The past week I have been using the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 laptop and today I’m excited to share the experience I had using the laptop. Having used and reviewed the incredible Lenovo Yoga 7i Carbon laptop (consumer laptop) previously, I was really looking forward to trying out the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 laptop (business laptop) as I am always on the lookout for sleek, powerful yet light laptops that suit my business needs and on-the-go lifestyle.
First impression counts and the ThinkPad Z13 truly delivers. The laptop’s exterior looks elegant and professional (serious enough for business use!). The matte grey metallic finish is sleek and timeless. Environmentalists reading this will be pleased to know that the material used for the ThinkPad Z13 is top-grade recycled aluminium and the quality of the workmanship is evident. This laptop feels like it is built to last, the hinges feel very sturdy, and it weighs just under 1.3kg! It is tested against 12 military-grade requirements and goes through more than 200 quality checks to ensure it works smoothly even in extreme conditions. These simulated tests include harsh variables like Arctic Wilderness, desert dust storms, temperature change, pressure, humidity, vibration and many more. Sounds like the Think Pad Z13 is ready to take on whatever environment you throw it at!
Upon unboxing the ThinkPad Z13, I noticed how wide the 13.3-inch OLED display was. The optimized display with ultra-narrow borders and higher resolution provides a 91+% screen-to-body ratio. The size of the screen was perfect for me, and I liked how it was just the right size for both portability and productivity. The Full HD resolution is crisp, and the anti-glare coating is a practical feature, especially for professionals who use a laptop for hours like me. The low blue-light display reduces the blue-light component emitted by the monitor and ensures that users’ eyes are not fatigued or strained.
The feature that stood out to me most was the spacious touchpad below the keyboard. The iconic red TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard can be used like a mouse and is a familiar feature in the ThinkPad series. The ThinkPad Z13 laptop keyboard has been redesigned and now features a glass-haptic TouchPad with integrated navigation buttons.
Users can double-tap the red TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard to launch Communications Quick Menu settings to optimize audio-visuals and provide precise cursor control; perfect for those who prefer it over a touchpad. The touchpad is spacious, responsive and a joy to use. It feels smooth to the touch and the physical buttons provide a tactile feel that I appreciate. Whichever you prefer, this feature means there is no need to rely on a mouse (another plus point for on-the-go users!)
The ThinkPad Z13 is equipped with the AMD Ryzen PRO 6000 U Series, the world’s most advanced processor for business laptops. It handled everything I threw at it with ease. Whether I was replying to work emails, streaming my favourite songs on Spotify, or multitasking between countless tabs, the ThinkPad Z13 never skipped a beat, and I never had an experience of lag with it. The SSD storage is fast, and it contributes to the laptop’s overall efficiency. This laptop is configured with a powerful processor to be better, bigger, and faster as compared to Yoga Slim i7’s 13th Gen Intel Core processors. However, it also meant an added weight of 300 to 400 grams as compared to the ultra-lightweight Yoga Slim i7.
This compact laptop means business and is also portable enough to be used while on the go! Over the weekend, I brought the Think Pad Z13 out for dinner to work on the NXT article review as well as to plan for my upcoming trip to Vietnam. I was on multiple tabs and windows, multi-tasking between article and itinerary research and the connection between the laptop and my mobile hotspot was stable throughout. I was truly impressed with the battery life. My everyday life is very dependent on electronic devices and with the Think Pad Z13 having a long battery life, I was confident to bring it out with me without needing to constantly hunt for a power outlet. A full charge can last up to 18.3 hours as compared to Yoga Slim 7i’s 14.5 hours. The laptop also supports rapid charge (up to 80% in 60 minutes) with a 65w adapter. This makes the Think Pad Z13 not only portable but a reliable companion as well!
In today’s business scene, working from home and flexible working arrangements are common, especially for freelance content creators like me. A business device that can support great tele or video conferencing is essential for me. My personal favourite feature of the Think Pad Z13 is the Communications Bar instead of a usual webcam. This bar includes a camera with FHD infrared technology and is adjustable to your preference. The integrated AMD Radeon™ 600M Series Graphics along with the equipped Dolby Atmos Speaker System makes taking video calls convenient. In addition to the immersive audio, Dolby Voice features noise-cancelling mics which are perfect for on-the-go meetings.
I love listening to music while I work as it helps me concentrate better and reduce the disruptions from external environments. To test the audio system of the Think Pad Z13, I streamed my recent favourite pop song “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus while turning the speaker volume to the max. The sound quality was surprisingly good for a laptop this compact, and it sounded clear and sufficiently loud. All thanks to Dolby Atmos Speaker System which enhances the audio experience.
Overall, the look and feel of the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 laptop is premium and the ThinkPad brand is reliable which makes this laptop a worthy purchase. This laptop ticks both boxes of performance and portability! I like how versatile the Think Pad Z13 is, and I can see how it would be a popular choice for professionals on the move or anyone who values owning a laptop that’s built to last and capable of handling a wide range of tasks with ease. This dependable companion is priced at $1708.94 and is available at the Lenovo Official website.
