ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 · 16GB
Core i7-1355U · 16GB · 2023
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB
Core Ultra 7 · 16GB · 2024
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
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| 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
- +Current-gen silicon
- +Competitive spec-for-dollar
- +Manufacturer warranty
- −Battery varies by config
- −Some SKUs heavy
- −RAM often soldered
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 · 16GB
- +Current-gen silicon
- +Competitive spec-for-dollar
- +Manufacturer warranty
- −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.