Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook 14" specifications and in-depth review

Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook 14"

Manufacturer: Lenovo

The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook 14″ is a versatile and reliable Chromebook designed for daily use. It boasts a 14″ Full HD display and is equipped with 16GB of RAM, making it suitable for a range of tasks, from web browsing to productivity applications.

Powered by a 12-thread processor with a base speed of 1.8 GHz, the ThinkPad C14 also features a 256GB SSD for fast storage and data access. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1, along with a single HDMI 2.1 port. Its 57 Wh battery ensures adequate performance for extended work sessions.

Pros
  • Equipped with a 12 MB L3 cache for faster data handling and improved performance in multi-tasking scenarios.
  • Includes Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EU, offering integrated graphics support for basic graphical tasks and light gaming.
  • Supports OpenCL 3 and OpenGL 4.6, making it suitable for light multimedia and graphics tasks.
  • Has a maximum RAM speed of 5200 MHz, allowing for fast memory access and smooth multitasking performance.
  • Features a 15W thermal design power (TDP), which helps with energy efficiency, potentially leading to longer battery life in typical usage.
Cons
  • Does not support ray tracing, limiting its performance in more advanced gaming or graphic-intensive applications.
  • Lacks support for DLSS, which would have improved graphical performance in supported applications.
  • Does not have an unlocked multiplier, limiting overclocking potential for users seeking maximum performance.
  • No sleep-and-charge USB ports, which may limit charging capabilities while the device is powered off or in sleep mode.
  • Does not have a MagSafe power adapter, which may be preferred by users looking for a safer, magnetic charging solution.
Who is this for?

This product is well-suited for users who need a reliable, energy-efficient laptop for everyday tasks. Its 15W thermal design power (TDP) ensures decent battery life, making it ideal for students or professionals working on documents, browsing, or light multimedia tasks. The inclusion of 12 MB L3 cache and integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EU makes it a good choice for light gaming, media consumption, or multitasking in non-graphically demanding applications.

Who is this NOT for?

This device is not suitable for users requiring high-end gaming or graphic-intensive work due to its lack of support for ray tracing and DLSS, which limits its graphical performance. It also lacks an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, making it unsuitable for those who want to maximize CPU performance. Additionally, its 15W TDP may limit performance under heavy workloads, so power users running demanding applications like video editing or 3D rendering may find it insufficient.

Design:

Type Chromebook
weight 1560 g
Uses a fanless design
Has a backlit keyboard
warranty period 1 years
volume 1339.975 cm³
width 325 mm
height 217 mm
thickness 19 mm
is weather-sealed (splashproof)
has a rugged build

The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook is a lightweight device weighing 1560 g and features a backlit keyboard for comfortable typing in low-light environments. Its design includes a width of 325 mm, a height of 217 mm, and a thickness of 19 mm, offering a compact form factor. The Chromebook does not have a fanless design or rugged build, and it is not weather-sealed. It also comes with a standard 1-year warranty and a volume of 1339.975 cm³.

Display:

screen size 14"
resolution 1920 x 1080 px
pixel density 157 ppi
Display type LCD, LED-backlit, IPS
has a touch screen
brightness (typical) 250 nits
refresh rate 60Hz
has anti-reflection coating
supported displays 4

The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook features a 14″ display with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 px and a pixel density of 157 ppi, ensuring clear visuals. The screen utilizes LCD, LED-backlit, and IPS technology, offering vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. It provides a typical brightness of 250 nits, and the anti-reflection coating helps reduce glare. The display supports up to four external monitors but does not have touch functionality or a high refresh rate.

Performance:

RAM 16GB
RAM speed 4266 MHz
Uses flash storage
internal storage 256GB
CPU speed 2 x 1.8 & 8 x 1.3 GHz
CPU threads 12 threads
Is an NVMe SSD
DirectX version DirectX 12
uses multithreading
maximum memory amount 16GB
DDR memory version 4
turbo clock speed 4.8GHz
GPU turbo 1250 MHz
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4
semiconductor size 10 nm
has XeSS (XMX)
Supports 64-bit

The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook is equipped with 16GB of RAM running at a speed of 4266 MHz, ensuring smooth multitasking. It features a 256GB NVMe SSD for fast storage, providing quick access to files and applications. Powered by a processor with a total clock speed of 2 x 1.8 GHz and 8 x 1.3 GHz, the Chromebook supports multithreading and turbo speeds of up to 4.8 GHz, delivering efficient performance for various tasks.

Benchmarks:

Geekbench 6 result (multi) 6344
Geekbench 6 result (single) 1949
PassMark result 13807
PassMark result (single) 3198

The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook delivers strong performance in benchmark tests. It achieves a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 6344 and a single-core score of 1949, demonstrating solid overall processing power. In the PassMark benchmark, it scores 13807 overall, with a single-thread result of 3198, reflecting good performance for both multi-threaded and single-threaded tasks.

Connectivity:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 2
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 0
Thunderbolt 4 ports 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 0
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
has an HDMI output
Has USB Type-C
supports Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
has an external memory slot
Bluetooth version 5.1
RJ45 ports 0
HDMI ports 1
HDMI version HDMI 2.1
DisplayPort outputs 0
USB 2.0 ports 0
has AirPlay
mini DisplayPort outputs 0
has a VGA connector

The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook offers a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6E for fast wireless connections and Bluetooth 5.1 for peripheral support. It features a single HDMI 2.1 port for external display connectivity but lacks USB Type-C ports. Additionally, the device supports an external memory slot for expandable storage and includes AirPlay support, but it does not have RJ45, VGA, or DisplayPort outputs.

Battery:

battery size 57 Wh
Has sleep-and-charge USB ports
Has a MagSafe power adapter

The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook is equipped with a 57 Wh battery, providing decent power for daily tasks. However, it does not feature sleep-and-charge USB ports or a MagSafe power adapter, which are often found in other devices for added convenience and charging flexibility.

Features:

release date June 2024
has stereo speakers
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
supports ray tracing
supports DLSS
has Dolby Atmos
Stylus included
Has a fingerprint scanner
number of microphones 2
Uses 3D facial recognition
has voice commands
has a front camera
Has S/PDIF Out port
has a gyroscope
has GPS
has an accelerometer
has a compass
Has an optical disc drive

The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook includes stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack for audio connectivity. It also features a fingerprint scanner for secure logins and a front camera for video calls. Additionally, it has two microphones for better sound capture, though it does not support features like ray tracing, DLSS, or Dolby Atmos.

Miscellaneous:

clock multiplier 18
PassMark result (overclocked) 14345
GPU name Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EU
L3 cache 12 MB
Has an unlocked multiplier
Has NX bit
CPU temperature 100 °C
OpenCL version 3
OpenGL version 4.6
GPU execution units 96
Has integrated graphics
Supports ECC memory
memory channels 2
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 15W
Type Laptop
instruction sets SSE 4.2, SSE 4.1, AVX, AES, FMA3, F16C, MMX
RAM speed (max) 5200 MHz

The Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook is equipped with Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EU for integrated graphics and features a 12 MB L3 cache for enhanced data handling. It supports OpenCL 3 and OpenGL 4.6, ensuring good performance for graphical tasks. The device also includes a 15W thermal design power (TDP) and has a CPU temperature of up to 100°C under load, with a maximum RAM speed of 5200 MHz and 2 memory channels.

Final Verdict

The product offers solid performance for everyday computing tasks, with key strengths like a 15W thermal design power ensuring efficiency and good battery life, as well as decent integrated graphics for light gaming and multimedia. It is best suited for users who need a reliable, low-power device for work, study, or casual entertainment. However, the lack of support for high-end gaming technologies and its limited overclocking potential may not meet the demands of power users or gamers. Overall, it's a practical choice for those seeking a functional and energy-efficient laptop without the need for extreme performance or graphical power.