Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (4th Gen) review
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (4th Gen) — from 2015, 1.2 kg, performance 20.
Technical specifications
| Type | Business |
| Release year | 2015 |
| Screen | 14" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 6300U |
| Max. RAM | 32 GB |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Battery | 52 Wh |
Performance scores
A 2015 X1 Carbon that sells the weight, not the silicon
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 4th Gen (2015) remains what it always was — one of the lightest serious business machines ever built. At $175 with an Intel Core i5 6300U and 32GB of RAM, it sits well below the business-class median of about $297. The verdict's top strength is the 1.2kg chassis against a 1.6kg class median; the top weakness is graphics, with no discrete card on file.
1.2 kilograms of genuine ultralight heritage
Even a decade later, 1.2kg is a competitive weight — lighter than most current 14-inch business machines. The X1 Carbon line was engineered around that number, and it shows in the rigidity and the keyboard despite the thin platform. With 32GB of RAM fitted (double what this generation shipped with), the machine remains comfortable for browsing, documents and everyday office work. This is a carry-first computer.
Basic-band compute, low reliability
The honest costs: a CPU score of 21.54 against a class median of 52.97 (basic band) and a reliability index of 12 against 42.5. Graphics are integrated-only with no capability flags on file. The X1 Carbon 4th Gen is bought for the carrying experience and the keyboard — buyers should expect modest speed, plan for gentle use, and inspect battery condition before committing.
The depreciation floor is near
From a $1300 base the machine has eased to $175, about 6.86% per year, with a projected $152 in two years. Little absolute value remains to lose.
Business-class neighbors
Pricier options include the HP ProBook 640 G3 ($195) and ProBook 450 G3 ($195); cheaper ones include the HP 250 G6 ($152) and 250 G7 ($154). Neither cheaper alternative offers the X1's weight or keyboard; the premium over them buys exactly that.
Bottom line
The X1 Carbon 4th Gen at $175 is an ultralight for people who carry a laptop all day and mostly type. Weight (1.2kg) and the upgraded 32GB of RAM are the assets; basic-band CPU, absent graphics capability and low reliability (12) are the honest costs. Judge it as a featherweight typist, not a performance machine.
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⭐ What stands out
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graphics performance absent (no data or feature not provided).
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reliability is lower than typical business class (+71.8%) (low tier).
budget segment of category -
CPU performance is lower than typical business class (+59.3%) (basic tier).
budget segment of category
🔁 Alternatives
Compromise axis: reliability ↔ price
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration is built for office apps, web browsing, and basic daily tasks.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 42.5) ↔ price (median 297.4).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 60) ↔ overall performance (median 41.5).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 62.5) ↔ battery life (median 3.3).
ThinkPad X1 Carbon (4th Gen): verdict
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