Lenovo’s ThinkPad model is the go-to decide if you would like an enormous fleet of company laptops that may take a beating. But as they’ve turn into sleeker and extra trendy, they’ve additionally adopted a whole lot of the trimmings of these trendy designs, together with extra restrictive internals and fewer choices for upgrading after buy. With the newest refresh of the much-loved T sequence, Lenovo received slightly assist from some consultants on easy methods to make a contemporary laptop computer that retains your choices open. A brand new X sequence removable and ThinkBook convertible spherical out at present’s new bulletins.

ThinkPad T14, T14i, and T14s Gen 5

The bread and butter of the ThinkPad household, the T14 strikes a steadiness between portability and utility. Now in its fifth era since changing the T400 sequence, it’s being provided in each Intel and AMD varieties. While all of them have the distinctive “Communications Bar” on the highest of the lid as seen on the Z sequence, the headline characteristic of the newest fashions is that Lenovo has adjusted its inside design as a way to be extra repairable and serviceable by the tip consumer (or their IT division). According to the promotional materials, the designers consulted iFixit for {hardware} revisions and restore guides, ensuing within the last laptops getting a 9.3 rating for repairability. They all have user-accessible RAM DIMM slots, which is changing into a rarity for contemporary laptops.

Lenovo

The T14 Gen 5 will be configured with the newest Core Ultra or Ryzen 8040 processors, as much as 64GB of RAM, and as much as 2TB of Gen 4 M.2 storage. The screens are surprisingly strong for ThinkPads as nicely, topping out at a 2.8K OLED with 120Hz, one thing that wouldn’t look misplaced on a gaming laptop computer. Fingerprint readers, IR cameras for Windows Hello, and the ThinkPad’s regular handbook digital camera shutter for privateness are all current. Double USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4 should you go along with Intel), double USB-A, HDMI, and an Ethernet port provide you with loads of connection choices, with 5G and LTE decisions if you would like an always-on cellular connection. Graphics are built-in (Arc or Radeon) on all variations. The 0.7-inch, 1.3-kg (2.86 kilos) laptop computer begins at $1,199 for the Intel (T14i) variant, on sale beginning in April. The AMD model, sans “i,” shall be significantly cheaper at $949 with a May launch.

Adam Patrick Murray/Foundry

For a barely sleeker tackle the ThinkPad center floor, the T14s gives roughly the identical design in a skinnier 0.65-inch physique that shaves .06 kilograms off weight, regardless of having an even bigger 58 watt-hour battery. (The Ethernet port needed to be kicked to the curb, although.) Other specs are roughly similar, however AMD processors aren’t obtainable with the 14s, and this mannequin is notably absent when Lenovo talks up its new repairability customary. Reading between the traces, I’m guessing that signifies that one or each of the RAM DIMMs received’t be user-replaceable. The ThinkPad T14s begins at $1,399 and shall be obtainable in April.

ThinkPad T16 Gen 3

Adam Patrick Murray/IDG

The greater brother ThinkPad T16 Gen 3 has roughly all the identical options because the T14, however AMD is off the desk. The additional 0.22-inch thickness and 0.33 kilograms permits for a roomier 52.5 watt-hour battery, or 86Wh should you spring for the improve. Speaking of which, it will get a good higher 16-inch 4K OLED display screen on the prime finish. It additionally has a full-sized keyboard for information entry followers. It’ll go on sale beginning in April for $1,219, only a hair costlier than the bottom mannequin 14-incher.

Adam Patrick Murray/Foundry

ThinkPad X12 pill Gen 2

Adam Patrick Murray/Foundry

Lenovo has made a couple of tablets with the ThinkPad model in a couple of totally different flavors, however lastly appears to have settled on a Surface-style removable with the X12. The second-gen model makes use of a 3:2 IPS show and Core Ultra U processors to increase battery life in that compact physique, however tops out at 32GB of reminiscence and 1TB of storage. The removable magnetic keyboard comes within the field, one thing Microsoft nonetheless refuses to do for the Surface, although a powered stylus is a paid additional. You additionally get a fingerprint reader and IR digital camera, twin USB-C ports (one with Thunderbolt 4), and elective 5G or LTE. The 0.75-pound package deal, keyboard included, will value $1,399 and up when it launches in April.

Adam Patrick Murray/Foundry

ThinkBook 14 Gen 4

Adam Patrick Murray/Foundry

Rather less premium and slightly extra versatile, the ThinkBook 14 Gen 4 makes use of a Yoga-style convertible touchscreen physique. It’s significantly thinner than the final model at 16.85mm/0.74 inches, regardless of a deeper 1.5mm key journey on the keyboard. Intel-powered internals prime out at 64GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. That touchscreen is an ordinary IPS LCD with a 16:10 facet ratio, and it gives double USB-C, double USB-A, HDMI, and MicroSD card slots. Note that when you get a fingerprint reader built-in with the facility button, the Windows Hello IR digital camera is an elective improve. It’s additionally on the heavy aspect for a 14-incher at 1.64 kilograms, or 3.61 kilos. Prices begin at $1,169 when it launches in March.