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Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH business laptop review
9:35 am | August 24, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

There's something very pleasing about Lenovo's ThinkBook line-up - a series aimed at prosumers - and the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH fits well within that space. 

From the ThinkBooks we've reviewed, they're not quite up there with the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops, but they're leaps and bounds ahead of the company's consumer devices. ThinkBooks are famed for offering good power and cost, filling the gap between a machine for casual web browsing and the best business laptops

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is a beautiful example of just how good the range can be. First, it's ultra-portable, only made more notable by its 13-inch, 3:2 screen. Second, it's crazy powerful, partly due to the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H 2.3 GHz processor and partially because of the 32GB of RAM. Regardless of the reasoning, this laptop is impressive all around.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 IMH

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

If I had to pick a downside, it would be the lack of ports. However, it is becoming increasingly common to have only a couple of Thunderbolt ports on a laptop and call it good, especially in something as thin as the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4. Gratefully, unlike even the best MacBook Pro laptops, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH puts one Thunderbolt port on either side of the laptop rather than both on the left side as Apple does.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 IMH

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: Unboxing & first impressions

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is very well packaged in minimalist packaging, emphasizing its premium computer status from the beginning. The laptop's dual-tone Luna Gray aluminum body immediately caught my eye, and then, as fast as it caught my eye, my eyes jumped to the Magic Bay area -- more on that later. 

I kept unboxing, and when I lifted the computer from the box, I was shocked and thrilled with just how lightweight the ThinkBook was. And it's easy to carry as it's smooth and doesn't feel bulky or rough. It's a beautiful machine with premium materials and an excellent design.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 IMH

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: Design and Build Quality

Specs

as tested

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
Graphics: Integrated Intel Arc Graphics
RAM: 32GB
Screen: 13.5-inch IPS, 2880 x 1920 pixels, 500 nits, 100% sRGB
Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Ports: 3 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1 x Headphone / Microphone combo jack (3.5mm), Connector for accessories, E-shutter switch
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Camera: 1080p IR camera with Windows Hello, AI features (auto-framing, background blur)
Audio: Four Harman Kardon speakers, Dolby Atmos support
Battery: All-day battery life, up to 24 hours
Dimensions: 0.5 x 11.6 x 8.1 inches (H x W x D)
Weight: 2.7 pounds (1.22 kg)
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Additional Features: Power button with fingerprint reader, Magic Bay Light accessory for video calls

The fourh-generation ThinkBook 13x is a masterclass in modern laptop design. It's clean, simple, elegant, professional, and yet exciting and exciting. It has a 13.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio framed by ultra-thin bezels. Thanks to the aspect ratio, the taller screen gives more room for productivity tasks than the more common 16:9 aspect ratio. Despite its compact size and lightweight overall package, this laptop still feels premium, solid, and ultra-powerful.

The display boasts a 2880x1920 resolution, producing sharp and vibrant colors and text. So far, color accuracy has been great when using this laptop. I've enjoyed the beautiful display on this computer for a couple of weeks now, and in that time, the refresh rate has been smooth, the colors have been stunning, the text has been crisp, and the brightness has been pretty good.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 IMH

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The speakers were also surprising, especially for how thin the laptop is. Four Harman Kardon speakers within the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 are decently loud and relatively clean audio until you get to max volumes. For virtual meetings, I was able to hear the other people clearly, and music for quick videos or voicemails or anything like that is just fine on these speakers, However, as an amateur audiophile with a background in music performance, I'll stick to my high-end headphones for listening to music. For others who may care less about the specific quality of the music, these speakers will be plenty.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: In use

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor with an Intel Arc integrated graphics card. So far, even with heavy business use, I have yet to reach the limit. With high-end video editing, you could make this beast of a business machine begin to breathe a bit harder, but with my day-to-day work on it, I have not noticed any slowdowns, nor have I noticed long loading times or processing times. This laptop will be more than sufficient for most users for office work, business work, online work, and so on.

The laptop’s standout feature, the Magic Bay Light, magnetically attaches to the screen, utilizing the Magic Bay previously mentioned, and significantly improves visibility during video calls in low-light environments. It is a perfectly placed soft light to help light you as the subject for a virtual meeting. The 1080p IR webcam supports Windows Hello, and its AI features, like background blur and auto-framing, enhance video calls further, making this a fantastic computer for remote workers with many virtual meetings.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 IMH

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The keyboard, however, was not my favorite, though it was excellent. I expected the typing experience to be better. The trackpad/touchpad had a slightly odd click if you choose to click in rather than tap, but I am also used to the gold standard of trackpads with a MacBook, so it is my preference.

Lenovo claims the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 has the largest battery of any 13-inch laptop and delivers impressive all-day battery life. In testing, the laptop lasted well over 10 hours on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for users who need a reliable device for extended work sessions.

Given how light it is, I have genuinely forgotten that this laptop is in my bag day to day. I'll pick up my backpack for the day and double-check that I have my laptop of choice loaded up. I love not worrying about sitting near an outlet or having my portable batteries charged up for an all-day workday outside my home office. The overall usage and power have been fantastic, and the form factor has been excellent for my daily laptop.

Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is a stylish and capable ultraportable that will appeal to business users who prioritize design and portability. However, its high price and lack of some ports might make it less attractive compared to other ultraportables that offer better port offerings. If you are okay with only having Thunderbolt ports, this laptop is an absolutely fantastic option for most people, especially business professionals looking for a great all-around laptop.


Need more power for productivity? We reviewed the best mobile workstations.

Flexispot E7 Plus standing desk review
6:18 pm | June 24, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: | Comments: Off

The Flexispot E7 Plus standing desk is another spin the company's popular Flexispot E7 - a product so good we still consider it the best standing desk we've tested. 

The E7 Plus is a slightly beefed-up model of the E7 Pro, which is a bump up from the E7 - for more specs, check out our Flexispot E7 review and our Flexispot E7 Pro review

With the Flexispot E7 Plus, all the parts we know and love are still there, and all the features and abilities still reside within the E7 Plus. The only difference is that it can hold more, stand taller, and have a different leg shape.

Flexispot E7 Plus

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Flexispot E7 Plus: Unboxing & first impressions

Unboxing the E7 Plus reminded me of a lot of unboxing the other E7 series desks, but it also reminded me a lot of the unboxing of the E7Q - for more on that, see our Flexispot E7Q (Odin) review. Primarily, this was due to the pure weight and leg shape tucked into this box. This desk took me about 33 minutes to fully assemble, from unboxing to set up, and then another few hours (I wish I were kidding) to perfect my home office. It took a lot of rearranging, changing setups, cable management, wiring, and lighting, and I'm still working on it.

Flexispot E7 Plus

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Flexispot included all the necessary tools, cables, and hardware to make assembly a breeze. I chose the Solid wood texture tabletop because I love the black walnut color, which matches my E7 Pro as my main desk in one of my workspaces. Since I had the space (though barely, I probably should have measured again or planned out my space better before choosing the size), I opted for the largest desktop at 72x30 inches.

All of the components for this desk are high quality, easy to assemble, and easy to maneuver. The desk was already pre-drilled in areas, making assembly much more straightforward. I chose to add a cable tray and one of Flexispot's power strips on the underside of the desk to help with clean cable management and, of course, give me places to plug gear into. These items had no pre-drilling marks, so I measured where I wanted them to go and drilled away.

Flexispot E7 Plus

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Once I pushed this desk into place, I noticed the color was only slightly off from my E7 Pro. However, it was pretty close and only noticeable in bright, direct light, which I (sadly) do not have in my dungeon of a basement home office lit entirely by warm, white, intelligent lights with a touch of RGB for photos.

Flexispot E7 Plus: Design & build quality

Specs

Dimensions: Adjustable width from 38.9” to 62.6”

Height Range: 26” to 51.6”

Weight Capacity: 540 lbs static, 440 lbs lifting

Adjustment Mechanism: Dual-motor lift system

Material: Industrial-grade steel frame, various desktop options (solid wood, bamboo, chipboard)

Additional Features: Programmable height presets, anti-collision system, USB charging port

Flexispot utilizes industrial-grade steel for the frame of their E7 Plus, offering impeccable stability and durability, even when extended at max height. I could ride this desk up and down while holding my children without fear of failure, wobble, or collapse. These tables are also quite durable. Yes, because I am incredibly obsessive about my gear, I use a coaster for nearly every drink I have; however, the few times my *ahem* children have left drinks on my desk without my knowledge, I could wipe off any condensation rings without any damage.

Flexispot offers a range of desktop sizes and materials for the E7 Plus. The desktop options include solid wood, bamboo, and chipboard, all catering to different preferences and budgets. Flexispot also offers black or white legs to help aesthetically match your space.

The four-leg support system ensures stability, even with heavy loads and during height adjustments. The optional cable management system effectively keeps your workspace neat and organized. This cable tray also helps tuck cables away so that there are fewer wires hanging down when standing.

Flexispot E7 Plus: In use

Using the E7 Plus has been excellent. I've had this at my primary workstation, utilizing this portion for monitor testing, laptop testing, peripheral testing, and so on for a few months now. Jumping from sitting to standing is a breeze. The dual-motor system makes height adjustments smooth, quiet, and quick. Flexispot notes that these adjustments are made at under 50dB, which is quiet overall. The desk remains stable at all heights, preventing wobbling during typing or other activities. I can place a new monitor for testing on the desk and move it around without worrying about something else wobbling and falling off. I can also type fairly aggressively without noticing any monitor or desk wiggle. 

Flexispot E7 Plus

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The E7 Plus is equipped with Flexispot's Premier Keypad, which features four memory presets that allow effortless switching between sitting and standing positions. The presets are super helpful for multiple users, but even with it being my desk in my office, I have found use for all four presets pretty quickly. I have a seated height, a standing height, and a max height, so I can plug in the new gear and adjust the cables more efficiently, and I have another height that is perfect for taking photos of the gear I am testing at that time. 

The Premier Keypad also includes a built-in USB-A charging port. Though it is relatively slow charging, the convenience of having that port up front and hidden in plain sight is excellent. I frequently use this to top off keyboards or mice, to charge a camera light, or something with a smaller battery and wattage demand. 

Flexispot E7 Plus

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The desk’s high weight capacity supports my full desk setup with my Grovemade Desk Shelves, multiple monitors, a fleet of laptops, and other office equipment without compromising stability.

Flexispot E7 Plus: Final verdict

The Flexispot E7 Plus is an exceptional standing desk that takes what is fantastic and loved about the E7 and E7 Pro and hefts it up a bit. Its robust design and high weight capacity make it ideal for professionals who demand reliability and versatility from their workspace. Despite the higher price, the E7 Plus offers excellent value through its durability and comprehensive features, making it a top recommendation for anyone in need of a premium standing desk that can handle some weight.


For more top-rated office furniture, we reviewed the best office chairs, the best office desks, and the best standing desk mats.