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

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) and Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd 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 (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

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Review

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

versatile detachable design

responsive touchscreen display

solid build quality

decent battery life

improved keyboard layout

heavier than competitors

limited storage options

mediocre performance

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

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

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Product Type Ultrabook Ultrabook - with keyboard dock
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.1 cm x 22.65 cm x 1.772 cm 30.11 cm x 19.25 cm x 0.96 cm
Dimensions (WxDxH) / Weight Details - 900 g - keyboard dock
Weight 1.305 kg 822 g
Case Material Glass-fibre reinforced plastic, carbon fibre reinforced plastic, magnesium-aluminum alloy Aluminum, polycarbonate ABS
Colour Black Graphite black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Screen Size (Type) 14" 11.6" - IPS
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness - 370 cd/m²
Features Anti-glare VibrantView, glossy, Corning Gorilla glass, WideView, One Glass Solution
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
CPU Intel Core i5 (5th Gen) 5300U / 2.3 GHz Intel Core M 5Y71 / 1.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 2.9 GHz 2.9 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core Dual-Core
Cache 3 MB 4 MB
64-bit Computing Yes Yes
Features Hyper-Threading Technology, integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
RAM 4 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type DDR3L SDRAM LPDDR3 SDRAM
Speed 1600 MHz / PC3L-12800 -
Rated Speed 1600 MHz -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD 128 GB SSD
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel HD Graphics 5500 Intel HD Graphics 5300
Camera Yes - 720p Yes
Resolution - 5 Megapixel (rear), 2 Megapixel (front)
Camera Features Gesture input support -
Video Resolutions - 1080p
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, three microphones
Codec Realtek ALC3232 ALC286-VC
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio High Definition Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Wireless Controller - M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet
WWAN
Generation WWAN upgradable -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Installed Qty - 2
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 36 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, digitizer, touchpad, TrackPoint, digital pen
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Multi-touch touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Interfaces 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)
USB 3.0 (Always On)
Micro-HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Dock
USB 3.0 (on keyboard dock)
Mini DisplayPort (on keyboard dock)
LAN (on supplied cable)
Memory Card Reader - Yes (microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR)) Windows 10 Home
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (3rd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen)
Dockable Yes Yes
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter, USB to Ethernet adapter
Integrated Options - Ambient light sensor, 3-axis gyro sensor, 3-axis magnetometer, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis compass, 3-axis inclinometer
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip Fingerprint reader
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), ThinkEngine, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, volume control, lock display rotation function
Compliant Standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, ISO 27001 ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, GREENGUARD, ISO 27001
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant - EPEAT Gold
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 2 years - pick-up and return Limited warranty - 2 years - pick-up and return
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