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The new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold is a multi-function PC with a 16.3 inch foldable OLED display that lets you use the computer like a big tablet, a laptop, or anything in between (such as holding the system like a book with a bend in the center to differentiate the left and right pages).
First unveiled in September 2022, the Thinkpad X1 Fold is now available for purchase.
Unfortunately the specs haven’t changed since last year, which means that this computer is shipping with 12th-gen, 9-watt Intel Alder Lake processor options at a time when competing systems like the LG Gram 17 Fold have 13th-gen, 15-watt chips based on Intel’s newer Raptor Lake architecture.
That said, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold is supposed to be cheaper (but not exactly cheap), with a $2,499 starting price, while the LG Gram 17 Fold starts at $3,725.
As of November 2, 2023, Lenovo offers four options for purchasing the ThinkPad X1:
- Build your own with prices starting at $2,499
- Core i5-1230U/16GB/512GB + pen and keyboard for $3,399
- Core i7-1250U/16GB/512GB + pen and keyboard for $3,599
- Core i7-1260U/32GB/1TB + pen and keyboard for $3,899
Customers who opt for the entry-level build-your-own configuration will get a model with an Intel Core i5-1230U processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and no pen or keyboard. But you also get more options including support for a Core i5-140U vPro processor, and an optional 5G modem.
Each model has a 16.3 inch, 2560 x 2024 foldable touchscreen OLED display with up to 600 nits brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and a 60 Hz refresh rate.
When unfolded, this gives you a big 4:3 aspect ratio display that you can use like a bit tablet or prop up with a stand for use like a small desktop monitor.
Or you can fold the computer in the middle and basically get a laptop-like experience with two 2024 x 1280 pixel displays, one on top and another on bottom. You can user the lower screen to display content, media controls, or a virtual keyboard or pen input panel, among other things. Or you can place a physical keyboard atop the bottom portion of the display in this mode for productivity work.
The ThinkPad X1 Fold has LPDDR5-5200 memory that’s soldered to the mainboard and a PCIe Gen 4 SSD that comes as a user-replaceable M.2 2242 module.
Other features include a 5MP webcam with IR support for face recognition, a fingerprint sensor, a 64 Wh battery, three speakers, 4 microphones, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, and support for WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.
The ThinkPad X1 Fold weighs 1.28kg (2.82 pounds) or 1.94 kg (4.27 pounds) when you add the keyboard and stand. The computer measures 345.7 x 276.2 x 8.6mm (13.6″ x 10.9″ x 0.3″) when unfolded, and 276.2 x 176.2 x 17.4mm (10.9″ x 6.9″ x 0.7″) when folded.
I really like the concept of these devices but think they’re not for me yet. A laptop you can put on a stand on a desk without half the device becoming useless, and where you don’t need a separate keyboard is great. For that use I’d rather have a larger form factor, like 15″ when folded in half and much bigger on a desk though. I also have durability concerns so went for the lenovo yoga book 9i which has two regular glass touchscreens, that should tide me over for a few generations.
It’s $2499 base model no accessories
Thanks for the heads up. They added that “build your own” option after this article was published, but I’ll go ahead and update the article now.
You call it a TrackPoint stick. I call it a nav nipple.
nav -> navigation
Ha ha…this is DOA at that price! This has no chance at all…the market isn’t ready for those nosebleed prices. Maybe in a few years…
hopefully never.
this folding monstrosity should never be the future form factor so isn’t worth the asking price
I get the concept of “big screen, but folds into a smaller carry size”, but don’t see a device of this size being worth that kind of compromise in price and durability.
It doesn’t look convenient to use at all. The Kickstand-folio cover, the keyboard, and the tablet all combined seems like a clumsy collection of things to hold. Maybe they hold together with magnets or something, but that still doesn’t seem great.
Neat concept, but I would SO MUCH rather carry around a 16″ laptop. There’s no way I’d pay 3x more for a device just so that it folds in half for the insignificant amounts of time that I’m carrying it. The size this thing folds into isn’t a small enough size that affords me any extra mobility.
This is a concept that belongs on a much smaller scale. I think a 9″ 4:3 Windows tablet that folds into a pocket size would be something I’d be interested in.
I’m of the opposite opinion.
I would hate to use your concept Mini PC. This is much better.
But the caveat is that they needed to put in a much better processor AND slash the price. So if they include the Pen and Keyboard, maybe go with the new Snapdragon X Elite processor (or AMD 7840u), with 32GB/1TB option, and stick to a USD $1500 price…. it would be a “fair” offering. Again it wouldn’t be awesome or must-buy but rather well balanced.
At this current price and specs it is easily a no-go for most enthusiasts, let alone mainstream consumers. Which means this product is dead in the water. People lucky to live in the USA may be able to pick these up from refurbish centres or clearance sales for very low prices, probably around 2025. But that wouldn’t be stock in the millions/100-thousands, but rather hundreds making them a rare find. And that’s for old, dead, or dying units since the batteries are glued in tightly… where they’ve been sitting discharged for many seasons/years.
This will be for the most dedicated that must have a Samsung Windows 11 Fold device at these prices.
Even if these were $2k, it would still be a yikes. North of $3k is definitely a no, especially when 14th gen Intels are imminent.