There really is no other way to sell the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 as anything other than a Surface Pro 6 with Lenovo’s patented ThinkPad design language applied.
For fans of the ThinkPad line, Lenovo made them a Surface clone to add to the lineup of available corporate alternatives to more mainstream PCs, unfortunately the model the company went with was one from almost four generations ago.
Starting at $1,439.40
Tech Specs
| Processor | Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 134U Processor with vPro® (E-Core Max 3.60 GHz, P-Core Max 4.40 GHz with Turbo Boost, 12 Cores, 14 Threads, 12 MB Cache) Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 164U Processor with vPro® (E-Core Max 3.80 GHz, P-Core Max 4.80 GHz with Turbo Boost, 12 Cores, 14 Threads, 12 MB Cache) |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro – Lenovo recommends Windows 11 Pro for business |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel® Graphics |
| Memory | Up to 32GB LPDDR5X 6400MHz |
| Storage | Up to 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (2242) |
| Battery | 42WhrSupports Rapid Charge (60 minutes = 80% capacity) with 65W or higher adapter |
| Audio | Dolby® Audio Dolby® Voice2 x speakers2 x mics |
| Camera | Rear: 8MP wide field camera (WFC) with webcam privacy shutter Front: 5MP & Infrared (IR) with webcam privacy shutter |
Connectivity
| Ports/Slots | USB-C® (Thunderbolt™ 4), with power delivery & DisplayPort 2.1USB-C® (USB 10Gbps), with PD & DP 2.1Optional: Nano SIM Headphone / mic combo USB port transfer speeds are approximate and depend on many factors, such as processing capability of host/peripheral devices, file attributes, system configuration and operating environments; actual speeds will vary and may be less than expected. |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E* 802.11AX (2 x 2) Optional WWAN: 4G LTE CAT16**Bluetooth® 5.3 * 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E operation is dependent on the support of the operating system, routers/APs/gateways that support Wi-Fi 6E, along with the regional regulatory certifications and spectrum allocation. ** Optional WWAN availability varies by region and must be configured at time of purchase; it requires a network service provider. |
| Supported Docking | Thunderbolt™ DockUSB-C® Dock |
Design
| Display | 12.3″ FHD+ (1920×1280), IPS one glass solution (OGS) touch screen, antireflective / Anti smudge, 400nit, 100% sRGB |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 283.3mm x 203.5mm x 8.8mm (14.5mm with keyboard)11.15″ x 8.01″ x 0.22 (0.34″ with keyboard) |
| Weight | Starting from 0.76kg / 1.67lbs (Tablet)Starting from 0.34kg / 0.75lbs (Folio Keyboard) |
| Pen | Lenovo Precision Pen |
| Keyboard | Backlit with white LED lighting Detachable folio keyboard with fingerprint reader ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard (1.5mm travel) Spill-resistant |
| Color | Thunder Black |
Sustainability
| Material | 90% recycled magnesium on top (A) cover30% post-consumer content (PCC) recycled plastic used in (C) cover30% PCC recycled plastic in (D) Cover30% PCC recycled plastic used in speaker enclosure 50% recycled aluminum in kickstand25% PCC recycled plastic used in battery enclosure90% PCC recycled plastic used in AC adaptor85% recycled and/or sustainable packaging, Forest Steward Council certified* |
| Certifications / Registries | ENERGY STAR® 8.0EPEAT® Gold*Forest Stewardship Council® for packaging (select models) TCO 9 *Visit www.epeat.net for registration status by country. Available on select models. |
Other Information
| Security | Intel vPro® PlatformIR camera with webcam privacy shutter Discrete Trusted Platform Module (dTPM) 2.0Kensington Nano Security Slot™Touch Fingerprint Reader |
| Preloaded Software | Lenovo Commercial VantageLenovo ViewLenovo Pen SettingsIntel Connectivity Performance Suite |
| What’s in the Box | ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 Detachable (12″ Intel)65W AC USB-C Adapter (Supports Rapid Charge) Detachable Folio KeyboardLenovo Precision PenInternal BatteryQuick Start Guide |
Look and Feel
The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Gen 2 is a 2-in-1 tablet designed for ThinkPad enthusiasts that also adopts Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3:2 aspect ratio, but it has some notable drawbacks. Before we get bogged down in negativity, let us highlight what is great about the display.
While it retains the classic ThinkPad design with black magnesium/aluminum construction and red accents, it features a 12.3-inch display with large bezels which feel outdated compared to competitors like Surface Pro.
The 12.3-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio offers a resolution of 1920 x 1280 pixels, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals. The screen is bright and clear, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
With the X12 being a detachable PC, the screen that is on the X12 quickly becomes the main point of interaction. Fortunately, for buyers, Lenovo has continued to get a few things right about the X12 screen such as the 3:2 aspect ratio that allows for more web-based content to be displayed like websites, forms, PDF’s, Word Docs, and coding.
While it’s not the OLED panel that most reviewers covet, the 1920 x 1280 resolution does help with conserving battery while still delivering a high-fidelity display of content.
The display is equipped with an anti-reflection and anti-smudge coating, which helps maintain visibility and clarity even in bright environments or after prolonged use. Additionally, it is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability and resistance to scratches and minor impacts.
Another standout feature of the ThinkPad X12’s display is its color accuracy. It covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut, which means it can reproduce a wide range of colors accurately and vividly. This makes it an excellent choice for tasks that require precise color representation, such as photo editing and graphic design.
The last positive thing of note about the screen of the X12 is that its weight is deceivingly light. Perhaps it’s the weight distribution across a 13-inch body or the flat back of the tablet PC but the X12 looks like it should weigh more than it does a singular tablet PC detached from the keyboard, but it’s light in the hand and that’s appreciated.
Now onto the not-so-great aspects of the display.
Mostly it is the bezels. As thick as the X12 bezels are they make the content on the display feel claustrophobic when compared to more modern displays that utilize slimmer bezels to give customers more screen without necessarily increasing the overall footprint or weight in a backpack.
Another is the noise that comes from pushing the X12 in moderate workloads. While the Surface Pro still utilizes a thin air duct that frames the screen, the X12 puts them all at the top and when it comes to venting and the narrow directional air flow means that the fan kicks on often and loudly.
Lastly, the screen does not get very bright in outdoor settings so in-the-field use may feel limited for anyone looking to just the screen with a ruggedized case for things like civic engineering, archeology, wind turbine technician, search, and rescue, etc.
The detachable keyboard is comfortable to type on, with keys that have a satisfying amount of travel, and the touchpad is responsive, though some users have noted it can be a bit finicky at times. The X12’s keyboard is what adds the overall heft weight of the detachable. When comparing the X12’s keyboard to the Surface Type keyboard, the X12 is almost double the thickness and it may have to do with Lenovo maintaining its diving board trackpad, red-numb precision pointer, and its unique U-shaped chicklet style keys. The device also includes a fabric loop to hold the optional Lenovo Digital Pen, which is useful for notetaking and sketching.
The folio keyboard includes a TrackPoint system and a square fingerprint reader, but the reversed Fn and Ctrl keys and lack of automatic backlighting are seen as old-fashioned. The kickstand offers a wide range of angles but does not support an upright position well, making it less ideal for laptop use.
Despite these issues, the X12 is durable, meeting military-grade MIL-STD 810H standards, and includes both front and rear cameras, which could be useful for specific professional applications. However, the limited port selection and the small display size might be deal-breakers for some users.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 Detachable is equipped with Intel’s latest Core Ultra 5 134U processor, featuring 12 cores and a turbo boost up to 4.4GHz, paired with integrated Intel Graphics and 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM. This configuration has given me pretty robust performance for a variety of tasks, from everyday productivity to more demanding applications like photo editing and light video editing.
In benchmark tests, the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 performs competitively. For instance, in Geekbench 5, it scores around 4,778 on multi-core tests and 1,334 on single core tests. These scores are on par with other premium 2-in-1 devices such as the HP Spectre x360 and the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, which feature similar hardware configurations. However, it does fall slightly behind in some areas, such as video transcoding tasks, where it takes longer compared to the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. Again, I tend to see people who value detachables for portability versus raw performance strength, but the performance packed into X12 is a welcomed addition.
The ThinkPad X12 Gen 2’s performance is smooth and reliable, making it suitable for a wide range of my professional and personal tasks. However, some users have noted, and backed up my own anecdotal experience in saying that the device can emit a mild whirring noise during intensive tasks. Unfortunately, most Wintel devices tend to blast off like jets when shifting into more demanding task operations and users simply develop Stockholm’s syndrome which might be a minor annoyance for some. Despite this, the overall user experience remains positive, with the device handling multitasking and productivity applications efficiently.
When compared to other modern tablet PCs like the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 and the Apple iPad Pro, the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 holds its own in terms of performance. The Surface Pro 9, with its Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, offers slightly better performance in some benchmarks, but the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2’s inclusion of a detachable keyboard and stylus at no extra cost makes it a more value-oriented option. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, excels in areas like graphics performance and app ecosystem, but the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2’s Windows environment and traditional laptop features make it a more versatile choice for business users.
Overall, the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 Detachable is a strong performer in the 2-in-1 market, offering a good balance of power, portability, and productivity features. Its performance is competitive with other leading devices, making it a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and versatile tablet PC.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 Detachable has been put through its paces in various real-world scenarios to gauge its performance. Here are a few examples:
- Office Productivity: In a typical office environment, the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 was used for tasks such as document editing, spreadsheet management, and video conferencing. The device handled these tasks smoothly. Microsoft Office and Google Workspace ran without any hitches. The integrated Intel Graphics also allowed light photo editing in Adobe Photoshop, making it a versatile tool for professionals.
- Web Browsing and Multimedia: During extensive web browsing sessions with multiple tabs open in browsers like Chrome and Edge, the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 maintained responsive performance. Streaming high-definition videos on platforms like YouTube and Netflix was seamless, with no noticeable lag or buffering issues. The 12.3-inch display provided vibrant and sharp visuals, enhancing the multimedia experience.
- Remote Work and Collaboration: The Lenovo Advantage suite of features significantly enhances the video conferencing experience on the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 Detachable, making it a decent choice for professionals who rely on virtual meetings. The device is equipped with an 8MP front-facing camera that delivers ‘not-too-shabby’ video quality, even in low-light conditions, ensuring that you appear clear and professional during video calls. The Lenovo View app optimizes camera settings for various scenarios, such as video conferencing, and includes features like background blur and auto-framing to keep the focus on you during meetings. Additionally, the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 includes dual-array microphones with noise-cancellation technology, which helps to filter out background noise and ensure your voice comes through clearly, particularly useful in busy or noisy environments. Lenovo’s ThinkSmart collaboration tools, integrated into the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2, provide additional functionalities for video conferencing. These tools include features like one-touch meeting start, calendar integration, and advanced security options to ensure your meetings are both efficient and secure. I do not normally hail OEM bloatware, but the Lenovo Advantage app has evolved nicely over the past five years and genuinely adds value now. Overall, the Lenovo Advantage suite enhances the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2’s capabilities, making it a powerful tool for video conferencing, whether you are in a home office, a shared workspace, or on the go.
- Field Work: For professionals who need to work on the go, the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 was used in fieldwork scenarios when I visited a friends construction site project for land surveys, digital mapping, and image capturing. Its MIL-STD 810H certification for durability meant it could withstand rough handling and adverse conditions. The device’s battery life, lasting up to 11 hours on a single charge, and ensured I wasn’t embarrassingly scrambling for a charger that day.
- Creative Tasks: The ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 was also tested for creative tasks such as digital drawing, video editing, and note-taking using the Lenovo Digital Pen. The pen’s responsiveness and the device’s touch capabilities made it a suitable choice for artists and designers. Applications like Autodesk SketchBook and OneNote ran smoothly, allowing for a fluid creative process. When it comes to video editing, Premiere and Davinci scrubbing through most projects were flawless, however when I was working on a video podcast edit where we used four camera feeds, separate audio and a bunch of essential graphics, the system started to chug. When it came to exporting, that’s where I could go have lunch and come back to an hour length project still be about an extra 40 min long experience.
In comparison to other modern tablet PCs like the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 and the Apple iPad Pro, the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 holds its own in terms of performance. While the Surface Pro 9 may offer slightly better performance in some benchmarks, the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2’s inclusion of a detachable keyboard and stylus at no extra cost makes it a more value-oriented option. The iPad Pro excels in graphics performance and app ecosystem, but the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2’s Windows environment and traditional laptop features make it a more versatile choice for business users.
Summary
The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 Detachable is designed primarily for business professionals and enterprise users who need a versatile, portable device that can manage a variety of tasks. Its robust build quality, MIL-STD 810H certification for durability, and lightweight design make it ideal for those who frequently travel or work in different environments. Business professionals will find it perfect for office productivity tasks such as document editing, email management, and video conferencing, with the Lenovo Digital Pen and detachable keyboard enhancing its functionality for notetaking during meetings and presentations. Remote workers will appreciate its excellent battery life of up to 11 hours, ensuring a full day of work without needing to recharge, and its dual-array microphones and high-quality front-facing camera ensure clear communication during virtual meetings.
Field technicians will benefit from the device’s rugged design and durability, making it an excellent choice for documenting work on-site, with the rear-facing camera useful for capturing images of work progress or issues that need to be addressed. Students and educators will also find the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 a great option for taking notes, conducting research, and participating in online classes, thanks to its lightweight design and detachable keyboard that make it easy to carry around campus or between classrooms. Creative professionals, while not as powerful as some dedicated creative devices, will appreciate the color-accurate display and support for the Lenovo Digital Pen for light creative tasks such as sketching, note-taking, and photo editing.
Overall, the ThinkPad X12 Gen 2 Detachable is a versatile device that caters to a wide range of users, from business professionals and remote workers to students and field technicians. Its combination of portability, durability, and functionality makes it a strong contender in the 2-in-1 market.
But for the love of God Lenovo, please update your design language for the X12 next gen. Bring the X12 in line with its X1 Carbon, and ThinkBook counterparts when it comes to screen improvements.
