Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Review: Compact and Durable

Editor note: This review is an original English adaptation prepared by Notebook Center from the source material published on Notebook-Center.ru.

Overview

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 1 is aimed at users who need a highly portable business laptop without giving up build quality. This 13-inch model weighs 939 g and uses a compact 293 x 208 x 14 mm chassis made from magnesium alloy and carbon fiber materials. The tested configuration includes an Intel Core i5-1130G7 processor, 16 GB LPDDR4x memory, a 1 TB SSD, and a 2160 x 1350 matte IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio.

Technical Specifications

Design and Build

The chassis follows the typical ThinkPad style: minimal design, black finish, and a strong focus on function. Build quality is a key strength for this model, with good rigidity and no serious flex in normal use. The lid is thin but remains stable, and the hinge allows one-hand opening with up to 180 degrees of movement. The main compromise is upgradeability, because RAM and Wi-Fi are soldered to the motherboard.

Display, Audio, and Webcam

The 13-inch IPS panel combines high resolution with a practical 16:10 format for productivity work. The review data reports up to 450 nits brightness, around 1700:1 contrast, and full sRGB coverage, which makes the screen suitable for office tasks and basic color-sensitive work. The matte surface helps reduce reflections. Audio is handled by a four-speaker Dolby Atmos setup and is good for calls and media in a compact laptop. The 720p IR webcam supports face login and includes a physical shutter.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The spill-resistant island keyboard includes white backlighting and the classic ThinkPad pointing stick. Key feedback is clear, but the 1.35 mm key travel may feel short for some users. The touchpad is responsive and smooth, with dedicated buttons above it for TrackPoint control. A fingerprint reader is also available for quick sign-in.

Performance

With the Intel Core i5-1130G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7, 16 GB RAM, and a 1 TB SSD, this configuration is tuned for business and everyday productivity. It handles multitasking, office applications, web workloads, and light creative tools well. The integrated graphics are also suitable for less demanding games and casual GPU tasks, but this is not a gaming-first machine.

Ports, Wireless, and Battery

Physical connectivity is limited: two USB Type-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports and a combo audio jack, plus a Nano-SIM slot. Wireless options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and 4G LTE. Battery capacity is 48 Wh, with the source test indicating around 10 hours of web use at 150 nits and about 13 hours of video playback. The laptop also supports fast charging up to 80% in 60 minutes. Under sustained load, the measured noise level reaches about 37 dB, while surface temperatures stay noticeable but generally controlled for this class.

Verdict

The ThinkPad X1 Nano is built for professionals who prioritize mobility and dependable build quality. Its main strengths are very low weight, a strong and compact chassis, and a bright high-resolution matte display. The main compromises are limited ports, short key travel for some typing preferences, and minimal upgrade options. For frequent travel and daily business workflows, it is a practical ultralight choice.