Lenovo announces new ThinkPad X1 Carbon (8th) and X1 Yoga (5th) ahead of CES

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 5th Gen
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 5th Gen (Image credit: Lenovo)

What you need to know

  • Lenovo announced updates to the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and X1 Yoga ahead of CES.
  • Both laptops feature enhanced keyboard layouts and an option for a PrivacyGuard display.
  • The X1 Carbon starts at $1,499, and the X1 Yoga starts at $1,599.
  • Both laptops are expected to be available in 2020.

Lenovo announced refreshes to the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and X1 Yoga ahead of CES 2020. The laptops are powered by 10th Gen Intel processors and include several options focused on privacy. The X1 Carbon starts at $1,499, and the X1 Yoga starts at $1,599, and both laptops are expected to ship in 2020. Lenovo did not specify a month or quarter in 2020 that the laptops are expected to ship.

Both laptops support Dolby Atmos as well as 4K Dolby Vision. The displays of each laptop can reach 500 nits of brightness and are FHD. Lenovo highlights that both devices feature enhanced keyboard layouts with United Communication (UC) controls.

Here's a more complete breakdown of the specs for the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CategoryLenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8
Display14-inch FHD LPS IPS (400 nit)
14-inch FHD IPS LP Touch (400nit)
14-inch FHD IPS ePrivacy AG (500 nit) Touch
14-inch WQHD IPS (300 nit)
14-inch HDR 400 LP UHD IPS (500 nit) 10 bit
Processor10th Gen Intel Core i5
10th Gen Intel Core i7
10th Gen Intel Core i5 vPro
10th Gen Intel Core i7 vPro (includes 6-core i7)
GraphicsIntegrated
MemoryLPDDR3 8GB
LPDDR3 16GB
StorageUp to 2TB PCIe SSD
WebcamHD+IR with ThinkShutter (supports Windows Hello)
SecurityTouch FPR, IR Camera
ThinkShutter RGB&IR
dTPM 2.0
WirelessWLAN 802.11 AX
NFC
LTE CAT9
LTE CAT16
Ports2 x USB3.1 (Gen1)
2x TBT3
HDMI 1.4
Audio
AudioDolby Atmos Speaker System
Battery51Whr
Weight1.09kg(2.4lbs)
Rapid chargeYes (with 65W AC)

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga has largely similar specs, but there are a few key differences.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CategoryLenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5
Display14-inch FHD IPS (400 nit)
(AG Option) FHD ePrivacy AG (500 nit)
WQHD IPS (300 nit)
HDR400 UHD IPS (500nit)
Processor10th Gen Intel Core i5
10th Gen Intel Core i7
10th Gen Intel Core i5 vPro
10th Gen Intel Core i7 vPro (includes 6-core i7)
GraphicsIntegrated UHD
MemoryLPDDR3 8GB
LPDDR3 16GB
StorageUp to 2TB PCIe SSD
WebcamHD with privacy
HD+IR with privacy and
SecurityTouch FPR, IR Camera
ThinkShutter RGB&IR
dTPM 2.0
WirelessWLAN 802.11 AX
NFC
LTE CAT9
LTE CAT16
Ports2 x USB3.1 (Gen1)
2x TBT3
HDMI 1.4
Audio
AudioDolby Atmos Speaker System
Battery51Whr
Weight1.3kg(2.99lbs)
Rapid chargeYes (with 65W AC)
PenIntegrated and Optional ThinkPad Pens

Both laptops focus on privacy. They are both secured-core PCs and have ThinkShutter and several other hardware and software privacy features. Both have options for PrivacyGuard displays that can make it harder for people to sneak a peek at your screen. The laptops also work with ThinkPad PrivacyAlert, which can tell when someone is looking at your screen and automatically turn on PrivacyGuard.

Both laptops have 51Wh batteries and support rapid charge. As expected, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga can flip around to be used in tent mode or as a tablet. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga also features an integrated pen. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a traditional clamshell laptop.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com.