It looks like a super professional laptop, but its screen and specifications are deceiving. So, this is the new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme G5 that the firm has presented at the Mobile World Congress.
It features processors that can reach the Intel Core i9 vPro 12th generation but can also be accompanied by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics. Among the display options, moreover, some options go up to 165 Hz. But wasn’t this a laptop for work?
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 datasheet
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 | |
|---|---|
| Screen | IPS 16″, format 16:10, resolution 1,920 x 1,200 px Variants: Non-touch, 500 nits, 165 Hz Non-touch, 400 nits Non-touch, 600 nits, HDR400, Dolby VisionTouch, 600 nits, HDR400, Dolby Vision |
| Processor | Intel Core 12th Gen, H Family, up to i9 vPro |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / 3060 / 3070 Ti / 3080 Ti |
| RAM | Up to 64GB DDR5 4800MHz Two SO-DIMM slots |
| Storage | Up to 8TB 2 M.2 PCIe Gen 4 slots |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6E Bluetooth 5.25G sub-6 (Cat20) 4G/LTE (Cat4) NFC |
| Ports | 2 x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1) 2 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) SD Card Reader (SD Express 7.0) 1x HDMI 2.1 1x 3.5mm Headphone |
| Sound | Speaker system with Dolby Atmos support2 long-range microphones |
| Battery | 90Whr 135 / 170 / 230 W adapter depending on model |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro / Ubuntu Linux Free upgrade to Windows 11 Pro |
| WebCam | 1080p + IR with privacy switch 1080p with privacy switch |
| Others | Wireless fingerprint reader Kensington lock |
| Dimensions and Weight | 359.5 x 253.8 x 17.9mm 1.88kg |
| Price | From $2,049 |
If the design works, don’t touch it
The ThinkPad hallmarks are maintained in Lenovo’s new model. Black dominates (almost) everything, but it does so with the iconic features of these models: the TrackPoint is still there, as is the touchpad with the two characteristic left and right buttons.
In this edition, the laptop comes with a choice of two types of upper casing: the first is completely black, but the second variant adds a curious diagonal pattern.
The rest of the design is marked by that generous 16-inch screen with WUXGA resolution (1,920 x 1,200) and that 16:10 format.
This means more information for all kinds of tasks, which is always good news compared to a 16:9 format that is essentially restricted to monitors. There is even a touchscreen option, but also others with Dolby Vision support and HDR400 certification.
The power button doubles its function and is also responsible for providing a fingerprint reader. The sides are occupied by various ports including two USB-A on the right side and two USB-C on the left (perhaps mixing one and one on each side would not have been a bad idea).
This is not ultra-thin or ultra-light, but the dimensions are more than decent, especially considering the power offered by these devices, which is closer to that of traditional gaming devices than those ThinkPad normally aimed at business users.
A professional computer with the ability to be something else
The hardware configuration of the ThinkPad X1 Extreme makes it clear that this is Lenovo’s most advanced model in its notebook portfolio. First of all, these laptops can integrate up to 12th generation Intel Core i9 vPro processors.
These processors can be accompanied by up to 64 GB of RAM and up to 8 TB of storage on two M-2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSDs. These options raise the price of the computer, but they can be fantastic for advanced users both in professional environments (3D design, virtualization, video editing) and even for end users who also have a unique ally here: the graphics card.
These ThinkPad X1 Gen 5 have several graphics options, including the most powerful, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti that allows these computers to provide guarantees to enjoy any current video game.
The screens can be the bottleneck in certain models, although one of them offers a 165 Hz refresh rate and therefore reinforces the ability to become a perfect companion for our gaming sessions.
Those performances are supported by a 90 Whr battery that probably won’t last long in that more ‘gaming’ variant, but there are also the power adapters, which reach 230 W to supply the necessary energy and also offer fast charging.
The content enjoyment offer is completed with support for Dolby Vision technology and the inclusion of Dolby Atmos speakers for a more immersive experience.
On the top frame, there is a 1080p webcam with a privacy switch and, optionally, an IR camera for facial recognition support.
Pricing and availability of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5
Lenovo has indicated that the new ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 will be priced starting at $2,049. These devices will be available for purchase starting June 2022.
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