Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (2nd Gen) Review: A Nimble, Business-Class Convertible

The base configuration ships with Windows 10 Home 64-bit, though Lenovo upgraded our review model with the Pro build of Windows 10. It also has hardware dTPM (Discrete Trusted Platform Module) for security and is infused with Intel vPro technology.


For this year's ThinkPad X1 Tablet, every model comes with Microsoft's Windows 10 Signature Edition, which is marketing jargon for a clean desktop. There are no pre-installed toolbars, third-party utilities, or other cruft that OEM system builders are known to pre-load on systems to make a few bucks. This approach not only helps performance since there aren't a bunch of startup apps hogging resources, but it also makes it easier for IT departments to deploy these systems to end users.

The panel is a 2K resolution display. Lenovo balloons the icons to 150 percent through Windows prior to shipping, though you can adjust this to whatever suits your preference.


While you will not find a bunch of third-party utilities and trialware scattered about, Lenovo does include some of its own software, including its Companion app. This provides a handy front-end for updating drivers and software, ensuring you have the latest firmware installed, getting warranty information, and so forth. You can also use the Companion app to check on the ThinkPad X1 Tablet's health status, look up support, and to keep abreast of special promotions and deals through Lenovo.


Lenovo also includes a utility for controlling its optional Presenter add-on module. There isn't anything you can do with it without the module installed, but it also does not load at startup, so it is not taking up any system resources at boot (other than the few bits of storage space).

Camera

Lenovo equipped the ThinkPad X1 Tablet with a 2-megapixel camera on the front for video calls and, when the urge arises, taking selfies. There is also an 8-megapixel camera on the rear.

Here are a couple of shots taken with the front camera:


The camera performance here is actually quite good for a tablet. As always, lighting is key and we can see much better results outside where there is ample sunlight—enough to put into focus those pesky gray hairs. Performance indoors is not too shabby either, though you'll want to make sure to avoid any glare, as it can get exaggerated in photos.

Let's have a look at the rear camera performance:


The rear camera is also pretty adept at taking photos in lower light situations, as can be seen in the top two shots. There is a slight bit of pop and not nearly as much graininess as we have seen with lower quality cameras.

When switching to outside lighting, the ThinkPad X1 Tablet does an overall good job at capturing colors, though you will need to put some effort into getting nicer shots. In the bottom right picture, notice how the clouds seem a bit overexposed. It does not ruin the image, though it is an example of how fiddling with the settings and playing with angles in certain lighting can lead to better looking photos.