Lenovo introduces three new devices with the Intel Evo label. In other words: The notebooks meet premium standards, but are primarily characterized by the new Intel CPUs inside.

Lenovo announces three new laptops: the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 and the IdeaPad Pro 5i. Lenovo visited Intel for the three devices, both for one Intel EvoSticker like for a brand new processor on the inside. These Lenovo laptops contain the first generation of Intel Core Ultra processors. Core Ultra, as we’ve described, follows Core i, but contrary to what Intel would have you believe, it’s an evolution of last year’s Raptor Lake, and certainly not a revolution.

The AI ​​hype train obscures useful innovations

Lenovo is enthusiastically jumping on the AI ​​hype bandwagon from conductor Intel and is talking about an AI PC revolution. This means little, except that the new chips (just like those from AMD) have a Neural Processing Unit (NPU or AI accelerator) on board.

Then what can accelerate it? Not as much. Intel speaks of a total of almost 300 functions, spread across various applications that are primarily aimed at creative professionals. Some options will reach a wider audience: for example, the Intel chip will speed up background blur in Zoom. For the business traveler who is constantly unplugged and on Zoom calls with such a blurry background, this can be an advantage. Microsoft Copilot would also benefit from the NPU, although its intelligence currently resides primarily in the cloud.

There are actually important innovations behind the seemingly obligatory but currently rather meaningless AI hype. For example, Intel’s new processors are being built with the Intel 4 node for the first time, resulting in smaller transistors and therefore more efficient chips. In theory, the new Intel CPUs make these Lenovo laptops faster and more efficient than ever. The chips also promise significant added value on the graphics side.

ThinkPad X1

The Lenovo ThinkPad: $2,989. The ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9 won’t be available until March and will cost at least $2,639.

Both devices can be configured with an Intel Core Ultra CPU and up to 64 GB LPDDR5 RAM. Graphically, you can look forward to the built-in Intel Arc GPU, which immediately means that you can opt for the heavier 28 watt Core Ultra CPUs. For storage, you get a maximum of a 2 TB PCIe (Gen 4) NVMe SSD. Lenovo has given the devices a 14-inch screen with a maximum of 2.8K resolution and OLED technology. Noticeable: The WiFi 7 standard has not yet been determined, but it is already supported by these devices.

IdeaPad Pro 5i

The IdeaPad Pro 5i is available in a 16-inch and a 14-inch version. These devices should be available quickly, but here too we have to rely on the dollar price for now: 1,149.99 for the cheapest 16-inch model, to be precise.

You can configure the laptops with a maximum of an Intel Core Ultra 9 and 32 GB LPDDR5X RAM. The PCIe 4 NVMe SSD has a maximum storage capacity of 1TB. With the right processor you get access to the Intel Arc graphics on the chip, but if you want more you can also configure these laptops with an Nvidia RTX 4050. You can equip the 16-inch laptop with a maximum of 2 screens with 5K resolution, with the 14-inch version up to 2.8K is possible. OLED is available for both variants.