CES 2016 | Lenovo announces ThinkPad X1 Carbon, Yoga and Tablet

One manufacturer promises "innovative" products and actually delivers them during the announcement. This is rare. There are some real innovations within the ThinkPad X1 family. This includes the ThinkPad X1 Tablet, which is some kind of modular tablet. This means that you can add important features by using optional modules. The second innovation is the optional OLED display for the convertible ThinkPad X1 Yoga, which was previously reserved for tablets.

ThinkPad X1 Tablet

The ThinkPad X1 Tablet has a 12-inch screen with a resolution of 2160x1440 pixels and an aspect ratio of 3:2. The Windows tablet offers processors all the way up to the 6th Gen Intel Core m7 vPro, which is supported by up to 16 GB LPDDR3 RAM. The biggest storage solution is a 1 TB PCIe NVMe-SSD and an LTE-A modem is optional. This is also the case for a ThinkPad keyboard. The tablet is 8.4 millimeters thin and tips the scale at 795 grams. The ports include one USB 3.0 and another USB Type-C port, a micro-SD slot and a stereo jack. The battery is supposed to last up to ten hours. The ThinkPad X1 Tablet will be available in the U.S. in February for $900.

The technology of the ThinkPad X1 Tablet is therefore solid, and it probably wants to compete with Microsoft's Surface Pro 4. The innovative part is the three optional modules, which can be attached to the bottom of the tablet. The first one is called the "Productivity Module", which can increase the battery runtime by five hours. It also offers an HDMI output as well as a OneLink+ port for $150. The second option is the "Presenter Module" for $280. It is equipped with a mobile presenter, which can create a 60-inch picture from a distance of two meters. It also includes one HDMI input and one output. The last module is the "3D Imaging Module" for $150. It uses the Intel RealSense camera to scan objects for graphics design and 3D printing.

Specifications:

• Up to Intel 6th Gen Core m7 vPro
• Up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Optional LTE-A WWAN
• WiGig docking
• Up to 16GB memory LPDDR3
• 12” FHD+ 2K 2160x1440 (3:2) IPS
• Tablet: 8.4mm (0.33”) With Keyboard: 13mm (0.51”)
• Tablet: 795g (1.75lbs) With Keyboard: 1.1kg (2.4lbs)
• USB Type-C
• IR Camera (optional) WiGig, 1x USB 3.0, 1xUSB Type-C PD, mDP, micro SD, Audio, Nano Sim (also available via Modules: additional USB3.0, Full Size HDMI, OneLink+ docking port) 

ThinkPad X1 Yoga

Lenovo advertises the "world's first convertible with an OLED display." The ThinkPad X1 Yoga is actually the first one. Critics might note that the step from an OLED tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 to an OLED convertible was not very hard, but the ThinkPad X1 Yoga is equipped with a 14-inch screen, so it is much bigger than the tablet counterpart. The OLED screen has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and supports touch inputs, just like the tablets. Lenovo also offers IPS touch displays with 1920x1080 or 2560x1440 pixels.

The ThinkPad X1 Yoga uses processors from Intel's Core i7 vPro series (6th Gen). You can integrate up to 16 GB RAM as well as a 1 TB PCIe-SSD. The LTE-A module is optional. Similar to the predecessors, you also get an active stylus. The ports include three USB 3.0 ports, OneLink+, MiniDP, HDMI, microSD and a touch fingerprint scanner. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga will be available in January 2016 starting at $1450.

Specifications:

• Up to Intel 6th Gen Core i7 vPro
• Intel HD Graphics HD520
• WQHD touch display 2560x1440
• Optional 14” OLED 2560x1440 WQHD Touch 300 nits; 14” 1920x1080 FHD IPS Touch 300 nits; 14” WQHD 2560x1440 IPS Touch 300nits
• Up to 16GB memory
• Up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Optional LTE-A WWAN; Optional WiGig docking
• MilSpec tested
• Common Ports: 3xUSB3.0 OneLink+ (RJ45), MiniDP, HDMI, microSD, Audio, Touch FPR, WWAN
• Onboard Stylus Pen
• Dimensions: 13.1 x 9.0 x .66 inches
• 2.8lbs/1270g weight

ThinkPad X1 Carbon

The third device is the Ultrabook ThinkPad X1 Carbon. It is the "world's lightest 14-inch business Ultrabook" at 1179 grams. The IPS display is available with 1920x1080 or 2560x1440 pixels. Processors are Intel Core chips all the way up to a 6th Gen Intel Core i7 vPro, which can be supported by up to 16 GB RAM. There are several storage devices all the way up to a 1 TB PCIe-SSD.

Similar to the X1 Yoga, you can get an optional LTE-A module. You get three USB 3.0 ports, OneLink+, MiniDP, HDMI, microSD, audio and a fingerprint scanner. The 52-Wh battery is supposed to last up to 11 hours. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon will be available in February starting at $1300.

Specifications:

• 0.65”/16.45mm thin, 2.6lbs/1179g weight
• 2560x1440 WQHD 300nits; 14” 1920x1080 FHD IPS 300nits
• Up to 16GB memory
• Up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Intel HD Graphics HD520
• Optional LTE-A WWAN
• Optional WiGig docking
• MilSpec tested
• Up to Intel 6th Gen Core i7 vPro
• Common Ports: 3xUSB 3.0; OneLink+ (RJ45), MiniDP, HDMI, microSD, Audio, Touch FPR, WWAN
• Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)
• Battery life: Up to 11 hrs. (52Whr)
• Dimensions: 13.1 x 9.0 x .66 inches
• Camera & Mic.: 720p / Digital array mic 

Own (Lenovo)