Lenovo's ThinkPad brand has long been synonymous with business devices. The ThinkPad lineup was initially produced and sold by IBM, who designed the laptops at its Yamato labs in Japan, but Lenovo acquired IBM's personal computing business in 2005. Since then, the laptops have carried the Lenovo branding, but they're still very much geared towards the same audience. All of the ThinkPad laptops are designed for business users, but they still manage to stand out from each other. If you're looking for the best ThinkPads you can get for yourself, we're here to help.
As we've mentioned, the ThinkPad lineup comes in a lot of different flavors, from more budget-friendly options to performance beasts. They all retain that classic feel of the ThinkPad brand, but they still manage to be fairly distinct from each other. And while they're not far from what you might remember, they have plenty of modern features, too. These are some of the best laptops you can buy, especially for business users. Here are the best ones you can buy today.
The top Lenovo ThinkPad laptops in 2023
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
The best ThinkPad for a top-tier experience
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 builds on its predecessor with newer and more powerful 13th-gen Intel processors. It still has the iconic ThinkPad design and a lightweight build, plus it comes with options for 64GB of RAM and an OLED display.
- 13th-gen Intel Core U- and P-series processors
- Great display with 2.8K OLED option
- Lightweight design at just 2.48 pounds
- One of the more expensive ThinkPads
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the oldest member of the ThinkPad family, but there's a good reason it still gets improved upon every year. With a classic design and modern features, the X1 Carbon is still the best ThinkPad you can get.
It starts with performance, which is handled by 13th-generation Intel Core processors, up to a Core i7-1365U or a Core i7-1370P, both with vPro Enterprise support. U-series processors have 10 cores and 12 threads, with a rated TDP of 15W, while P-series models have up to 14 cores and 20 threads, with a TDP of around 28W. What that means is that P-series processors are faster, but the U-series models are better for battery life. The laptop can also be configured with up to 64GB of RAM (a first for the series) and a 2TB SSD.
The 14-inch display is similar to previous models, with a 16:10 aspect ratio and Full HD+ resolution in the base model, with options for touch support and a privacy screen. You can also spring for a sharper 2.2K panel or the top-of-the-line 2.8K OLED display, which looks absolutely stunning. The laptop also comes with a 1080p webcam, with the option to add Windows Hello support and Computer Vision.
Design-wise, nothing has really changed, with the iconic black and red design language ThinkPads are known for. What makes the X1 Carbon Gen 11 unique is that it weighs a mere 2.48 pounds, making it one of the most portable laptops in the lineup. It also has a great supply of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 connections, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack. Of course, it also has the option for cellular connectivity, whether that's 4G LTE or 5G.
It's no surprise that the ThinkPad X1 Carbon has been around for so long. It's a powerful laptop that keeps evolving while keeping what makes it a ThinkPad. We have a review of the Gen 11 model, should you want to learn more.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
A fresh take on the ThinkPad formula
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is the most modern-feeling ThinkPad yet, with some major design changes that still keep the ThinkPad brand identity alive. It's also the first flagship ThinkPad with AMD processors, even including support for USB4.
- Refreshed ThinkPad design looks significantly more modern
- One of the first AMD laptops with USB4 40Gbps support
- Up to a 2.8K OLED display
- Touch-based button for the TrackPoint may take some getting used to
- Not a ton of ports overall
AMD processors have never had a major presence in business laptops, but if there's a laptop to change that, it's the ThinkPad Z13. It's not just the first flagship AMD-powered ThinkPad, but Lenovo made some big changes to the design.
Performance-wise, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is powered by AMD Ryzen Pro 6000 series processors, up to a customized Ryzen 7 Pro 6860Z, with 8 cores and 16 threads for excellent day-to-day performance. This custom processor is a slightly faster Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U, and it also includes Radeon 680M graphics. Specs are rounded out with up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Beyond performance, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 also packs a 13.3-inch panel in the 16:10 aspect ratio, which is pretty good. The base model is a Full HD+ panel, and you can add touch support to it if you want, or you can opt for the stunning 2.8K OLED panel. There's also a 1080p webcam with Windows Hello support by default, and it has a wide f/2.0 aperture, so image quality should be quite good.
What really helps the ThinkPad Z13 stand out is its design, since it's so different from other ThinkPads. The Z13 comes with something of a dual-color scheme, and the black/bronze model looks especially great, particularly thanks to the vegan leather cover on the lid. The Arctic Grey model is a bit more subdued. It also has a bigger touchpad, but Lenovo kept the classic TrackPoint, too. The laptop is also very thin and light, coming in at 2.78 pounds. Ports are a bit of a mixed bag. The ThinkPad Z13 is one of the few AMD laptops with USB4 40Gbps support, but it only has two USB4 ports and a headphone jack, so you may need a dock.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is arguably the best AMD-powered business laptop in general, though you may want to keep an eye out for the Gen 2 model, which should be coming in the next few months.
Lenovo ThinkPad X13s
A laptop designed with mobility in mind
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13s is the first Arm-powered ThinkPad, and it comes with the powerful Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor, plus it has a 5MP webcam, one of the best you can get on any ThinkPad. It also keeps the classic ThinkPad design.
- Great battery life
- Always-on connectivity with the 5G model
- Very light at just 2.35 pounds
- Performance will take a hit if apps aren't compiled for Arm
- Certain apps may not work at all
Arm-based laptops still aren't that common, but the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s is the company's first attempt at such a concept in the ThinkPad lineup, and it gets a lot right.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13s is the first laptop on the market to use the brand-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor, a major upgrade over the two previous generations. This is an octa-core processor that can go up to 3GHz, and it promises up to 85% more CPU performance and 60% more GPU performance compared to its predecessor. That means you get solid performance with great battery life, and you can also get up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
The display on the ThinkPad X13s is also great, though it doesn't offer as many options as most other ThinkPads do. It's a 13.3-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio and Full HD+ resolution. That's the only option you get, but it's not bad, and you can choose to add touch support if you need it. The laptop also comes with a 5MP webcam by default, one of the best on any ThinkPad on the market, and there's optional Windows Hello support.
While the insides are modern, the chassis of the ThinkPad X13s is exactly what you expect from a ThinkPad, with the black surfaces and red accents you already know. The laptop is very light, though, coming in at just 2.35 pounds, even lighter than the X1 Carbon Gen 11. The port selection is limited, though, with two USB-C ports and a headphone jack, plus an optional SIM card slot if you want 5G support. There's no Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 support since the processor doesn't support that.
Whether you're a ThinkPad fan or a Windows on Arm enthusiast, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s is a very compelling device. It definitely deserves to be considered one of the best ThinkPads around.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8
Versatile form factor and premium design
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 is arguably the best business convertible on the market, with a premium design, high-end specs, and the option for a stunning 4K OLED display. It also includes a garaged stylus for drawing and taking notes.
- 13th-gen Intel Core U- and P-series processors
- Convertible form factor with garaged stylus for easy storage
- Up to a stunning 4K OLED display
- Expensive
- Not available in the classic black colorway
As great as clamshell laptops are, some of us — myself included — appreciate the versatility of a convertible. For those people, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 is the best option.
On the performance front, the X1 Yoga Gen 8 is essentially the same as the X1 Carbon Gen 11, with 13th-generation Intel processors from either the U or P series, so you can choose to favor battery life or performance, respectively. The options go up to a Core i7-1365U or a Core i7-1370P, both of which support vPro Enterprise. You can also go up to 64GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.
The display is also very similar to the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, but since this is a convertible, touch and pen support is included by default. In fact, a pen is included and stored right inside the laptop, so you're always ready to go. It's a 14-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and the base model comes in Full HD+ resolution, but you can upgrade to a stunning Ultra HD+ OLED panel, which is much sharper and more vibrant. The webcam is also similar: a 1080p sensor with optional support for Windows Hello and Computer Vision.
In terms of design, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga is another ThinkPad, but instead of the classic black chassis, it comes in Storm Grey. Otherwise, it has all the same elements ThinkPads usually have. It's a bit heavier than the X1 Carbon, coming in at 3 pounds, but it's still very reasonable. It has the same ports as the X1 Carbon, too. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack make for a well-rounded supply, and you can also add cellular network support, with options for 4G LTE or 5G.
This is basically a convertible version of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, just in a different color and other minor differences. It's a fantastic laptop, but now with the extra versatility of a convertible, though it's also a bit more expensive. We've reviewed the X1 Yoga Gen 7, which is nearly identical aside from the newer processors.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5
Powerful CPUs and Nvidia graphics
Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 is one of the most powerful business laptops you can find. With Intel's latest H-series processors, NVIDIA RTX graphics, and high RAM and storage configurations, there's not much else you could ask for.
- Powerful 45W CPUs and Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics
- Up to a 4K display with 100% coverage of Adobe RGB
- Relatively light considering the specs
- It can get very expensive
- It no longer has the latest specs
So far, we've been looking at the most portable machines in Lenovo's lineup, but if you want top-of-the-line performance for more demanding tasks, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme is for you.
Performance is the name of the game here, and it starts with 12th-generation Intel Core H-series processors, up to an Intel Core i9-12900H vPro CPU, with 14 cores and 20 threads. You can pair that with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU with 16GB of memory for spectacular performance in creative workloads and other demanding tasks. You can also get up to a whopping 64GB of RAM and 4TB of SSD storage (limited to 2TB if you get an RTX 3060 or higher). There are newer components showing up in other laptops now, but Lenovo has yet to announce a refresh of the ThinkPad X1 Extreme.
The display comes in a few different configurations, but it's always a 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The base model is a Full HD+ panel, which is decent, but you can upgrade to a Quad HD+ panel with a 165Hz refresh rate or a 4K model that covers 100% of Adobe RGB. The Quad HD+ version is good if you want to do some gaming on the side, while the 4K model is perfect for content creators and creative professionals. The ThinkPad X1 Extreme also includes a 1080p webcam with Windows Hello support by default.
Design-wise, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme feels very much like a ThinkPad, only a bit chunkier. The high-end specs make this a bigger and heavier laptop, starting at 4.14 pounds, though it's not overly heavy considering what's packed inside it. As for ports, there's a good setup here, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB Type-A, HDMI, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader. 5G cellular connectivity is an option, but you'll be limited to an RTX 3050 Ti GPU that way.
While a refreshed model should be showing up in the next few months, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme is still the best laptop if you want high-end performance for content creation or gaming.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2
A semi-portable powerhouse
If you need an absolute powerhouse of a laptop, the ThinkPad P16 takes the cake. It's packing Intel Core HX-series processors, professional Nvidia RTX graphics, up to 128GB of RAM, and 8TB of storage. It comes in a very thick chassis, but it has a ton of ports.
- Features powerful 13th-generation Intel HX CPUs
- Has option for an OLED display
- Lots of ports
- It is very expensive
- Very heavy
If you want even more performance for more demanding tasks, a mobile workstation like the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is what you need.
This is an incredibly powerful laptop with 13th-generation Intel Core HX-series processors, with up to 16 cores and 24 threads. That's paired with Nvidia professional RTX graphics, up to an Nvidia RTX A5000, a super-powerful GPU for productivity, whether that's 3D rendering or AI. You can also configure this laptop with up to an insane 128GB of RAM and 8TB of SSD storage.
As the name suggests, the display on the ThinkPad P16 is a 16-inch panel, and it comes in a 16:10 aspect ratio. The base configuration is 1920x1200 resolution, but you can upgrade to a much sharper 2560x1600 resolution panel or choose a 3840x2400 resolution. You even have the option for a 3840x2400 resolution OLED panel with multi-touch support. As per usual, there's a 1080p webcam here with optional Windows Hello support.
Portability isn't really a priority here, so this laptop starts at 6.5 pounds of weight, and it's also very thick. Otherwise, it looks familiar to other ThinkPads, but with a more rounded base and some smaller tweaks, like a red line running across the rear. This thick chassis does have space for a lot of ports, including three USB Type-C ports (two with Thunderbolt 4), two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, an SD card reader, and a headphone jack. Cellular support is also available, though only 4G LTE and not 5G.
We've said it already, but this is a beastly laptop, and it can handle just about anything you throw at it. It's expensive and bulky, but if you want the ultimate mobile workstation, this is the best ThinkPad around.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3
Compact and lightweight design
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 is the best ThinkPad if portability is your main focus. It weighs under one kilogram, but it still has high-end specs and the classic ThinkPad design elements you'd expect.
- Extremely portable design
- 13th-gen Intel processors offer great performance
- Sharp display by default
- Limited ports
- A bit expensive
The entire point of a laptop is to be portable, and if you want the best ThinkPad laptop for that, then the X1 Nano Gen 3 is what you're looking for.
Similar to many other X1 models, the ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 comes with 13th-generation Intel Core processors, but only from the P series, up to a Core i7-1370P. That processor has 14 cores and 20 threads, and the laptop also comes with 16GB of RAM (that's the only configuration) and up to a 1TB SSD. A premium laptop all around, though some sacrifices have to be made for this thin and light design.
One of the notable aspects of the X1 Nano is the display, which is a 13.3-inch panel that comes in the 16:10 aspect ratio and a pretty sharp 2160x1350 resolution, which is the default configuration. That's very sharp, and it's great to have this sharp panel in every configuration, with the option to add touch support. It also has a 1080p webcam with Windows Hello support, with the option to use a MIPI-based webcam for higher image quality.
Portability is what this laptop is all about, and it shows. It measures just 14.4mm in thickness and weighs 2.13 pounds (for the non-touch models), making this an extremely portable laptop. Lenovo also put some effort into using more recycled materials, whether that's plastic or magnesium. Aside from that, though, it still looks and feels like a ThinkPad, so you're not sacrificing that classic design, or features like the TrackPoint. You do sacrifice some ports, however, as it only comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, so a docking station is likely required for a more static workstation.
While it comes with some limitations, the ThinkPad X1 Nano has become a mainstay in the ThinkPad family and a great choice for anyone who spends a lot of time traveling.
ThinkPad E14 Gen 5
A business laptop on the cheap
The ThinkPad E14 Gen 4 is an affordable business laptop that covers all the basic needs you might have, with modern Intel or AMD processors and the classic ThinkPad design. It comes in two color options, too.
- Solid performance with latest AMD or Intel CPUs
- Classic ThinkPad design in two color options
- Optional 1080p webcam and Windows Hello support
- Misses out on some higher-end configuration options
- Most of the best features are optional
We can't all afford the most premium designs and fancy features. Sometimes, we just need something reliable that gets the basics right at an affordable price. For those people, the Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 is probably the best option.
There are models powered by either 13th-generation Intel Core or AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors, and the AMD model is generally cheaper. That model starts with an AMD Ryzen 3 7330U, though there are some upgrade options available if you have the money. The base model also comes with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, with upgrade options up to 40GB and 1TB, respectively.
You can also see some of the cost-cutting measures in the 14-inch display, which is 1920x1200 resolution, without any upgrades beyond that, though there are options for better colors and a backlight. The webcam is only 720p in the base model, but the 1080p camera is more widely available, and you can even add Windows Hello support if you want to.
The design is exactly what you'd expect, though this laptop lets you choose between Thunder Black or Storm Grey color options. Portability isn't a major priority at this price, and the laptop weighs 3.5 pounds, but it's still portable enough. As for ports, it comes with one USB-C port (which supports Thunderbolt on the Intel model), two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, RJ4 Ethernet, and a headphone jack, making for a solid setup overall. The big downside is you can't add cellular connectivity.
It may not be on the level of the most expensive ThinkPads, but the ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 is one of the best options around if you want a business laptop on the cheap.
Best Lenovo ThinkPads in 2023: Bottom line
Whether you want the most classic ThinkPad experience or something a little more modern or powerful, Lenovo has grown the ThinkPad portfolio to include something for almost anyone. We couldn't choose anything other than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 for the top spot, seeing as it's the most iconic member of the family for a reason. It has top-notch performance, lots of configuration options (including a stunning OLED display), and the classic ThinkPad design in a very thin and light package.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 builds on its predecessor with newer and more powerful 13th-gen Intel processors. It still has the iconic ThinkPad design and a lightweight build, plus it comes with options for 64GB of RAM and an OLED display.
Of course, not everyone has the money for that, so if you want something more affordable, the Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 is still a great business laptop that costs a lot less. The base model offers the bare minimum of what you need, but since it's so cheap, you can also choose the upgrades you need to have the ideal experience while saving some money.
Not interested in Lenovo's offerings? Check out our lists of the best HP laptops and the best Dell laptops to see if something suits your taste a bit better.