Is there a better alternative?

The most obvious comparison is the Dell XPS 13. This is a tiny 13-inch laptop indeed, and while it’s constructed of different materials, it feels nearly as robust. You’ll get better battery life out of the Dell and similar performance, and you’ll likely pay slightly less depending on your configuration. You’ll pay $1,559 ($1,303 on sale) for a Core i7, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and a Full HD touch display.

　　Another option is the Asus ZenBook 13 UX333. This is a great-looking laptop that’s not nearly as conservatively designed as the ThinkPad X390, and it sports the same military standard testing. You’ll also pay considerably less, at just $850 for a Core i5-8265U, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. There aren’t many configuration options available in North America, though, so your choices will be limited.

　　Finally, if MacOS can work for you, then the Apple MacBook Air is another option. It’s also a smaller laptop and has its own rock-solid build quality, and it’s also quite premium in spite of its slower, low-power Core Y processor. The MacBook Air costs $1,400 for a Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.

　　

How long will it last?

As usual, the ThinkPad X390 feels like it will last forever, and it has the components to match. It should last you for as long as you need it to, and then some. The 1-year warranty is disappointing, though.

　　

Should you buy it?

Not unless you’re a diehard ThinkPad fan. The X390 is a pleasure to use, it’s fast, and it exudes durability, but its battery life is a real concern.