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ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB — Core i7-1355U · 16GB · 2023
Lenovo

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB

Core i7-1355U · 16GB · 2023

84
/ 100
From $1,899
VS
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB wins by 4
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB — Core Ultra 7 · 16GB · 2024
Lenovo

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB

Core Ultra 7 · 16GB · 2024

88
/ 100
From $1,999
Specdex verdict

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB lands at 84 and ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB at 88. That puts ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB if…

  • ✓Current-gen silicon
  • ✓Competitive spec-for-dollar
  • ✓Manufacturer warranty

Pick ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB if…

  • ✓Current-gen silicon
  • ✓Competitive spec-for-dollar
  • ✓Manufacturer warranty
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Performance

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB

CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB leads on cpu (88 vs 84).

Battery life

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB

Unplugged endurance for travel and campus

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB leads on battery (78 vs 74).

Portability

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB

Weight, size, and carry-everywhere comfort

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB leads on portability (91 vs 87).

Display

Tie

Panel quality for creative and media work

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB 84
vs
88 ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB

Score breakdown

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB
84
cpu 84
gpu 79
display 86
battery 74
portability 91
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB
88
cpu 88
gpu 83
display 86
battery 78
portability 87

Specs side-by-side

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB versus ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB — full spec comparison
Spec ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB
CPU
Core i7-1355U
Core Ultra 7
RAM
16GB
16GB
Release year
2023
2024

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB

Pros
  • +Current-gen silicon
  • +Competitive spec-for-dollar
  • +Manufacturer warranty
Cons
  • −Battery varies by config
  • −Some SKUs heavy
  • −RAM often soldered

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB

Pros
  • +Current-gen silicon
  • +Competitive spec-for-dollar
  • +Manufacturer warranty
Cons
  • −Battery varies by config
  • −Some SKUs heavy
  • −RAM often soldered

FAQ: ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB vs ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB

Which is better, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB or ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB? +

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB worth the price? +

At $1,899, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in portability.

Is ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB worth the price? +

At $1,999, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in cpu.

Does ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB or ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for performance, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB or ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB? +

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB — leads on cpu (88 vs 84). CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work.

Which is better for battery life, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB or ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB? +

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB — leads on battery (78 vs 74). Unplugged endurance for travel and campus.