The Lenovo ThinkPad X390 is a highly regarded business laptop known for its portability, build quality, and robust performance. While it excels in many areas, its graphics capabilities are a critical aspect for users who engage in tasks requiring substantial graphical power. This comprehensive review will explore the Lenovo ThinkPad X390’s graphics performance, detailing its specifications, real-world applications, strengths, and limitations, along with comparisons to other models.
Table of Contents
Graphics Specifications of Lenovo ThinkPad X390
The Lenovo ThinkPad X390 primarily features integrated graphics, specifically the Intel UHD Graphics 620. Here’s a breakdown of its key graphics specifications:
- Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Base Frequency: 300 MHz
- Max Dynamic Frequency: 1.15 GHz
- Graphics Video Max Memory: 32 GB
- 4K Support: Yes, at 60Hz
- DirectX Support: 12
- OpenGL Support: 4.5
- Outputs: HDMI 1.4b, USB-C with DisplayPort 1.2
Understanding Integrated Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620 Overview
The Intel UHD Graphics 620 is an integrated GPU that shares memory with the system’s main RAM. It is designed to handle a wide range of tasks efficiently but is not intended for heavy-duty gaming or high-end graphics work. Its capabilities include:
- Video Playback: Smooth playback of high-definition videos, including 4K content.
- Productivity Tasks: Efficient handling of everyday tasks such as web browsing, office applications, and media streaming.
- Light Gaming: Capable of running older or less demanding games at lower settings.
Integrated vs. Dedicated Graphics
Integrated graphics, like the Intel UHD Graphics 620, are built into the CPU and share resources with the system’s RAM. In contrast, dedicated graphics cards have their own memory (VRAM) and are more powerful, suitable for gaming, 3D rendering, and intensive graphical applications. While integrated graphics are more energy-efficient and cost-effective, they do not match the performance of dedicated GPUs.
Real-World Performance
Office and Productivity
For general office tasks, the Lenovo ThinkPad X390’s integrated graphics perform admirably. Applications like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and various productivity tools run smoothly. The graphics capabilities are sufficient for:
- Document Editing: Smooth scrolling and quick rendering of documents.
- Spreadsheets: Efficient handling of complex spreadsheets with multiple charts and graphs.
- Presentations: Seamless creation and presentation of slideshows, including those with embedded media.
Multimedia Consumption
The Intel UHD Graphics 620 allows the Lenovo ThinkPad X390 to handle multimedia tasks effectively. Users can expect:
- Video Streaming: Smooth streaming of HD and 4K content from platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu.
- Video Conferencing: Reliable performance during video calls on platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, even with multiple participants.
Casual Gaming
While the ThinkPad X390 is not designed for gaming, it can run older or less graphically demanding games. Titles such as “League of Legends,” “Minecraft,” and “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” can be played at lower settings. However, modern AAA titles with high graphical demands will struggle on this system.
Creative Work
For creative professionals, the Lenovo ThinkPad X390’s graphics capabilities are limited but adequate for light tasks. It can handle:
- Photo Editing: Basic photo editing tasks in software like Adobe Photoshop, though complex edits and large file handling will be slower compared to dedicated graphics.
- Video Editing: Basic video editing in applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, but rendering and exporting videos will take longer.
Multi-Monitor Setup
The Lenovo ThinkPad X390 supports multi-monitor setups through its HDMI and USB-C ports. Users can connect up to two external displays, enhancing productivity by extending the desktop space. The integrated graphics can handle this setup effectively for general use, such as multitasking with different applications on separate screens.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Energy Efficiency: Integrated graphics consume less power, leading to longer battery life, which is crucial for business users who need mobility.
- Adequate for Everyday Use: The graphics performance is sufficient for most business and productivity tasks, multimedia consumption, and light creative work.
- Cost-Effective: Integrated graphics help keep the overall cost of the laptop lower compared to models with dedicated GPUs.
- Portability: The absence of a dedicated GPU allows for a slimmer and lighter design, enhancing portability.
Limitations
- Limited Gaming Performance: The ThinkPad X390 is not suitable for modern, graphics-intensive gaming.
- Restricted Creative Work: High-end graphic design, 3D rendering, and video editing tasks will be slow and less efficient compared to laptops with dedicated GPUs.
- Shared Memory: Integrated graphics use system RAM, which can impact overall system performance when handling graphics-heavy applications.
Comparisons to Other Models
Lenovo ThinkPad T490
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 offers an option for an NVIDIA GeForce MX250 dedicated GPU, which provides significantly better performance for gaming, video editing, and graphic design compared to the Intel UHD Graphics 620 in the X390. For users requiring more graphical power, the T490 is a better choice, albeit at a higher cost and reduced battery life.
Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13, another popular ultrabook, also uses integrated graphics similar to the ThinkPad X390. The performance of the Intel UHD Graphics 620 in both laptops is comparable, making the choice between them dependent on other factors like design, build quality, and additional features.
HP EliteBook 840 G6
The HP EliteBook 840 G6 offers similar integrated graphics performance to the ThinkPad X390. Both laptops target business professionals and offer robust security features and excellent build quality. The choice between them would again depend on user preference for design, keyboard feel, and specific business requirements.
Future Considerations and Upgrades
Thunderbolt 3 and eGPUs
One way to enhance the graphics performance of the Lenovo ThinkPad X390 is by using an external GPU (eGPU) via its Thunderbolt 3 port. eGPUs house dedicated graphics cards and connect to the laptop, significantly boosting graphical performance. This setup allows users to enjoy the portability of the X390 while having the option to dock and use powerful graphics for gaming or intensive creative work.
Intel Iris Plus and Xe Graphics
Future iterations of the ThinkPad X series might feature more advanced integrated graphics like Intel Iris Plus or Intel Xe. These newer integrated GPUs offer better performance, potentially closing the gap between integrated and lower-end dedicated graphics cards.
Software Optimization
Regular driver updates and software optimization can also improve graphics performance. Ensuring that the latest drivers from Intel and Lenovo are installed can provide performance boosts and fix compatibility issues.
User Feedback and Testimonials
Business Professional
Name: Sarah Occupation: Financial Analyst
Testimonial: “The graphics performance of my Lenovo ThinkPad X390 is more than enough for my needs. I frequently work with complex financial models and presentations, and the integrated graphics handle everything smoothly. Video conferencing with clients is seamless, and I appreciate the long battery life when traveling.”
Student
Name: Alex Major: Computer Science
Testimonial: “As a computer science student, I use my ThinkPad X390 for coding, attending online classes, and occasional gaming. While it’s not a gaming laptop, it runs my favorite indie games well enough. The integrated graphics handle my coding projects and multimedia consumption without any issues.”
Creative Professional
Name: Emily Occupation: Freelance Graphic Designer
Testimonial: “The Lenovo ThinkPad X390’s graphics capabilities are adequate for light design work. I use Adobe Photoshop for basic edits and Illustrator for vector graphics. For more demanding projects, I rely on my desktop with a dedicated GPU. The X390 is perfect for on-the-go tasks and client meetings.”
Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkPad X390’s integrated graphics, powered by the Intel UHD Graphics 620, offer a balanced mix of performance, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. While not suitable for high-end gaming or intensive creative work, they excel in everyday business tasks, multimedia consumption, and light creative applications.
Key Takeaways
- Adequate for Everyday Use: The integrated graphics handle office tasks, multimedia, and light gaming efficiently.
- Energy Efficiency: The power efficiency of integrated graphics contributes to longer battery life.
- Portability: The absence of a dedicated GPU allows for a lightweight and slim design.
- Cost-Effective: Integrated graphics keep the overall cost lower, making it a budget-friendly option for business users.
Final Thoughts
For business professionals, students, and casual users, the Lenovo ThinkPad X390 provides sufficient graphics performance for most tasks. Its portability, build quality, and long battery life make it a compelling choice for those who need a reliable laptop for everyday use. However, users requiring more graphical power for gaming, 3D rendering, or extensive video editing should consider laptops with dedicated GPUs or explore the option of an eGPU.
In conclusion, the Lenovo ThinkPad X390, with its Intel UHD Graphics 620, strikes a fine balance between performance and practicality, making it a versatile and dependable choice for a wide range of users.