Is the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 still worth buying?

It suits office, email and travel work well thanks to its light build, 16 GB RAM and built-in LTE. If you need strong processing power or long battery life, a newer generation is a better fit.

How does it compare with the Gen 10 or Gen 11?

Newer generations move to 12th- and 13th-gen Intel chips with better performance and battery life. The Gen 9 keeps the same light design and keyboard but is slower and older.

Can I upgrade the RAM or storage?

The RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded. The SSD can be replaced, so storage can be expanded after purchase.

Yes, this configuration includes a 4G LTE modem alongside Wi-Fi 6 and NFC, so it can connect to mobile networks with a SIM.

The laptop and its power adapter. A SIM card for the LTE modem is not included.

Is the screen good for photo or video editing?

The 1920 x 1200 IPS panel is fine for documents and web work, but its average brightness and color coverage make it a weak choice for color-critical editing.

What do buyers say about the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 20XW Ultrabook?

Rated 5 out of 5 from 73,183 ratings.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 20XW Ultrabook

Best price now

$2,829.00at MAVROLERTChecked Nov 13

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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 20XW Ultrabook

Best price now

$2,829.00at MAVROLERTChecked Nov 13

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit MAVROLERT

Lenovo discount codes →

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Price facts

Last seen at $2,829.00 at MAVROLERT on Nov 13.

Our take on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 20XW Ultrabook

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 is Lenovo's 14-inch business ultrabook, built around an 11th-gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 with Iris Xe graphics, 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. Its 14-inch IPS screen runs at 1920 x 1200, a taller 16:10 shape that shows more of a document or spreadsheet than the older 16:9 panels. It adds Wi-Fi 6, NFC and built-in 4G LTE, so it stays online away from Wi-Fi. Against newer X1 Carbon generations it gives up some processor speed and battery life, but it keeps the light carbon-fiber build, the keyboard and the ports that make the line popular with business buyers.

Best forBusiness travelers who need built-in 4G LTEFrequent typists who want a light 14-inch laptopOffice and study work in documents, email and spreadsheets

Pros

Light carbon-fiber chassis for a 14-inch laptop
16:10 1920 x 1200 IPS screen shows more vertical content
16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD handle everyday multitasking
Wi-Fi 6, NFC and 4G LTE built in
Widely praised ThinkPad keyboard and pointing stick

Cons

11th-gen Core i5 is older and slower than current chips
Iris Xe graphics are weak for gaming or heavy editing
1200p panel is dimmer and less sharp than OLED options
Older generation means shorter remaining battery life

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 20XW Ultrabook prices at every store

MAVROLERTNew
In stockShips from Portugal · duties may applyReturn policy
$2,829.00Checked Nov 13
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What reviewers say

5 / 573,183 ratings

Owners rate the X1 Carbon Gen 9 highly, mostly for its light build, comfortable keyboard and reliable business features. Complaints center on the modest processor and the screen, which is fine for office work but not vivid.

What people mention

BuildPraisedOwners say the carbon-fiber body feels sturdy yet light enough to carry all day.
KeyboardPraisedTypists call the keyboard comfortable and quiet for long work sessions.
PerformanceMixedThe Core i5 handles office tasks well but feels slow for heavy multitasking or creative work.
DisplayMixedThe 16:10 shape is liked, but brightness and color are seen as average.
ConnectivityPraisedBuilt-in 4G LTE and Wi-Fi 6 are valued by people who work away from Wi-Fi.
Fan noiseCriticisedSome owners report the fans becoming audible under sustained load.

About the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 20XW Ultrabook

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW) is an ultrabook with a 14-inch IPS display at 1920 x 1200 resolution. It is powered by an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor running at 2.4 GHz, with Intel Iris Xe Graphics.

It has 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD with TCG Opal encryption. It runs Windows 11 Pro. For connectivity, it offers Wi-Fi 6, NFC and 4G LTE. The keyboard layout is Portuguese, and the finish is black.

Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7, 2.4 GHz
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 512 GB SSD with TCG Opal encryption
Display: 14" IPS, 1920 x 1200
Operating system: Windows 11 Pro
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, NFC, 4G LTE
Keyboard: Portuguese layout
Color: Black
Type: Ultrabook

Questions and answers

Is the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 still worth buying?: It suits office, email and travel work well thanks to its light build, 16 GB RAM and built-in LTE. If you need strong processing power or long battery life, a newer generation is a better fit.
How does it compare with the Gen 10 or Gen 11?: Newer generations move to 12th- and 13th-gen Intel chips with better performance and battery life. The Gen 9 keeps the same light design and keyboard but is slower and older.
Can I upgrade the RAM or storage?: The RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded. The SSD can be replaced, so storage can be expanded after purchase.
Does it have 4G LTE?: Yes, this configuration includes a 4G LTE modem alongside Wi-Fi 6 and NFC, so it can connect to mobile networks with a SIM.
What is in the box?: The laptop and its power adapter. A SIM card for the LTE modem is not included.
Is the screen good for photo or video editing?: The 1920 x 1200 IPS panel is fine for documents and web work, but its average brightness and color coverage make it a weak choice for color-critical editing.
Where is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 20XW Ultrabook cheapest?: At MAVROLERT, for $2,829.00, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 20XW Ultrabook?: Rated 5 out of 5 from 73,183 ratings.