Lenovo has not attended MWC 2022 in person but has not missed the opportunity to present a good batch of products. Among them is the new Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, a productivity laptop that stands out for being the first laptop in the world to incorporate Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor.
The device will be available in different versions and with various display, RAM, storage, and connectivity options. We will find out more about it in a moment, but not before pointing out that it will be available from May 2022.
Lenovo ThinkPad X13s technical specifications
| Lenovo ThinkPad X13s | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions and Weight | 298.7 x 206.3 x 13.4mm 1.06 kilos |
| Screen | 13.3 inches 16:10 format WUXGA IPS 300nits WUXGA IPS 300 nits on-cell WUXGA IPS 400 nits, low power, Low Blue Light |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 |
| Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno |
| RAM | Up to 32GB LPDDR4x |
| Storage | Up to 1TB PCIe SSD |
| Ports | 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Audio SIM |
| Sound | Dolby Audio Speakers Qualcomm Voice and Audio Communications |
| Connectivity | Qualcomm Fast Connect 6900 WiFi6/6E Bluetooth 5.2 Snapdragon X55 5G (optional) 5G mmWave and Sub-6 GHz SIM and nanoSIM |
| Battery | 49.5Whr up to 28 hours |
| OS | Up to Windows 11 Pro ARM |
| Camera | 5 MP with IR and optional Computer Vision 5MP RGB |
| Others | ThinkPad Trackpoint Keyboard 3-Button Glass Finish TrackPad Fingerprint reader |
| Price | From $1,099 |
The IPS panel in 16:10 format
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13s weighs just over a kilo and is made of recycled magnesium and plastic. It has two USB Type-C ports on its sides, an audio combo, and a SIM tray, which we’ll talk about later. Interestingly, it does not incorporate USB Type-A ports, HDMI output, or SD card reader.
For the display, Lenovo has opted for a 13.3-inch IPS panel in 16:10 format, something we see more and more in work-oriented laptops. It will be available in several configurations, including one with an on-cell touch panel and one with more low-power brightness.
The top bump, where Lenovo has implemented a five-megapixel camera with AI self-framing and a Windows Hello-compatible infrared system, as well as three noise-canceling microphones, is particularly noteworthy. The webcam, by the way, can be covered with a physical cover and detects when we stop looking at the screen to reduce the screen brightness.
Hello, ARM
For the engine, it has opted to leave aside the x86 architecture of Intel and AMD processors and opt for a Qualcomm solution with ARM architecture: the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3. It is a five-nanometer processor that promises a 40% improvement in single-core and 85% in multi-core over the previous generation, although preliminary tests suggest that it lags somewhat behind the solutions from Intel, AMD, and Apple. We will have to wait and see.
This processor is complemented by up to 32 GB of LPDDR4x RAM, up to 1 TB of PCIe SSD storage, and a 49.5 Whr battery. According to Lenovo, it is capable of offering up to 28 hours of autonomy thanks, in part, to the efficiency of the processor.
The operating system is Windows 11 Pro ARM and Lenovo says it is collaborating with Qualcomm and Microsoft to further develop the ecosystem of native apps for Windows on ARM. In any case, Windows 11 offers x64 emulation for legacy applications.
Finally, in terms of connectivity, the device incorporates the Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 subsystem, including support for WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. Optionally, Snapdragon X55 modem and 5G mmWave and Sub-6 GHz connectivity can be implemented.
Pricing and Availability of the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13s will be available in Thunder Black color for a price starting at $1,099. It will be available from May 2022.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.