Thinkpad X1 Carbon 2012

That depends on how you define the word "standard". The form factor you see in the picture is often referred to as the gumstick form factor. I don't think there is an industry standard for this long rectangle shape. The mSATA drive "standard" had previously been more square.

Can you upgrade/replace at will? No. At least not until that form factor is in the retail channel. They don't exist in retail, yet.

If that shape is the same as the storage device in the ASUS and other maker ultrabooks, it could become a standard. It's certainly something to watch but as it is right now, you can only get the drive in a new machine. That makes it really hard to save on an upgrade.

Take a look at the after market stick for the MacBook Air in the review at http://thessdreview.com/our-reviews/owc-mercury-aura-pro-express-6g-ssd-review-mba-owners/

Does that look like the same physical dimension as the stick in the X1 Carbon?

 

I'm curious how the trackpad will be. Apparently it's made of glass/magnesium, so that should be good. I'm sure it will be better than Asus' Zenbook line. Those aren't the greatest.. Can anyone chip in with their experience with Lenovo trackpads? Thanks.

 

I'm sure we are going to hear all about it when the production units they send to engadget, theverge, this site, and others do their evaluations of the final product. Everyone will measure it against the Apple trackpad since it is considered the best in the industry.

 

I'm sure we will. I agree it's the best in the industry that I've used. I think a lot has to also do with the software though and hope Windows 8 fixes some of that since it's more tough/gesture oriented. But I've used some pretty good trackpads for Win 7. So I hope it's at least as good.

How do those with the X230/T430 etc like theirs?

 

The trackpad on the X230t works ok after tweaking but I don't like the texture and I think it's a bit too small.

 

Thanks. Fortunately, the X1's is larger, smoother, and comprised of glass/magnesium instead of plastic. But for all we know the sensitivity/responsiveness could be worst. Guess we'll find out soon..

 

Why would you care about the trackpad when you have the trackpoint

 

Or a mouse, like the rest of the world uses (including me).

 

LOL, the trackpoint isn't really necessary for me but who knows, maybe it'll come in handy for some precision clicking.

As for the mouse statement, of course I use a mouse everyday, but that does NOT mean I want a poor trackpad. Occasionally I'll be carrying my laptop off the desk showing someone something, and I'd hate to have one that's finicky.

 

Some promotional images are here. We've seen all these before, but these are in lovely high-resolution.

http://www.partnerinfo.lenovo.com/p...eries/thinkpad-x1-carbon-images-hi-lo-res.zip

Download is about 70MB.

 

If this pictures aren't fakes - what I can't imagine - the viewing angles, the brightness and the absence of reflections with the X1C seems to be very good (and much better as with the MacBook Air):

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4cv3d29nI1qzapd9o1_500.jpg
http://www.ninetechblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/lenovo-x1-carbon-2.jpg

 

How can that not be IPS. Curiously that looks like the touchscreen dot in the T400s/T410s touch models.

 

Another price reference HKUSTSU Notebook Ownership Program 2012

This appears to be the base, 128GB/4GB model at HK$9,180, or USD$1,184.52. So if that's how it translates to the US, I would expect it to be very competitive with the Zenbook Prime and Samsung S9.

I'm sure we'll hear some more good news this week since it's not long now.

 

Psh, where's the subtlety in that? I mean, if you're just gonna go right out and post the link... geez.

 

At 1200 USD I think it actually will do what the X300 failed to do, namely sell well. I'm not wild about the glossy screen or the enclosed battery, but it still looks like it'll be a pretty maintainable notebook at a reasonable price. If only I could justify it...

 

? The screen is matte.

 

^ This.

As I've said before, it's classified as anti-glare but has a semi gloss to it, which is pretty normal with some of the best displays these days. I prefer matte and I have no problem with this.

 

I do not believe that the translated price is real. The indicated shop is for students etc.! I assume that the price for the most favorable X1C at least will be about US$1300.

 

Well that's the base model. I expect the 256GB/8GB to be at least $1500. I can see $1300/1500 for both versions in the states. This is just my opinion based on what I've been seeing in the market.

 

Has anyone seen tear down shots of a production model yet?

 

As long as the base model is in the 12-1300 range, I'm OK with pricing. In fact I'd be OK if the price is within 10% of that range. I wouldn't let the 100 or so bucks bother me on this one... Just my opinion...

 

Funny as I do not care about the price. I just want a decent light machine with 8G ram, good keyboard and screen. Is that much to ask for in 2012?
So far no other alternatives to my 2010 vaio z model. Crazy world.
Hope this one or t430u will give all the options I need. t430u btw has very few info leaked so far. Is it coming anywhere in summer?

 

It is coming in late Summer. But I won´t wait for the T430u: The only screen option is HD. No option for a HD+ screen.

No, and the X1C fits all your needs. The keyboard should be extremly nice with zero flex.

 

Considering that laptops are more expensive in HK/China than the same laptops in the US, I think that educational pricing could be pretty close to on-par with the actual price of the X1C. That would make sense, pricing it aggressively against the Zenbook, Series 9, and MBA competitors. We'll see

 

If it is around $1500 for the 256 GB SSD, it will be better than the Series 9 in all aspects. Any clue about heating and fan noises with the X1C? Series 9 is said to run so hot that putting it on the laptop is a certain NO NO.

 

Ditto. I am looking for the same, but so far haven't found anything worth switching from my T410s, except possibly, the X1 Carbon.

 

urbanglow, thx for the link.

Any notebook will run hot if you clog up the in- or outlets of the ventilation. Thinkpads usually have the inlets underneath, you block these and the machine will run very hot. You put it on the bed sheet and let it decode 720p video and she will start throttling. Nothing you can do about this, even with these low TDP CPUs, have that even on my 10W machine.

For the X1C the inlet are just above the sticker and next to it on the side is the outlet. Don't clog them and it'll be fine



Price, nice, even without the discount this is about 350USD cheaper than the previous prices we have seen for the cheapest model, though these I suspect included Taiwan VAT. So don't forget to add your local VAT, HK doesn't have any.

 

According to this Chinese headline, the X1C will be available for pre-order there on Aug 2.

8ÔÂ2ÈÕThinkPad X1 Carbon½«»á¿ª·ÅÔ¤¹º-IT168 ±Ê¼Ç±¾×¨Çø

I don't know how that translates to the US, but hopefully we'll see something similar!

 

Nice tats.

Back to saving money for pending purchases of cool devices.

 

I tweeted @lenovo:
"@lenovo when will we be able to watch that unboxing video of the X1C?"

I got the response:
"@niklasbostrom Very soon--will post it when the beauty goes up for sale."

This could mean two things: We can order X1C very soon, or we wont see the unboxing video for quite some time.

https://twitter.com/lenovo/status/229980648226578433

 

That's disapointing but it makes sense from their point of view.
Anyway, for me if there is no IPS I will let Lenovo down for a while.
After all that buzz and wait, it better be outstanding

 

Not wanting to cause a ruckus, but what's the big deal with unboxing when you have high-resolution pictures available?
Is it sort of pre-living/sharing the moment? The commentary? Anticipation?
(honest question)

 

Looking at this video again when the notebook is spun 360*, it's a 100% certainty the screen is IPS. No way those viewing angles are possible if it isn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAfYhlyRsCE

Anyone else have concerns about the hinges?

 

It certainly appears as if the screen might be IPS. It's also very bright so that is helpful on rotation. As to the question in hinges, I am not too worried. That is what warranties are for.

I would like to hear the commentary about the screen, memory, and storage options. They don't need to disclose price to do that. However, if they wait until the product is on sale then most of that information will already be online. I think they should use the unboxing to generate buzz ahead of the GA date. Clearly they have allowed some reviewers to disclose information about the X1C.

 

I always thought it looked like IPS quality based on that video and some other stills of it, but signs have been pointing to an above average TN display from LG. I mean is it impossible for a TN display to have good viewing angles?

I really don't care which kind of display it is as long as it's the best quality possible.....but let's hope it's an IPS like Dolby mentioned.

Taipei Computer Applications Show will be held 8/2 - 8/6. I think we'll see the Carbon on display since they seem to be raffling one off.

Lenovo

 

I asked the lenovo sales rep (in Canada) and he said that their wont be a preorder date. But maybe people in the US may?

 

Good catch.

GTranslated:

"Lenovo business turned to line up pumping X1 - 8/4 (6) 10:00 am issuing number plates.[they are going into the car business ]

Lenovo Lenovo, 8/4 (Sat) at 10:00 am held in the booth "business change" Early Bird queued activities fasten tie, bring the briefcase to participate in Lenovo Lenovo will be the former 50-compliant participants out one lucky winners to become the first owner of the Taiwan ThinkPad X1 the Carbon (market price of NT $ 59,900). "

So I would dare saying, that there will be a raffle and they will hand them out. So at the very latest, this is when the machine is in the open, next Saturday(Aug 4). Again the 2kUSd price on that page. But given the discounting policy at lenovo.com, that should come down to 1.3k

gtranslated link...

 

Here is a good reference to see where the X1C falls in its price range. Expect it to be between the T430S and W530 for the base model.

But the 256GB/8GB model is what I have my money ready for.

HKUSTSU Notebook Ownership Program 2012

Note: These seem to be student discounts and you can see the original prices crossed out.

 

It is August. Put up or shut up time.

:wink:

 

I'm buying one the minute it gets listed.

 

Hmm...

What do you guys recon to be the quickest way to get one?

Order from online retailer in the US or HK?
I guess Europe will be last to get the new models, no?
I guess buying stock versions will be much quicker than CTO-configured versions from lenovo.com, no?

Previous times I was never in a rush, but my current machine is killing me

 

Wow. It is the same suggested retail price as the I7 X230. That is amazing. Lenovo is going to sell a lot of these. Shame I have my tech pennies saved for the new Microsoft Surface W8 tablet ATM.

 

I am getting both. Actually all three. X1C, Surface RT and Surface Pro.

 

What about the new Windows 8 TPT? Specs looks nice too:
http://techin5.com/2012/08/lenovo-windows-8-thinkpad-tablet-2-specs-leaked/

 

Me too. I'm planning to get the MS Surface Tablet PRO version, not RT.

The X1C looks interesting. I just hope it is an IPS panel. I may get it. I really like the high resolution screen.

 

I'd prefer a Surface Pro as well

 

Just getting all of that set up would be tech overload for me. I really like the Carbon, however. It looks like Lenovo has done it right on this one. For now, I have fallen in love with my X301 and it satisfies my needs for a good office notebook. I still need to keep my Acer and its dedicated GPU for assembling and editing Aerial images, although my son has discovered how powerful it is and has started to use it for his engineering schoolwork more and more. I can see the handwriting on the wall. So, I'm going to pass on the X1C for now and hope that they add a Thunderbolt port when they refresh Haswell. That would let me consolidate my notebooks by adding an EGPU to the X1C. My X301 should be fine 'till then. I love the keyboard on this X301.

The MS Surface looks too good to pass up. I'm picking up a Pro and will be ordering it on the day they make it available. I've had an HP Slate 500 for 2 years now and it has become my constant companion. I tend to leave my notebook on the desk at work and take the tablet in the briefcase. The Slate 500 limitations are getting old, however, and the Surface looks incredible.

Actually, this does look nice but after having an Atom slate for 2 years, I'm looking for more power. I don't see anything about a pen/digitizer either and I need it for work.

Thanks for the info. I stand corrected. Hopefully, the pen is a Wacom device like they are making available for the new 10" Dell Slate.

Edit: Keyboard does look interesting. It looks more like X1xx Series chicklet keyboard than it does a portable KB. If it folds up like a notebook, that would be really interesting. Pen could very well be Wacom ... even more interesting. It does not look like the standard N-Trig device. Still, HD resolution and Atom power are negatives for me.

Sorry for the OT folks.

 

No?

It is optional.

Oh, and sorry for the OT.

 

Anyone know of better estimated release date?

 

Apparently preorders are tomorrow for China and a release in September. Hopefully release is sooner in the states. Some documents were pointing to Aug 15 if I recall.

Also, several US reps have been saying August as well as the website. I'm expecting it this month.