Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9
Expert rating7.4 / 10
- Display:
- 14.0-inch WUXGA IPS, 400 nits
- CPU:
- Core i5-1135G7
- Battery:
- 57Wh internal
Upgrade and repair this laptop
Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Manufacturer: Lenovo Last updated: 2026-10-10
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 Review
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (2021, machine types 20XW and 20XX) with a Core i5-1135G7, 16GB soldered LPDDR4x-4266, 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, a 14-inch 1920x1200 IPS panel rated at 400 nits and a 57Wh internal battery.
The Gen 9 was the first X1 Carbon with a 16:10 screen. Lenovo sells the display only as a complete LCD module, but the bare 30-pin WUXGA non-touch panel can be replaced on its own by a careful repairer. Memory is soldered; the M.2 SSD and battery are replaceable.
Screen replacement
PSREF lists four panel options: WUXGA non-touch 400 nits, WUXGA touch 400 nits, WUXGA touch 500 nits with PrivacyGuard, and WQUXGA 3840x2400 glossy 500 nits. Repair sellers match the non-touch WUXGA panel to AUO B140UAN02.1 and LG Display LP140WU1-SPB1 (30-pin).
Battery replacement
The internal battery is the 4-cell 15.44V 57Wh 5B10W13973 FRU family, which Lenovo also lists for the X1 Carbon Gen 10 and X1 Yoga Gen 6.
Our verdict
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating7.4 / 10
The X1 Carbon Gen 9 is a light 14-inch 16:10 business laptop at 1.13 kg, with a Core i5-1135G7, 16GB of LPDDR4X and a 400 nit 1920x1080 IPS display. Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 6 and a 57Wh battery make it a capable travel companion.
The memory is soldered, so you cannot add RAM later. Storage is a 256GB drive in the single M.2 slot, which may feel small, and graphics are integrated.
Best for
- Buyers who want a light 14-inch 16:10 business laptop
Not for
- Anyone who needs to upgrade RAM later; memory is soldered
Specifications
What these specs meanIdentity and variant
| Brand | Lenovo |
|---|---|
| Series | ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 |
| Series ID | lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-gen9 |
| SKU Name | ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (i5-1135G7, 16GB, 256GB, WUXGA) |
| Chassis Code | 20XW, 20XX |
| Region Sold | Global |
Class and platform
| Laptop Class | Business |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2021 |
| Weight | 1.13 kg |
Processor
| CPU Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| CPU Model | Core i5-1135G7 |
| CPU Cores | 4 |
Sustained power
| Sustained Power Source | Not Measured |
|---|---|
| Power Adapter Wattage | 65 W |
Graphics
| GPU Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| GPU Model | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated) |
| VRAM | 0 GB |
| Graphics Switching | Integrated Only |
Memory
| RAM Capacity | 16 GB |
|---|---|
| RAM Type | LPDDR4X |
| RAM Speed | 4266 MT/s |
| Memory Form Factor | Soldered |
| Memory Soldered | Yes |
| Max RAM Supported | 32 GB |
Upgradability
| RAM Slots | 0 |
|---|---|
| Storage Slots | 1 |
| Storage Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
| Storage Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| SATA Bay Present | No |
Storage as shipped
| Storage Capacity | 256 GB |
|---|---|
| Storage Type | NVMe SSD |
Display
| Display Size | 14 inches |
|---|---|
| Resolution Width | 1920 px |
| Resolution Height | 1200 px |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Brightness | 400 nits |
| Brightness Condition | Vendor Unstated |
| sRGB Coverage | 100 % |
| Touchscreen | No |
Battery and ports
| Battery Capacity | 57 Wh |
|---|---|
| Thunderbolt Support | Thunderbolt 4 |
| WiFi Standard | WiFi 6 |
FAQs
Can you upgrade the RAM in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9?
No. The memory (16 GB of LPDDR4X) is soldered to the motherboard and there are no memory slots, so it cannot be upgraded after purchase. Choose the capacity you need when you buy.
Can you upgrade the SSD in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9?
Yes. It has 1 M.2 2280 slot (PCIe 4.0 x4). It ships with 256 GB NVMe SSD.
What display does the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 have?
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 has a 14-inch, 1920x1200, IPS, 60 Hz non-touch display.
Does the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 have Thunderbolt?
Yes. It supports Thunderbolt 4.
How big is the battery in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9?
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 has a 57 Wh battery.