Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 review: A solid work laptop

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The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 joins Lenovo’s ThinkPad lineup as a extra inexpensive entryway into the household in comparison with its premium X1 line. Touting a $1,244 beginning worth, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 is definitely on the cheaper aspect for ThinkPads, and it has lots going for it. It carries the signature seems of the household, respectable parts, and a high quality construct. But it lags behind the pack-leaders in fairly a number of methods, and worth isn’t considered one of them. With nice choices just like the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI on the market and new Panther Lake-powered programs just like the MSI Prestige Flip 14 AI+ touchdown, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 has its work minimize out for it. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Specs and options

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 255U
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5x-8400
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Graphics
• Display: 13.3-inch 1920×1200 IPS touchscreen, anti-glare
• Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD – UMIS RPETJ1T24MMW1QDQ
• Webcam: 5MP + IR
• Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode 2.1, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.1 (max 4K/60), 1x 3.5mm combo audio
• Networking: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Biometrics: Windows Hello fingerprint, facial recognition
• Battery capability: 54.7 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 11.78 x 8.15 x 0.7 inches
• Weight: 2.3 kilos
• MSRP: $1,869 as-tested ($1,244 base)

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 has a $1,244 beginning worth, no less than by Lenovo’s “Est Value” system, which leaves agency retail costs within the ether and makes an attempt to make no matter worth is listed appear like a deal in opposition to that “Est Value.” At the time of writing, the bottom mannequin was on sale for $1,094. This contains an Intel Core Ultra 5 225U with 16GB of LPDDR5x-8533 reminiscence, 256GB of storage, Windows 11 Home, and a 41Wh battery.

On decrease price configurations like this, fingerprint scanning and Windows Hello IR sensors are non-compulsory extras, as is touchscreen functionality. Our take a look at unit sits on the prime of the stack with a $1,869 “Est Value” (going for $1,569 on the time of writing). It upgrades to an Intel Core Ultra 7 255U, 1TB of storage, a 54.7Wh battery, and features a touchscreen, fingerprint scanner, Windows Hello-capable webcam, and Windows 11 Pro. For what it’s price, these programs aren’t even being branded as Copilot+ PCs.

Lenovo helps customized configurations as nicely, although choices are restricted, letting you choose from simply two choices for the CPU, storage, show, webcam, and battery. The configurator does permit selecting between a magnesium and stamped aluminum keyboard cowl, with the latter enabling a $180 5G mannequin to come back contained in the system.

Keyboard backlighting additionally turns into a $20 choice within the configurator reasonably than coming normal. Interestingly, the customized configuration choices prime out at an Intel Core Ultra 7 265U and don’t embrace the Core Ultra 7 255U in our take a look at configuration. That Core Ultra 7 265U improve additionally seems to be the one strategy to get 32GB of reminiscence and Wi-Fi 7, that are each robotically added to the configuration when deciding on that CPU.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Design and construct high quality

Foundry / Mark Knapp

One have a look at this new X13, and it’s unmistakably a ThinkPad. While a number of the angles is perhaps modified and the load and dimensions of various components change, the core design is identical as so many different fashions. It’s a stealth black affair with a matte end on the {hardware}. In all circumstances, you’ll discover a chassis with Lenovo’s carbon fiber-reinforced polymer show lid and both a magnesium or aluminum base relying on the configuration of the system. 

Lenovo’s design doesn’t have a tendency towards being the thinnest on the market, and so the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 sits at about 0.7 inches at its thickest. It’s nonetheless compact at 11.78 inches broad and 8.15 inches deep. And it sits at a really modest 2.3 kilos. Lenovo ships a compact, USB-C charger with the laptop computer that retains up the portability. 

The system makes environment friendly use of area. Everything is packed in fairly gentle. On the bottom, there’s not more than a half-inch hole between something — the keyboard and audio system, the keyboard and trackpad, the keyboard and show hinge, for instance. The base options tall grilles at both aspect of the keyboard, although solely a small portion of this grille is definitely backed by audio system. On the intense aspect, they’re up-firing audio system. 

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 sits on two small rubber toes at its entrance and one broad foot on the rear. That rear foot helps keep away from letting sizzling exhaust from the rear vent flow into again into the consumption fan on the underside. That consumption fan is properly protected with a strong grille and wonderful mesh, which ought to do a superb job protecting out mud.

Lenovo has made the insides of the laptop computer accessible with simply 4 screws on the bottom. That’s good to see, although it will imply extra if there was extra upgradeability. At least it progresses repairability. 

The construct feels pretty sturdy, notably the bottom. The show has some flex, however not an extreme quantity. The hinge lets the display screen wiggle for a few seconds after changes, however then holds it firmly in place — no wiggle whereas typing. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Keyboard, trackpad

Foundry / Mark Knapp

Like most of its siblings, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 has a wonderful keyboard. The keys are agency with strong stabilization, providing a constant typing really feel that permit me comfortably hit a 110-word-per-minute typing velocity with 98 % accuracy in Monkeytype even earlier than spending a lot time getting comfy with the keyboard. The trackpoint on the center of the keyboard might be a distraction for some typists. The keyboard options small, offset arrow keys that might be simpler to navigate with, however in addition they have small Page Up and Page Down keys crammed in with them, and I discover the small dimension of those keys makes all of them merely more durable to make use of.

Lenovo’s operate row on the prime of the keyboard is a pleasant contact, because it has grouped units of 4 keys, making it straightforward to really feel out those you need. It additionally gives devoted Home, End, and Delete keys within the prime proper nook. The entire keyboard will get white backlighting that successfully illuminates the legends. The keyboard can be spill-resistant, so that you don’t have to fret about a number of drips of water getting in. 

The trackpad is modestly broad and has a clean mylar floor that’s a pleasure to swipe round on. It doesn’t get a whole lot of vertical area as a result of the highest part goes to devoted left, center, and proper click on controls. These may be helpful alongside the trackpad but additionally work with the trackpoint.

The trackpoint nib takes some finesse to make use of. It is kind of delicate to very small variances in contact, nevertheless it’s not too laborious to get the hold of. Rather than performing as a click on, double-tapping the nib as a substitute opens up a particular menu that curiously has nothing to do with pointing system settings. Instead it has audio and battery settings and a shortcut to voice typing. The voice typing is nothing particular from Lenovo however reasonably simply Microsoft’s built-in dictation instrument, which proves pretty correct albeit whereas omitting any punctuation. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Display, audio

Foundry / Mark Knapp

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 has the suitable {hardware} to get work performed and see what you must, nevertheless it’s not an leisure powerhouse. The 13.3-inch show is fairly sharp with a 1920×1200 decision. And its anti-glare coating helps preserve visuals clear even in sub-par lighting circumstances, although it doesn’t strike me as spectacular because the Corning Gorilla Matte Pro I just lately examined. 

It’s good to see the show hitting 99 % protection of the sRGB shade area, particularly as loads of Lenovo laptops are content material to hit a lot much less. The display screen can be lots shiny with a 430.3-nit peak brightness in testing. Even the distinction is robust at 1620:1 at full brightness, which is nice for an IPS panel although no match for OLED. The display screen misses out on full DCI-P3 gamut and the graceful visuals of upper refresh charges. It’s additionally not one of many particularly low-power fashions I noticed on the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6, which rocked our battery testing outcomes. 

The sound can be so-so. The system has 2x2W audio system which are closely mids-focused. This makes them good for speech, however leaves them sounding a bit harsh for music. And they received’t do a lot for films or TV. There are worse laptop computer audio system, however these are removed from distinctive. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 features a sharp 5MP webcam that appears strong in use. It captures fairly crisp element for a laptop computer webcam. Even in unideal lighting circumstances, it does a wonderful job offering pure publicity. It can get grainy and mushy in darker settings. The webcam additionally has a really sticky privateness shutter that slides over the sensor. It’s made more durable to shift forwards and backwards by the dearth of a distinguished lip to get a superb grip on. If you’ve very brief fingernails, it might show very troublesome to make use of. 

The mic setup on the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 works nice. It makes use of a pair of far subject mics and Dolby processing to good impact, although it doesn’t pull off magic. Mostly, it simply captures my voice nicely with out noticeably lossy compression even whereas operating background noise suppression. That mentioned, the Dolby Voice instrument is supposed to have the choice to seize voices throughout the laptop computer or simply from in entrance of the laptop computer, and in both setting, I discovered that the laptop computer nonetheless captured my voice clearly from both aspect although at all times sounded completely different when capturing from behind. 

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 misses out on Windows Hello facial recognition however features a small fingerprint scanner beside the keyboard. This sensor is small and barely recessed, which might make it laborious to press constantly whereas coaching it in your fingerprint. And I discovered it labored inconsistently, generally rapidly unlocking after recognizing my fingerprint and different occasions failing a number of occasions in a row and prompting me to make use of my password as a substitute.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Connectivity

Foundry / Mark Knapp

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 brings respectable connectivity, particularly for a laptop computer of its dimension, nevertheless it’s not main the best way. You’ll discover a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left, both of which might deal with the system’s charging, alongside a full-size HDMI 2.1 port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The proper aspect features a 5Gbps USB-A port and a Kengsington Nano lock slot. It looks like there’s nonetheless room for a second USB-A port on the suitable or a microSD card reader, or perhaps even each, however Lenovo didn’t embrace both. 

Wireless connectivity lags behind a bit, too. Though some configurations of the system can get extra superior Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, our take a look at configuration sticks with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. It’s no slouch, hitting excessive speeds on a fiber-fed Wi-Fi community, however Wi-Fi 7 gives some promising developments that this technique will miss.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Performance

With a lower-power Intel chip and simply 16GB of reminiscence, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 isn’t positioned to be a efficiency powerhouse even amongst thin-and-light laptops. But that’s to not say it’s weak. It has sufficient horsepower to maintain up with on a regular basis workplace calls for, and that reveals in PCMark 10, which checks a system’s holistic potential in workplace situations. 

In PCMark 10, we see it readily sustain with competing laptops within the video conferencing, net shopping, spreadsheet, and writing subtests. However, with its weaker built-in graphics, it does fall behind in digital content material creation, and that’s sufficient to see it fall behind the pack. 

Between its low-power processor and compact design, it’s little shock to see the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 carry out reasonably poorly in our Handbrake take a look at. This duties the laptop computer with encoding a big video file. Slower processors take a very long time, and as they warmth up below the stress of the duty, they’ll wind up slowing down even additional. This is what occurred to the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6, which took virtually 34 minutes to finish the take a look at. The Acer Swift Edge 14 AI was practically as sluggish with its higher-tier processor, however that was seemingly as a result of it defaults to working in a balanced energy mode whereas the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 opts for a efficiency energy plan when plugged in. 

Another large motive the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 took so lengthy to finish the Handbrake take a look at is its uncooked CPU efficiency. We can see in Cinebench that it’s not a powerhouse. It leads the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI once more because of its higher-performance energy plan, however that’s a spot Acer might seemingly make up with a pair clicks within the settings menu.

It additionally will get an edge on the Acer TravelMate X4 14 AI, which runs an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V and has 4 fewer cores. But subsequent to the HP Omnibook X Flip 14 and Asus Vivobook S 14, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 comes throughout as fairly weak, and none of those programs push the excessive finish of cell CPU efficiency. Thankfully, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 stays pretty hushed whereas working even when below a heavy load. 

The largest blow to the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6’s capabilities is its built-in graphics. While loads of Intel Core Ultra processors have been bestowed with Intel Arc graphics that impress with their capabilities, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 will get easy Intel Graphics. It’s sufficient to remain toe-to-toe with the HP Omnibook X Flip 14’s Radeon 890M built-in graphics. But the remainder of the programs right here present simply what a distinction Intel Arc graphics could make in 3D efficiency. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Battery life

All of the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6’s efficiency shortcomings might need been offset considerably if it mustered distinctive battery life, nevertheless it didn’t. Part of the problem is the laptop computer’s small 55Wh battery. Plenty of different thin-and-light programs are discovering methods to squeeze bigger batteries in. The Acer Swift Edge 14 AI squeezed in a 65Wh battery and even weighs lower than the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6. Meanwhile, the Asus Vivobook S 14 added a few half-pound however squeezed in a 75Wh battery. 

In our video playback take a look at, the small battery and modest effectivity noticed the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 solely run for a bit over 16 and a half hours. It’s a good bit higher than we’ve seen from latest AMD-powered programs, however pales compared to the 20+ hours that the Acer TravelMate X4 14 AI and Asus Vivobook S 14 managed. Considering that each of these laptops additionally are inclined to carry out higher and value much less, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 winds up in a tricky spot. Never thoughts how far the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 falls behind the 24+ hours of the Snapdragon-powered ThinkPad T14s Gen 6.

In sensible use, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 doesn’t do too unhealthy, although. Browsing the net, watching movies, and drafting paperwork with loads of Chrome tabs open noticed the system final for about 9 hours, exhibiting it has what it takes to make it by a modest workday.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Conclusion

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 is an effective machine for modest workplace wants. It doesn’t provide high-performance for a laptop computer in its class, nor does it present staggering battery life. Instead, it centered on being a easy, utility machine. Its show is lots shiny and doesn’t battle with glare. Its webcam seems nice and its mics decide up nicely, so that you’ll shine in video chats. It additionally looks like a well-built machine with a satisfying keyboard and trackpad. If video name high quality isn’t an enormous precedence, I’d level most people to the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI as a substitute, which in any other case leads the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 in most areas and even prices much less.