The newest Lenovo ThinkPad laptops have many different chassis designs. Ultramobile and expensive designs like the X1 Carbon G11 use carbon-fiber and magnesium hulls. In the ThinkPad T series, plastic parts are internally strengthened with magnesium – the so called rollcage. And in the thick Lenovo ThinkPad P16, even the classic dedicated structure frame rollcage lives on.
The more affordable ThinkPads of the L series do not get such expensive designs. Instead, the chassis is mostly or completely plastic. The stability is mostly still fine though, as models like the ThinkPad L14 are usually thicker than most other ThinkPads – a thicker plastic chassis compensates for the missing metal frame.
This only works for thicker designs though. Recently, we reviewed the Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga G4 AMD and the Ryzen based convertible delivered a convincing performance in many ways – a great device for students.
An exception in this positive experience is the stability of the chassis. Like other models of the L series, the L13 Yoga base unit is completely made out of plastic, GRFP in this case to be exact. But this design is a lot thinner than the L14, and without the metal frame that the equally thin T series has, the chassis is easily bendable.
At least there is no chassis flex and the alumium screen cover is stiff. But especially for a convertible that is meant to be flipped into tablet mode, the chassis should be stronger, as it is exposed to strong mechanical stress. For the next generation of the L13 Yoga G4, Lenovo should think about using a slightly thicker chassis – or one with metal inside.
I was an ardent reader of Notebookcheck’s laptop reviews even back in school. After writing reviews as a hobby, I then joined Notebookcheck in 2016 and have worked on device reviews and news articles ever since then. My personal interest lies more with laptops than smartphones, with business laptops being the most interesting category for me. Technology should make our lives and work easier and good laptops are an essential tool for that to happen. This is why laptop reviews are not just my work but are also my passion.
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