Internals and performance

The X1 Carbon unit we reviewed used a 2.0GHz Intel Core i7-3667U CPU, one of the new dual-core Ivy Bridge chips designed for use in Ultrabooks (the base model X1 Carbon uses a Core i5 version of the same series). Accompanying the Intel chip are 4GB of RAM and a 256GB solid-state drive. Models with 8GB RAM and 128GB SSDs are also available, though oddly, Lenovo doesn't currently have a model available to buy that contains the i7 CPU and 8GB RAM (the company assures us that one is coming soon). The entire time we used the X1 Carbon, performance was perfectly snappy, with no hiccups to speak of.

We used Geekbench 2.3 to benchmark the X1 Carbon. The stats here show the X1 Carbon blowing the MacBook Air out of the water in the 64-bit bench. This is surprising, since both have the exact same processor (Core i7-3667U). If the benchmarks don't speak for themselves, we have had zero problems, subjectively, with the performance of the computer in regular use.

Lenovo rates the life of the X1 Carbon's 45 Watt-hour battery at "up to 6.3 hours," though it does not specify the settings or activities during which that battery life would be achieved. We tested two scenarios of our own to see how the X1 Carbon stacked up to the stat in real-life situations. In the first test, we played a movie fullscreen with WiFi on, volume set to 50 percent, and brightness set to 75 percent. With these settings, we were able to get 4 hours and 45 minutes of battery life. In a second test, we performed our normal work tasks on the computer: e-mailing, instant messaging, some moderate to intensive Web browsing, and the occasional brief bout of image processing. Under those conditions, we got about 6 hours and 15 minutes from the battery. The movie scenario falls short of Lenovo's estimate, but the work scenario hits Lenovo's more-than-respectable mark.

At last, our Ultrabook has arrived

The arrival of the X1 Carbon deserves a slow clap. Intel's Ultrabook initiative heralded the arrival of PCs as a competitor in the MacBook Air segment, but one manufacturer after another has failed to put up a worthy rival, often tripping on major points like build quality or skimping on the processor.

Spec Base ThinkPad X1 Carbon model ThinkPad X1 Carbon reviewed Highest-end ThinkPad X1 Carbon Processor Intel Core i5-3317U Intel Core i7-3667U Intel Core i5-3427U RAM 4GB 4GB 8GB Storage 128GB 256GB 256GB Graphics Intel HD 4000 Graphics Intel HD 4000 Graphics Intel HD 4000 Graphics Screen resolution 1600x900 1600x900 1600x900 Price $1249 $1849 $1964

That's not to say the X1 Carbon doesn't have its oddities. We're dismayed at the implementation of the multitouch gestures; you can gesture in some of the apps all of the time, or all of the apps some of the time, but you can't gesture in all of the apps all of the time. A driver update could solve this issue, but we have to hope that it wouldn't mess with the responsiveness. The X1 Carbon hits a responsiveness sweet spot right now—gestures are easy to engage but the trackpad isn't overeager about it.

The X1 Carbon emerges on the eve of Windows 8's launch, set for October 26. The X1 Carbon has no touchscreen, meaning it won't be able to take optimal advantage of Microsoft's touch-based work and Metro interface (yes, we're going to call it "Metro"). In the near term, Metro isn't essential and can be ignored in favor of the traditional desktop interface. But in the event that Metro becomes a hub of developer innovation and activity, the X1 Carbon will be ill-suited to take advantage compared to laptops that do include touchscreens. We wouldn't call this scenario highly likely, but interested parties and futurists may want to consider this point before buying an X1 Carbon.

But in the moment, running Windows 7, the X1 Carbon is the total package we've been looking for in an Ultrabook. The base $1,249 model with a 1.7GHz Core i5-3317U processor doesn't meet Intel's "recommendation" that Ultrabooks have price points starting under $1,000, and it's more expensive than the base 13-inch MacBook Air ($1,199 for a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 model). But for that extra $50, you do get a 14-inch 1600x900 screen for a small drop in clock speed—a more than worthy tradeoff. Finally, the Ultrabook has arrived.

The Good

Thin, light body

Comfortable keyboard, keys have good travel

Great battery life

Trackpad that can carry off multitouch gestures

High-resolution screen

The Bad

Stiff hinge makes the PC annoying to open

Webcam is a bit tragic

The Ugly