Ahead of #CES2024, Lenovo unveiled new business and consumer laptops designed to unlock new AI experiences and boost productivity, creativity and efficiency.
The new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, ThinkPad X1 2-in-1, and IdeaPad Pro 5i are Intel Evo laptops powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors and Windows 11 that deliver optimal power efficiency, performance, and immersive experiences.
Dedicated AI acceleration support will help users embrace new experiences and enhance efficiency in work and play, including capabilities enabled by Copilot in Windows.
Whether for business or leisure, these Lenovo laptops are amongst the first that are driving an AI PC revolution that will fundamentally change how people create, collaborate, and interact with PCs.
Designed to offer users the most comprehensive PC experiences yet, ThinkPad X1 and IdeaPad Pro 5i will help users embrace a new generation of AI computing.
Ready for the Next Wave of Business Computing
The next wave of business computing is here. Lenovo laptops with Intel Core Ultra processors are ready for the future of business computing.
They have three compute engines: CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and NPU (Neural Processing Unit), that can handle AI PC tasks efficiently and smartly.
Offloading compute tasks to the NPU and/or GPU improves efficiency and performance and delivers better power management.
Users can enjoy higher quality free flowing workstreams in supported software applications such as Zoom (for which the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 are the only certified laptops), Microsoft Teams, Studio Effects, Adobe Lightroom, and many more.
Characteristics like text predictions, background blur, meeting transcripts, and summary emails improve productivity, while digital content tools maximize creativity without impacting overall system performance.
With Copilot in Windows, the things users do every day are made easier, faster, and more effortless. New features will help summarize web pages, compose an email, change settings, and enable new experiences in apps including Paint, Snipping Tool, and more.
Lenovo is transforming its PCs and other devices to deliver personalized AI solutions. Working together with strategic partners, Lenovo has a shared vision to lead this transformative shift in personal computing.
Additionally, Lenovo announced the expansion of its hybrid cloud portfolio, powered by the next generation of Intel Xeon Scalable Processors.
It delivers a new AI-ready platform with improved performance, the latest accelerators, and new Lenovo Professional Services for AI as a critical next step for enabling a dynamic hybrid AI approach across public, private, and foundational models.
Uncompromised User Experiences Need Relentless Innovation
Lenovo’s Product Diversity Office seeks to integrate inclusion and feedback from diverse user segments early on in product development. This inclusive customer experience has always been the key focus for ThinkPad innovation.
Tactile markings have always been part of ThinkPad design since 1992 to aid users who are visually impaired to navigate the keyboard.
In 2021, Lenovo through its Product Diversity Office established a partnership with the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina in the US to better understand how visually impaired users interact with their PCs. Lenovo is the first laptop manufacturer to integrate additional tactile cues that increase accessibility.
Lenovo is aligning these changes with Microsoft’s Accessibility Team as it works toward new industry standards in keyboard design. The results of this collaboration are visible with new tactile markings on the keyboard.
They include:
- Volume up / down: Audio is crucial to users who are visually impaired. The F2 and F3 will include tactile markings, making it easier to distinguish between volume up and down.
- Insert key: Insert and Delete keys often sit side-by-side on keyboards and can result in time-wasting and document-ruining problems. Too often, users have deleted or inserted content when they meant to do the opposite. The tactile mark on the Insert key will make it easier to tell the difference between the two keys.
- Function key: The Fn key is essential for individuals using screen readers. Located next to, and the same size as the CTRL key can often be a source of frustration.
- Enter key: While this seems an obvious addition, Enter keys can vary in size by keyboard and language.
More user-centric innovations enhance device interaction on ThinkPad X1. A larger 120mm TrackPad with physical buttons improves pointing accuracy and one-handed use with the integrated TrackPoint.
A new feature to ThinkPad X1 allows users to customize common features from a list of options by double-tapping the TrackPoint to open a TrackPoint Quick Menu.
A glass Haptic TouchPad is an optional input method for the first time on ThinkPad X1. The ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 also has a larger magnetic pen for a better stylus experience.
The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon and ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 have improved thermals and power consumption management, and Computer Vision features in Lenovo Commercial Vantage.
They include wake-on-approach with face sensing, and supports adaptive dimming on external monitors adding extra security and power savings.
ThinkPad X1 has always excelled in display options and camera features. Lenovo View provides video enhancing tools for the camera including a new Low Light Enhancer that can brighten and denoise video in low light environments.
The software runs on the NPU to save power and processor load when running unified communications applications such as Teams or Zoom.
ThinkPad X1 will include an optional 8MP camera within its unique Communications Bar that can deliver excellent video conferencing quality.
Content becomes even sharper and smoother on the latest optional 120Hz OLED display. The Communications Bar also enables improved usability in the redesigned chassis with narrower bezels that deliver higher screen-to-body ratio, and easy one-handed opening.
Next-generation business laptops not only need to deliver on better user experiences, but also continue to improve their contribution to a circular economy.
The development of revolutionary supply chains, services, product design, and materials have enabled Lenovo to shift to a circular model of “design, use, return.”
These latest ThinkPad X1’s continue to adopt the use of recycled materials, PCC (Post-Consumer Recycled Content) plastics and plastic-free bamboo and sugarcane packaging to minimize the use of virgin materials and increase use of post-industrial recycled content (PIC) plastics.
Lenovo is working closely with Toray Industries, Inc., who has been supplying Lenovo with carbon fiber material, supported by Toray’s relationships with Boeing, to also build into ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 recycled carbon fiber material recovered from carbon fiber composites used in Boeing 787 wing production.
The latest ThinkPad X1 Gen 12 and X1 2-in-1 Gen 9 create a breakthrough moment in premium laptop computing with new AI PC features and customer-centric innovations designed to transform user experiences.
Through its focus on constant innovation in design, materials, and usability, and strong collaboration with leading industry partners, Lenovo has delivered new business laptops ready to fulfil its promise of AI for All.
“AI PC innovation has become our passion. We don’t just make PCs, we make experiences using diverse design brilliance, more sustainable materials, and revolutionary AI computing technologies to deliver the future of business computing,” said Jerry Paradise, Vice President, Commercial Portfolio and Product Management, Lenovo Intelligent Devices Group. “The latest Lenovo ThinkPad X1 laptops will transform user experiences in work and interaction through new AI speed and intelligence powered by Intel Core Ultra processors.”
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Wanda Parisien is a computing expert who navigates the vast landscape of hardware and software. With a focus on computer technology, software development, and industry trends, Wanda delivers informative content, tutorials, and analyses to keep readers updated on the latest in the world of computing.
