This 13-inch laptop I recommend for work travel is not a Dell XPS or MacBook | usagoldmines.com

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 is presently on sale for $1,106, which is 30% off the common value. 
It is surprisingly versatile for its 13-inch dimension and comes with a robust processor and spectacular battery. 
Nonetheless, its ultraportable kind issue limits it to means it solely has USB-C ports.

Regardless of its bite-sized kind issue, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 is a powerhouse. Lenovo first confirmed off this ultraportable at CES 2024, and preliminary impressions have been targeted across the return of Magic Bay, a mix-and-match household of peripherals that hook up with the laptop computer through magnetic pogo-pins (assume MagSafe, however for laptops). 

Additionally: I went hands-on with Lenovo’s auto-swiveling laptop at IFA 2024, and it’s quite the spectacle

However regardless that the Magic Bay merchandise could be probably the most attention-grabbing, this Lenovo laptop has much more going for it underneath the hood. Actually, this laptop computer is surprisingly versatile.

The ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 comes with the Intel Core Extremely 5 125H processor (2.4 GHz) however may be supercharged with the Intel Core Extremely 9 — an possibility I used to be shocked to see for this laptop computer — which propels it to be according to different performant enterprise machines (elevating the worth over $400 within the course of).

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The review unit I tested was snappy sufficient with the Extremely 5 and had completely no issues multitasking with a handful of productiveness apps and a number of browser tabs throughout two shows. Additionally, this laptop computer is compact sufficient to make transporting to and from the workplace a breeze, making me query why I selected to have a 16-inch as my main driver.

However then I began engaged on the 13.5-inch show, and I remembered. Do not get me improper, the show on the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 seems to be good — actually good, truly, with 500-nit brightness and a 120Hz variable refresh fee. However its dimension, even at max decision, leads to a display that may appear a bit of cramped for those who’re used to extra actual property. In the end, it is a tradeoff that comes down to non-public choice.

The efficiency and flexibility of this laptop computer suggestions the dimensions towards the optimistic, nonetheless. In my benchmarking of this laptop computer, I received stable learn and write speeds from the SSD in PCMark 10, and barely higher efficiency out of the Intel Core Extremely 5 in Cinebench than I anticipated. 

The reminiscence on the ThinkBook 13x can also be among the quickest you may get in an ultraportable of this dimension, because the 8400MHz dual-channel RAM is soldered in with the intent of future-proofing the laptop computer. However for those who go for the Intel Core Extremely 5, the utmost quantity of RAM you may get is 16GB. With a purpose to bump it as much as 32GB, you may should spring for the Core Extremely 9 chip. I’d have appreciated to see the 32GB possibility obtainable with the inexpensive processor. 

Additionally: Lenovo’s newest laptops have a clever solution for iPhone file transferring that you have to see for yourself

Following in that vein, it is a laptop computer trying towards the long run, not making an attempt to be backward suitable, and that is evident in its collection of ports. You get three USB-C ports on this machine, all of that are Thunderbolt 4 suitable. With three Thunderbolts, you do not actually need an HDMI or USB-A, nevertheless it does include a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the facility button can also be a fingerprint reader. 

Regardless of its small dimension, the keyboard feels spacious and crisp. Its distinctive design extends the keyboard all the way in which to the very fringe of the gadget with just about no bezels, leading to satisfyingly thick keys equal in dimension (and even greater) than you’d see on a 16-inch. The shortage of a right-side quantity pad compounds this reality additional. 

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This laptop computer’s chassis is available in a metallic “Luna gray” colorway and a restricted version white shade referred to as “Seashell” that I want I may have seen up shut and private, because the default grey is totally company in look.

That mentioned, the ThinkBook 13x feels extraordinarily stable — iron-clad, I’d even say — with just about no bend or give to the chassis. Its sturdiness is measured in opposition to 12 military-grade certification strategies, incomes it the MIL-STD 810H commonplace. In case you favor this fashion of laptop computer, you may love the laptop computer, which regardless of its dimension, is nothing if not sturdy.

Additionally: How we test laptops at ZDNET in 2024

Okay, let’s speak concerning the Magic Bay. In case you’re into laptop computer equipment or have a drawer filled with webcams, undoubtedly check out this. The modular versatility of the Magic Bay ecosystem offers this laptop computer (and different Lenovo machines that help it) the power to put on many hats, relying on the equipment you are into.

For instance, the Magic Bay Light may act as a hoop mild for those who’re taking calls in suboptimal lighting, or the Magic Bay LTE Hotspot can safe your web connection if the Wi-Fi is spotty. There are additionally extra apparent add-ons, like exterior storage, followers (for you, not the laptop computer), or perhaps a second show, though these are in numerous phases of growth and availability. 

It is the Magic Bay Studio, nonetheless, that’s the most instantly helpful add-on. It is a 4K webcam with built-in audio system, and it elevates this laptop computer into pro-creator territory. It is but to be seen how far Lenovo will take the Magic Bay merchandise, nevertheless it’s one thing that I believe may work effectively if executed neatly.

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

In case you’re questioning how all these add-ons relate to the battery life, fortunately, the ThinkBook 13x isn’t missing in that division. It comes with a 74WHr battery, which is a pretty big capability for a 13-incher.

Additionally: These 6 new travel gadgets announced at IFA are must-haves for any jet setter

In my testing, I received effectively over 10 hours in PCMark 10’s battery take a look at, and barely lower than that working my very own take a look at with a YouTube livestream at 50% brightness and 50% quantity over Wi-Fi. That is undoubtedly a laptop computer that may deal with a day of heavy work with ease and lengthen into the second day with mild or intermittent use. 

The very last thing that shocked me about this laptop computer was the sound high quality. The Harman Kardon audio system have spectacular bass and quantity, notably for such a small machine, including additional to its versatility.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

In case you’re searching for a 13-inch laptop computer that’s highly effective and versatile, take a severe take a look at the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4. For the sale value of $1,106, the highly effective processor choices, robust battery life, and the Magic Bay make it a stable 13-inch choose, particularly for distant and hybrid employees. 

If you’d like a 13-inch laptop computer with comparable specs however is a bit of simpler on the funds, MSI’s Prestige 13 AI Evo is a stable various that begins at $899. In case you like ThinkBooks however are searching for a bigger display, take a look at the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1.