Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Review: 30-Hour Battery, OLED Options and CPU SKU Checks

What PCMag tested​

The review unit was a mid-range configuration:

• Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor
• 32GB of LPDDR5X memory
• Integrated Intel graphics
• 512GB SSD
• 1,920-by-1,200 IPS touch screen at 60Hz

CDW lists a matching Core Ultra 7 355, 32GB, 512GB configuration at $3,258.99, with a one-year Lenovo Premier Support plan. PCMag's own figures were a $2,544 starting price and $2,796 as tested. Retail prices vary by reseller, region and warranty, so the "as tested" figure shouldn't be read as what you'll pay.

Battery: impressive, but it's a best case​

The headline result is 30 hours and 20 minutes. PCMag's test plays a locally stored 720p video (the Blender film Tears of Steel). Brightness is at 50% and volume at 100%. The battery starts fully charged, with Wi-Fi and keyboard backlighting off.

That is a light, controlled load. It is useful for comparing laptops against each other. It does not predict how long a day of Teams calls, browser tabs and a VPN will last. PCMag says the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ lasted longer. It also says the HP EliteBook X Flip G2i fell well short, but that the comparison isn't like-for-like because the HP uses an OLED panel and a Core Ultra H-series chip.

Performance: efficient, not a powerhouse​

PCMag ran this set of tests:

• PCMark 10
• Cinebench 2024
• Geekbench 6.3 Pro
• HandBrake 1.8 (a 12-minute 4K clip converted to 1080p)
• PugetBench for Creators with Photoshop 25
• Five 3DMark graphics tests

The review text available here gives no numeric scores, so I won't quote any. Its conclusions are:

• The ThinkPad handled office workloads comfortably.
• In CPU tests it narrowed the gap with the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, which has a 16-core Core Ultra X7 358H.
• It finished well ahead of the Microsoft Surface Pro for Business, which uses the same Core Ultra 5 335. PCMag credits better thermals.
• The Asus ExpertBook Ultra and HP EliteBook X Flip G2i, both with H-class processors, sit in a higher performance tier.
• Graphics are fine for everyday work and stylus drawing but are not a selling point. The Asus and MSI use the much stronger Arc B390 graphics.

Processor options and where you can buy them​

PCMag says the ThinkPad isn't offered with Core Ultra H-class processors and lists that as a con. Other sources I found describe a wider range. One review of the model lists Core Ultra 5 325/335, Core Ultra 7 355/365/366H and Core Ultra X7 368H options, and says Lenovo notes H-series options aren't available in North America. Lenovo's datasheet likewise says the line goes up to Core Ultra X7 Series 3 with Intel Arc graphics.

The likely explanation is regional. The H-class and X7 parts appear to be offered in some markets but not others. PCMag's "not offered" point is probably true for the US configurations it reviewed, but it is worth checking in your own region. If you need more CPU or GPU power, confirm which SKUs your reseller can supply before assuming the tested results apply.

Design, ports and security​

The review praises several ThinkPad staples:

• A magnesium chassis with MIL-STD-810H durability testing.
• The keyboard, which PCMag calls a defining strength, with an inverted-T arrow cluster and white backlighting.
• A TrackPoint pointing stick.
• The Thunder Grey finish.
• A 5MP webcam with a physical privacy shutter.
• A mainstream Ctrl/Fn layout that can be switched back to the classic one in Lenovo Vantage.

Connectivity includes three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, USB-A, HDMI and an audio jack. USB-C charging works on either side, and Wi-Fi 7 is included. PCMag lists the security features as an infrared webcam, a match-on-chip fingerprint reader, Intel vPro remote management and a self-healing BIOS. vPro comes with certain processors, such as the Core Ultra 7 365, so it isn't guaranteed on every unit.

CDW's listing of one configuration also notes a discrete TPM 2.0 security chip and a fingerprint reader. Lenovo also lists Windows 11 Pro and Home, plus Linux, as operating-system options.

Display and webcam: the choice that changes the machine​

PCMag tested the IPS panel, which it says covers the full sRGB space and exceeds its rated brightness. It calls the 60Hz refresh rate the only ordinary part of the laptop. The optional 2,880-by-1,800 OLED panel adds a 120Hz variable refresh rate. PCMag says choosing it also upgrades the webcam from 5MP to 10MP. The reviewer did not test the OLED panel, so his battery figure doesn't tell you what the OLED version will manage. Expect OLED to change both the picture and the power draw.

Other details:

• A privacy screen is available.
• 5G is optional, for field workers.
• Optional 5G adds a nano-SIM slot. The previous generation had a Nano SIM slot, but I couldn't verify its placement on this model.

Aura software modes​

The Aura Edition adds preset modes in Lenovo Vantage: Working, Creating, Meeting, Learning and Entertainment. Depending on the mode, they can:

• Launch a VPN
• Manage notifications
• Restrict websites
• Apply Dolby audio profiles
• Switch on microphone noise cancellation
• Change the power profile

PCMag set up two custom modes and switched between them with the F8 key. It says most people will rely on automatic switching, which adjusts settings without sending data off the device. Which features appear can depend on the model and Vantage version, so IT teams should test their own image before relying on any of them. These are conveniences, not a reason to buy.

The price and the memory crunch​

PCMag says fully loaded models exceed $4,000 and blames today's memory crunch. It points out that volume purchases will probably be discounted. It also says single-unit buyers will find the price steep. Compared with the HP EliteBook X Flip G2i, it says the ThinkPad offers fewer configuration choices.

Buyer's checklist​

1. Processor: Decide whether the Core Ultra 5/7 efficiency tier is enough, or whether you need an H-class or X7 option where one is sold.
2. Display and webcam: IPS gives the long battery life PCMag measured. OLED gives 120Hz, richer color and the 10MP camera.
3. Memory: It's soldered, so pick the capacity you need up front. Lenovo's range is up to 64GB.
4. Management and security: Confirm vPro, the IR camera and 5G are in the SKU you're ordering.
5. Warranty: PCMag says three years is typical for preconfigured models. The CDW listing above shows one year, so confirm the term at purchase.
6. Pen: PCMag says the stylus attaches to the chassis. Confirm it's included in your region's configuration.

Bottom line​

For a mobile executive who wants a ThinkPad keyboard, a convertible and the ports to skip a dongle bag, this is a strong choice. The review's main caveats still apply. The battery test is an idealized one, the unit tested was a mid-range IPS configuration, and anyone with heavy CPU or GPU work should look at the H-class competition. The sticker price is high, and volume discounts are the likeliest way to soften it.