ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) vs Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13
The Verdict
Both ultraportable laptops excel in different areas. ASUS Zenbook S 14 impresses with its stunning 3K OLED 120Hz display (2880x1800, 550 nits), delivering superior color accuracy and smoothness for creative work. Its slightly lighter weight (1.20kg) and premium Ceraluminum build enhance portability. However, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 counters with legendary keyboard quality, Windows 11 Pro, marginally better battery life (15 hours vs 14), and the rugged carbon fiber-magnesium chassis favored by business users. The X1 Carbon includes dual USB-C ports providing superior connectivity flexibility, while Zenbook S sacrifices display refresh rate for superior resolution. Storage disparity matters: Zenbook S includes 1TB versus X1's 512GB. For creative professionals prioritizing display quality and raw performance, ASUS wins; business travelers valuing keyboard comfort, durability, and ecosystem integration should choose Lenovo. Price difference ($50) is negligible. Choose based on workflow priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) if…
- →Ultra-light at 1.20 kg with a premium Ceraluminum chassis
- →Vivid 3K OLED display with accurate colors
- →Intel Core Ultra 200V series delivers exceptional efficiency
Buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 if…
- →Intel Core Ultra 7 with NPU for on-device AI processing
- →Under 2.5 lbs — one of the lightest 14-inch business laptops
- →ThinkPad keyboard remains the gold standard for typing
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024)
Pros
- Ultra-light at 1.20 kg with a premium Ceraluminum chassis
- Vivid 3K OLED display with accurate colors
- Intel Core Ultra 200V series delivers exceptional efficiency
- Solid all-day battery endurance
- Thoughtful design with excellent hinge mechanism
Cons
- Intel Core Ultra 200V series slower than H-class for heavy workloads
- RAM and SSD are soldered — no upgrade path
- Only one USB-A port
- Glossy OLED touch surface catches fingerprints
- No SD card reader
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13
Pros
- Intel Core Ultra 7 with NPU for on-device AI processing
- Under 2.5 lbs — one of the lightest 14-inch business laptops
- ThinkPad keyboard remains the gold standard for typing
- MIL-STD-810H durability tested for enterprise reliability
- Built-in HDMI port eliminates the need for dongles
Cons
- FHD+ base display is disappointing at $1,449
- LPDDR5X RAM is soldered — not user-upgradeable
- No SD card reader for photographers
- Intel Core Ultra efficiency modes can occasionally stutter
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.20 kg | 2.48 lbs (1.12 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum with Ceraluminum lid | Carbon fiber and magnesium |
| Dimensions | 311.2 x 219.3 x 14.9 mm | 12.4 x 8.76 x 0.59 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-A ports | 1 | — |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 hours mixed use | Up to 15 hours |
| Capacity | 72 Wh | 57 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.0 inches | 14 inches |
| Type | 3K OLED anti-glare touch | IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1800 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 550 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB NVMe | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 16 GB |
| Cores | 8-core (4P+4LPE) | 8 cores (4P + 4E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | Intel Core Ultra 7 265V |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all ASUS products or all Lenovo products. View full details for the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) or the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13.