CES 2015: Lenovo unveils ThinkPad X1 Carbon with Intel 5th-generation Core chips

Lenovo launches the latest version of its flagship ultrabook as it celebrates 100 million ThinkPads shipped

Lenovo has unveiled the latest generation of its ThinkPad X1 Carbon ultrabook, designed to offer superior performance and mobility for business users and professionals. The firm also claims to have shipped 100 million ThinkPad system.

Available from this month, the 2015 update of Lenovo's flagship ThinkPad X1 Carbon system is touted as the lightest 14in business ultrabook on the market, and is based on Intel's 5th-generation Core processor chips, also set to be officially launched at the CES show in Las Vegas this week.

Lenovo has equipped the new X1 Carbon with the Core i7 version of Intel's latest chips, which enables the 1.31kg system to offer a claimed battery life of up to 10.9 hours despite its slimline dimensions of just 331x226.5 x 17.7mm. The system also retains the carbon-fibre construction that gives this line of laptops its brand name and helps to deliver a lightweight but durable system.

As has become par for the course for a high-end ultrabook, the X1 Carbon boasts a touch-enabled 14in display to support Windows 8.1 and boasts a choice of screens with resolutions up to 2560x1440 pixels. It can also be configured with up to 8GB DDR3 memory and faster storage options, including PCI Express solid state drives up to 512GB in capacity.

In addition to 802.11ac WiFi and optional 3G/4G mobile broadband connectivity, the X1 Carbon includes Lenovo's OneLink technology to connect the system to its OneLink Pro dock device that enables users to conveniently plug in desktop peripherals when in the office.

Pricing for the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon will start at £1,235 when models begin shipping later this month.

While the market may have favoured devices such as tablets over laptops for the past few years, Lenovo has bucked the trend with the ThinkPad line, which has remained popular with business customers, and has now passed the milestone of 100 million units shipped, the firm claimed.

"Since the original ThinkPad 700, ThinkPad engineers have continued to drive innovation by making each new ThinkPad better than the last. Reaching 100 million units sold proves they are succeeding," Lenovo chief executive Yuanqing Yang said in a statement.

The firm reiterated its support for the brand, with Yang adding that "ThinkPad will remain at the core of our strategy and the heart of our business", even as the company expands into new markets such as mobile devices servers following its acquisition of Motorola Mobility and IBM's x86 server division last year.