MWC 2023 | Lenovo ThinkPad X13 G4 and X13 Yoga Gen 4: X series G4 with fresh design in deep black

Lenovo does not redesign its ThinkPads every year. But every two years, Lenovo pretty reliably releases a new design, called "clean sheet" by the manufacturer, as the design process is started with a proverbial blank sheet of paper.

The new Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 4 are such clean sheet redesigns. Of course, both versions also get the usual processor upgrade: Alder Lake is being replaced with Raptor Lake, Ryzen 6000 is pushed out in favor of Ryzen 7000. AMD is still only available in the clamshell form-factor, the convertible model X13 Yoga stays Intel exclusive.

But those internal values are not the main show. On the outside, the first thing that is immediately apparent is the turn around in terms of the chassis color: While Lenovo changed from black to a dark grey with the X13 G2 (available from Amazon for $870), X13 G4 and X13 Yoga G4 are again colored in deep black - though a silver-grey version is still available. The change of color is happening at the same time as a change of materials. Most of the aluminum and magnesium used in the X ThinkPads is now recycled. Also the ThinkPad X13 Yoga G4 swaps out the Carbon fiber screen lid for a magnesium one.

The keyboard of both ThinkPads still offers 1.5 mm of travel, like it does for the predecessor models. But now, the keyboard of the ThinkPad X13 G4 is not easily user replaceable anymore. In exchange, chassis thickness is significantly reduced, from 18.1 to 15.95 mm. At the same time, the minimum weight is reduced from 1.21 kg to 1.14 kg.

Thinner, lighter - and smaller. Both in width and length, X13 G4 and X13 Yoga G4 are smaller than their predecessors. Thanks to the smaller chassis, the screen bezels also shrink, driving up the screen to body ratio. To enable this, the X series now uses the same "reverse notch" that was first included with the ThinkPad Z series and ThinkPad X13s. As a small side effect, the camera bump creates room for a new, optional 5 megapixel camera.

In terms of options, the ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 uses OLED for the first time, in this case with a 2.8K resolution. Not offered anymore on the ThinkPad X13 is 5G, though the 4G LTE options persists. As a last design change, the speakers are now placed to the side of the keyboard.

ThinkPad X series 2023: Pricing and availability

The ThinkPad X13 G4 and X13 Yoga G4 will be available in Europe in July. The base price sits between €1,190 (X13 G4) and €1,290 (X13 Yoga G4).