Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH Business Laptop Review

There’s something very pleasing about Lenovo’s ThinkBook lineup – a series aimed at prosumers – and the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH fits perfectly into that space.

Of the ThinkBooks we’ve reviewed, they’re not quite on par with the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops, but they’re a step ahead of the company’s consumer devices. ThinkBooks are known for offering good power and a good price, bridging the gap between a machine meant for casual web browsing and the best business laptops.

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is a fine example of the quality of the range. First of all, it’s ultra-portable, which is only made possible by its 13-inch 3:2 display. Second, it’s incredibly powerful, partly thanks to the 2.3GHz Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and partly thanks to the 32GB of RAM. Whatever the reason, this laptop is impressive in every way.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 IMH

(Photo credit: Collin Probst // Future)

If I had to pick a downside, it would be the lack of ports. However, it’s becoming more and more common to only have a few Thunderbolt ports on a laptop and call it a good thing, especially in a device as thin as the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4. Thankfully, unlike the best MacBook Pro laptops, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH places a Thunderbolt port on each side of the laptop rather than both on the left side like Apple does.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 IMH

(Photo credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is very well-packaged in a minimalist package, emphasizing its status as a premium computer right from the start. The laptop’s two-tone Luna Gray aluminum body immediately caught my eye, and then, as quickly as it caught my eye, my eyes turned to the Magic Bay area – more on that later.

I continued to unbox the computer and when I took the computer out of the box, I was shocked and delighted to see how light the ThinkBook was. And it is easy to carry around because it is smooth and does not feel bulky or rough. It is a beautiful machine with premium materials and excellent design.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 IMH

(Photo credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: Design and Build Quality

Specifications

as tested

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
Chart:Integrated Intel Arc graphics card
RAM: 32 GB
Screen: 13.5 inch IPS, 2880 x 1920 pixels, 500 nits, 100% sRGB
Storage:1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
Ports: 3 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1 x headphone/microphone combo jack (3.5 mm), accessory connector, E-shutter switch
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Camera:1080p IR camera with Windows Hello, AI features (auto-framing, background blur)
Audio: Four Harman Kardon speakers, Dolby Atmos support
Battery:All-day battery life, up to 24 hours
Dimensions: 0.5 x 11.6 x 8.1 inches (H x W x D)
Weight: 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg)
Operating system: Windows 11 Professional
Additional features: Power button with fingerprint reader, Magic Bay Light accessory for video calls

The fourth-generation ThinkBook 13x is a masterclass in modern laptop design. It’s clean, simple, elegant, professional, and yet exciting. It features a 13.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio framed by ultra-thin bezels. Thanks to the aspect ratio, the larger screen offers more room for productivity tasks than the more common 16:9 aspect ratio. Despite its compact size and lightweight package, this laptop remains premium, solid, and ultra-powerful.

The display has a resolution of 2880 x 1920 pixels, which allows for crisp and vibrant colors and text. So far, the color accuracy has been excellent while using this laptop. I’ve been enjoying this computer’s gorgeous display for a few weeks now, and in that time, the refresh rate is smooth, the colors are stunning, the text is sharp, and the brightness is pretty good.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 IMH

(Photo credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The speakers were also surprising, especially considering how thin the laptop is. The ThinkBook 13x Gen 4’s four Harman Kardon speakers are quite loud and produce relatively clean audio until you hit the maximum volume. For virtual meetings, I was able to hear other people clearly, and music for quick videos or voice messages or anything related sounds great on these speakers. However, as a hobbyist audiophile with a background in music performance, I’ll stick to my high-end headphones for listening to music. For others who care less about the specific quality of the music, these speakers will be more than sufficient.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: In Use

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor with integrated Intel Arc graphics. So far, even with intensive professional use, I have not yet reached the limit. With high-end video editing, you could make this professional beast of a machine breathe a little harder, but with my daily work on it, I have not noticed any slowdowns, nor long loading or processing times. This laptop will be more than sufficient for most users for office work, professional work, online work, etc.

The laptop’s flagship feature, the Magic Bay Light, attaches magnetically to the display, using the aforementioned Magic Bay, and greatly improves visibility during video calls in low-light environments. It’s a soft light perfectly placed to help illuminate you as the subject of a virtual meeting. The 1080p IR webcam supports Windows Hello, and its AI features, like background blur and auto-framing, further improve video calls, making it a fantastic computer for remote workers with lots of virtual meetings.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13x Gen 4 IMH

(Photo credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The keyboard wasn’t my favorite though, even though it was excellent. I expected the typing experience to be better. The touchpad/trackpad had a slightly odd click if you chose to click rather than type, but I’m also used to the gold standard of touchpads with a MacBook, so that’s my preference.

Lenovo claims the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 has the largest battery of any 13-inch laptop and delivers impressive all-day battery life. In testing, the laptop lasted well over 10 hours on a single charge, making it a great choice for users who need a reliable device for extended work sessions.

Given how lightweight it is, I really forgot this laptop was in my bag on a daily basis. I grab my daypack and double-check that I’ve charged my laptop of choice. I love not having to worry about sitting near an outlet or charging my portable batteries for a day of work outside of my home office. Overall usage and power have been fantastic, and the form factor has been great for my everyday laptop.

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Attributes	Remarks	Rating
Design	Simple and functional design	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use	Easy to use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality	Practical for most	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price	Good price	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4

(Photo credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is a sleek and capable ultraportable that will appeal to business users who prioritize design and portability. However, its high price tag and lack of some ports might make it less appealing compared to other ultraportables that offer better port offerings. If you’re okay with only Thunderbolt ports, this laptop is an absolutely fantastic option for most people, especially professionals looking for a great all-around laptop.

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