The ThinkPad X1 Yoga is entering its fourth generation, and with it comes some significant changes, including the materials used. Lenovo is shifting from the previous carbon fiber-hybrid approach an all-new precision CNC aluminum chassis, something Lenovo says customers have been requesting.
But much like the 2019 ThinkPad X1 Carbon, the new ThinkPad X1 Yoga is also getting improved display options and quad-speakers that separate the highs from the lows, making this work machine a joy for personal use.
What's new with 2019 ThinkPad X1 Yoga (fourth generation)
Compared to last year's ThinkPad X1 Yoga, here is what Lenovo is announcing as new with the fourth generation:
- New precision CNC aluminum chassis just 3.07 pounds (1.39 kg).
- New "iron grey" color.
- 17 percent smaller footprint than the previous generation.
- 11 percent thinner with slimmer bezels.
- Bright, colorful display options with Dolby Vision and HDR400 certification (500 nit 4k, 400 nit FHD).
- New Intel 8th Gen processors.
- New RGB & IR camera with ThinkShutter.
- Standard ThinkPad keyboard with backlight.
- Premium Dolby Atmos four-speaker sound system.
- Four far-field microphones for 360-degree voice recognition.
2019 ThinkPad X1 Yoga tech specs
Full product specifications reveal a top-notch, but expected 2-in-1 premium business laptop for 2019:
| Category | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (4th Gen) |
|---|---|
| Display | 14-inch FHD IPS Touch (300nit)FHD ePrivacy+1WQHD IPS Touch(300 nit)HDR UHD IPS (500nit) |
| Processor | 8th Gen Intel Core processors |
| Graphics | Intel UHD graphics |
| RAM | 8GB or 16GB LPDDR3 |
| Storage | Up to 2TB PCIe SSD |
| Ports | Two USB-C Thunderbolt 3, Two USB 3.1, 3.5mm audio jack |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos Sound System, two top-firing speakers, two bottom-firing subwoofers |
| Camera | Windows Hello IR camera w/ThinShutter |
| Battery | 51 WHr |
| Dimensions | 12.71 in x 8.58 in x 0.59 in (323 mm x 218 mm x 15.2 mm) |
| Weight | 3.09 lbs (1.37 kg) |
| Availability | June 2019 |
| Price | Starting at $1,929.99 |
As is standard with all Yoga systems with pen and inking support, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga still has that excellent siloed Wacom AES pen that self-charges. While artists will want to opt for a full-pen experience, this built-in silo makes inking for quick notes on the X1 Yoga a breeze.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga has better audio, more metal
Like the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon, the refreshed X1 Yoga brings emphasis to improving the screen. Further options include ePrivacy technology that protects your work from leering onlookers and a new 4K HDR configuration with 500 nits of brightness, a bump from last year's max resolution of WQHD. Those displays also include Dolby Vision support for enhanced video.
While the audio on the X1 Yoga was previously better than the X1 Carbon, both devices this year get quad-speakers with dual tweeters on the top deck behind the keyboard and two subwoofers on the bottom for enhanced and improved audio. The system also now supports Dolby Atmos software for increased spatial audio separation.
Users can now configure the X1 Yoga with the privacy screen (ThinkShutter) and still get Windows Hello infrared camera instead of having to choose between the two. Optional 4G LTE is still available as well with the antennas now in the Yoga's hinge.
Perhaps the other significant change is with that new CNC aluminum body, which makes this year's X1 Yoga 17 percent smaller than last year's model. The new X1 Yoga is more of a normal-sized laptop that's also now slightly lighter.
Finally, another cosmetic shift is the color. Gone is the ThinkPad deep black; instead users get "iron grey" – a familiar color that Lenovo has been using across its consumer and business Yoga lines. In this case, the change is due to the use of a metal chassis versus hybrid carbon fiber.
2019 Lenovo X1 Yoga (fourth generation) looks great
In our review of last year's ThinkPad X1 Yoga, we had a lot of positive things to say about the business-focused 2-in-1. Our complaints were mostly about odd configuration options, and tradeoffs between Windows Hello or an HDR display.
Most of our complaints seem to have been addressed this time around with more HDR Dolby Vision options, better sound, a much smaller footprint, and lighter weight. That price is still high, though, starting at $1,900. But at least the rest of the laptop now matches what Lenovo wants for it. The new ThinkPad X1 Yoga is expected to launch in June.
