ThinkPad X1 Carbon (6th Gen) Owners Lounge

I will probably replace the thermal module at some point --sooner rather than later if the X1 Carbon is noisier than the HP ENVY x360 Convertible 13-y0XX that I purchased on December 2016. I have not decided which thermal compound to use. I am interested in one that has both excellent heat conductivity and a long lifespan. Any suggestions?

 

This was posted yesterday: "Quality Control? Why I Returned My ThinkPad X1 Carbon 3 Times" | Tom’s Hardware - https://www.tomshardware.com/news/lenovo-laptop-quality-control-issues,37510.html.

 

https://medium.com/@maciejmensfeld/...of-a-potentially-great-ultrabook-83efea46efc6

 

This is really odd. After I received my X1C, 7 of my friends and coworkers from around the country (U.S.) purchased X1Cs. Two of them previously had Macbooks, 3 had Dells, 1 had an HP, 1 had an Alienware. They purchased X1Cs after talking to me and trying mine (for those who didn't live here they tried it when I was with them on business trips.)

None of them have had any of the issues these articles talk about. I'm not disputing the people who wrote the articles had issues, but they make it sound like if you buy an X1C you've got a 1 in 10 chance of getting a good laptop. And if there are some issue I hope Lenovo improves their QC. Also, as I tried to take into consideration when I was researching the Dell XPS 15 (the laptop I planned to purchase, I and my family have had Dells or Alienwares for MANY years) most people don't go to websites to post how much they like their purchase. You get a much higher ratio of people with problems who post on boards, whether it is laptops or mattresses, because people happy with their purchases typically have no reason to post on websites. (I'm here because I read these forums all the time.)

For the XPS 15 there were 500 pages of threads of people describing problems. The general advice was to immediately re-paste the GPU and CPU, flash an ISO some users put together, and a ton of other fixes, plus pages of how to best return it and get them to send one hoping to not have any one of dozens of serious issues. I just wanted a laptop I could open up and use. I was told as long as you are willing to do all the work of replacing all the drivers, re-pasting, hacking the BIOS, etc. etc. etc. you could potentially have a good machine.

Compared to 36 pages so far here. With only a few issues. I did have the issue with my USB ports not working properly with my iPhone, but Lenovo fixed that pretty quickly. Maybe my experience and those of the friends and coworkers are an anomaly, but I'm glad I didn't read those articles before I purchased my system. OH - I take that back, one of my coworkers had a question as to whether his higher level backlighting was as high as it should be, he had the on site warranty, they sent someone to his house and made him happy.

Just an alternate point of view. Again, I am not suggesting the articles are written by people that are making things up, and if there are Lenovo QC issues I hope the articles motivate Lenovo to address them. But for me, I wouldn't trade my X1C in for any other laptop on the market.

 

Is anyone else having choppy 2-finger scrolling issues in Chrome?

 

Enticed by “Black Friday in July” savings and “same day shipping” I ordered a preconfigured ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen. (Part Number 20KH002HUS) and a few accessories. Following are some comments regarding the purchase experience and the laptop itself.

• Lenovo shipping dates seem to be aspirational. I placed my order on July 18th and Lenovo did not ship the laptop until July 24th despite the “same day shipping” representation. In the meantime, the Order Visibility Portal (OVP) did not reflect any changes. It called my attention that two accessories were shipped from Hong Kong while the laptop and one accessory was shipped from North Carolina.
• The Lenovo customer service persons with whom I interacted were attentive and supportive but were not able to get a response to the inquiries and requests they made to the “focal team” and the “sales team” regarding shipment of the laptop. I speculate that Lenovo manufacturing and shipping processes have a high degree of inertia that is very difficult to overcome, and that effective communication between the various Lenovo departments is hindered by an expansive and fragmented global organization. However, someone at “post-sales” was finally able to tell me exactly what the status of my order was and when the laptop would be shipped despite what the OVP showed.
• The ThinkPad Ethernet Extension Adapter Gen 2 cannot be ordered with a preconfigured X1 Carbon because it does not appear in Accessories. However, when purchasing a Configure To Order (CTO) unit one can add it under Adapters.
• The laptop that I received has two issues. The lid does not close properly on the right side (a widespread issue from what I have read) and the keyboard is unevenly lit —so much that the Backspace, Enter and Shift keys are almost dark. I could live with the lid not closing properly and with the keyboard lighting being somewhat uneven, but not with a significant area of the keyboard being almost dark. This is the kind of issue for which a business would not return a laptop, but for which a consumer end-user might. I did.
• The initial resistance to have the unit returned was easily overcome. Lenovo will not charge a restocking fee or return shipping.
• The unit has the Nidec thermal module (Part 01Y203) rather than Delta’s (Part 01Y204). While the fan in the Nidec thermal module is reputed to be noisy as compared to that manufactured by Delta, I did not find it to be louder than the fan in the HP ENVY x360 Convertible 13-y0XX that I have been using since December 2016.
• As far as I could tell, the X1 Carbon does not have a recovery partition that allows the end-user to restore the laptop to its factory state. I created a Lenovo Recovery USB key after downloading all the files from the Lenovo Digital Download Recovery Service (DDRS). However, the process did not result in a factory-state installation. My unit came with Windows 10 Pro Version 1803 (OS build 17134.81) and Lenovo Vantage while the recovery process installed Windows 10 Pro Version 1709 (OS Build 16299.547) and Lenovo Companion. This may matter because it has been reported that excessive fan noise and CPU issues were related to certain settings in factory preloads based on Windows 10 Version 1709.
• Rather than ask for a replacement, I placed an order for a maxed-out CTO unit with WWAN including the ThinkPad Ethernet Extension Adapter Gen 2. Hopefully, this one will not have issues and I will not need to make compromises. If so, a three-week wait for delivery would be worth it.

 

My X1C 6th (arrived a few days ago) came with the following 512GB Opal SSD:
LENSE30512GMSP34MEAT3TA

Does anyone know which drive this corresponds to? I'm guessing it's NOT the PM981.

 

It seems that it is an SSD manufactured by Ramaxel Technolgoy for Lenovo. See: https://fccid.io/MSIP-REM-uis-1003-80746.

 

Its a Lenovo SSD.

 

That’s defitely not Samsung ssd.

 

Hi

It seems that you got a crappy Lenovo made SSD


I would highly recommend you contact lenovo ASAP and claim that the SSD is having

1. BSOD problems
2. When monitored doing small video files transfer, the temperature would reach 90c and the computer crash
3. Cooling pad does not help
4. Reinstall does not help
5. Diagnostic doesn't detect any issue because it doesn't test the SSD
6. SSD sometimes not detected at boot


Ask that you get the SSD replaced either by

1. Technician if you have the onsite warranty service
2. Ask that you get the SSD given to you as a customer replacement unit, say that you are confident in installing yourself



Lastly, ask SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS FRU 00UP490 (Samsung 512GB PM981 part) AND ASK THEM TO NOT AUTO-SUB FOR A COMPATIBLE PART (SEND EXACT)

Say that you are fine with waiting for the EXACT part to arrive, be very adamant that you don't want a compatible part and will only accept exact



If the technician come with another drive FRU (not exact), refuse the service and refuse the machine to be accessed by the technician
If the part come to you, refuse delivery (you can see the FRU number on the confirmation email) by putting a note on your front door (ie: ups [exact track number] refuse delivery, send back to sender)




This applies to every single Lenovo part that you want an exact part number and not a compatible part






If Lenovo feels fine that we can get screwed by a cheaper SSD other than the great PM981, then we also can screw them over the same way

 

Thank you for sharing this! By the way just curious did you purchased the pre-configured one or a customized one?

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Yours shipped one day later than mine and I still haven't receive my X1C yet anyway let's see if my unit has the same issue.

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If your X1 Carbon was shipped on July 25th and has not yet been delivered, it is likely that it was shipped from Hong Kong rather than North Carolina. The most recent Lenovo shipment that I received from Hong Kong took 6 days from label creation to delivery. Did you order a pre-configured system or a CTO? Please let us know if you encounter any issues with your new X1 Carbon.

 

I have the same question regarding @jefflackey's most recent post.

 

preconfigured (not CTO model, I think) will be shipped faster than a CTO that has to be built at the factory according to your specs


if they actually run out of stock for that preconfigured model idk then

 

The fingerprint reader takes about 3 seconds to recognize - is this what everyone else is observing too?(On my X1C 3rd gen, it took about 0.5 seconds.) If so, why would Lenovo use crappier fingerprint sensors?

 

That was not my experience last week when I setup an X1 Carbon 6th Gen manufactured on 6/23/2018. Fingerprint recognition was fast —although perhaps not as fast as that of the iPhone 7 Plus that I had.


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I purchased directly from the Lenovo site and configured it to my needs.

 

Thank you for your reply. It nourishes my hope of getting an X1 Carbon without issues.

 

“Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme may be a premium 15.6 inch thin & light laptop” | Liliputing - https://liliputing.com/2018/07/leno...be-a-premium-15-6-inch-thin-light-laptop.html


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Decided to try and order from Lenovo direct instead of Costco. New machine came today. I got the POS FHD screen made by BOE and it has a dark spot / square at least 4-6 pixels in size. Not to mention PWM dimming, which shouldn't be used at all in 2018. Also got an Intel 760p 512gb SSD. Called into support and they were totally awesome, but the LCD made by AUO is out of stock and estimated delivery of 8/31!! So torn on whether to keep it, if the replacement screen has dead pixels I'll be out of the return window. Smh, I have the worst luck ever when it comes to anything with a screen.

 

Ok i finally receiced my X1C after more than a week of waiting... I ordered on the 20th and Lenovo shipped it on 23rd. Totally missed the Blackfriday in July because I wasn't aware of the promotion period, but there is another sale event going on right after that.

My X1C is a preconfigured one (which means there is no hardware customization option upon placing order) and i did not add any accessories with my purchase. Turns out that my model does not comes with a Ethernet Extension Cable Gen 2. Although i noticed there is no such cable mentioned in "What's in the box" info, but i was still hoping that Lenovo would includes it

My unit's lid cannot close flat completedly either... There are gaps on the left and right side! But it is not like there is a huge gap inbetween though. I attached an image to indicate it. I do have to say, that it is very difficult for me to notice this small gap, and the image i took actually seems more severe than what it actually looks like. I would say either the lid or laptop front portion body is not flat enough, or the laptop hinge does not provides enough force to close the lid. Also when i put the laptop in 90 degree (hinge facing down, laptop bottom facing towards me), the gap becomes larger, which i think is expected?

One thing i noticed quite obvious is the high pitch fan noise... Probably not all X1C units have this issue, but mine does. It only produces high pitch noice when the cooling fan is spinning quite fast and my laptop is not lay on table. I may take apart the bottom panel to see if there is something stuck inside cooling fan.

By the way, my unit was manufactured in June 22nd. I believe that is the same batch as your first X1C unit?

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Cheer on! Get a new one!

 

The lid of the X1 Carbon 6th Gen that I am returning closed perfectly on the left side, but had a gap on the right side.

Several remedies have been discussed here. If your unit came with the Nidec thermal module, you can replace it with the thermal module manufactured by Delta. It is reputed to have a quieter fan. There is also applying a high-quality thermal compound, such as Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, and undervolting. Dave Lee has a good video on undervolting.

The X1 Carbon 6th Gen that I am returning was manufactured on June 23rd. If your unit is Machine Type Model 20KH002HUS, mine probably came out of the same assembly line as yours.

Is your keyboard's backlighting even, or does it have brighter and darker areas?​

 

We'll see. Samsung PM981 replacement drive will be delivered today at least.

 

Anybody know what 256g ssd model is? Could it be Samsung?

 

To know which components are inside your X1 Carbon, go to the Lenovo Part Lookup website ( https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/partslookup) and search by the serial number of your machine. It will also list the components that are compatible with your machine. For the list of compatible SSD models click on "Compatible" and check the "SOLID STATE DRIVES" box. Some entries have photos.

 

Hmm I dont know how to quote only a small section with Tapatalk so im going to quote your entire comment and reply

Did a quick Google search and i saw what you mentioned about fan noise (including your post on Lenovo forum lol). Let me try to contact Lenovo and ask for a fan replacement made by Delta. I'm just disappointed that a new laptop would have this kind of problem... And seems like this batch of X1C does use Furukawa(Nidec) thermal module since your returned laptop also has the same one.

About keyboard backlight, i attached a photo taken in dim environment. I think it is even? I also think my unit's keyboard backlight is very dim compares to other laptop.

On another note, i notice the trackpoint and trackpad will becomes unresponsive alltogether with mouse pointer drifting in one direction. Still not sure how to reproduce this, but I saw some X1C owners comment about this too.

Now I am really curious to see if your new unit also has the same issue or not since I am also considering return my unit and get a new one

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Backlit looks good to me. I cancelled P52 order and placed another order for x1c. Hope it will come flawlessly.

 

While I was swapping the Intel SSD for the Samsung I checked the installed fan and it is Nidec. I have to say, the concern re: this Nidec fan vs. Delta is overblown. Having used multiple X1C6 that had Delta fans, there is no issue regarding fan noise with the Nidec. There's no annoying whine and it actually has a deeper / lower pitched "fan blowing sound" (for lack of a better phrase) compared to the Delta. Not only that, but when running Cinebench for two runs my max CPU temp was 90 degrees (current X1C6 fitted with i5 8350) versus old Delta fan systems fitted with the i7 8550 that hit 98 degrees. I'm sure processor has a lot to do with cooler temps though. But I'm even more convinced now that the 8550U is a colossal waste of money especially considering the 8350 runs 8 degrees cooler in my tests.

Also a fresh install of Windows 10 eliminated by CPU not downclocking at idle issue I had on past X1C6 systems. Installed all Windows updates and latest Lenovo bios + drivers, and the CPU downclocks as it should while idling without running that command prompt script that was mentioned in the Yoga thread. I didn't install a Lenovo recovery image, I did a clean W10 install from USB image created with the MS tool.

Does anyone have experience returning a ThinkPad a few days or weeks after the return period ends? I ask because I have an open case for a replacement LCD that is backordered to Aug 31, well beyond the return period. I was told by support it is up to CS to honor a return if say the replacement screen is also defective and I just want to return.

 

Would there be any restocking fee?

 

They did not say. I'd assume not since there is an open tech support case for an LCD swap? I may just take my chances. I don't want to buy again from Costco since it is more expensive and the 8550U is a waste of money in this form factor.

 

Be sure to confirm with Lenovo agent and save chat as proof.

 

If they charge restocking fee just say you will contact your bank and resolve the matter in your own hands with a chargeback (of the restocking fee amount)

 

Judging from the photo, I find the backlight even enough and bright enough to keep the unit.

I experienced that issue occasionally on ThinkPads I previously owned, but not on the one I am returning. Perhaps I did not use it long enough for the issue to surface. Did you update the BIOS and drivers?

 

I did not find the fan in the Nidec thermal module to be louder than the fan in the HP ENVY x360 Convertible 13-y0XX that I have been using since December 2016.

 

I'll communicate over chat and save everything. Not optimistic they'll be generous and allow a late return. But you never know. The rep who handled my SSD and LCD issues was amazing. This BOE panel is so damn bad. Aside from the dead pixels it's so dim, colors are bland, and there's PWM dimming. If I just return it and reorder, chances are high that I'll get another BOE panel because the AUO ones are out of stock until August 31 I was told. I'm so close to just cutting off my nose to spite my face and getting a MacBook Pro. I've never had so many issues with a laptop in my life and QC is just so bad.

 

Yea it seems you got f'ed on that department too

The AUO panel B140HAN03 .1 is the good FHD variant that you're looking for (fru 00NY435)

 

I have updated trackpoint and trackpad driver as well as BIOS to the latest version. It seems like the trackpoint drifting issue appears less frequently. However, there are a few moment where trackpoint and trackpad stopped working altogether, or the touchpad becomes totally unresponsive. Also, not sure if its due to the way i click my left button (the one with red line), but it is quite often that left click action does nothing at first and i need to click it again.

 

I chatted with Lenovo support and was told that I can't return the laptop for refund under any circumstance beyond the 30 day return window. So ridiculous, it isn't my fault that the LCD is back ordered for at least a month. I don't want to be stuck in a perpetual screen exchange cycle if the replacement screen is defective. Can't believe this is an international company and they are out of stock on an LCD for their flagship laptop for a month. I guess I will wait it out a couple of weeks and if there's no update on the replacement screen I will just return it for a refund. Thanks for the input.

 

Is anyone dissatisfied with their keyboard? My keys are super mushy (with lots of travel). My 3rd gen X1C had less travel, but the keys were clickier and more responsive.

 

Mine has the very mushy keys but I really like it for a laptop. They are nearly silent when typing which is great because I use the laptop in quiet environments. It reminds me of Cherry MX Red Silent keyboards (albeit far less travel). Which I'd never use as a daily driver or office desktop PC. I'm a Cherry MX Brown guy. A couple X1C6 that I had, had the clickier type keys and they felt better to type on, I agree with you on that, felt like there was just a hair more feedback which made a slight difference in my typing. Nothing major for me.

 

Okay so I'm not the only one who found the keys mushy. Unless my keyboard came from a bad (or different batch). I think I'm going to return this laptop and stick with my 3rd gen - too many issues.

 

say that you will resolve with bank

and ask for a higher up, refuse to talk to the representative unless he/she declares title as manager / head of operations

 

My X1C keyboard feels less clicky and less responsive compares to my W530. But i feel like only some keys are mushy on my unit's keyboard though.

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I would talk to a supervisor. The way warranties are supposed to work is the date used is the date the issue is reported. So if you report the issue within 30 days and they have an issue on their side. it should be within your 30 days for a return. Just as if you have a 1 year warranty on parts for your computer and the GPU craps out within 11 months, you report it, but they don't have a replacement GPU for another month and a half, you are still covered because you reported the problem while still under warranty.

I would bet that a supervisor will take care of you.

 

What's the best temperature monitor for the X1C? I never hear my fan, even when it is running full blast, but I've tested it by running a game that works the system hard and I can feel the hot air coming out of the vent on the right side and the case is pretty warm immediately next to the vent. I'm interested in what temps it is hitting at that point.

 

I reported the issue on 7/30, I think my invoice date was 7/23 because that's when it shipped and that's when the warranty started. So based on that I'd think he return window closes 8/22. I will give it until maybe August 15 at which point I'll ask to speak with a manager. Thank you.

I use HWInfo, I think it is very comprehensive.

 

hwinfo works well for comprehensive monitoring but you will get popup that some sensor will cause issue when monitor, agree with the popup and don't monitor the sensor
hwinfo is resource intensive though

throttlestop works fine as a cpu temp monitoring program, very light and doubles as your main undervolting tool




regarding the keyboard, the x1c6 keyboard does feel less clicky compared to the x1c5, I have both and test side by side