Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 5 2024, Core Ultra 5 135U, 16GB, 512GB SSD, Black

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 5 is one of the most compact business laptops we"ve tested, and its port selection is fantastic for the size. Performance sits right around average for this class, but the 41Wh battery means you"ll be hunting for outlets by mid-afternoon. If portability and connectivity are your top priorities, and you can find it for under $2,000, it"s a solid buy.

Our database shows this config sitting right in the middle of the pack for CPU, GPU, and storage performance, while its compactness scores in the top 7% — that"s exactly the trade-off here. Day-to-day office work feels snappy, and the 16GB of LPDDR5X memory handles multitasking well. But the integrated Intel Graphics and soldered RAM mean you"re not rendering 3D models or editing 4K video. It"s a business tool, and for that, it gets the job done without fuss. The 60Hz IPS panel with 300 nits of brightness is fine indoors but struggles in direct sunlight, and the color accuracy is decent but nothing special.

The competitive set has shifted hard toward gaming and workstation muscle. The Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max, ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, HP OMEN Transcend 14, and MSI Raider now crowd the top 5, and every one of them crushes the X13 in raw performance. What they don't do is weigh 1.2kg or fit full-size USB-A and HDMI into a frame this slim. The ThinkPad still owns the ultraportable business niche, but if you want real GPU power or a high-refresh display, the new field makes that gap even more obvious.

We don"t have an official MSRP, but across retailers we saw prices ranging from $1,969 all the way up to an eye-watering $40,250. Yes, you read that right. At the lower end, it"s a fair price for a well-made business 2-in-1 with this port selection. But anything above $2,500 quickly enters "why not buy a Galaxy Book5 Pro with a gorgeous OLED" territory. If you find a deal around that $1,969 mark, it"s a solid value. Just don"t overpay.

Lenovo"s ThinkPad X13 Gen 5 2-in-1 is a 13.3" laptop that prioritizes one thing above all: being easy to carry. At just 1.2kg, it slides into a bag like it"s hardly there, and the 360-degree hinge lets you flip it into tablet mode for scribbling notes or sharing a quick presentation. This is a machine designed for work on the go, backed by ThinkPad"s reputation for durability and that famously good keyboard. Under the hood, you get an Intel Core Ultra 5 135U, 16GB of soldered RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It"s not a powerhouse, but it handles spreadsheets, video calls, and a dozen browser tabs without breaking a sweat. The real star is the connectivity: two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, and full-size HDMI 2.1 in a frame this slim is almost unheard of. No dongle life required.

Skip this if you need a laptop that lasts a full 8-hour workday without hunting for a power outlet. Creative pros who edit video or photos, or anyone who wants to game even casually, should look for something with a discrete GPU. Also, if you demand a bright, high-refresh-rate display, the 300-nit 60Hz panel here will feel disappointing.

Business travelers and students who live on the move will love the X13 Gen 5. It"s compact, tough, and filled with the ports you actually need. If your workflow revolves around Office apps, web browsing, and video calls, it won"t let you down. Just be prepared to keep the charger handy, and don"t expect to game on it.