Lenovo Tips Refreshed ThinkPad X1 Laptops Slated to Arrive in April

Ahead of next month's CES, Lenovo is previewing several Windows 11 laptops the PC vendor is preparing to launch next year, including new ThinkPad X1 notebooks.

The company is teasing a refresh of the business-focused ThinkPad X1 series with Intel’s upcoming mobile-based Raptor Lake processors, which should offer a performance increase. Lenovo plans to launch the ThinkPad products—including the 14-inch X1 Carbon Gen 11 and X1 Yoga Gen 8 and 13-inch X1 Nano Gen 3—starting in April.

So consumers will have to wait a while. But Lenovo says the refreshed ThinkPad X1 PCs will feature more recycled materials, including 90% recycled magnesium in the palm rest of the 14-inch X1 Carbon. Another 55% of recycled aluminum will be used to build the laptop’s bottom cover. 

X1 Yoga Gen 8
(Credit: Lenovo)

The other improvements concern software. An updated Lenovo Commercial Vantage program will highlight ways a customer can reduce energy consumption on a ThinkPad laptop through new settings, which can extend the lifespan of the battery or laptop’s OLED display. 

Using the laptop’s webcam, the improved Lenovo View application can blur out the screen or display a privacy icon when an unauthorized user’s face is detected. The same app can also issue “Posture warning” and “eye wellness alerts” during long laptop sessions.

“The latest ThinkPad X1’s can help deliver a stress-free working environment that is highly productive and efficient to aid more purposeful thinking,” the company says. 

Privacy protections on the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3
(Credit: Lenovo)

Lenovo did reveal expected pricing for the upcoming ThinkPads. The X1 Carbon 11 will start at $1,729, the X1 Yoga Gen 8 will go for $1,859 and up, and the X1 Nano Gen 3 will arrive with base configuration at $1,649.

In the consumer space, the PC vendor is readying refreshed IdeaPad laptops, which will start arriving in May. This will include a new IdeaPad Pro 5i, a 16-inch laptop, likely built with Intel’s Raptor Lake processors that’ll start at $1,499. 

IdeaPad Pro 5i
(Credit: Lenovo)

The IdeaPad Pro 5i will also feature a 25% larger touch pad, a full HD infrared camera, and an expandable SSD storage slot. Other perks include USB 4.0 and Thunderbolt 4.0 ports, and a 120Hz display. 

IdeaPad Slim 5i
(Credit: Lenovo)

For consumers looking for a more affordable laptop, Lenovo plans on releasing the Intel-powered 16-inch IdeaPad Slim 5i laptop starting at $749.99. An AMD version will be $649.99. These products will also contain a larger touchpad and a full HD camera. 

Outside of Windows, Lenovo plans on launching the 12-inch IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook; it will start at $349.99 and is scheduled to arrive in May. As a Flex notebook, it features a 360-degree hinge, allowing it to shift into tablet mode.

IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook
(Credit: Lenovo)

According to Lenovo, the Chromebook can last up to 12 hours on a single charge using the low-powered Intel N100 or N200 processor, depending on the configuration.