Lenovo · 2021 · end of life
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9
The lightest serious Linux laptop you can buy used for around 620 dollars: 1.13 kg, 16:10 panel, working fingerprint, Tiger Lake that handles dev work but not heavy compiles.
from $620 last seen 2026-05-18
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- Best for office and web work programming study
- Linux: out of box
Scorecard
Mean of six category scores, 0 to 10. Compiled from public sources. How we rate.
Strongest on keyboard, with no category below average.
- Battery 7/10
- Display 7/10
- Build 8/10
- Keyboard 9/10
- Speed 5/10
- Value 8/10
Worth knowing
Stands out
- Linux runs out of the box
- Bright 400-nit screen, readable in sunlight
- Light at 1.13 kg
Watch for
- Discontinued, sold from remaining stock
- RAM is soldered, no upgrade later
Linux
Excellent · Best on fedora. Confidence: high · How we score
Linux compatibility, per distro
- Fedora Out of the box
- Wi-Fi : works
- Bluetooth : works
- Fingerprint : works
- Webcam : works
- Audio : needs tweak
- Suspend : needs tweak
Tiger Lake plus Intel AX210 Wi-Fi, well trodden ground. Fingerprint pairs with fprintd out of the box.
ArchWiki: ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9) →Show full report
The two known annoyances: this is s2idle only (no S3), so standby drain is real, and the speakers want an EasyEffects profile to not sound thin.
- Ubuntu LTS Out of the box
- Wi-Fi : works
- Bluetooth : works
- Fingerprint : works
- Webcam : works
- Audio : needs tweak
- Suspend : needs tweak
22.04 and 24.04 install clean. Same s2idle standby drain to budget for if you close the lid for hours.
See the broader picture in the Linux compatibility hub, the full compatibility matrix, and the buying guides.
Specs
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1165G7 |
|---|---|
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe (integrated) |
| RAM | 16 GB (soldered, not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Screen | 14" 1920x1200 @ 60Hz, 400 nitsbright enough for sunlight |
| Weight | 1.13 kgvery light to carry |
| Battery | 57 Wh, around 8 h real-world |
Common questions
- Does the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 work with Linux?
- Yes, on a clean install it works with no tweaking (verified on Fedora, Ubuntu LTS). Tiger Lake plus Intel AX210 Wi-Fi, well trodden ground.
- What does the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 cost?
- Last seen around 620 USD (2026-05-18). It is discontinued, so prices vary with remaining stock.
- Is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 good for office and web work?
- For office and web work we score it 8/10 on value and 5/10 on performance.
- How heavy is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9?
- 1.13 kg (2.49 lb). That's light enough for daily commuting.
- What's the battery life like?
- A 57 Wh pack, around 8 hours real-world mixed use. We score battery 7/10.
- Can I upgrade the RAM or storage?
- RAM is soldered, so the 16 GB it ships with is the RAM it dies with. Storage starts at 512 GB on this configuration.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 is discontinued
The price below is the last we saw, kept for reference. See the current alternatives further down.
from $620 last seen 2026-05-18
Find remaining Lenovo stockAs an Amazon Associate (US, NL, DE, UK programs), qualifying purchases via this link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Other markets not yet enrolled. How we make money. Verified 2026-05-18.
