Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Foldable Laptop Review

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 Review: The Foldable Laptop Concept Revisited

Lenovo initially introduced the concept of a foldable laptop with the original ThinkPad X1 Fold, featuring a flexible 13-inch display that could bend in half. Four years later, the foldable laptop trend hasn’t taken off as expected. Lenovo’s second attempt, the ThinkPad X1 Fold 16, comes with a larger 16.3-inch display and a slimmer design. Despite these improvements, it’s unlikely to set a new trend in foldable laptops. Even with the expanded display, the ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 feels cramped in laptop mode when folded, resulting in a 12-inch screen.

The ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 excels as a compact all-in-one computer you can fold up and carry. This is also true for other foldable laptops with slightly larger 17-inch displays, such as the HP Spectre Foldable PC and the Asus ZenBook 17 Fold OLED. The X1 Fold 16 is the most affordable among them, starting at $2,500, but it quickly surpasses $3,000 with upgrades and the optional $300 keyboard/kickstand folio, which is essential. This is still a steep price for a system with an outdated 12th-gen Intel CPU, even though it has a stunning foldable OLED display.

Key Specifications:

• Price as Reviewed: $3,239
• Display Size/Resolution: 16.3-inch 2560×2024 OLED; 12-inch 2024×1240 in laptop mode; 400 nits SDR, 600 nits HDR
• CPU: Intel Core i7-1250U
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
• Weight: 4.2 lb (with keyboard), 2.8 lb (without keyboard)

Price and Configuration

The baseline model of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 starts at $2,499, featuring an Intel Core i5-1240U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. While it’s nice to see 16GB of RAM as standard, the SSD capacity could start at 512GB. The display is an OLED panel with a 2,560×2,024 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and HDR600 certification.

Our test system (model 21ES001GUS) costs $3,239, upgrading the CPU to a Core i7-1250U and the SSD to 512GB. It also includes the $300 kickstand/keyboard folio, Windows 11 Pro, and an improved warranty with onsite support for a year.

Using the X1 Fold as a Laptop

Using the ThinkPad X1 Fold as a laptop can be frustrating. The keyboard attaches neatly to the bottom half of the display, which then adjusts to fill the top half. However, the 12-inch display in laptop mode is too small for most Windows apps, leading to constant scrolling. The cramped keyboard and touchpad setup, combined with a thick front lip, make long typing sessions uncomfortable.

Unfolded as a Tablet or All-in-One

The X1 Fold performs better as a tablet or a compact all-in-one PC, ideal for entertainment rather than business. The 16.3-inch display is great for drawing and sketching, and Lenovo includes an active pen. The fold creates subtle texture changes on the screen, which might be noticeable to serious creators. The X1 Fold works best propped up with the kickstand and keyboard in front of it. The kickstand can hold the display in landscape or portrait mode, though it can tip over in portrait mode.

Portability and Display Quality

The X1 Fold 16 is easy to pack up, folding neatly into a 4.2-pound travel companion. The OLED display is exceptional, with vibrant colors, strong contrast, and sharp images. It offers 100% coverage of sRGB and P3, 95% of AdobeRGB, and impressive brightness levels, though the glossy screen can cause glare outdoors.

Webcam and Processor Performance

The 5-megapixel webcam provides sharp images, but its placement is awkward in landscape mode. The 12th-gen CPU suffices for basic tasks but can’t compete with modern processors. The X1 Fold 16 had the shortest battery life among foldable laptops tested, lasting a little over five hours on a streaming test.

Conclusion

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 is an innovative device, especially with its foldable 16.3-inch OLED display. However, its high price, outdated CPU, and limitations in laptop mode make it more suitable as a portable all-in-one PC rather than a primary work device.

FAQs:

How long does the ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 battery last?

The ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 has a battery life of approximately five hours on a streaming test.

What is the spec of X1 Fold 16?

The ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 features a 16.3-inch OLED display, Intel Core i7-1250U CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and Intel Iris Xe Graphics.

Is ThinkPad X1 foldable?

Yes, the ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 is a foldable laptop with a flexible OLED display.

What is the best Lenovo ThinkPad X1?

The best Lenovo ThinkPad X1 model varies by need, but the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is often praised for its performance, portability, and battery life.

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