par, if not better, than the X1 Carbon, which is, on paper, more powerful.
Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 review
Best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops: Frequently asked questions
Is a Lenovo ThinkPad a good laptop?
Lenovo ThinkPads are some of the best laptops you can buy. Given their diversity, you'll surely find one suitable for your specific use case within the spectrum of ThinkPad laptops, whether you're a coder, an architect, a businessman, a student, or even a gamer.
Thanks to their excellent and ergonomic keyboards and above-par battery life, they are particularly favored by business professionals and students. They balance performance and portability, and their renowned build quality ensures longevity.
While they might not always be the flashiest or most affordable laptops, their reputation for stability and functionality – plus their 5-year-long spare part availability guarantee – makes them a solid choice for many users.
Is a ThinkPad better than a Mac?
Lenovo ThinkPads are renowned for their durability, exceptional keyboards, and extensive port options, making them popular among business peeps and those who prioritize practicality. On the other hand, the best MacBooks and Macs are celebrated for their sleek design, high-resolution Retina displays, battery life, and the macOS ecosystem.
Generally, a Mac will serve you better if your memo is content creation or audio quality. However, if you're someone on a budget looking for decent power under the hood, a ThinkPad, such as the X13 or the X1 Nano, can be a superb choice.
It's also worth noting that should you wish to buy a 2-in-1 laptop or an all-out gaming laptop, you won't find one in the Apple Store, whereas there are quite a few options for those in the ThinkPad marketplace.
Why does NASA use ThinkPad?
Lenovo ThinkPads are built to withstand the challenging conditions that space missions may throw up, including extreme temperatures and dust storms, offering robust build quality, extensive battery life, and exceptional keyboard and trackpad functionality.
They have proven their worth and reliability by passing 12 military-grade tests and over 200 quality checks, falling perfectly in line with NASA's rigorous demands for its missions. Also, their compatibility with NASA's specialized software is what makes them a dependable choice for critical tasks in space exploration.
How to choose the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptop for you
So you're out in the market with a specific purse size, looking for either a business laptop, a travel companion, a powerhouse for heavy tasks, or maybe something that does it all. Identifying your primary use case is usually the first step to masterfully zeroing in on the best Lenovo ThinkPad.
Here are some more factors to consider:
Screen size and panel type will quickly help you narrow down your options. Do you want a 4K screen or a 2K panel, or is an FHD screen going to do the job for you?
As for screen size, that's going to be entirely up to your preference and needs. If your primary use case is going to be spreadsheets and streaming, a large 16-inch screen will speak to you more.
On the other hand, if you want one you can throw in a backpack and carry around without flabbergasting your shoulders, smaller 13 or 14-inch screens, which are usually the lightest, will be better.
Consider the tasks you'll perform. Look for ThinkPads with high-end processors and ample RAM if you need substantial computing power for video editing, photo editing, 3D modeling, or running heavy software such as those in architecture. We've reviewed an extensive range of the best laptops for photo editing and the best laptops for video editing, for when you need professional media load-out.
Models like the X1 Carbon Gen 11 and the X1 Extreme Gen 5 are excellent choices for performance. For everyday tasks, 6 to 8 GB of RAM is going to be ample, and if you're someone like a professional photographer for whom storage is likely to be a concern, external SSDs can provide extra room.
Consider the weight, size, and battery life if you need a laptop for on-the-go usage. Like all the best UltraBooks. we've tested, ThinkPads like the X1 Nano and Z13 are renowned for their portability and long battery life. For extra power, the best mobile workstations are ideal, but they are a lot heavier.
Also, don't forget to check the available ports, especially if you require advanced connections like USB-C and Thunderbolt 3, which are crucial for compatibility with modern devices and accessories. It may also be a good idea to look for models that come with USB-A ports, especially if you plan on using a typical external mouse or keyboard.
ThinkPads are known for their comfortable keyboards and robust build quality. If typing experience and durability matter the most to you, focus on models like the T-Series or X-Series. Almost every ThinkPad comes with advanced security features like fingerprint sensors and IR cameras. If data security is crucial, these models should be at the top of your priority list.
Your budget is going to have a rather significant say in the ThinkPad you ultimately end up with, particularly because of the huge budget range of these laptops. Look for one that adequately balances affordability while offering features important to yo
How we test the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops
Our team of reviewers have tested hundreds of laptops and PCs, from the best laptops for programming to the best business computers.
But whatever the brand - from Dell to HP - our reviewing process to test laptops and desktops is meticulously designed to deliver in-depth insights for potential users. In our evaluation, we combine a variety of benchmark tests and hands-on assessments to gauge every aspect of these laptops.
We put each Lenovo ThinkPad through real-world tests to check whether its performance, battery life, display quality, audio output, and heat management, among others, are in line with what's written on the tin.
These comprehensive tests are complemented by hands-on assessments from our reviewers, who provide critical insights into various aspects, from build quality to the comfort and responsiveness of the touchpad. We don’t ignore the abstract elements, either. These include the design and aesthetics of a laptop and how futuristic or archaic it is.
We understand that comparisons are equally important, which is why we put two or more ThinkPads side by side and compare the specs they offer and at what price.
Does the difference in specs between the two laptops justify the difference in price? Is there a better option available for $100-150 less? Does a specific use case demand splurging on a high-end model of a series? These are some questions we answer before ranking the products and crafting our reviews.
You can find out more in our guide How we test laptops and desktops on TechRadar
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