Thinkpad X1 Carbon 2012

Does anybody know exactly what Lenovo means by "encrypted bios"?

 

Excellent. Thanks!

 

You got it! Some of us are just as curious for the info as you. I usually do some intense research on different notebooks before I buy them, and I know others have the same concerns. So it's important we all share that info when it's sometimes hard to find. International unveilings don't help either when there are language barriers involved.

Side note: My X1C should be shipping out of China on the 22nd. So I don't expect to get it until the 25th or 27th (since there are no shipments on Sundays). I hope to get some of you guys that are waiting some of my feedback then.

 

hey guys, silly question here.

does the carbon keyboard have keys for the page back and page forward like the thinkpads? on my t60, they're located on the bottom right above the up, down, left, right keys. i use these keys all the time when web surfing. if no dedicated keys for this, is there a keyboard shortcut for this function? thanks

 

No, they're Pg Down, Pg Up now.

Use Alt+Left or Alt+Right.. that should be fairly universal.

 

Dave: thx for being vigilant and thoughtful in posting here! what an editor-in-chief: hard at work in social media!

may i follow up to ask if you got any word on what type of 256GB SSD Lenovo will use for the x1c? i know yours was the 128gb SSD, but i'm slightly concerned that they'd use a different brand/series for the 256gb SSD's.

it would not make sense to penalize those who are paying some $280 for the upgraded SSD and offering them lower performance, right?

 

gotcha, thanks for the quick reply.

 

@ DaveHH -- I'd love to hear your personal opinion of this laptop (X1 Carbon) vs the Samsung Series 9. Any thoughts or comparisons?

Thanks...

 

First of all, it won't be 128GB. If you whack all of the partitions on the SSD, you start with 119GB of unallocated space. In my case, I can install all of my information worker apps, plus most of my personal data, and still have about 40GB leftover.

There are a couple of assumptions or facts in that. I don't use hibernation so that removes the big hibernation file hidden at the root of the drive. I also run pretty lean on the pagefile size. I don't use restore points so I turn that off. In short, I remove a lot of stuff I don't need. I also typically don't re-install all of the software that Lenovo ships on the drive.

I use network storage for my extended video, music and picture collections. Most of my music and pictures travel with me. The video collection is too huge so when traveling I store approximately 10 movies on the iPad.

I think the answer to your question is probably yes. But it depends a lot on your apps and data.

 

I should really do this. Gotta find a way to make 128GBs work.

 

Have a buddy who needed to make the 128GB MBA work for his setup, rather than pay OEM $$$ for the 256GB upgrade.

Instead he got an external USB3 2.5" SATA3 SSD enclosure(<$20) + Crucial M4 256GB SSD (<$200). Now just he stores his working files on the external SSD and plugs it into whatever system he's working on. Couple of times per week he'll plug into his desktop and it syncs a local copy as backup. If you like/need to carry around large video files Crucial M4 512GB is <$400. His setup works really well for him.

 

Thanks for that. Definitely something to think about.

 

I'm fairly certain my apps and programs will come no where near 128GB or whatever it ends up being. But I do have my music in flac form and have videos that would no way fit on a 128 GB drive. I also dont want to pick and choose what I'd like to have on there. I'm just curious if a NAS will work well to have access to my files. Would I then just be a slave to my network speed as far as accessing my files?

 

have u guys thought about using cloud storage?

 

I already do, but for sensitive data,I kind of still like having the copy locally.

There are a lot of great providers now as well.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

Couple of things to consider.

If you're ok with being able to accessing those music & video files only when locally connected to the same network as your NAS, it'll work fine. Considering you're paying big money for an ultraportable like the X1C, it doesn't make much sense tho. You might want to consider adding an external portable drive. X1C doesn't really have any good network connectivity options. Ethernet dongle is USB2 10/100 so it'll be slow for moving large files back and forth over the network.

If budget restricts you from getting an external case + SSD like I mentioned in the previous post, you can always get a Seagate 1TB ultraslim external USB3 drive for <$100. I have one here at the office. They work really well for the money.

 

if i recall correctly, there are thumb flash drives that are 64gb and 128gb for sale everywhere like newegg, etc. wouldn't those be most convenient to use just for trips and when "off site" or away from home? seems to me that the solve the problem, imminently portable.

 

Of course. There's many options for external storage.
The right choice depends on your needs for storage capacity, speed, reliability and so on. There's not many large capacity USB3 Flash drives on the market and you pay a high premium for those compared to their SSD drive counterparts that also offer much better performance at a lower cost.

 

Another review from Gizmodo
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Review: What the Future of Laptops Should Be

Seems the screen is a plus to them even though it doesn't live up to the Zenbook Prime's IPS. They're very happy with the transfer speeds and average about 5:05 minutes for 25GB in 10 files. The trackpad was excellent and they virtually found 0 flaws. It even seemed to have working gestures with Windows 8 RTM using the Win7 drivers. Fingerprint scanner works better than the original X1 and isn't as finicky. Backlit keyboard is just the right brightness.

One It's good to hear that their only major flaw with it was the bloatware. But most of us know that's fixable.

 

I am used to thinking about my storage needs in Tiers. Local storage is almost always SSD now in my machines. I still use 750GB 7200RPM drives in the Ultrabay of some of my ThinkPads. I use 2.5" USB 3.0 enclosures for portable storage on machines with no bay. I also use eSATAp connections. Last is network storage and my least used files. Network storage is also the largest archive. In my case we are talking about 10TB.

 

I already have a USB 3.0 Seagate 500 GB external drive. But it's just too cumbersome to carry with the X1C. The allure of the X1C is it's ultraportability and having to carry something even as small as an external drive kinda defeats the purpose. The majority of my time would be spent at home and those times I'm away I'm most likely only going to need to view my files and not transfer anything. This will be my first computer in 4 years and thought of having a computer act sluggish for normal tasks just seems kinda deflating.

 

Some more models are listed here in Germany.
lapstars.de UNI/FH

Not cheap, even for students....

Estimated ship date seems to be the 23.8. Cyberport

 

Just placed my order. After using the B&N Gold website and the newsletter coupon I got the base model for $999 (pretax). Stoked!

Shipping date says 8/25/2012 so I assume it will arrive sometime around 8/31?

 

Hey guys, which configuration would you suggest for this type of use:

- Web browsing (Firefox) with many tabs open (like 20 or more).
- Occasional Adobe Photoshop work.
- Occasional Adobe Lightroom work.
- Occasional AVCHD format video editing (non-pro, just family videos).
- Other programs include MS Office, CuteFTP, Slysoft products, etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

Do we think this is close enough in size to the Macbook air 13 that a sleeve made for that device should work for the X1C?

 

Looks pretty close:

http://5.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gall...vo-thinkpad-x1-carbon/lenovo-x1-carbon-11.jpg

 

Well after canceling my X1C (i7/4GB) I looked into T430u and it kind of looks like it might not have a 1600x900 screen at all let alone the X1C screen.

It will have many of the X1C limitations because it is classified as a Ultrabook.

I also read carefully the comments of the cost of it being ultra portable.

So I ordered a T430s fairly loaded for $1100.00

500GB Drive (I can put a good SSD any time or go Hybrid SSD/HDD

I got the i7 which is 4600 on PCBenchmark compared to around 4000 for X1C (i7) around 3600 for i5/8G.

I can put 16GB of 1600Mhz memory. I ordered it with 4GB and will probably add 8GB for $50.00

Oddles of connections. Ethernet, Thunderbolt, 2 USB 3.0, VGA (not so much junk to carry around in your bag). Travel weight will probably be less than X1C if you add a portable DVD.

Lot's of options on battery. $500.00 Cheaper.

Wish it had the X1C screen but I have T420 1600x900 and my wife has a T420s with 1600x900 and the screen really is fine.

The T420s package really is very nice.

Some say the Keyboard on X1C is great for 3lb 14" machine but not quite as good as T430(s).

And I saved $500 or so (1/2 a base X1C !!!)

Even though T420(s)/T430(s) have ok speakers I hate them where they are, they constantly get bits of lint etc. in the grills.

I do some development on my laptop (Visual Studio and Android) and might to a little photo/video editing. I want something faster than my T420/i5 and more portable.

The X1C is NOT faster and in some cases slower !!! I thought you pay through the nose to maintain the performance of the slightly bigger brothers.

But you pay a lot more AND lose significant performance all for 1lb

 

Yup. I've got a Patriot 64GB Supersonic Boost XT USB 3 Flash Drive achieving up to 90MB/sec (Read); 30MB/sec (Write). In my world -> Respectable.

 

Now the B&N discount is only 6%. Here's hoping for a big Labor Day Sale!

 

But even better the uber Patriot Supersonic Magnum (64 or 128Gb) delivers sequential read performance at speeds up to 200MB/s and up to 120MB/s sequential write speeds.

Impressive.

 

I will never touch the T430 u ONLY because there is no backlit option... which is a shame.

For the long flights to Oz or RSA and while wife is watching TV -> I could no longer use a backlitless laptop.

 

Seriously? Looks like I missed out. Bummer.

 

Another idea:

what about using an SDXC card in the card slot?

that way, you don't even need to carry anything as, most likely, the SDXC card can stay inside the slot, though of course it depends on how deep the slot's depth is, as some of these slots are not deep at all nowadays due to the need to save on internal space.

just another idea! these SDXC cards get very big nowadays, i forgot what size, but i seem to recall 128gb?

 

Some smaller keyboard manufacturer makes an all black one, entirely blank keyboard, and their claim is that you're so much faster IF you manage to memorize your keyboard!

IF one subscribes to that idea, then whenever your wife is watching a movie en route to Australia, you'd be the world's fastest typist on a T keyboard with no backlighting!

 

I'm pretty sure T430u will have a backit keyboard. I'd be amazed if it didn't.

It shows up on their comparison chart (not that, that is a guarantee)

 

This is what I do. I keep 2 64GB SD cards in my X220T (I have an pci express sd reader). It works well for the most part, but is slower than the SSD.

 

They'll have another sale soon. The EPP prices went up, too.

 

I'm still getting the $999.20 price with the email coupon.

 

Wow. Definitely glad I picked one up already. I'm seeing the price hike too.

 

I'm looking through the options for this on the US site, since for some reason its not out in AUS yet. Do you guys think its worth getting the 8gb RAM upgrade just for future-proofing? $250 for the extra 4gig feels like a rip-off comparing the X1C with the 2012 Macbook Air.

 

Anybody has problem tracking their orders?

I got an error messgae, website error

 

!! Good catch on that one DM !

But typing like this is like golf, something I gave up trying to learn many years ago...

Wouldn't be easier just to tick a box before to check-out ? If they make it fit in the X1C, no reason not having backlit keyboard in the T430u, it is an option with the T430 and the T430s...

 

Yep, getting same error here all morning. Site must be down.

 

Will i notice any difference i5-3427U vs i5-3317U ? I mainly watch 1080p videos.

Thank you

 

@themouse: may i ask how you manage to keep TWO SD cards in your laptop? isn't there only one slot? thx in advance.

i looked up the SDXC cards available. the best ones appear to be:

Sandisk Extreme Pro: speed in the 90MB/s range
Sandisk Extreme: speed in the 45MB/s range

Price-wise, it is vastly different! for a 64gb, it is ~$80 vs ~$160!
For 128gb, only the Extreme line is available at ~$170.

from the looks of things, due to availability of the 128gb cards only at the "Extreme" level and not at the "Extreme Pro" level, i'll be getting one at ~$170, and have to live with the ~45MB/sec speed.

i wonder if the speed will be noticed as "slow" during day to day use?

anyone has experience on this front?

Thx.

 

Wonder when the next sale will be. Does anybody know if Lenovo has a history of doing a labor day sale?

 

Wow, you really are new to this. Lenovo has sales for EVERY holiday...and then some. Yes, there will be a sale for Labor Day.

 

i'm of the exact same mindset, situation, as you!

i'd do it if they gave either the same pricing or slightly better than before. doesn't necessarily have to be an uber big sale.

it would be great to hear some owners' feedback/early reviews too! it sort of gives one additional comfort and confidence when the good folks here, who are all essentially enthusiasts, tell us that these are the good aspects and these other aspects are ones to watch out for.

i'm particularly interested in areas that are a bit tough to address like temperatures, screen brightness (it's only 300 nits), and other incidentals (though important to me) like the slimmest/smallest sleeve that the x1c would fit into (a zippered laptop sleeve, minimally sized to "just fit" the x1c).

 

Look at Transcend and Patriot SDXC cards in this size as well. A Class 10, 64GB SDXC card will run you $40. And "no," he doesn't have two SDHC/XC card slots on his machine. He just carries two around with him for his portable files (as do I). Two 64GB SDXC cards are half the price (total) of a single 128GB one.

Cheers, B