Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen). Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust carbon-fiber construction

excellent keyboard feel

lightweight and portable

high-resolution display

good battery life

higher price point

no touch screen option

limited storage capacity

average graphics performance

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

lightweight design

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive battery life

fast ssd performance

limited port variety

average display brightness

no dedicated gpu

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
82 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Product Type Ultrabook Ultrabook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.1 cm x 22.65 cm x 1.772 cm 33.1 cm x 22.65 cm x 1.772 cm
Weight 1.34 kg 1.305 kg
Case Material Glass-fibre reinforced plastic, carbon fibre reinforced plastic, magnesium-aluminum alloy Glass-fibre reinforced plastic, carbon fibre reinforced plastic, magnesium-aluminum alloy
Colour - Black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Screen Size (Type) 14" 14"
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1600 x 900 (HD+) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
CPU Intel Core i7 (4th Gen) 4600U / 2.1 GHz Intel Core i5 (5th Gen) 5300U / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.3 GHz 2.9 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core Dual-Core
Cache 4 MB 3 MB
64-bit Computing Yes Yes
Features Hyper-Threading Technology, integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Smart Cache Hyper-Threading Technology, integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 4 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type DDR3L SDRAM DDR3L SDRAM
Speed 1600 MHz / PC3L-12800 1600 MHz / PC3L-12800
Rated Speed 1600 MHz 1600 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 120 GB SSD 128 GB SSD
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel HD Graphics 4400 Intel HD Graphics 5500
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Camera Features Face tracking, gesture input support Gesture input support
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3232 Realtek ALC3232
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Home Theater v4 High Definition Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Wireless Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
WWAN
Generation WWAN upgradable WWAN upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, adaptive keyboard Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Interfaces USB 3.0
Mini DisplayPort
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Lenovo Ethernet extension connector
OneLink connector
USB 3.0 (Always On)
USB 3.0
Mini DisplayPort
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN (on supplied cable)
OneLink connector
Lenovo Ethernet extension connector
USB 3.0 (Always On)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR)) Windows 10 Pro (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR))
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Dockable Yes Yes
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Integrated Options Ambient light sensor -
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot Kensington security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, reset switch, 1 USB 3.0 (Always On), voice input support, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, reset switch, 1 USB 3.0 (Always On), ThinkEngine, MIL-STD-810G tested
Compliant Standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, ISO 27001 ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, ISO 27001
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 2 years - pick-up and return Limited warranty - 2 years - pick-up and return
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen)
Other Popular Laptop Comparisons
Other projects: