Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 (2021)

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 (2021)

Competition among tech giants is fiercer than ever. Recently, Lenovo kept pace with its rivals by launching the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4. Positioned as a flagship built specifically for business professionals, how does it actually stack up against other laptops in its segment? Join Hung Phat Laptop as we take a closer look below.

Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 Design: Classic Lenovo Heritage

The design of the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 does not change dramatically compared to previous Thinkpad X1 Extreme models. Lenovo retains its signature traditional design language - in fact, at first glance, users could easily mistake it for its sibling, the X1 Carbon.

The chassis is crafted from sturdy, durable carbon fiber, paired with a magnesium palm rest. The entire machine is finished in a black rubberized coating that gives it a sleek, masculine look. A Thinkpad X1 logo stands out prominently on both the lid and the palm rest, adding an extra touch of distinction.

Lenovo also applied an anti-fingerprint coating across the laptop on this new generation. The sturdy hinge opens to more than 180 degrees; you can easily open the lid with one finger, and the hinge holds the display firmly without wobbling.

Measuring 0.78 x 14.13 x 9.99 inches and weighing 1.81 kg, the Thinkpad X1 Extreme is a highly portable 16-inch laptop, giving it a clear edge over its competitor, the Macbook Pro 16.

Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 Display: Sharp and Vibrant 

The Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 replaces the 15.6-inch screen of earlier X1 Extreme models with a 16-inch panel. It features a 16:10 aspect ratio instead of the 16:9 format common on premium laptops today, alongside an 86% screen-to-body ratio that yields ultra-slim bezels. That gives you more vertical workspace to boost productivity, while giving the laptop a noticeably more modern feel.

The display comes in three configurations: Full HD (1920x1080 pixels), QHD + (2560 x 1600 pixels), or UHD + (3840 x 2400 pixels). In particular, the QHD + option features a 60Hz refresh rate with 400 nits of brightness and 100% sRGB coverage. Meanwhile, the UHD + screen goes brighter at 600 nits, offers 100% Adobe RGB coverage, and supports HDR400, delivering sharp, vivid, true-to-life visuals.

In addition, the low blue light IPS display panel helps reduce eye fatigue during long work sessions.

The display bezel also houses a built-in webcam with an added IR sensor for facial recognition, supporting Windows Hello for quick facial sign-in.

Ports on the Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4

Port selection on the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 covers all the essentials. While not overly expansive, it handles daily work demands with ease. Specifically, the machine features two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two USB Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, an SD card slot, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 also supports optional 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6 AX210 802.11, and Bluetooth ® 5.2. That keeps your internet connection fast even in crowded spaces with multiple devices on the Wi-Fi network.

An Excellent Keyboard and Touchpad Experience 

Thinkpad keyboards have never disappointed, and few laptops can match the typing experience Lenovo delivers. The Lenovo Thinkpad continues to use a chiclet-style keyboard with gently curved keycaps that feel exceptionally comfortable to type on. Key travel measures 1.5mm, paired with slightly taller keycaps.

The touchpad is generously sized at 4.53 x 2.64 inches, featuring a smooth surface with integrated click action that makes multitasking quick, smooth, and precise.

In addition, the TrackPoint on the Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 2021 remains more convenient than the touchpad for many users because you never have to move your hands away from the keyboard. The dedicated pointing stick mouse buttons are positioned directly above the touchpad.

Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 Packs Serious Performance 

According to manufacturer specifications, the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 is powered by the new 11th Gen Intel Core ™ i9 vPro ® H-series CPU paired with Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics, delivering formidable performance.

The RTX graphics card features proprietary PhysX technology, which creates realistic visual effects that make games more vivid and engaging. Demanding titles, from popular MOBAs to DotA 2, League of Legends, and even PUBG, all run smoothly.

This configuration also equips the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 2021 to process photo and video tasks rapidly across a range of 2D and 3D graphic design software, right through to video rendering.

Furthermore, the X1 Extreme Gen 4 can be configured with up to a massive 64GB of RAM and up to two 2TB SSDs for a total of 4TB of storage, ensuring rapid boot times.

Battery Life 

A notable upgrade on the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 over its predecessors is its battery life. Packing a 90Wh battery, the machine lasts around 10 hours at approximately 150 nits of brightness while running about a dozen Chrome tabs alongside typical office tasks like email, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and occasional YouTube video playback. With that kind of endurance, you can work comfortably all day without worrying about running out of power.
Browse more models in the ThinkPad X Series category. If you are comparing options, also see the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2.

The Verdict 

Overall, the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen 4 stands out as a flagship well worth considering. Combining a thin and light build, a sharp display, robust performance, and strong security, it is an exceptional business laptop that should definitely be on your radar in 2021.