Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 review
The Lenovo Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 ranks as the #506 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 71. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #533-ranked connectivity among 477 laptops. Consider the Lenovo Legion Go or Huawei MateBook 16, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 is a well-crafted laptop that excels in portability. Its aluminum chassis is sturdy and sleek, weighing just 1.2 kilograms with a 12.9mm profile. The Qi wireless charging feature adds convenience without replacing the standard charger. Performance-wise, it's competitive, thanks to its Alder Lakeview series processor, although battery life could be improved with a larger capacity. While not perfect, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 is worth considering for those seeking a lightweight and capable laptop for everyday tasks. Its design, webcam, and display features also shine. Overall, it's a solid choice for its price, but may fall short in demanding situations.
Build
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 boasts an incredibly well-built aluminum chassis, with some minor flexing in the lid. The laptop's slim profile (12.9mm) and lightweight design (1.2kg) make it a joy to carry around. The edge-to-edge keyboard offers spill resistance and clicky feedback, while the glass surface touchpad is responsive and accurate. The lid may require two hands to open, but the Gorilla Glass cover display makes up for this minor inconvenience. Overall, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 2's build quality is top-notch, making it a compelling choice in the business laptop market. Consider discovering the power of Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 3, featuring the latest advancements in build.
Display
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 boasts an impressive QHD+ IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio at 13.3 inches. It's incredibly crisp and reaches 424 nits of peak brightness, fully covering the sRGB color gamut. The design and gaming profile tailor accuracy to a Delta E value of 0.8, making it one of the most accurate displays I've seen. With its stunning visuals and sleek design, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 is a treat for the eyes. You might prefer Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 4, designed with an upgraded display for a better experience.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 boasts impressive performance credentials, with its Alder Lake View series processors delivering strong results in Cinebench R23. The Core i7 configuration outperformed the HP Elite Dragonfly G3, but faltered against the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5's Core i5 CPU. Despite a lower maximum boost clock of 30W and 2.9GHz, the laptop maintains a stable power consumption after 15 minutes, keeping noise levels down and temperatures moderate. Overall, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 offers robust performance in a compact package. For a superior performance, Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 4 could be the right choice.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 boasts an aluminum chassis with wireless charging capabilities. The Qi-enabled charger doesn't replace the conventional 100W Type-C charger but offers additional convenience. However, battery life falls short, lasting around 6 hours and 33 minutes of web browsing or 8 hours and 58 minutes of video playback. This is less than some competitors, despite a 56Wh power unit. Charging times are not mentioned in the review.
Connectivity
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 boasts two Thunderbolt 4 ports with one on each side, offering ample connectivity options. Additionally, you'll find a 3.5mm audio jack and HDMI/USB-A dongles in the box. The Harman Kardon branded speakers provide decent sound quality with high max volume and minimal frequency deviations. A well-designed laptop that excels in portability and performance, making it a strong contender in its class. You may find Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 1 a better fit, thanks to its superior connectivity.
Features
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 boasts an aluminum chassis with Qi wireless charging capabilities, an edge-to-edge keyboard, and a glass surface touchpad. The QHD+ display is incredibly crisp, reaching 424 nits of peak brightness, while the Harman Kardon speakers deliver good quality audio. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack complete the package. If you’re after a better features, Lenovo Yoga Book 9i could be the ideal option.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2 prioritizes portability with an aluminum chassis, touch screen, and competitive performance. The laptop's refreshing design is notable, making it a formidable contender in the market. However, battery life could be improved to make it a serious contender for the 13-inch crown.
Pros
1. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Generation 2 is clearly designed to be light enough and bring performance that can outlast any competitor in the incredibly fierce business market.
2. It has a Qi wireless charging map, which provides an additional surface for charging another device while also providing metal squares that make contact with the bottom of the laptop.
3. The laptop's build quality is excellent, with a sleek aluminum chassis and a 12.9mm profile, weighing only 1.2kg.
4. The keyboard has spill resistance and clicky feedback, which compensates for the lack of key travel, making it easy to type on.
5. The touchpad is responsive and accurate, even if it's not the biggest.
6. The webcam has an IR sensor for facial recognition, a proximity sensor that locks the laptop when you move away from it, and an ambient light sensor for auto brightness adjustment.
7. It has a QHD+ IPS display with 424 nits of peak brightness, which fully covers the sRGB color gamut and has accurate colors thanks to its Delta E value of 0.8.
Cons
1. The battery life is lacking, lasting only 6 hours and 33 minutes of web browsing or 8 hours and 58 minutes of video playback.
2. The cooling system can't keep up with competitors, causing the laptop to falter in performance tests.
3. The port selection is limited, with only two Thunderbolt 4 ports and no USB-A ports on the sides.
4. The speaker setup is decent but not impressive, despite being Harman Kardon branded.
5. The maximum boost of the Core i7 processor is lower than most competitors, at up to 30 watts and 2.9 GHz.
6. The laptop heats up slightly when under heavy use, with a hot spot of 41.4°C.
7. The soldered memory means that upgrading the RAM is not possible, which may be a concern for some users.
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