Lenovo Thinkpad X280 Review - 12.5' Premium Laptop 2018 Version

VIDEO INDEX:
0:00 - Intro
00:32 - Hardware overview
00:35 - Price
00:45 - Processor, RAM and storage
01:22 - Display
02:03 - Weight
02:37 - Ports
02:48 - Thunderbolt 3 Port and PCI Express Lanes
04:22 - Fan noise
05:03 - Webcam privacy shutter
05:27 - Battery life
06:01 - Performance: YouTube / Web Browsing
06:37 - Speedometer web benchmark
07:07 - Performance: Microsoft Word, Office
07:26 - Gaming: Minecraft
08:02 - Gaming: Rocket league
08:54 - 3DMark Cloudgate Benchmark test
09:52 - Thermals and 3DMark Stress test
10:21 - Kodi and Blu Ray MKV / high bitrate HEVC
11:05 - Final thoughts

While not inexpensive this laptop delivers consistent performance and excellent build quality. The 1080p matte touch display is worth the upgrade cost. My only gripe is its battery life vs. similar sized laptops and the soldered on RAM.

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[mbc]

I have a Thinkpad X260. Removable RAM, removable SSD, removable battery, 1080p IPS screen. I have 2 extra batteries, I can go 2 full days before needing a recharge. This is not possible anymore.

[electricmiragemedia]

There's a bit of confusion going on right now with Lenovo and their x2** series imo. They seem to be taking the laptop in the direction of the t4**s and ditched the attractive points of the x2** in the process: the hot-swappable battery, RAM slots, and ethernet. Given that the footprint hasn't been reduced like the t480s's has, I think the x280 is a tough sell over the T480s.

[schizogony]

I like the matte touch screen. I'd like that on a phone, or a Switch or a Vita.

[dodoslavn]

iam actually impressed by this review, very well done, and lot of tech info

[mitananwar]

How about its cooling system!!! Is it same as the ThinkPad X201 Tablet or better ???

[Shrave]

Awesome review! Could you also do one for the ThinkPad X380?

[carmennooner]

Not a huge fan of Lenovo, but appreciate how thorough your reviews are. I don't know who else you have similar arrangements with to receive and review different manufacturer's, but it would be helpful for comparison purposes. Still holding off before I commit to buying my new laptop. Thankfully I'm in no hurry! May even choose a Chromebook instead since it would likely serve my purpose. Thank you for another honest review!

[kdawg]

Lenovo killed what made the X2xx series great :( No swappable batteries, no upgradeable ram? Fail.

[fredericpare]

Does this model have a regular size keyboard or a smaller one?

[muhamadaswinsubarkah]

bought it second hand in 2025 for $200 to replace my old toshiba satellite. it can handle my college workload and some indie video games.

So far best purchase for this year

[skizrb]

8gb non upgrade-able ram and an i5 for $1500? i'd rather buy a macbook...

[bsgtrekfan]

I have newer equipment and a built gaming rig but I REFUSE to give up my T520. The thin still performs better than expected after more than its fair share of years. Well built, classic design and in my opinion..better thought out and designed for users on the go. God I love it! lol the only bad thing is the speakers...what were they thinking?!

[wlcrutch]

That Sega Genesis on your shelf really takes me back

[ivandenkov]

Damn they are keep going down since the *40 series. Thinkpads used to be about rigidity, upgradeability and good ergonomics or at least decent keyboard. They keep removing useful features from their laptops. This one by any means is better than x220/x230 besides the newer cpu and ram, most of the machine is worst.

[MultiStor]

Best and cheapest laptop/tablet with rear camera? Does anyone know, please respond.

[wcgdddwwwhhh]

xiaomi pro, Thinkpad T480 or X280, which one is better choice?

[danielchun]

Lenovo is really starting to slip with the X200 series. The X280 no longer has a built in RJ45 port, RAM is not upgradeable, smaller battery and non removeable battery. It's starting to become an X1. I hope the X280 goes the way of the X240 with the horrible trackpad and they revert back.

[tek]

Intel started to upgrade their processor's line because of the Ryzen competition, they knew that people and companies are heading to AMD because they have better new CPU's and Graphics, I'm getting the ThinkPad with the Ryzen Chip.

[CasiodorusRex]

Where the hell does the adapter for an rj45 port plug into?

[cirmothe]

I know thinkpad has their fans, but that price is just too much.