Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition is a premium ultraportable built for business users who demand portability, durability, and long battery life. The device delivers on these fronts, offering competitive performance in a sleek, aluminum chassis with the added flexibility of a convertible design. However, the base model’s display significantly undercuts the overall experience, making it hard to recommend without considering a costly upgrade.
Build Quality and Performance
The ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 is a well-engineered machine. The construction is robust, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of daily use. The review unit, equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor and 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, provides responsive performance for typical office workloads and multitasking. While it lacks a dedicated GPU, the integrated Intel Arc graphics handle basic tasks and even some light gaming adequately.
Key takeaway: The laptop is fast enough for most business applications, but it isn’t designed for demanding graphical workloads.
The Display: A Major Weakness
The primary drawback of the base model is its 1,920×1,200 IPS display. Color accuracy and brightness are subpar, making it unsuitable for color-sensitive work or use in bright environments. Lenovo offers a 2.8K OLED upgrade for an additional $215, which should be considered essential given the machine’s already high starting price of around $1,886.
Why this matters: In a premium business laptop, the display is a critical component. A poor display detracts from productivity and overall user experience. The fact that Lenovo doesn’t include a better panel by default is a significant oversight.
Alternatives and Pricing
At its current price, the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 is expensive. The HP EliteBook Ultra G1i, which includes a superior 2.8K OLED display, can be found for less than $1,799. If two-in-one functionality isn’t a priority, Lenovo’s own ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition offers similar performance without the convertible hinge, also at a lower cost.
Consider this: The ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10’s pricing puts it in direct competition with alternatives offering better value.
Battery Life and Design
Despite the display issues, the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 excels in battery endurance. It lasts nearly 18 hours during video playback, making it ideal for travel and extended work sessions. The design is understated but refined, with a slim profile (0.31–0.64 inches) and a weight under 3 pounds. The keyboard is comfortable, and the inclusion of the iconic TrackPoint (red nub) and dedicated buttons provides additional navigation options.
The details matter: Lenovo has paid attention to ergonomics and build quality, making this laptop pleasant to use despite its shortcomings.
Software and AI Features
Lenovo includes several proprietary AI-powered features under the Aura Edition banner, such as Wellness Mode, Attention Mode, and Collaboration Mode. These tools aim to enhance productivity and well-being, but they are not intrusive or overly marketed, which is a welcome approach.
Final Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition is a capable business laptop hampered by its disappointing base display. While the build quality, performance, and battery life are commendable, the lackluster screen significantly diminishes the overall value. If you’re willing to spend extra on the OLED upgrade, it becomes a more compelling option. Otherwise, explore alternatives that offer better displays at a comparable price point.
