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💻 ASUS ExpertBook B5 vs HP EliteBook 6 G1q vs ThinkPad X1 Carbon
AI-powered analysis across 24 matched specifications
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
ASUS
Overall Score
Best for technical staff needing upgradeable memory, dual storage drives, and optional discrete graphics.
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HP EliteBook 6 G1q
HP
Overall Score
Best for field professionals requiring high display brightness and dedicated 45 TOPS Copilot+ AI processing.
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ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
Lenovo
Overall Score
Best for frequent corporate travellers prioritising sub-1.1 kg carry weight and premium OLED display options.
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Performance Overview
Scores based on quantifiable specification values (1-10 scale)
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
HP EliteBook 6 G1q
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
Performance
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
8.0
HP EliteBook 6 G1q
7.5
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
7.2
Display
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
7.5
HP EliteBook 6 G1q
8.5
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
8.0
Battery & Thermals
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
8.2
HP EliteBook 6 G1q
7.8
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
7.2
Manageability & Security
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
7.5
HP EliteBook 6 G1q
7.0
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
7.8
Expandability & Repair
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
8.5
HP EliteBook 6 G1q
5.5
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
5.0
Ecosystem & Software
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
6.8
HP EliteBook 6 G1q
7.2
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
7.5
Value
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
7.3
HP EliteBook 6 G1q
6.8
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
6.5
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604) ASUS | HP EliteBook 6 G1q HP | ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 Lenovo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | |||
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 165H/155H/155U or Core Ultra 5 135H/125H/125U (Series 1, vPro options) with AI Boost NPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon X (X1-26-100, 8-core), X Plus (X1P-42-100, 8-core) or X Elite (X1E-78-100, 12-core) | Intel Core Ultra Series 1 (Meteor Lake), U/H-series. Stocked: Core Ultra 5 125U (12C/14T) · Core Ultra 7 155U (12C/14T, to 4.8 GHz, 12 MB). 135U/165U and 16-core 155H/165H to order |
| CPU cores | -- | Up to 12 cores (Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100); X / X Plus are 8-core | Core Ultra 5 125U / Core Ultra 7 155U — 12 cores / 14 threads (Meteor Lake) |
| Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics integrated; optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX (B5604) | Integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU | Intel Graphics integrated (Intel Arc Graphics on H-series) |
| Discrete GPU | ✓Optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX (B5604) | Integrated Qualcomm Adreno only | Integrated only |
| Memory & storage | |||
| Maximum memory | DDR5 SO-DIMM, 2 slots, up to 32 GB (user-upgradeable) | 16 / 32 / 64GB LPDDR5x-8533 onboard (soldered, non-upgradeable) | 16 / 32 / 64 GB LPDDR5x-6400 soldered, 8-channel, not upgradable |
| Memory type | DDR5 SO-DIMM, 2 slots (user-upgradeable) | LPDDR5x-8533 onboard (soldered) | LPDDR5x-6400 soldered (installed 7500-class, runs at 6400) |
| Maximum storage | Up to 2 TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD; TCG Opal 2.0 SED option; second drive on select SKUs | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD (M.2) | One M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD, Opal 2.0, up to 2 TB. Single drive, no card reader |
| Display | |||
| Display size | 14" or 16" (B5404 / B5604) | 14in 16:10 anti-glare IPS/UWVA | 14.0″ |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560×1600 | 1920×1200 (WUXGA); 2880×1800 OLED option |
| Brightness | up to 500 nits | ✓Up to 800 nits (WUXGA) | WUXGA 400-nit; 500-nit Privacy Guard option; 2.8K OLED |
| Panel | 14" or 16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS 16:10, up to 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3, anti-glare; WUXGA and touch options | IPS/UWVA anti-glare; WUXGA (up to 800 nits) or 2.5K 120Hz; touch optional | WUXGA IPS anti-glare / 2.8K OLED 120 Hz touch, DisplayHDR True Black 500 |
| Touchscreen | WUXGA and touch options | Touch optional | WUXGA touch or non-touch; 2.8K OLED touch |
| Connectivity | |||
| Thunderbolt / USB4 ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB4) | 2x USB4 Type-C 40Gbps (PD + DisplayPort 1.4) — no Thunderbolt (Snapdragon Arm platform) | 2× Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40 Gbps (DisplayPort 2.1, USB PD 3.0) |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB4), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, RJ45 Gigabit LAN, smart-card reader, 3.5 mm combo | 2x USB4 Type-C 40Gbps (PD + DisplayPort 1.4), 2x USB-A 5Gbps, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45, headphone/mic combo | 2× Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40 Gbps (DisplayPort 2.1, USB PD 3.0), 2× USB-A 5 Gbps (one Always On), HDMI 2.1 (4K/60 Hz), 3.5 mm combo; nano-SIM on WWAN builds. No onboard Ethernet |
| Mobile broadband (4G/5G) option | optional 4G LTE (selected territories) | Optional Snapdragon X72 5G WWAN | Optional Quectel RM520N-GL 5G Sub-6 or EM160R-GL 4G LTE CAT16, embedded eSIM |
| Physical | |||
| Weight (from) | From 1.29 kg (14" B5404); from 1.42 kg with discrete GPU | From 1.44kg (3.17lb) | ✓from 1.08 kg (1.09 kg with haptic touchpad) |
| Dimensions | 14": 313.7 x 226.8 x 18.9-23.0 mm (16" B5604 larger footprint) | 318.6 x 224.35 x 17mm (rear) | 312.8 × 214.75 × 14.96 mm |
| Security & management | |||
| Intel vPro | Intel Core Ultra vPro options | N/A — Qualcomm Snapdragon (Arm) platform; Intel vPro not offered | vPro-capable (per Wireless spec) |
| Secured-core PC | -- | Secured-Core PC | -- |
| Copilot+ PC (40+ TOPS NPU) | -- | ✓Copilot+ PC — 45 TOPS Qualcomm Hexagon NPU on all options | AI PC — Intel AI Boost NPU up to 11 TOPS, below the 40-TOPS Copilot+ bar |
| Battery | |||
| Battery capacity | ✓63 Wh (50 Wh on some SKUs), 3-cell Li-ion; 65 W / 90 W USB-C charging | 3-cell 48Wh or 56Wh; 65W USB-C charger; HP Fast Charge approx 50% in 30 min | 57 Wh Li-ion, Rapid Charge to 80% in 1 hr |
| Rated battery life | -- | Up to 24 hrs 48 min (56Wh, HP video test) | up to ~16 hr (MobileMark 25, WUXGA / 125U) |
| Support | |||
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro (Pro Education / Home options) | Windows 11 Pro (Windows 11 Home and Enterprise via Volume Licensing also offered) | Windows 11 Pro (stocked); Windows 11 Home / Ubuntu / Fedora Linux to order |
| Base warranty | 1-year commercial warranty; ASUS extended / on-site uplift available | HP standard commercial warranty; on-site uplifts available; HP Wolf Pro Security Edition (1-year licence) | Lenovo base warranty (cover varies by configuration); Lenovo Premier Support uplift (to 3/5-year, ADP options) quoted |
Performance
Processor
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)Intel Core Ultra 7 165H/155H/155U or Core Ultra 5 135H/125H/125U (Series 1, vPro options) with AI Boost NPU
HP EliteBook 6 G1qQualcomm Snapdragon X (X1-26-100, 8-core), X Plus (X1P-42-100, 8-core) or X Elite (X1E-78-100, 12-core)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12Intel Core Ultra Series 1 (Meteor Lake), U/H-series. Stocked: Core Ultra 5 125U (12C/14T) · Core Ultra 7 155U (12C/14T, to 4.8 GHz, 12 MB). 135U/165U and 16-core 155H/165H to order
CPU cores
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)--
HP EliteBook 6 G1qUp to 12 cores (Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100); X / X Plus are 8-core
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12Core Ultra 5 125U / Core Ultra 7 155U — 12 cores / 14 threads (Meteor Lake)
Graphics
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)Intel Arc Graphics integrated; optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX (B5604)
HP EliteBook 6 G1qIntegrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12Intel Graphics integrated (Intel Arc Graphics on H-series)
Discrete GPU
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)Optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX (B5604)
HP EliteBook 6 G1qIntegrated Qualcomm Adreno only
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12Integrated only
Memory & storage
Maximum memory
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)DDR5 SO-DIMM, 2 slots, up to 32 GB (user-upgradeable)
HP EliteBook 6 G1q16 / 32 / 64GB LPDDR5x-8533 onboard (soldered, non-upgradeable)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 1216 / 32 / 64 GB LPDDR5x-6400 soldered, 8-channel, not upgradable
Memory type
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)DDR5 SO-DIMM, 2 slots (user-upgradeable)
HP EliteBook 6 G1qLPDDR5x-8533 onboard (soldered)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12LPDDR5x-6400 soldered (installed 7500-class, runs at 6400)
Maximum storage
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)Up to 2 TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD; TCG Opal 2.0 SED option; second drive on select SKUs
HP EliteBook 6 G1q256GB / 512GB / 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD (M.2)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12One M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD, Opal 2.0, up to 2 TB. Single drive, no card reader
Display
Display size
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)14" or 16" (B5404 / B5604)
HP EliteBook 6 G1q14in 16:10 anti-glare IPS/UWVA
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 1214.0″
Resolution
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)2560 x 1600
HP EliteBook 6 G1q2560×1600
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 121920×1200 (WUXGA); 2880×1800 OLED option
Brightness
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)up to 500 nits
HP EliteBook 6 G1qUp to 800 nits (WUXGA)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12WUXGA 400-nit; 500-nit Privacy Guard option; 2.8K OLED
Panel
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)14" or 16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS 16:10, up to 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3, anti-glare; WUXGA and touch options
HP EliteBook 6 G1qIPS/UWVA anti-glare; WUXGA (up to 800 nits) or 2.5K 120Hz; touch optional
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12WUXGA IPS anti-glare / 2.8K OLED 120 Hz touch, DisplayHDR True Black 500
Touchscreen
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)WUXGA and touch options
HP EliteBook 6 G1qTouch optional
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12WUXGA touch or non-touch; 2.8K OLED touch
Connectivity
Thunderbolt / USB4 ports
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB4)
HP EliteBook 6 G1q2x USB4 Type-C 40Gbps (PD + DisplayPort 1.4) — no Thunderbolt (Snapdragon Arm platform)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 122× Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40 Gbps (DisplayPort 2.1, USB PD 3.0)
Ports
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB4), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, RJ45 Gigabit LAN, smart-card reader, 3.5 mm combo
HP EliteBook 6 G1q2x USB4 Type-C 40Gbps (PD + DisplayPort 1.4), 2x USB-A 5Gbps, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45, headphone/mic combo
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 122× Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40 Gbps (DisplayPort 2.1, USB PD 3.0), 2× USB-A 5 Gbps (one Always On), HDMI 2.1 (4K/60 Hz), 3.5 mm combo; nano-SIM on WWAN builds. No onboard Ethernet
Mobile broadband (4G/5G) option
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)optional 4G LTE (selected territories)
HP EliteBook 6 G1qOptional Snapdragon X72 5G WWAN
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12Optional Quectel RM520N-GL 5G Sub-6 or EM160R-GL 4G LTE CAT16, embedded eSIM
Physical
Weight (from)
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)From 1.29 kg (14" B5404); from 1.42 kg with discrete GPU
HP EliteBook 6 G1qFrom 1.44kg (3.17lb)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12from 1.08 kg (1.09 kg with haptic touchpad)
Dimensions
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)14": 313.7 x 226.8 x 18.9-23.0 mm (16" B5604 larger footprint)
HP EliteBook 6 G1q318.6 x 224.35 x 17mm (rear)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12312.8 × 214.75 × 14.96 mm
Security & management
Intel vPro
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)Intel Core Ultra vPro options
HP EliteBook 6 G1qN/A — Qualcomm Snapdragon (Arm) platform; Intel vPro not offered
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12vPro-capable (per Wireless spec)
Secured-core PC
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)--
HP EliteBook 6 G1qSecured-Core PC
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12--
Copilot+ PC (40+ TOPS NPU)
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)--
HP EliteBook 6 G1qCopilot+ PC — 45 TOPS Qualcomm Hexagon NPU on all options
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12AI PC — Intel AI Boost NPU up to 11 TOPS, below the 40-TOPS Copilot+ bar
Battery
Battery capacity
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)63 Wh (50 Wh on some SKUs), 3-cell Li-ion; 65 W / 90 W USB-C charging
HP EliteBook 6 G1q3-cell 48Wh or 56Wh; 65W USB-C charger; HP Fast Charge approx 50% in 30 min
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 1257 Wh Li-ion, Rapid Charge to 80% in 1 hr
Rated battery life
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)--
HP EliteBook 6 G1qUp to 24 hrs 48 min (56Wh, HP video test)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12up to ~16 hr (MobileMark 25, WUXGA / 125U)
Support
Operating system
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)Windows 11 Pro (Pro Education / Home options)
HP EliteBook 6 G1qWindows 11 Pro (Windows 11 Home and Enterprise via Volume Licensing also offered)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12Windows 11 Pro (stocked); Windows 11 Home / Ubuntu / Fedora Linux to order
Base warranty
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)1-year commercial warranty; ASUS extended / on-site uplift available
HP EliteBook 6 G1qHP standard commercial warranty; on-site uplifts available; HP Wolf Pro Security Edition (1-year licence)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12Lenovo base warranty (cover varies by configuration); Lenovo Premier Support uplift (to 3/5-year, ADP options) quoted
★
Expert Analysis
Specs web-verified from manufacturer datasheets · Servnet-reviewed · Last reviewed 8 Sept 2026
The ASUS ExpertBook B5 OLED offers the most versatile enterprise configuration, while the HP EliteBook 6 G1q delivers leading display luminance and on-device AI, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 sets the standard for ultra-lightweight business mobility. The ExpertBook B5 stands apart with an optional discrete NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU, user-upgradeable dual SO-DIMM memory slots, a dual-drive option up to 2 TB, and a 63 Wh battery, alongside integrated RJ-45 Ethernet and Intel vPro options. However, it carries extra mass from 1.29 kg, or 1.42 kg with discrete graphics. The HP EliteBook 6 G1q excels in brightness with an 800-nit display panel and provides full Copilot+ qualification via a 45 TOPS Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, but it restricts memory to soldered configurations, caps internal storage at 1 TB, and omits Intel vPro manageability. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 dominates on portability with a chassis starting at only 1.08 kg, supporting up to 64 GB memory and a 2.8K OLED option, yet it omits native RJ-45 Ethernet and contains an 11 TOPS NPU below Copilot+ requirements. IT buyers must weigh ASUS repairability against HP display brightness and Lenovo ultra-light construction.
ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
Best for technical staff needing upgradeable memory, dual storage drives, and optional discrete graphics.
HP EliteBook 6 G1q
Best for field professionals requiring high display brightness and dedicated 45 TOPS Copilot+ AI processing.
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
Best for frequent corporate travellers prioritising sub-1.1 kg carry weight and premium OLED display options.
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ExpertBook B5 (B5404 / B5604)
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