Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Aura Edition: 'Smart Share' lets you send pics by simply tapping your phone against it
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition is packed with the new Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors set to contend with the show-stopping Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chips.
(The Snapdragon X Elite chip is inside our best Windows laptop of 2024: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.)
It's not just the new chips, though, that caught my eye with the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon 13. Lenovo calls it "groundbreaking" — and I can't agree more. The Hong Kong-based company unveiled one of the most incredible laptop features I've seen in 2024: Smart Share.
At a recent IFA 2024 showcase, Lenovo showed off how the new ThinkPad can easily receive data from your phone by simply tapping it against the side of the display — and it blew my mind.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition
If there's any time to snatch a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon series laptop, it's now. As mentioned at the outset, it houses the new Core Ultra 200V series processors, which Intel says can deliver up to 20 hours of battery life (among other things).
Of course, we'll have to test this ourselves when we get the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 in for review. But that's not the star of the show here. Let's talk about Smart Share.
Smart Share
It doesn't matter whether you own an Android or an iPhone, the AI-powered Smart Share lets you send photos to the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 with your device.
How does it work? There's an Elliptic Labs AI Virtual Sensor placed on the side of the laptop. After you tap your phone against it, the laptop will launch the Smart Share window. Next, you'll be able to drag-and-drop recent photos from your phone to the laptop — and vice versa.
This is huge, particularly for Android users. While sharing between devices is easy when they're from the same ecosystem (e.g., an iPhone and MacBook or a Google Pixel and Chromebook), it can get tricky if you like to mix and match your devices.
Although you can use the likes of Phone Link on Windows, with Smart Share, you can simply tap your phone on the side, and voila, you'll have the opportunity to share photos in a flash.
Smart Modes
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition also features four versatile Smart Modes. You can access them with a simple press of a button on the keyboard.
Here are the modes and what they can do for you:
• Shield Mode: Automatically fires up your preferred VPN when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, keeping your data safe no matter where you are.
• Attention Mode: Cuts down on distractions with the ability to set timers and mute notifications, helping you focus on your work
• Collaboration Mode: Enhances video calls with options to blur your background or adjust lighting, ensuring you always look your best during virtual meetings.
• Wellness Mode: Get posture reminders and eye fatigue alerts that encourage regular breaks.
• Power Mode: Make quick adjustments to your power settings
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 will support Microsoft's Copilot+ PC features and will reportedly offer up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge.
The new ThinkPad costs $1,999 and will hit store shelves on Nov. 2024.