Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G14 vs HP EliteBook X G2i: Business laptop showdown

The creme de la creme of the business world - this title is fiercely fought over, with many contenders. Naturally, Lenovo and HP, the first and second biggest PC manufacturers by sales numbers, are chief among them. HP has the HP EliteBook series, with the HP EliteBook X at the very top, and Lenovo has the storied ThinkPad line, with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon as the premium choice.

From the current generation, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 and HP EliteBook X G2i 14 are directly competing against each other. We tested both, with the review of the HP EliteBook X G2i being published recently, so it is time for a direct comparison.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Includes TrackPoint and optional physical mouse buttons

In terms of design, both competitors are very different. The ThinkPad is only available in classic ThinkPad black, and it includes the red ThinkPad TrackPoint. The EliteBook is silver, though a dark blue version is also available. Apart from that, both are very similar when it comes to ports and outside features. They also have a similar starting weight, though the version of the EliteBook we reviewed was noticeably heavier than the ThinkPad laptop.

In terms of maintenance, changing the keyboard of the EliteBook is a bit easier. Keyboard quality is excellent on both, as are the touchpads. If you do want physical mouse buttons, only the ThinkPad offers them.

EliteBook X: Bigger battery and potentially brighter display

Where the EliteBook has the upper hand is on specs. Both offer great screen options, but only the HP EliteBook laptop has a Tandem OLED screen, which offers 700 cd/m² instead of 500 cd/m² for the ThinkPad OLED, and a WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) OLED option. Also, the EliteBook has a 68 Wh battery, roughly 17 percent more than the 57 Wh battery of the ThinkPad. Plus, in terms of performance, the EliteBook will give you more power, thanks to a higher power limit: 40 W instead of 35 W for the ThinkPad.

Of course, in terms of actual battery life, the ThinkPad does outdo the EliteBook, with over 23 hrs instead of roughly 18 hrs. And the performance is bought by a louder fan under load, as the EliteBook reaches 47.5 dB(a), while the fan noise of the ThinkPad tops out at 38.9 dB(a). Of course, when idling, both run pretty much silent.

Both business flagships are true titans of their field - and neither would be a wrong choice. Which one do you like more? Let us know in the comments!