The Thinkpad X1 Yoga, Lenovo's flagship convertible business, was once Lenovo's top-selling product. It joined the clamshell X1 carbon at the top of Lenovos business hierarchy. It now has more products. The X1 Titanium Yoga is now available in titanium-coated paper, as well as the lightweight X1 Nano and the powerful X1 Extreme. All of these are exceptional and expensive and could be considered flagships.
Although there is a lot happening in the ThinkPad range, the X1 Yoga still retains many of the same hallmark features as the ThinkPads of years past. The premium price is included in the $1,493.40 starting price. Some subtle, but crucial upgrades include a 16-inch touch display and a wider touchpad. There are also new security features designed to appeal to business users. Although it is not the most affordable Windows convertible, it has a lot to offer long-standing ThinkPad users who are looking for an updated package.
Let's start with the latest: The 16:10 aspect ratio has arrived. This change was made by Lenovo to other ThinkPads, such as the X1 Nano. This panel is much better than the 16:9 panel on the Gen 5. It provides more vertical space and doesn't add much to the chassis.
You won't see many matte touchscreens. It's almost the same experience as writing on a glossy panel with the stylus, but the sound of your tip moving along the screen is louder. I also prefer to touch the matte texture, but preferences may vary. The matte texture can make colors appear a little more muted than on glossy screens. However, you will see less glare and it is easier to work in bright settings. I was able to see the details clearly enough and the colors were clear enough to watch videos. Overall, I thought the matte texture was a positive. During my testing, the panel didn't retain fingerprints or smudges.
Another notable change is that the touchpad has grown in size. It is now 4.33 inches wide, compared to the Gen 5s, which was only four inches. Although it is now quite wide, my fingers still hit the plastic frame frequently as I scrolled. The X1 Yoga has many other options if the trackpad is too small. There are a few buttons at the top (though they don't have the red accents found on ThinkPad clickers), and the ThinkPad TrackPoint in central. The unit also comes with a small stylus that lives in the garage on the right side.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Generation 6 specs (as tested). Model: 20XY002PUS
Intel Core i7-1165G7 @ 2.80 GHz
16GB RAM
Storage space up to 512GB
14-inch 1920x1200 IPS antiglare touchscreen, 400 Nits
HD Camera 720p
12.28 x 8.78x 0.59 inches (314.x223 x 14.9mm), 3lbs (1.35kg).
Two Thunderbolt 4 Type C (power,DP 1.4a), one USB Gen 1, one Thunderbolt 3.5mm headphone/mic combo audio jack and one HDMI 2.0
Match-on-chip fingerprint reader
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 11ax and Bluetooth 5.2
There are also a variety of security enhancements that Lenovo has sprinkled throughout the ThinkPad line. An optional IR webcam can be used to lock the computer if you are not there (the webcam has a physical shutter and produces a grainy image), a match on-chip fingerprint reader, a dTPM2.0 security chip that encrypts all user data, and Privacy Guard, which makes it harder for people to see your screen from the sides.
The most notable update is the appearance. The Gen 5s chassis was gray, but the Gen 6 has gray everywhere. This includes the touchpad, keyboard, hinge, and touchpad. The Yoga is a little different than the many other ThinkPads that are predominantly black. The X1 Yoga has a futuristic feel than other ThinkPads like the X1 Carbon or the X13. However, red and gray are not nearly as striking as black and red.
However, each to their own with the aesthetic. The only thing that was disappointing about the finish is its easy scratchability. After folding my unit into a tablet, I placed it on an outside table for a short drawing and writing session. When I got it back, there were marks on the palm rests. After that, I was afraid of letting the device get too close to anything sharp. This could have been the result of just a few minutes of writing. I am concerned about how scratched this chassis might get from daily tablet usage.
The build quality is excellent. The keyboard deck has a little flex, but not the display. I also didn't feel any screen wobble when I was touching or typing on the screen. It didn't pick up fingerprints as I have experienced with black ThinkPads. It folds and unfolds easily with a smooth hinge. I was able to open it one-handed without much difficulty. The tablet is lightweight at just three pounds and 0.59 inches thick. However, it can be difficult to carry for extended periods of time.
The X1 Yoga is also very good. The ThinkPad keyboards have a reputation for being world-famous. This one, while smaller than some of its siblings, is still very comfortable and offers excellent travel. The Yoga, like all ThinkPads has half-sized Arrow keys and Fn and Ctrl keys that are swapped from the rest of the laptops. This can be a bit confusing. Although you can remap the keys, incorrectly labeled keys can still cause problems for some. There are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB 3.2 Type A and an HDMI 2.0 on each side. A USB 3.2 Type A and a USB 3.2 Type A on the left and a USB 3.2 Type A on the right have a headphone jack and a lock slot. Four 360-degree microphones picked up my voice well. The Dolby Atmos speaker system sounds amazing, with audible bass as well as very clear vocals.
There are a million configurations for the X1 Yoga Gen 6, with many add-ons. The cheapest model, currently $1,493.40, is actually a Linux model. Base specs include a Core i5-1135G7 with 8GB RAM (soldered), 256GB storage, and a Core i5-1135G7. My test model, which runs Windows 10 Pro, is priced at $2,315.28 on B&H. It includes a quad core Core i7-1165G7 with 512GB storage and 16GB RAM.
There are also many extras. Windows 10 Pro will run you $60 more than Windows 10 Home. With Privacy Guard, you can get a 3840x2400 screen or a 1920x1200 screen. These options can only be obtained with an IR camera. It costs $30 more than the regular camera. Additional $15 is required to add Human Presence Detection. This feature is also available only with the IR camera. You can also add 4G or 5G mobile broadband to your modem; prices will vary depending on which model you choose.
This Core i7 processor is used in many top laptops and can handle all types of demanding tasks. The Intel Iris Xe graphics cards can be used for work tasks and light gaming. However, the X1 Yoga laptop is not a gaming laptop. The apps launched quickly and there was no stuttering during my day of streaming, editing photos, and Slacking, which included a few dozen Chrome tabs. Your battery profile is a bigger factor in performance than other Windows laptops. I had to turn off Battery Saver while I tried to run a Zoom call over a bunch of tabs and apps. Everything started freezing.
The X1 Yoga's battery life isn't terrible, but it was still quite good for a convertible at this cost. The screen was set to medium brightness for eight hours and seven minutes per day. This is a good result, but it's nothing compared to the ultraportables of this price.
I am probably too happy to make the last observation that this device doesn't have any bloatware. There was no McAfee, Norton, or other bloatware that I had to uninstall immediately after turning it on. Although I hope laptops over $1,000 won't be loaded with this junk, I frequently see it on expensive consumer laptops made by all sorts of companies (including Lenovo). I'm glad the ThinkPad doesn't come loaded with junk, but consumers should have this experience.
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga is available in many configurations and add-ons. Prices range from $1,500 up to more than $3,000 and you can customize it as you wish. You can choose between a basic convertible and a business-class laptop, with all the security features of the ThinkPad range. It is one of the few convertible ThinkPads worth considering in the sea of available options.
It is a very expensive line, and it can be costly for consumers or self-employed workers. You can find a similar model of Lenovo's top-of-the-line consumer convertible, the Yoga 9i for $1,529, which includes the Core i7-1185G7 processor, which is a step up from the one that was included with my test model. The X1 Yoga models that include this processor start at $1.938 The Yoga 9i is similar to the X1 Yoga and features a convertible form factor, a webcam shutter, a stylus, and most of Lenovo's software.
This raises the question: What is all that extra cash really going to pay for? The 16:10 aspect ratio of the X1 Yoga is a great bonus. Also, the lack bloatware on the matte display and no bloatware are both benefits. The 9i, on the other hand, has a longer battery life than many consumer convertibles, exceptional audio, and innovative features such as a haptic touchpad or an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. X1 Yoga customers are paying a premium for ThinkPad's build. ThinkPads are unique in their TrackPoint and unique keyboard arrangement. They also have a professional, sleek look and feel. They are known for their durability (and the X1 Yoga has been MIL-spec-tested, but the X1 Yoga's scratch-prone chassis as well as the flex in the keyboard give me cause to pause). The ThinkPad logo, much like the MacBooks bitten apple is a familiar graphic. It is associated with high build quality, durability, and performance, so it commands a certain status for both business users and consumers.
If that is what you desire, it's all fine and dandy. This is the ThinkPad for you if you are looking for a laptop that's as powerful and versatile as today's top laptops and if you enjoy tidbits such Linux and human presence detection. It is important to mention that you can still get the majority of this product for a lot less if you are not a fan of the ThinkPad branding.
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