8.3 / 10
SCORE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition $2,474 at Lenovo Pros Exceptionally lightweight yet sturdy build
Lengthy battery life
Stellar 2.8K OLED display
Best-in-class ThinkPad keyboard Cons Upgrades are pricey, particularly the OLED display
Aura Edition features aren't likely to be of any interest or use
1080p webcam is disappointing given the price
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is Lenovo's flagship business ultraportable, and with the 13th generation, Lenovo has made strides in two key areas: system weight and battery life. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 is significantly lighter than last year's model and offers more than twice the battery time. And despite the appreciable decrease in weight, the X1 Carbon Gen 13 looks and feels nearly identical to previous models, serving up the familiar ThinkPad look with an exceptional keyboard and the twin input devices of the venerable pointing stick and more commonly used touchpad.
For 2025, Lenovo also slapped an Aura Edition label on the X1 Carbon to show off its partnership with Intel for a few added "smart" features, the most useful being an Apple AirDrop-like ability to share files and photos between your phone and the laptop. I can take or leave the Aura Edition add-ons, and I'm glad that they didn't result in an overhaul of the X1 Carbon's design. I commend Lenovo on its adherence to the traditional ThinkPad DNA. Even in its 13th year, there's no mistaking the X1 Carbon for a run-of-the-mill ThinkPad.
Judging by its price, there's also no mistaking the X1 Carbon as the top dog in Lenovo's ThinkPad lineup. It starts at a reasonable $1,655, but the price can quickly escalate. With only a few upgrades, my test model costs $2,474, making it a fit for only the most well-heeled business execs. As much as I like the X1 Carbon Gen 13, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i remains my pick for the best business laptop because it can regularly be found for hundreds less for roughly the same configuration.
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