ThinkPad X13 will be an indispensable travel companion. I never hesitated to take this light and nimble machine with me during the review period. Its exemplary quality inspires confidence and I like the quick one-handed opening of the lid.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The keyboard is about 90% full size, and while the keys feel a bit small, my fingers had no trouble reaching my peak speed. A type of monkey online writing test in first attempt. Instinctive key spacing, ample key travel, and precise touch snap melt away long typing sessions. The white button backlighting is also clean and functional.
Lenovo also nails the touchpad. Although top-hinged and mechanical rather than haptic, it feels natural and clicks with confidence. ThinkPad loyalists will appreciate the classic TrackPoint “red copy” pointer and its dedicated keys, and Lenovo’s Vantage software also allows traditionalists to reposition the Fn and Ctrl keys.
The 1,920×1,200-pixel IPS display offers a large workspace, an option for touch input, and an effective anti-glare coating. It offers enough brightness for anything that isn’t in direct sunlight, and enough color to bring PowerPoints and casual movies to life. For entertainment, the speakers on the side of the keyboard work well—unlike downward-facing speakers, this setup doesn’t rely on the surface of the table for sound projection, which is pretty useful for a laptop that’s going to spend a lot of time on your lap. Heat and noise weren’t an issue in daily use; the fan rarely recognized itself beyond the harsh, stress-testing criteria.
The ThinkPad X13 faces domestic competition from Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Aura Edition. Half an inch wider and less than half an inch deeper, it weighs nearly the same, and offers faster processors and an OLED panel that neither of the X13’s can match. But the X1 Carbon remains more expensive, several hundred dollars above the X13’s entry point. For first-time buyers traveling, the X13 may be a more balanced choice.
