Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga G3 laptop review: Alder-Lake makes business convertible worse

Lenovo has introduced a new, sweeping design for the 2022 ThinkPads. One feature of this design is that the case is now gray instead of black. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 3 also comes in “Thunder Black”, but only the keyboard and the display frame are pure black here. In terms of structural design, the X13 Yoga G3 is more typically representative of the modern ThinkPad design based on the X1 Carbon. This is particularly noticeable in the tapered base with the slanted side surfaces.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga is also close to the X1 Carbon in terms of build material, since the case is largely made of carbon fiber plastic (CFRP). Both the baseplate and the display cover are made from the extremely light and stable material, while the wrist rest and keyboard frame are made of magnesium. Percentage wise, more CFRP is used here than in the X1 Carbon. The combination of these high-quality materials ensures very high stability; the case can hardly be twisted or dented, whether in the area of the base or the display. The entire case, excluding the glass plate in front of the display, has a velvety rubber coating that is significantly less sensitive to dirt than the previous black ThinkPad models. All in all, the ThinkPad X13 Yoga G3 feels very premium. 

The wide hinges allow for folding and unfolding into the modes typical for a convertible – tablet, tent and stand. Accordingly, the maximum opening angle is 360 degrees. The hinges, which are equipped with silver metal caps, hold the monitor solidly in place, but you need two hands to open the laptop.