Lenovo's new ThinkPad X13s is first to sport Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 compute platform

Lenovo's new ThinkPad X13s is first to sport Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 compute platform

At MWC 2022, Lenovo unleashed a slew of computing updates, including announcing its first-ever ThinkPad series to be powered by a Qualcomm processor. The new ThinkPad X13s was developed with  Microsoft and Qualcomm is also the first publicly announced laptop to be using the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 compute platform. This world's first 5nm Windows platform processor was just launched a couple of months back at Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit 2021 with no concrete launch products, until today's announcement.

In a nutshell, this enterprise-oriented mobile workhorse was designed to satiate its core user base with powerful sustained performance combined with all-day battery life, efficient fanless design, staying always on and always connected with AI-accelerated experiences. In fact, Lenovo says it can offer multi-day battery life with up to 28 hours of non-stop usage in its testing and switch between ultra-fast and responsive Wi-Fi 6E where available or 5G mmWave, 5G sub6 or 4G LTE networks, all in a compact 13.3-inch notebook frame weighing just 1.06kg.

Speaking of 5G connectivity, as the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 can be paired with a variety of modems, Lenovo has opted to go with the Snapdragon X55 that has been in the market for some time now and has proven itself.

Enabling productive, collaborative experience is a big part of the ThinkPad X13s and to deliver it in spades, this notebook features a communications bar with a 5MP camera with AI-based auto framing plus Infrared (IR) camera option and standard triple-array microphones providing intelligent noise suppression during conference calls. Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 introduces a Computer Vision processor featuring major user experience improvements, from smarter human presence detection for a more convenient user authentication experience to added security, privacy, and power-saving by automatically turning off or dimming the display when the user looks away.

From a security standpoint, the ThinkPad X13s is equipped with advanced hardware and software threat protection through ThinkShield end-to-end security platform, while the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 integrates layered secure boot and Microsoft Pluton architecture implemented on the Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit for chip-to-cloud protection of user identity, data and applications on Windows 11 PCs that meet the Secured-core PC standard.

Lastly, the notebook is built with sustainability in mind with 90% certified recycled magnesium in the top and bottom covers, 97% PCC plastic in the PCB cover and battery frame, as well as recyclable carton and bumpers in the packaging. Even the manufacturing process consumes less energy with Lenovo's low-temperature solder method to cut carbon emissions by up to 35%. The display is probably one of the highest power draw components in the system and Lenovo has thoughtfully included low power IPS panel options with touch or Eysafe blue light configuration options.

The ThinkPad X13s will be available starting May 2022, starting from €1399 (which roughly equates to S$2,100). Here's a rundown of its specs:-

Meanwhile, Qualcomm is also quick to remind the industry that it has several enterprise customers currently testing or deploying Windows on Snapdragon laptops and 2-in-1 devices from vendors like Acer, ASUS, HP and more. Perhaps we'll be reporting more Snaprargon 8cx Gen 3 based devices in the near future.

Source: Lenovo and Qualcomm