LENOVO X1 CARBON ASUS ZENBOOK 3

Solid contender Back in business

What is it? It’s a Thinkpad and draws on a proud tradition of raw power, over-engineering and phenomenal typing experience (thanks to the award- winning scissors lift key switch). Lenovo bought the brand from IBM in 2005 and only improved on the idea of a portable solution that didn’t compromise too much on desktop power and ergonomics. I was sent the 3rd generation 14-inch X1 Carbon for review, which lacks the 180° screen articulation and touch fingerprint sensor of the latest X1 Yoga, but retains the carbon fibre construction and extreme temperature tolerances. Thinkpads were the first laptops certified for use on the ISS, so it’s kind of a big deal.

What’s bad about it? For something this expensive and supposedly class-leading, integrated Intel graphics are a let-down. I know the ultimate ultrabook is targeted at business executives, but it would be nice to be able to seamlessly edit 4K video. A lack of SD card reader is also almost criminal, but remedied with two USB 3.0 ports. Battery life should really be better than the average 6 hours I was getting.

What’s good about it? It’s a Thinkpad. The screen isn’t the AMOLED touch panel of the latest X1 Yoga, but it’s plenty sharp and detailed and, importantly, touch enabled. Windows device trackpads don’t get much better than this, even though it won’t win any beauty contests.

Bottom line: All Lenovo needed to do was run the Dell XPS 13 close and it achieved that with the X1 Carbon. Windows 10 works great with a touchscreen and fingerprint scanner, which this device has, so you’re future-proof for at least two years. Marking down this device for not having the latest iterations of the Intel Core i7 and 16 GB RAM is unfair because there’s a new flagship on the market. As a rugged workhorse, you can’t do better. - LS What is it? The Windows equivalent of Apples Macbook, with all the same drawbacks but a few key advantages. The 12,5-inch device isn’t touch-enabled, but there isn’t much you can squeeze inside an 11,9 mm (when closed) body. It’s light, too, weighing in at only 900 grams. This test unit is the flagship Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM model with the 1 TB solid-state drive, fingerprint sensor and solitary Thunderbolt 3/USB type- C port.

What’s bad about it? I’m not yet convinced that dongle life is the kind I want to live. With the current absence of USB type-c or Thunderbolt 3 external drives and peripherals, I’m not comfortable with the idea of using an accessory for an accessory. All blame should be laid squarely at the feet of the Apple overlords and their user-hostile nature: Asus has long proved to be the master of Macbook mimicry. The fingerprint sensor registered false touches when closed.

What’s good about it? This is the fastest laptop I have ever tested. Boot speeds, data transfer and data capture were all far beyond my expectation. It’s also a stunning design. Not as outlandish as HP’S Spectre, but just enough sheen to stand out.

Bottom line: I’m very happy that Asus abandoned the Core M approach it took with the Zenbook 2 and decided rather to give its flagship device all the power. I’m still puzzled about how the company manages to keep the i7 from going supernova in such confined spaces. I’m less happy that a Windows laptop manufacturer decided to go single port. I really don’t understand how companies gain by offering a new connector without an accompanying suite of compatible accessories. This laptop brings a lot to the table and is expensive. Only early adopters need apply. - LS