Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4: Power, Style, Ultra-portability for SMBs

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4, launched at CES 2024, is a highly anticipated device that lives up to the hype. This ultra-portable notebook is a testament to the advancements in AI PC technology and showcases Intel's new Meteor Lake Ultra 9H processor and an AI-specific NPU. It offers a compelling package for SMBs, with its unique selling points being its sophisticated design, dual-toned top cover, ultralight portability, the world’s first 13-inch laptop with a 74-WHr battery, and a nice balance between power and style.

My first encounter with the Thinkbook brand was with a Thinkbook Plus Gen 1 in November 2019. The notebook's 'Think' pedigree, focus on the SMB segment, and the unexpected E-Ink screen on the lid piqued my interest. It was an intriguing design. Fast forward to September 2022, and the innovation difference between the Gen 1 and Gen 3 was nothing short of exponential. The ultrawide display on a laptop made multitasking more accessible and allowed users to see more content with fewer distractions. The massive and roomy display is a visual treat, a productivity enhancer, and ideal for Windows 11 snap layout. Straddling the line between business, work, and life, ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 boasted Dolby Vision for lifelike images, blue light reduction, and 2 X 2W Harman Kardon audio for superior sound.

My latest experience with a Thinkbook incarnation, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4, is a testament to the brand's commitment to mobility. The ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 notebook model I am using features a 13.5-inch, 2.8K HDR400 display with Dolby Vision, making for smooth and vibrant visuals, Anti-Glare, Non-Touch, 500 nits. It also has EyeSafe low blue light certification, ensuring a comfortable and productive user experience. On the audio side, it includes four Harman Kardon speakers with built-in smart amplifiers and Dolby Atmos certification for immersive sound.

Weighing just 2.56 lbs and measuring a mere 0.5 inches thick, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 is designed for easy portability. Its thin profile is not a compromise on durability - the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 is built to endure the bumps and knocks of everyday travel, instilling a sense of reliability and trust. Its aluminum finish and tastefully designed logo give it a look of sophistication that belies its price. The laptop's design ensures it sits comfortably on the lap without feeling top-heavy, making it an ideal companion for flights, daily commutes, or working on a couch in a work-at-home setting. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 is great for mobile professionals seeking a sleek and portable laptop and users who appreciate a high-quality build. Its combination of performance, portability, and premium design make it a top choice for a wide range of users. It has a Copilot key, which provides the ability to quickly and easily access Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant directly from the laptop's keyboard.

One of the most notable features is the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4's battery life. Lenovo claims the Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 can last up to 21 hours on a single charge. This is particularly impressive for such a lightweight device, which can handle long journeys without charge. I have extracted slightly over 8 hours of use for office work. AI workloads may reduce this figure slightly, but the laptop should still provide ample power for a full day's work.
Lenovo has equipped the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 with the latest Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth technologies, ensuring not just wireless connectivity but seamless and advanced wireless connectivity. Three USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports allow for high-speed connections to various peripherals, and the ability to daisy-chain devices is a welcome feature, further enhancing the laptop's connectivity capabilities.

Let us not forget about video conferencing, a crucial feature in today's world. The ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 has a decent 1080p camera, with a physical privacy shutter button, that supports Windows Hello for secure logins. But if you demand top-notch video quality, an optional 4K camera can take video conferences to the next level through its clever Magic Bay port. An exciting option is the Magic Bay Video Conferencing Light, which significantly improves the quality of video calls by providing even lighting. In my case, it enhanced the video call appearance by providing even lighting, especially in less-than-ideal lighting conditions (think dim cafes or poorly lit hotel rooms). Lenovo Magic Bay is a clever ecosystem of snap-on accessories designed for select ThinkBook laptops. These accessories, for example, Magic Bay Studio, a 4K webcam with dual 2W speakers, AI enhancements, and auto-focus for improved video conferencing, connect magnetically via Pogo pins, enhancing the PC experience. I tried to order a Magic Bay 4K Camera, but it has been out of stock for a while. With the Magic Bay system, users can change or enhance the features of their laptops without having to deal with wires or adapters. It offers a flexible and convenient way to work remotely, create content, and be productive anywhere.

The PC market is highly complex and subject to significant and abrupt changes. The appeal of the notebook – which doubled as both a mobility device and a content creation platform – waned for a while and rebounded recently. Tablets, not notebooks, were seen as a critical productivity tool. The proliferation of operating systems and underlying architectures created opportunities for a wide range of suppliers – and confusion for many IT managers who needed to integrate, support, and secure these devices. There is arguably more opportunity to define net-new PC offerings today (Snapdragon-based Copilot+ PCs anticipated trend) than for decades. There is an additional requirement on PC OEMs to segment accurately, to be in tune with the needs and preferences of target segments, and to move quickly to address new demand drivers – but there is also a unique opportunity to translate this understanding and agility into substantial marketing-driven success. As AI PCs become more capable, SMB buyers – especially the business decision makers (BDMs) who wield increasing power in IT decisions – are moving past the device itself to a need for solutions that capitalize on the capabilities of the new units. The ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 is a top contender in the ultra-portable segment. Its blend of portability, performance, premium features, and a nod toward modern productivity tools makes it a compelling choice for beginners exploring desktop AI, SMB users, and anyone seeking a powerful and stylish companion for their on-the-go lifestyle.