Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 review: Goes big, falls short

Price When Reviewed

$3,246

Best Prices Today: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16

Folding shows are an previous hat for Lenovo. Its first laptop computer with a folding OLED show, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 13, arrived in 2020, and acquired a second era replace. The firm’s new folding laptop computer, the ThinkPad X1 Fold 16, upgrades to a a lot bigger OLED show. That sounds nice, however actuality doesn’t reside as much as expectations. 

Looking for extra laptop computer choices? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops accessible right this moment.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Specs and options

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 is an revolutionary gadget, and all of it comes right down to the show. It has a 16.3-inch display with a decision of two,560 x 2,024 (that’s a side ratio of 1.26:1, which is non-standard, to say the least). It’s a versatile OLED show coated in plastic, making it potential to fold the complete gadget, show and all, in half. A keyboard attachment and energetic pen are included, too.

• CPU: Intel Core i7-1250U
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Iris Xe built-in graphics
• Display: 16.3-inch diagonal 2560×2024 folding OLED touchscreen
• Storage: 512GB NVMe PCIe 4 strong state drive
• Webcam: 1440p webcam with IR digicam
• Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, non-obligatory 5G cell knowledge
• Biometrics: Windows Hello facial recognition, fingerprint reader
• Battery capability: 48 watt-hour + 16 watt-hour twin battery (base mannequin has single 48 watt-hour battery)
• Dimensions: 6.94 x 10.87 x 0.69 inches (folded, display solely).
• Weight: 2.89 kilos (display solely) as much as 4.27 kilos (with keyboard and kickstand)
• MSRP: $2,499 to begin, $3,246 as-tested.

Dig deeper into the specs, nevertheless, and there’s two purple flags. The first is the processor. Lenovo depends on Intel’s older 12th-gen Core processors, not the newer, extra power-hungry, and extra performant 13th-gen Core or Intel Core Ultra processors.

And then there’s the value. You can count on to pay not less than $2,500 for the X1 Fold 16, if you happen to purchase at MSRP, and the mannequin I reviewed rang up at $3,246. That’s a whole lot of scratch, and it erodes the gadget’s worth.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Design and construct high quality

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 Gen 1’s design is revolutionary, to say the least. It pairs a 16.3-inch OLED touchscreen with a folding mechanism that turns the show right into a notebook-sized transportable. The hinge has sufficient resistance to maintain it firmly in whichever place it’s positioned, however not a lot that it’s tough to make use of. 

Because of this, it’s potential to make use of the X1 Fold 16 in a number of modes. If folded at a 90 diploma angle, or one thing near it, it turns into an ultra-portable laptop computer. The higher half the show stays the show, whereas the keyboard attaches magnetically to the decrease half. If the show is laid flat, nevertheless, the keyboard can as a substitute be used as a kickstand for it—a bit like a plus-sized Surface Pro.

The show can be used with out the keyboard. Folding it part-way and holding it like a ebook can show helpful for studying paperwork. Lay the show flat, nevertheless, and the X1 Fold turns into a big pill.

It all sounds good, even nice, on paper. But my time with the X1 Fold 16 left me pissed off.

The massive 16.3-inch show proves extra awkward than it appears. Unfolding the show and utilizing it with the keyboard’s kickstand delivers gobs of show area, which I recognize. But the X1 Fold isn’t actually a laptop computer on this mode, as you want a big, flat floor to maintain it steady. 

Folding the show and utilizing the X1 Fold as a clamshell laptop computer reveals different weaknesses. The display is small on this mode, but the keyboard deck feels tall, which seems to be and feels awkward. I additionally observed some apps (principally older apps with no latest updates) didn’t wish to play good with the boundaries of the show, inflicting parts of the app to look under the Windows taskbar.

Tablet mode has its personal issues. The show can fold, but it surely’s at all times the identical dimension, so that you’re pressured to deal with its full 2.89-pounds of weight. That’s a whole lot of heft for a pill and it rapidly turns into tiring. The dimension of the show is awkward, too, because it feels too massive to carry like a ebook or journal. It works higher as a canvas laid flat on a pill or desk, however that use case looks as if a distinct segment.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Keyboard, trackpad, pen

IDG / Matthew Smith

The issues proceed with the keyboard. Lenovo normally scores nicely right here, however the X1 Fold 16’s design calls for compromise. The keyboard has to suit over the decrease half of the X1 Fold 16’s show, so the keyboard is shallow and affords tiny palm rests. My wrists had been left dangling in mid-air whereas the meat of my palms made contact with the sting of the keyboard. Typing felt uncomfortable after only a few minutes.

Key really feel isn’t nice, both. The removable keyboard measures slightly greater than 1 / 4 of an inch thick, leaving much less room for every key to journey. Lenovo does what it will probably to supply a agency, crisp bottoming motion that gives tactile and audible suggestions, however I nonetheless felt the typing expertise was wood and boring. 

It’s not all dangerous information. While the keyboard is shallow, it’s moderately huge, and Lenovo makes use of each millimeter accessible. The result’s a spacious structure the place most keys are near their full dimension. The keyboard is backlit, too, and naturally adorned by the basic ThinkPad trackpoint, a small purple nub within the middle of the keyboard that can be utilized to manage the mouse with out transferring your palms away from a typing place. 

Lenovo additionally ships the gadget with an energetic pen. It’s massive sufficient to really feel comfy in-hand and might connect magnetically to the facet of the gadget. I wouldn’t say it felt any higher or worse than different comparable pens I’ve used just lately, however handwriting appeared swiftly and precisely.

The touchpad, nevertheless, continues to bitter the story. The keyboard’s shallow profile leaves little area, so the touchpad measures roughly 4 inches huge by two inches deep. That’s extraordinarily shallow for a contemporary PC, and it will probably trigger issues when utilizing multi-touch gestures to flip between home windows or scroll down an internet web page. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

The massive 16.3-inch OLED touchscreen takes a little bit of the sting off the touchpad’s small dimension, because it’s potential to scroll or swipe on the show itself. And whereas the shallow keyboard is usually a draw back, it does go away the show shut at hand when the X1 Fold 16 is utilized in clamshell mode. In truth, I discovered myself tapping buttons and hyperlinks on the show almost as typically because the small touchpad.

It’s a ravishing show, too. The uncommon 2,560 x 2,024 decision works out to roughly 200 pixels per inch (ppi) which, although not the easiest accessible in 2024 (the Dell XPS 16, for instance, delivers over 250 ppi), is actually greater than sufficient to look nice and sharp. 

OLED’s typical benefits are current, too. Color seems to be vibrant, the distinction ratio is excessive, and the show can obtain an ideal minimal luminance of zero nits when required. These perks mix for a lifelike and immersive picture. I particularly observed this when utilizing the totally unfurled 16.3-inch show with the keyboard’s kickstand. It’s a giant, lovely canvas that’s great for viewing and enhancing pictures.

However, this all comes with a caveat: show glare. Glare is a standard challenge for OLED shows, as most are shiny, however the X1 Fold 16 is particularly reflective. Sitting in my workplace, with the show at half brightness, I may see my very own reflection so clearly I used to be capable of shave in an open File Explorer tab set to Dark Mode. This, as you may need guessed, isn’t a part of my regular routine, however the X1 Fold’s excessive gloss inspired me to provide it a strive. I suppose it’s a perk if you want to verify your hair earlier than a video name, but it surely’s extra prone to show a distraction.

The X1 Fold 16’s OLED show is paired with wonderful audio system. Lenovo makes use of a trio of audio system, although solely two are enabled relying on the mode during which the gadget is used. This strategy prevents your palms from obstructing the audio system when holding the gadget. The audio system are sturdy, too, with good quantity and a transparent presentation that’s not often muddy or dense. External audio system are higher, in fact, however I used to be blissful to make use of the X1 Fold 16’s audio system for informal listening as I labored.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The X1 Fold 16’s webcam can document as much as 1440p decision at 30 frames per second. Recorded video seems to be crisp, engaging, and vibrant, with good shade replica and affordable dealing with of publicity in rooms with blended lighting. It’s nonetheless a webcam, however you’ll look sharper than anybody else in your video name.

Lenovo’s microphone array captured exceedingly clear and powerful audio that was simple to make out even after I spoke softly. Noise cancellation was simply common, although, obscuring most repetitive noises however permitting some louder and extra abrupt sounds, like a noticed in a neighbor’s yard, come by means of. Still, it’s a superb microphone and nice for on-line chat.

There’s two types of biometric login, as nicely: a fingerprint reader and facial recognition (the latter is barely accessible with the keyboard connected). Both work nicely, although my typical desire for facial recognition stays, because it’s typically faster and extra dependable.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Connectivity

The X1 Fold 16’s chooses to concentrate on the most recent connectivity as a substitute of legacy ports. It affords two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which additionally help USB-C, and one USB-C. All three ports help Power Delivery and can be utilized to cost the gadget. They’re additionally on completely different flanks, which suggests a handy port is at all times accessible irrespective of how the gadget is used. That’s an essential level not all 2-in-1s and foldable gadgets get proper.

USB-A is lacking, nevertheless, as is wired Ethernet. I don’t blame Lenovo for selecting to ditch these ports, as they don’t align with the X1 Fold 16’s futuristic design. Still, they may make legacy gadgets a tad more durable to attach.

Wireless connectivity spans Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1. That’s a minor disappointment, as most laptops are transferring to Wi-Fi 7. This distinction is unlikely to matter for most individuals, as a majority of U.S. properties have but to even improve to Wi-Fi 6E, nevermind Wi-Fi 7. Still, it might be a problem if you happen to plan to carry on to the X1 Fold for a few years, as Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 will ultimately dominate. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Performance

The X1 Fold 16’s design is revolutionary, however the {hardware} inside isn’t. It ships with an Intel Core i7-1250U processor, 16GB of DDR5 reminiscence, and a 512GB strong state drive. These specs are a slight improve from the bottom mannequin, which has an Intel Core i5-1230U. Intel’s 12th-gen core is now a pair generations behind the most recent chips, and that has an impression on the X1 Fold 16’s efficiency.

IDG / Matthew Smith

PCMark 10, which exams a number of points of a PC’s efficiency, put the X1 Fold off to a tough begin with a rating of 4,590. That’s in direction of the low finish for a PC offered in 2024. Many cheaper laptops, just like the Acer Swift Go 14 or HP Pavilion Plus, can outperform the X1 Fold 16.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Cinebench R20, a closely multithreaded processor benchmark, doesn’t change the narrative. The Intel Core i7-1250U has 10 cores, however solely two of these are efficiency cores, and the processor’s most rated Turbo energy consumption of 29 watts. The new Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, by comparability, has 16 cores with six efficiency cores and a most Turbo energy consumption of 115 watts.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Handbrake additional underscores the X1 Fold 16’s modest efficiency. It required almost an hour to finish the transcode of a 1080p characteristic movie from an .mp4 to .mkv format utilizing Handbrake 0.9.9. Now, to be clear, it’s potential to transcode extra rapidly utilizing different apps and strategies. What this check reveals, nevertheless, is that the X1 Fold 16 isn’t an incredible match for long-duration, CPU-heavy job.

IDG / Matthew Smith

The hits hold coming in 3DMark Time Spy, the place the X1 Fold 16 hits a tepid rating of 1,159. That’s actually in direction of the low finish for an Intel Core i7 processor with Iris Xe built-in graphics. Blame the utmost graphics frequency, which is rated at simply 950MHz. A more moderen and extra highly effective Intel chip, just like the Intel Core i7-1360P, will increase that to 1.5GHz. And the most recent built-in graphics from AMD and Intel can almost triple the X1 Fold 16’s rating. 

In quick—the X1 Fold 16 is slightly terrible at video games and different 3D workloads. The high-resolution show doesn’t assist issues, both. Even video games which can be a few years previous are unlikely to run nicely on the show’s native decision.

I gained’t sugarcoat it. The X1 Fold 16’s efficiency is dangerous worth for cash. The configuration I reviewed retails above $3,000 but it repeatedly misplaced to laptops offered for as little as $1,000. This isn’t actually a shock, because the X1 Fold 16 efficiency is correct according to laptops we’ve examined which have comparable {hardware} just like the HP Spectre Foldable and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3.

There is one constructive, nevertheless—the X1 Fold 16 is fanless, which suggests it’s fully silent. I’m not a fan of fan noise, so this profit didn’t escape my discover. Still, as a lot as I worth silence, it’s not sufficient to excuse the machine’s lackluster efficiency.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Battery life

The X1 Fold 16’s battery, like a lot of the gadget, is unconventional. Lenovo ships a 48 watt-hour battery within the base mannequin, however upgraded fashions pair that with a second 16 watt-hour battery, for a complete of 64 watt-hours. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

Our commonplace battery check, which loops a 4K file of the quick movie Tears of Steel, drained the X1 Fold 16’s battery in simply shy of twelve hours. That’s not an distinctive outcome, but it surely’s strong and will show as much as dealing with a full workday even with occasional use of extra demanding apps. My personal day-to-day use, which principally consists of internet shopping and doc enhancing, noticed the battery final roughly 11 hours. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Conclusion

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 Gen 1 is an formidable however flawed try to convey a bigger folder display to a PC. It looks as if a good suggestion on paper: the older ThinkPad X1 Fold 13 at all times felt too small, so a much bigger display appears to make sense. 

In observe, nevertheless, the X1 Fold 16 is simply too cumbersome to be used as a pill, but nonetheless too small and awkward to make use of as a laptop computer. It’s finest when the 16-inch display is used with the keyboard kickstand, however even that is removed from excellent, as points just like the small touchpad and extremely reflective display stay an issue. And, as a result of the X1 Fold 16 is an revolutionary and weird gadget, Lenovo asks a tidy sum for it, making it much more tough to suggest.

I can see a future for folding screens in PC laptops, however the X1 Fold 16 isn’t going to take them mainstream but.