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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6 2018 (i5-8350U, Full-HD Touch, 256GB) Laptop Review

The better and cheaper X1. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6 has joined its WQHD HDR and Core i7 equipped sibling in our offices for review. The G6 is the entry-level model of current touchscreen-equipped Carbon X1 devices. The G6 is free from the thermal issues from which its sibling suffered thanks to its less powerful CPU, but this comes at a cost to the WQHD HDR display. Despite this drawback, the G6 provides a more rounded overall experience than its more expensive sibling.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6 2018 is an expensive, lightweight and compact 14-inch business notebook. Renowned for their lightweight yet robust carbon-fiber strengthened cases and their superior input devices, the ThinkPad series is designed for professional users. Recent ThinkPad devices have scored highly in reviews not just including our own. Our Carbon G6 test device is the 20KG0025UK. As the suffix suggests, our test device is a UK variant that comes with an English keyboard layout. This specific variant is unavailable in Germany, but the equivalent configuration costs around €2,000 (~$2337). An overview of the different basic variants can be found here.

The Carbon G6 is equipped with an Intel Core i5-8350U processor that integrates Intel UHD Graphics 620, 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD. Our test device comes with a 14-inch matte IPS 1,920x1,080 display. The device also includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB Type-A ports and an HDMI port among others. The Carbon G6 is 15 mm (~0.6 in) thick and weighs 1.13 kg (~2.5 lb), which makes the device thinner and lighter than many of its competitors. All this comes in at a steep €1,749 (~$2043) at the time of writing.

We will not be covering the Carbon G6’s case, connectivity, input devices or speakers in this review as they are identical to those used in the WQHD HDR variant which we reviewed in February. Please see our Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2018 (WQHD HDR, i7) review for our views on these areas.

We have chosen to compare the Carbon G6 against other 14-inch business notebooks that currently rank within our top ten list for office notebooks. These devices and the Carbon G6 are similarly priced too. We will also be comparing the Carbon G6 against its predecessor for the sake of completeness. Our comparison devices are the following:

ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0035GE (ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i5-8350U 4 x 1.7 - 3.6 GHz, Kaby Lake Refresh
Graphics adapter
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Core: 1150 MHz, shared Memory, 24.20.100.6168
Memory
8 GB 
, LPDDR3 2133 MHz: Dual-channel
Display
14.00 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 157 PPI, 10 points, Lenovo LEN40A9 / AUO B140HAK02.3, IPS, glossy: no
Mainboard
Intel Kaby Lake-U iHDCP 2.2 Premium PCH
Storage
Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA, 256 GB 
Soundcard
Intel Kaby Lake-U/Y PCH - High Definition Audio
Connections
2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 2 USB 3.1 Gen2, 2 Thunderbolt, 1 HDMI, 2 DisplayPort, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: 3.5 mm combined headphone and microphone jack, Card Reader: SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC, 1 Fingerprint Reader, NFC, Brightness Sensor, NFC
Networking
Intel Ethernet Connection I219-LM (10/100/1000MBit/s), Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth 4.2
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 15 x 323 x 217 ( = 0.59 x 12.72 x 8.54 in)
Battery
57 Wh Lithium-Polymer
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 720p with ThinkShutter
Additional features
Speakers: Stereo speakers at the front of the underside of the device. , Keyboard: Chiclet, Keyboard Light: yes, Ethernet adapter, 36 Months Warranty
Weight
1.13 kg ( = 39.86 oz / 2.49 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
2000 EUR
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Case


Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6

Size Comparison

331 mm / 13 inch 220.9 mm / 8.7 inch 17.9 mm / 0.705 inch 1.6 kg3.44 lbs326 mm / 12.8 inch 234 mm / 9.21 inch 17.9 mm / 0.705 inch 1.5 kg3.26 lbs326 mm / 12.8 inch 234 mm / 9.21 inch 17.9 mm / 0.705 inch 1.5 kg3.4 lbs323.5 mm / 12.7 inch 217.1 mm / 8.55 inch 15.95 mm / 0.628 inch 1.1 kg2.48 lbs323 mm / 12.7 inch 217 mm / 8.54 inch 15 mm / 0.591 inch 1.1 kg2.49 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

Left-hand side: USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3 x2, Dock connection (integrated with the second USB Type-C port), USB Type-A 3.0, HDMI 1.4b
Left-hand side: USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3 x2, Dock connection (integrated with the second USB Type-C port), USB Type-A 3.0, HDMI 1.4b
Right-hand side: 3.5 mm jack, USB Type-A 3.0, Security lock port
Right-hand side: 3.5 mm jack, USB Type-A 3.0, Security lock port
Rear: Micro-SIM/microSD card slot
Rear: Micro-SIM/microSD card slot
Networking
iperf3 transmit AX12
Average of class Office
  (280 - 1332, n=6, last 2 years)
810 MBit/s +64%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
674 MBit/s +36%
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
663 MBit/s +34%
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
593 MBit/s +20%
Dell Latitude 7490
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
513 MBit/s +4%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
494 MBit/s
iperf3 receive AX12
Average of class Office
  (348 - 1690, n=6, last 2 years)
852 MBit/s +58%
Dell Latitude 7490
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
650 MBit/s +20%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
540 MBit/s
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
524 MBit/s -3%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
517 MBit/s -4%
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
409 MBit/s -24%

Input Devices

Touchscreen

The Carbon G6 has a ten-point multitouch matte display that recognizes inputs precisely and promptly. The matte finish has several practical benefits over typical glossy finishes including use with damp hands. Whereas damp fingers tend to stick to the surface of glossy displays, we were able to use the touchscreen on the Carbon G6 with wet hands without issue. 

The Carbon G6 has two-stage keyboard backlighting
The Carbon G6 has two-stage keyboard backlighting
The backlight somewhat fades at acute angles for some reason.
The backlight somewhat fades at acute angles for some reason.

Display

Sub-pixel array
Sub-pixel array

Our test device is equipped with an AU Optronics panel that carries the model number B140HAK02.3. This 14-inch IPS display runs at a native resolution of 1,920x1,080 and has a 157 PPI pixel density. Our test device achieves an average maximum brightness of 286.7 cd/m² when measured with X-Rite i1Pro 2, which is only brighter than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017 of our comparison devices. By Contrast, the HP EliteBook 840 G5 achieved a value of 630 cd/m², which is considerably brighter than the Carbon G6. The HP EliteBook 745 G5 is brighter too, but by a smaller margin than the EliteBook 840 G5 while the Dell Latitude 7490 is only 2% brighter than our test device.

The Carbon G6 has a 91% uniformly bright display that is on par with its predecessor and is only marginally bettered by the EliteBook 840 G5. This degree of brightness uniformity means that the display looks homogenously black in a darkened room. We did notice some backlight bleeding at the bottom of the display, but this is minimal and would not be an issue in daily use.

Lenovo also offers a glossy WQHD HDR variant with or without a touchscreen, our view on which can be read in our Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2018 (WQHD HDR, i7) review. It is also possible to configure the Carbon G6 with a non-touch 1,920x1,080 display, bringing the number of display options up to four.

291
cd/m²
302
cd/m²
284
cd/m²
286
cd/m²
298
cd/m²
278
cd/m²
286
cd/m²
280
cd/m²
275
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Lenovo LEN40A9 / AUO B140HAK02.3 tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 302 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 286.7 cd/m² Minimum: 4.4 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 91 %
Center on Battery: 304 cd/m²
Contrast: 1490:1 (Black: 0.2 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 2.19 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5, calibrated: 1.67
ΔE Greyscale 1.97 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
95% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
62% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
69.3% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
94.9% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
68.3% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.43
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
Lenovo LEN40A9 / AUO B140HAK02.3, , 1920x1080, 14.00
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
IVO M140NVF7 R0, , 1920x1080, 14.00
Dell Latitude 7490
AUO503D (D04YD_B140HAN), , 1920x1080, 14.00
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
AUO383D, , 1920x1080, 14.00
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
B140HAN03_1, , 1920x1080, 14.00
Display
-10%
-1%
-9%
-9%
Display P3 Coverage
68.3
61
-11%
66.6
-2%
61.3
-10%
61.6
-10%
sRGB Coverage
94.9
87.7
-8%
96.8
2%
87.6
-8%
87.6
-8%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
69.3
62.1
-10%
67.9
-2%
62.3
-10%
62.6
-10%
Response Times
7%
-16%
6%
-21%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
40 ?(18, 22)
33 ?(15, 18)
17%
41.6 ?(22, 19.6)
-4%
35 ?(17, 18)
12%
48 ?(22, 26)
-20%
Response Time Black / White *
25 ?(14, 11)
26 ?(15, 11)
-4%
32 ?(16.4, 15.6)
-28%
25 ?(15, 10)
-0%
30.4 ?(18.8, 11.6)
-22%
PWM Frequency
3125 ?(90)
Screen
-18%
-55%
-18%
-25%
Brightness middle
298
655
120%
308.6
4%
421
41%
278
-7%
Brightness
287
630
120%
294
2%
398
39%
271
-6%
Brightness Distribution
91
93
2%
89
-2%
86
-5%
91
0%
Black Level *
0.2
0.56
-180%
0.23
-15%
0.27
-35%
0.16
20%
Contrast
1490
1170
-21%
1342
-10%
1559
5%
1738
17%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
2.19
3.27
-49%
6.07
-177%
4.08
-86%
4.5
-105%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
4.39
5.92
-35%
10.58
-141%
7.48
-70%
8.4
-91%
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *
1.67
3.22
-93%
1.67
-0%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
1.97
2.85
-45%
7.3
-271%
2.92
-48%
3.2
-62%
Gamma
2.43 91%
2.45 90%
2.061 107%
2.32 95%
2.02 109%
CCT
6571 99%
6065 107%
7269 89%
7043 92%
7042 92%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
62
57
-8%
62
0%
57
-8%
57
-8%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
95
88
-7%
97
2%
87
-8%
87.5
-8%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
-7% / -13%
-24% / -40%
-7% / -13%
-18% / -21%

* ... smaller is better

Our test device has a 0.2 cd/m² black value that is only bettered by its predecessor. This low black value helps the Carbon G6 achieve an impressive 1,490:1 contrast ratio that is only slightly behind the EliteBook 745 G5 and the X1 Carbon 2017. The latter achieved a 1,738:1 contrast ratio during our tests, demonstrating how crucial a low black value is to a device having a good contrast ratio.

Our test device and the EliteBook 840 G5 are the only two devices in our comparison table that have acceptable factory color accuracy. Our test device is in line with the ideal DeltaE value of three by default and can be further improved with additional calibration. It is worth bearing in mind that the human eye cannot perceive color deviations of fewer than three on the DeltaE scale. ColorChecker and grayscale values are exemplary after additional calibration; we have included the ICC color profile above our comparison table should you wish to use it.

The display is 95% sRGB accurate by default and has a color temperature of 6,571 K. While the latter is close to the ideal 6,500 K value, the degree of color accuracy prevents the Carbon G6 from being recommended for professional image editing. The Carbon G6 would be fine for casual image editing, but we only recommend devices for professional image editing when they are much closer to 100% sRGB accurate.

CalMAN: ColorChecker - uncalibrated
CalMAN: ColorChecker - uncalibrated
CalMAN: Grayscale - uncalibrated
CalMAN: Grayscale - uncalibrated
CalMAN: Color Saturation - uncalibrated
CalMAN: Color Saturation - uncalibrated
CalMAN: ColorChecker - calibrated
CalMAN: ColorChecker - calibrated
CalMAN: Grayscale - calibrated
CalMAN: Grayscale - calibrated
CalMAN: Color Saturation - calibrated
CalMAN: Color Saturation - calibrated
AdobeRGB accuracy
AdobeRGB accuracy
sRGB accuracy
sRGB accuracy

We used the Carbon G6 outside to test its usability outdoors. Unfortunately, we were only able to test the device on overcast days and cannot say conclusively how easy it is to read the Carbon G6’s display on sunny days.

We took the first photo with the display angled at the bright, albeit overcast, sky. The matte finish diffuses reflections well and the screen content is still entirely visible. Experience suggests that the matte finish will not prevent reflections when using the device in direct sunlight. Hence, we would recommend using the Carbon G6 in a shady spot as we did in the second photo. These are ideal conditions for using the device outdoors as you will experience no distracting reflections even in sunny weather. It is worth noting that this would not be necessary when using the device on cloudier days.

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
25 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 14 ms rise
↘ 11 ms fall
The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 53 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (21.6 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
40 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 18 ms rise
↘ 22 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.2 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 55 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms).

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM not detected

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18110 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured.

Our test device has strong viewing angles as is typical for devices with IPS panels. There are minimal brightness and contrast loss at angles acuter than 45 °, which is better than most IPS displays that we have tested. These distortions are most noticeable when looking down on the device with the display at an acute angle; this should not be an issue in daily use.

Viewing Angles
Viewing Angles

Performance

The Carbon G6 is powerful enough for not only office tasks but also more demanding programs thanks to its cutting-edge quad-core processor. The device will struggle to run memory-hungry programs because of its 8 GB of RAM. The high-speed RAM helps in this regard, but the device would benefit from a higher 4K read value. We will be discussing this further in the Storage Devices section.

Lenovo offers numerous configuration options including faster CPUs, larger SSDs and up to 16 GB of RAM. This would help reduce any potential bottlenecks when running intensive programs; these factory upgrades naturally increase the device’s overall price.

Processor

Our test device is equipped with an Intel Core i5-8350U quad-core processor. Intel announced this CPU in August 2017 and created it based on their Kaby Lake Refresh architecture. The CPU has a 1.7 GHz base clock speed that can increase up to 3.6 GHz thanks to Intel Turbo Boost technology. Likewise, the Core i5-8350U supports Intel Hyper-Threading which allows the CPU to run up to eight threads, or processes, simultaneously.

The Core i5-8350U has a 15-W thermal design power (TDP), which makes it suitable for compact sub-notebooks and ultrabooks. The Core i5-8350U integrates a DDR4 memory controller, Intel UHD Graphics 620 and provides around 40% better performance than its dual-core predecessor, the Core i5-7300U.

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Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit

The Core i5-8350U initially scored 63% higher in a Cinebench R15 multi-core benchmark than the average of Core i5-8350U powered devices that we have currently tested. This advantage drops to 2% in the single core benchmark. The Carbon G6 is 2% shy of the Latitude 7490 in single-core Cinebench R15 too despite being 11% faster in the multi-core benchmark. Last year’s X1 Carbon is well beaten in both tests, while the Ryzen 7 2700U is comparable to the performance achieved by our test device.

While our test device initially scores an impressive 630 points in the multi-core Cinebench R15 benchmark this drops dramatically to 455 points by the third loop of the benchmark, representing a 28% performance drop. Scores vary between 456 and 490 thereafter, but mostly in the 460 range. This performance drop reflects a reduction in TDP as clock speeds remained consistent throughout the benchmark loop.

Cinebench R15
CPU Single 64Bit
Average of class Office
  (82.6 - 284, n=118, last 2 years)
215 Points +43%
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
Intel Core i7-8550U
167 Points +11%
Dell Latitude 7490
Intel Core i5-8350U
153 Points +2%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
Intel Core i5-8350U
150 Points
Average Intel Core i5-8350U
  (128 - 153, n=8)
146.8 Points -2%
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
143 Points -5%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
Intel Core i5-7200U
126 Points -16%
CPU Multi 64Bit
Average of class Office
  (160.8 - 2642, n=120, last 2 years)
1380 Points +119%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
Intel Core i5-8350U
631 Points
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
630 Points 0%
Dell Latitude 7490
Intel Core i5-8350U
569 Points -10%
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
Intel Core i7-8550U
554 Points -12%
Average Intel Core i5-8350U
  (346 - 631, n=8)
548 Points -13%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
Intel Core i5-7200U
321 Points -49%
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
150 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
631 Points
Help

System Performance

It is worth bearing in mind that PCMark 8 works poorly on current systems and it should now be considered a bad judge of system performance. Vastly different hardware often achieve similar scores as reflected in our comparison table. Our test device and its predecessor's scores are practically identical in PCMark 8 but separated by 17% in PCMark 10. The EliteBook 840 G5 edges both versions of PCMark, while the Ryzen 7 2700U powered EliteBook 745 G5 finishes bottom in both benchmarks.

The Carbon G6 performs well in daily use. Programs launch quickly, and we experienced no multitasking related issues. Our test device took slightly longer to boot than comparable devices, but this is only a minor and relatively subjective gripe.

PCMark 8
Home Score Accelerated v2
Average of class Office
  (2304 - 4830, n=12, last 2 years)
4261 Points +15%
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U, Toshiba KXG50ZNV1T02
3966 Points +7%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, Toshiba THNSF5256GPUK
3824 Points +4%
Dell Latitude 7490
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Toshiba KSG60ZMV256G
3723 Points +1%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
3690 Points
Average Intel Core i5-8350U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (3063 - 3776, n=7)
3566 Points -3%
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
Vega 10, R7 2700U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G
3155 Points -14%
Work Score Accelerated v2
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U, Toshiba KXG50ZNV1T02
5004 Points +9%
Dell Latitude 7490
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Toshiba KSG60ZMV256G
4906 Points +7%
Average Intel Core i5-8350U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (4200 - 4906, n=6)
4669 Points +2%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, Toshiba THNSF5256GPUK
4602 Points 0%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
4600 Points
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
Vega 10, R7 2700U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G
4403 Points -4%
Average of class Office
  (1854 - 5610, n=12, last 2 years)
3746 Points -19%
PCMark 10 - Score
Average of class Office
  (2325 - 7157, n=105, last 2 years)
5312 Points +41%
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U, Toshiba KXG50ZNV1T02
3906 Points +4%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
3764 Points
Dell Latitude 7490
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Toshiba KSG60ZMV256G
3564 Points -5%
Average Intel Core i5-8350U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (3004 - 3764, n=6)
3534 Points -6%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, Toshiba THNSF5256GPUK
3214 Points -15%
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
Vega 10, R7 2700U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G
2712 Points -28%
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
3690 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
4600 points
PCMark 10 Score
3764 points
Help

Storage Devices

The Carbon G6 is equipped with a PCIe 256 GB SSD that is mostly on par with those used in our comparison devices. Our test device has fast sequential read speeds that are only beaten by the SSD used in the EliteBook 840 G5. However, we expect better 4K write speeds as this is particularly important for office notebooks; 4K read speed represents the speed at which a device can read small blocks of data. Our test device is resoundingly beaten by the EliteBook 840 G5 in other areas too, which culminates in the latter achieving an overall 45% higher CrystalDiskMark 3.0 score than the Carbon G6.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
Toshiba KXG50ZNV1T02
Dell Latitude 7490
Toshiba KSG60ZMV256G
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
Toshiba THNSF5256GPUK
Average Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
 
CrystalDiskMark 3.0
45%
-11%
17%
-2%
Read Seq
1880
2087
11%
1549
-18%
1277
-32%
1703 ?(1280 - 2358, n=4)
-9%
Write Seq
479
907
89%
269.7
-44%
648
35%
642 ?(160.6 - 1288, n=4)
34%
Read 512
1227
993
-19%
823
-33%
972
-21%
1217 ?(872 - 1758, n=4)
-1%
Write 512
243.3
623
156%
298.1
23%
311
28%
272 ?(115.4 - 609, n=4)
12%
Read 4k
34.87
32.84
-6%
24.9
-29%
34.63
-1%
23.9 ?(4.28 - 34.9, n=4)
-31%
Write 4k
94.1
110.1
17%
97.1
3%
128.5
37%
73.3 ?(31.4 - 95.2, n=4)
-22%
Read 4k QD32
306.1
312.1
2%
310.6
1%
477.3
56%
330 ?(257 - 390, n=4)
8%
Write 4k QD32
184.7
391.5
112%
208.4
13%
241.2
31%
172 ?(118.2 - 267, n=4)
-7%
Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
Sequential Read: 1880 MB/s
Sequential Write: 479 MB/s
512K Read: 1227 MB/s
512K Write: 243.3 MB/s
4K Read: 34.87 MB/s
4K Write: 94.1 MB/s
4K QD32 Read: 306.1 MB/s
4K QD32 Write: 184.7 MB/s

Graphics Card

Intel UHD Graphics 620 handles graphics. The UHD Graphics 620 is essentially a repackaged Intel HD Graphics 620 for Kaby Lake Refresh chips. The UHD Graphics 620 shares its TDP and memory with the Core i5-8350U, which means that the GPU is best suited for 2D tasks and simple games. Integrated graphics benefit greatly from a system running dual-channel RAM, which our test device does despite being just LPDDR3 RAM. Please see our GPU benchmark page for more information on the Intel UHD Graphics 620 and its competitors.

The performance of an Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU correlates with CPU performance. This means that the Carbon G6 performs better in GPU benchmarks than other similarly powered devices. Our test device finishes closely behind the Core i7-8550U powered EliteBook 840 G5 in these benchmarks and is way off the AMD Vega 10 graphics that powers the EliteBook 745 G5. The new Ryzen mobile APUs typically have much better graphics performance than their Intel counterparts, so this is an expected result.

Our test device scores slightly lower in a 3DMark 11 benchmark on battery power than it does on mains power.

3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU
Average of class Office
  (1474 - 12230, n=115, last 2 years)
5878 Points +215%
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
AMD Radeon RX Vega 10, AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
2885 Points +54%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-8350U
1868 Points
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i7-8550U
1849 Points -1%
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (1144 - 3432, n=244)
1749 Points -6%
Dell Latitude 7490
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-8350U
1648 Points -12%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
1555 Points -17%
3DMark
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Graphics
Average of class Office
  (5681 - 58068, n=98, last 2 years)
23871 Points +133%
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
AMD Radeon RX Vega 10, AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
10604 Points +4%
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i7-8550U
10331 Points +1%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-8350U
10234 Points
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (6205 - 16400, n=225)
9262 Points -9%
Dell Latitude 7490
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-8350U
7943 Points -22%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
7725 Points -25%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics
Average of class Office
  (712 - 8815, n=117, last 2 years)
4072 Points +217%
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
AMD Radeon RX Vega 10, AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
1738 Points +35%
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i7-8550U
1336 Points +4%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-8350U
1283 Points
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (557 - 2608, n=213)
1161 Points -10%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
1037 Points -19%
Dell Latitude 7490
Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-8350U
1001 Points -22%
3DMark 11 Performance
2065 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
9353 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
1141 points
Help

Gaming Performance

While the Intel UHD Graphics 620 runs well on our test device, it is just an integrated graphics solution and is not powerful enough for serious gaming. Games such as “Rise of the Tomb Raider” can be comfortably played in 720p at lowest graphics settings. Likewise, simpler 3D games such as “Diablo III”, “Farming Simulator 17” and “StarCraft II” can be played at between 1,366x768 and 1,920x1,080 with the game set to medium to high graphics.

Rainbow Six Siege
1024x768 Low Preset AA:T AF:Linear
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
48.4 fps
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (28.2 - 48.4, n=5)
40.4 fps -17%
1366x768 Medium Preset AA:T AF:2x
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
28.8 fps
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (16.1 - 29.4, n=5)
25.1 fps -13%
Rise of the Tomb Raider - 1024x768 Lowest Preset
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
Vega 10, R7 2700U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G
33.5 fps +40%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
23.9 fps
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (10.4 - 110.7, n=82)
21.4 fps -10%
Dell Latitude 7490
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Toshiba KSG60ZMV256G
17 fps -29%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, Toshiba THNSF5256GPUK
16.9 fps -29%
Farming Simulator 17
1280x720 Low Preset
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
95.2 fps
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (19 - 95.9, n=8)
69.1 fps -27%
1366x768 Medium Preset
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
67.9 fps
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (8 - 67.9, n=12)
50.1 fps -26%
1920x1080 High Preset AA:2xMS AF:2x
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (18.8 - 26.2, n=11)
22.7 fps +2%
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
22.3 fps
1920x1080 Very High Preset AA:4xMS AF:4x
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8350U, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA
12.3 fps
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
  (10 - 13, n=4)
12 fps -2%
low med. high ultra
Rainbow Six Siege (2015) 48.4 28.8
Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016) 23.9 12.2
Farming Simulator 17 (2016) 95.2 67.9 22.3 12.3

Emissions

Fan Noise

This section is rather short compared with our ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2018 (WQHD HDR, i7) review. Our test device is usually silent at idle, but sometimes the fan reaches up to 30.25 dB(A). The fan is whisper quiet under full load too and only reaches a maximum of 31.3 dB(A). The Carbon G6 is so quiet under load that we could only hear the fan in a quiet room when next to the device. Overall, the Carbon G6 is one of the quietest, if not the quietest, devices that this reviewer has currently tested.

Noise Level

Idle
30.25 / 30.25 / 30.25 dB(A)
Load
31.3 / 31.3 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Audix TM1, Arta (15 cm distance)   environment noise: 30.25 dB(A)
dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2033.43332.933.42532.53440.132.53136.43939.436.44031.332.230.531.350343834.7346328.73329.928.78026.126.326.626.1100272624.92712527.224.625.427.216024.523.223.924.520023.822.622.823.825022.121.82222.131520.921.921.320.940020.720.619.920.750020.219.519.320.26301919.518.91980019.218.918.519.2100019.419.41819.4125019.619.517.619.61600202017.520200020.119.917.420.1250019.218.917.419.2315019.219.117.519.2400018.218.317.618.2500018.218.117.918.2630017.9181817.98000181818181000017.9181817.91250017.917.917.917.91600017.917.917.917.9SPL31.331.330.331.3N1.41.41.21.4median 19.4median 19.5median 18median 19.4Delta1.81.91.41.830.633.232.330.630.932.132.730.935.634.634.335.632.129.530.232.135.33332.735.327.729.626.227.726.526.826.926.526.124.624.526.125.424.125.225.424.323.722.724.323.723.822.123.723.122.72223.123.222.120.123.221.22119.721.22120.519.22119.520.318.919.521.421.318.321.421.321.617.821.32221.917.62223.323.617.323.323.323.317.523.324.124.317.724.122.622.717.922.620.220.317.920.219.819.618.119.81918.618.41919.118.718.519.119.218.718.519.219.118.618.419.119.918.818.519.933.833.830.333.81.81.81.21.8median 21.4median 21.6median 18.5median 21.422.31.1239.336.332.739.339.237.53539.248.443.237.248.435.337.531.835.332.732.230.332.730.129.230.830.12730.126.62727.227.827.527.226.728.225.526.72525.124.32523.124.723.323.123.724.422.623.722.723.721.822.72222.220.7222121.519.92120.921.719.420.923.623.718.623.624.224.518.424.223.924.117.823.925.725.417.625.7262617.72626.326.517.626.326.12618.126.122.722.918.222.721.721.918.521.719.819.918.519.819.11918.719.11919.118.81919.119.118.919.119.820.219.119.835.93630.735.92.22.21.32.2median 23.1median 23.7median 18.8median 23.12.72.41.92.732.73130.130.931.731.529.629.528.430.529.528.227.727.929.429.627.427.227.429.526.226.525.225.926.726.323.525.124.228.226.224.924.425.126.923.223.422.322.322.822.823.221.221.322.92221.120.319.820.822.520.920.419.52121.419.320.219.220.320.218.518.617.819.819.718.317.917.518.92018.417.917.419.119.718.918.416.519.221.119.718.717.120.620.82018.817.121.223.722.420.81723.923.822.621.216.923.625.724.322.317.425.725.723.922.317.725.426.924.622.218.12726.723.320.31826.424.62219.818.124.322.120.31917.7222019.118.417.319.818.818.417.81718.818.217.817.616.418.11818.218.115.917.836.134.232.529.635.92.31.91.61.22.2median 22median 20.3median 19.8median 17.5median 2122.31.612.2hearing rangehide median Fan NoiseLenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UKHP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EAHP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EALenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE

Temperature

Surface temperatures are relatively cool too. The device reaches a maximum of 28 °C (~82 °F) at idle while the palm rest averages around 24 °C (~75 °F). Surface temperatures typically rise under continuous load, but these only average around 32.5 °C (~90.5 °F). Parts of our test device reach 40 °C (~104 °F) but this is only in three out of eighteen segments that we divide devices into. While not particularly hot, the peak of 41.6 °C (~107 °F) on the underside of the device next to the display hinge could feel uncomfortable to some people when using the device on your lap.

We also stress tested our test device with a combined FurMark and Prime95 stress test. The CPU drops to 1.1 GHz after just a few minutes of this combined stress test while the CPU core temperature reaches a maximum of 82 °C (~180 °F). Our test device stuck at this clock speed throughout this combined stress test despite the core temperature averaging at just 71 °C (~160 °F). This behaviour highlights that Lenovo has prioritized quiet and cool operation rather than high performance under continuous load. This seems logical in a practical sense as the device is intended to be used in an office environment and not continually stress tested.

Max. Load
 32.5 °C
91 F
40.7 °C
105 F
38.6 °C
101 F
 
 30.1 °C
86 F
38.8 °C
102 F
36.7 °C
98 F
 
 27 °C
81 F
25.8 °C
78 F
27.4 °C
81 F
 
Maximum: 40.7 °C = 105 F
Average: 33.1 °C = 92 F
40 °C
104 F
41.6 °C
107 F
33.8 °C
93 F
27.4 °C
81 F
33.2 °C
92 F
29.9 °C
86 F
27.6 °C
82 F
27.3 °C
81 F
27.3 °C
81 F
Maximum: 41.6 °C = 107 F
Average: 32 °C = 90 F
Power Supply (max.)  31.6 °C = 89 F | Room Temperature 21.4 °C = 71 F | FIRT 550-Pocket
(±) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 33.1 °C / 92 F, compared to the average of 29.5 °C / 85 F for the devices in the class Office.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 40.7 °C / 105 F, compared to the average of 34.2 °C / 94 F, ranging from 21.2 to 62.5 °C for the class Office.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 41.6 °C / 107 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 25.2 °C / 77 F, compared to the device average of 29.5 °C / 85 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 27.4 °C / 81.3 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(±) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 27.7 °C / 81.9 F (+0.3 °C / 0.6 F).
Heatmap of the top of the device at idle
Heatmap of the top of the device at idle
Heatmap of the bottom of the device at idle
Heatmap of the bottom of the device at idle
Heatmap of the top of the device under load
Heatmap of the top of the device under load
Heatmap of the bottom of the device under load
Heatmap of the bottom of the device under load
dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2034.632.934.62541.740.141.73139.239.439.24031.230.531.25035.434.735.46330.329.930.38027.426.627.410026.624.926.612528.625.428.616026.523.926.520026.622.826.625034.22234.231540.721.340.740044.619.944.650050.319.350.363055.318.955.380061.618.561.6100063.41863.4125059.917.659.9160056.617.556.6200056.517.456.5250058.417.458.4315055.817.555.8400061.817.661.8500064.317.964.3630063.81863.8800061.51861.51000055.11855.11250054.217.954.21600046.617.946.6SPL72.330.372.3N26.41.226.4median 55.3median 18median 55.3Delta11.51.411.532.232.332.231.332.731.335.734.335.731.630.231.634.932.734.929.226.229.22726.92726.124.526.130.525.230.539.722.739.744.622.144.640.52240.55220.15266.919.766.967.819.267.870.118.970.167.418.367.471.817.871.871.317.671.372.317.372.370.517.570.574.217.774.272.817.972.873.217.973.27518.17574.718.474.773.318.573.37218.57268.218.468.259.718.559.784.430.384.457.61.257.6median 70.1median 18.5median 70.19.81.19.836.241.636.234.73734.734.633.634.634.434.234.433.233.533.23234.13232.233.932.240.130.440.144.229.244.247.729.447.749.427.649.454.227.454.256.226.856.256.725.856.757.425.757.459.925.159.964.824.564.868.324.468.362.724.262.767246766.923.966.968.924.168.964.42464.458.623.858.665.223.665.263.823.563.866.223.566.265.323.465.357.723.457.762.223.562.277.336.377.340.52.740.5median 62.2median 24.2median 62.26.21.56.2hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseLenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UKHP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EADell Latitude 7490
Frequency diagram (checkboxes can be checked and unchecked to compare devices)
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK audio analysis

(-) | not very loud speakers (64.3 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 24.7% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (8.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 4.7% away from median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (9.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 4.9% away from median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (8.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (29.6% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 89% of all tested devices in this class were better, 3% similar, 8% worse
» The best had a delta of 7%, average was 22%, worst was 53%
Compared to all devices tested
» 85% of all tested devices were better, 3% similar, 12% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (75 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 31.2% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (11.3% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 1.7% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (6.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.5% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (2.8% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (20.5% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 39% of all tested devices in this class were better, 11% similar, 50% worse
» The best had a delta of 7%, average was 22%, worst was 53%
Compared to all devices tested
» 49% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 43% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Dell Latitude 7490 audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (77.3 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 13.6% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (10.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 3.9% away from median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (7.3% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.4% away from median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (8.8% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (18.8% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 29% of all tested devices in this class were better, 7% similar, 64% worse
» The best had a delta of 7%, average was 22%, worst was 53%
Compared to all devices tested
» 38% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 55% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Power Management

Power Consumption

Our test device consumes between 3 and 19% more power in the three idle states than its predecessor, which is probably because of the Core i5-8350U’s two additional cores. However, the Latitude 7490 is considerably more efficient at idle despite having the same processor as our test device. By contrast, our test device is generally more efficient than both EliteBooks at idle.

We would expect the EliteBook 745 G5 to have the highest power consumption under load, thanks to its Ryzen Mobile APU. While the Ryzen 7 2700U consumes significantly more than the Core i5-8350U, its consumption under load is on par with the Core i5 7200U.

Our test is the most economical device under load and only consumes a maximum of 28.2 W. This is over 10 W less than the Latitude 7490 and just represents the degree to which the Carbon G6 throttles rather than any inherent additional efficiency under load. Despite its relatively low consumption under load, the Carbon G6 is not a particularly frugal device.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.3 / 2.7 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 4.7 / 7.3 / 9.4 Watt
Load midlight 28 / 28.2 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Metrahit Energy
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
i5-8350U, UHD Graphics 620, Lenovo LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
i5-8550U, UHD Graphics 620, Toshiba KXG50ZNV1T02, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
Dell Latitude 7490
i5-8350U, UHD Graphics 620, Toshiba KSG60ZMV256G, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
R7 2700U, Vega 10, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G, IPS LED, 1920x1080, 14.00
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, Toshiba THNSF5256GPUK, IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620
 
Average of class Office
 
Power Consumption
-13%
11%
-19%
-8%
-12%
-27%
Idle Minimum *
4.7
3.8
19%
2
57%
4.9
-4%
3.8
19%
3.81 ?(1 - 12.4, n=259)
19%
4.27 ?(2.2 - 9.4, n=107, last 2 years)
9%
Idle Average *
7.3
8.3
-14%
4.7
36%
8.1
-11%
7.1
3%
6.94 ?(2.8 - 15.7, n=261)
5%
7.32 ?(3.8 - 20.6, n=107, last 2 years)
-0%
Idle Maximum *
9.4
10.7
-14%
5.7
39%
10.6
-13%
8.3
12%
8.75 ?(3.8 - 30, n=259)
7%
9.1 ?(4.8 - 23.9, n=107, last 2 years)
3%
Load Average *
28
35.5
-27%
38.4
-37%
32.2
-15%
34.2
-22%
35 ?(8.1 - 51.6, n=259)
-25%
40.4 ?(8.7 - 75.2, n=106, last 2 years)
-44%
Load Maximum *
28.2
37
-31%
38.9
-38%
42.3
-50%
43.3
-54%
47.5 ?(22 - 96.3, n=261)
-68%
57.4 ?(11.1 - 101.4, n=107, last 2 years)
-104%

* ... smaller is better

Battery Life

The Carbon G6 has a 57 Wh battery that is comparable to those of our comparison devices. Our Wi-Fi battery life test is the best comparison between the Carbon G6 and our comparison devices as we lack a complete data set for both the EliteBook 840 G5 and the Latitude 7490.

We conduct our Wi-Fi battery life test by running a script that simulates the load required to render websites in forty-second intervals. We also set the display brightness to 150 cd/m². Our test device lasted ten-hours and twenty-one minutes during this test, which is around thirty-minutes longer than our best comparison devices. By contrast, the HP EliteBook 745 G5 lasted just six-hours and thirty-four minutes in this battery life test; the device does have a 10 Wh smaller battery than the Carbon G6 though.

Credit goes to the Carbon G6’s idle performance too. It trounces our comparison devices for which we have data and is seventh on our database of 14-inch office notebooks that we have currently tested. The devices that are ranked higher than the Carbon G6 have up to 96 Wh batteries, so kudos to Lenovo for their work in this regard.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
24h 28min
WiFi Surfing
0h 00min
WiFi Websurfing
10h 21min
Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p
10h 57min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 51min
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK
i5-8350U, UHD Graphics 620, 57 Wh
HP EliteBook 840 G5-3JX61EA
i5-8550U, UHD Graphics 620, 50 Wh
Dell Latitude 7490
i5-8350U, UHD Graphics 620, 60 Wh
HP EliteBook 745 G5 3UN74EA
R7 2700U, Vega 10, 50 Wh
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2017-20HR0021GE
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, 57 Wh
Average of class Office
 
Battery Runtime
-29%
-12%
-36%
-15%
0%
Reader / Idle
1468
639
-56%
819
-44%
1414 ?(527 - 2359, n=23, last 2 years)
-4%
H.264
657
426
-35%
573
-13%
691 ?(348 - 1112, n=40, last 2 years)
5%
WiFi v1.3
621
444
-29%
548
-12%
394
-37%
547
-12%
589 ?(272 - 1137, n=107, last 2 years)
-5%
Load
111
95
-14%
122
10%
117 ?(56 - 209, n=65, last 2 years)
5%

Verdict

Pros

+ premium, thin and light case
+ bright, contrast-rich touch display with high color space coverage
+ modern I/O and normal USB Type-A ports
+ good system performance
+ excellent keyboard
+ impressive battery life
+ three year’s warranty
+ quick card reader
+ runs coolly and extremely quietly

Cons

- SD card slot is difficult to reach
- the card slot is only microSD
- not “WWAN ready”
- restricted maintenance options
- LAN only via included adapter
- extreme performance throttling during stress tests
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6 2018, test device courtesy of Lenovo Germany.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6 2018, test device courtesy of Lenovo Germany.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6 2018 is an excellent business notebook that is deserving of our 92% rating. Its only downside is its exorbitant price. We still wholeheartedly recommend the Carbon G6 though, as it excelled in practically every test to which we subjected it. 

The Carbon G6 is equipped with premium hardware. The device has an impressive display, start-of-the-art I/O, excellent battery life and three-year manufacturer’s warranty. The Carbon G6 truly represents the best of what Lenovo currently offers.

There are advantages of choosing a 1080p panel over the WQHD HDR option too. The 1080p panel has a matte finish compared to the HDR’s glossy finish which is useful when using the device outdoors. Equally, having a lower resolution display will help extend battery life and allows the device to run cooler as it is using fewer resources to power the display. We would even recommend the 1080p non-touch panel for the same reasons. Moreover, a WQHD resolution is not essential for office work.

The choice of a Core i5-8350U processor over a Core i7 version is also a wise move as the former often outperforms the latter, while helping to keep the device cool and extending battery life too. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6-20KG0025UK - 10/03/2019 v7
Sven Kloevekorn

Chassis
87 / 98 → 89%
Keyboard
95%
Pointing Device
92%
Connectivity
74 / 80 → 93%
Weight
73 / 20-75 → 97%
Battery
88%
Display
90%
Games Performance
42 / 78 → 54%
Application Performance
76 / 95 → 80%
Temperature
92%
Noise
95%
Audio
60%
Camera
48 / 85 → 56%
Average
78%
90%
Office - Weighted Average

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6 2018 (i5-8350U, Full-HD Touch, 256GB) Laptop Review
Sven Kloevekorn, 2018-09-12 (Update: 2019-04-30)