Thinkpad X1 Carbon 2012

Just wanted to post my thoughts on this too. I just received my X1 in the mail yesterday -- the first thing I noticed when turning it on is the screen door effect on it, pretty disappointing. I called tech support and they are going to send me a box to have a depot look at it and replace it with a better panel. But I am wondering if this is just going to be a common thing on these laptops or if it's just the luck of the draw for the screen manufacturer. I also noticed my touchpad is a little loose but that doesn't really bother me.

Either way spending this much money on the laptop, I would hope the screen wouldn't be this bad. Mine is pretty noticeable and it drives me crazy!

 

Bummer thought I remembered getting that info from PoweStrip when adding 1600x900 resolution to my XPS 16 for a gaming option.

 

Screen door effect and loose track pads are feeling like a common denominator on consumer machines arriving. This doesn't look good!

 

That issue caused me pause when it appeared in reviews. Made it easier to wait instead of placing an order, and waiting anyway as it turns out. Curious now if it is an issue of some seeing it and being bothered while others aren't, or if it has multiple displays. I would guess the former.

 

I'm sure hoping it's the latter! I don't know how someone couldn't notice it.

I'm also questioning how lenovo would be very proud of this laptop and release it with the panel having the screen-door effect on it. Surely someone noticed?

 

If the problems really are as bad as some people say they are I'll be sending mine right back when I receive it, and I will sure as heck not be paying any sort of restocking fee. Then I'll walk down to the Apple store and buy something more worthy of my money.

It really saddens me that it seems the only company who doesn't have their head up their butt when it comes to quality of build or customer service is Apple. I'm a PC user but I demand quality, and if no PC maker will give me the quality and service I want then what am I supposed to do?

 

Try Everest? Download Everest Home Edition 2.20 Free - Everest Home Edition - a freeware system information, system diagnostics and benchmarking solution - Softpedia

 

I tried speccy as well to look into the actual panel with no luck.

 

I always download and install HWiNFO.

See HWiNFO, HWiNFO32 & HWiNFO64 - Hardware Information and Analysis Tools

I use the 64 bit version at HWiNFO64 Download but they also have a 32 bit version if you need it.

 

From HWiNFO I get:

Monitor Name (Manuf): LP140WD2-TLE2

Looks like an LG/Philips panel.

 

I think there's a story here that hasn't been told. I had heard a long time ago the Carbon would have an IPS screen. That obviously didn't happen. Then we see glowing reviews on the Carbon and it's screen. Now we have real production machines showing up in customer hands and the small percentage of those folks that post here indicate the screen isn't as cool as the reviews indicate.

What on earth is going on? What possible explanation could Lenovo have for this?

Now we get to see if everyone else has the same panel, or are there three suppliers as is usual.

 

Multiple reviews mentioned being able to make out the pixels rather easily when looking at the display.

 

The vast majority didn't. Oh well, Lenovo is making their own bed.

 

X1 Model: 3443-CTO
Monitor Name: Lenovo [Unknown Model: LEN40A2]
Monitor Name (Manuf): LP140WD2-TLE2
Date Of Manufacture: Week: 0, Year: 2012
Screen-Door Effect: Yes

 

Same as above.

 

Same as above

 

I should note that while I'm a bit disappointed with the screen, the keyboard is absolutely phenomenal in my opinion... just as good or better than my T60 keyboard.

 

Ordered 8/19/2012
Shipped 9/09/2012
Arrived 9/13/2012

Same here

Love the keyboard! Best trackpad on Windows 7! Screen-door effect bothersome. Time to call CSR.

Update: Depot is sending a box to view the device and decide if the panel is faulty. Fairly disappointed at the moment. I really like everything else about this PC.

 

Until I hear that they're actually replacing them with better screens, I wouldn't bother. I had a nightmare of an experience with my T400 where they "didn't see" a giant white spot on the screen when I sent it in. After sending it in a second time, they still didn't fix it, and additionally replaced my motherboard with a faulty one in the process somehow.

 

I found Depot Service to be as unhelpful as conceivable when it came to display issues. They claimed they couldn't see anything wrong with an X220 display that had absolutely hideous levels of backlight bleed (I mean genuinely; I've seen enough displays to know what is really bad versus marginal), and furthermore managed to damage the finish on the laptop and ding the battery up before they sent it back. I wouldn't risk sending a shiny new X1 Carbon in without some kind of serious confirmation that the problem has been resolved.

 

Thanks for the advice. I am going to ask for a refund. It is terribly disappointing It came so close to replacing the MBA as the best Windows Ultrabook.

 

Received mine today, 1 day ahead of scheduled delivery.
Wow I can't stress how beautiful this computer is. The keyboard is honestly, the best I've ever used. And this is an ULTRAbook!
It was well worth the wait, I can't be happier.

 

I don't notice this.

 

I received my 256GB / 8GB model today after ordering 8/14 (first day). I do graphic design so the screen is one of the most important things for me. I'm looking for the screendoor effect and don't really see it even up close. I'm usually very nitpicky and I just don't see it. After getting very close to buying the Samsung Series 9 13" or Asus Zenbook Prime due to their wonderful screens, I decided to hold off and get the X1C for a more complete package. Honestly, I'm surprised to say this thing holds its own against the IPS/PLS of the others. The viewing angles are excellent. I have it next to my Samsung QX410 (average 14" TN panel) and it looks awesome in comparison. Whites are much brighter, blacks are deeper, and viewing angles are WAY better. There is only major color distortion looking at it from the bottom (which is rare). They trackpad and keyboard are much better and I love the addition of the fingerprint reader. It's MUCH lighter/thinner/smaller. I'm surprised this is a TN on the X1C.



My only issues are the trackpad feels a bit wobbly and the plastic trim on the bottom of the panel is sticking out a bit. They aren't issues that will create problems for me as everything still works, but I'd like to get them fixed since I just got this. This is my first Lenovo and I'm happy to see the 24/h US tech support. I'm glad I probably won't have to go through what I've gone through with HP in the past, and just take it to a local service provider to get it repaired under warranty. Unfortunately, everywhere is closed to take it to right now. But does anyone have experience with this? Were you happy with the service done on your ThinkPad after? Thanks!

 

Hey, I've been following this thread for a while, but first post here.

I just received my Carbon today, totally worth the wait. I've been waiting for 6 months for this bad boy. I'm very satisfied with the exception of the mobile access. When I try to view the settings, it tells me I don't have a SIM card. But supposedly all of the Carbons have a GOBI4000 SIM card when I look at the order page. Even though the application is installed and running as a process, it does not have an icon in the system tray, also strange. I can't get my ID to setup my account at mobile.lenovo.com. This is really disappointing as I was really looking forward to this feature to eliminate the need for a hotspot.

Anyone else trying out their mobile access?

 

Anyone care to make recommendations on what crapware to uninstall?

I don't think a clean install is necessary, maybe just removal of the recovery partition.

 

Could you install HWiNFO32 and look to see what the screen information is on your machine and post it here?

Thanks,

Thor

 

Here you are. Let me know if the image doesn't show.

Imageshack - lenovox1chwinfo.png

So correct me if I'm wrong..

LEN40A1 - T420/T430
LEN40A2 - X1 Carbon

 

got my base model today and have been using it for about 8 hours, no touchpad looseness here, and the screen door effect on the LG lcd is much less pronounced than people made it seem. I wiped windows right away to install ubuntu and it's been fine. Overall I'm really happy with the machine and it's a great upgrade from my 2011 macbook air with it's $600 LCD replacements and $250 keyboard replacements.

 

Thanks for posting the information. It appears you have the same screen as everyone else.

 

I see. Interesting.

So can anyone comment on their experience with getting their lenovo/ibm serviced at a local authorized service provider? I'd like to get some little cosmetic quality issues resolved.

 

Definitely no SIM card in mine, but wasn't expecting one. The SIM slot is at the back, just take a look.

 

Does everyone have the Ericsson H5321gw? I don't understand why they changed the naming on the site to GOBI 4000, unless they actually changed the WWAN card to a GOBI 4000 which doesn't seem to be the case.

 

Can people who have received an X1C with a 128GB drive please post what brand (Sandisk/Toshiba) their drive is?

 

I'm pretty sure they are all custom X100 Sandisks in both the 128GB/256GB.

 

Struggling here. I really want to keep this X1 Carbon, but the LCD seems so soft. I keep looking for a Sharpness setting. Don't trust sending it to the Depot. I am going to call and try to return for refund and reorder once people have reported on the LCD.

 

I'm looking for people who will actually check the brand information; some review units had toshiba drives.

 

Gobi 4000 (4G) was a big selling point for me. I saw a review of the X1 when it was announced and I thought they said it only had Gobi 3000 (3G), but when I went looking on Lenovo's site it said Gobi 4000 so I went ahead and ordered it. I'm sure hoping that's the case.

 

same manufacturer?

 

Screendoor effect in the house. Yikes. Back she goes!

 

This is strange. Either some people are FAR more sensitive to this screen door thing than others or LG has serious quality control issues with their screens.

 

I think it's probably mostly sensitivity. I noticed it easily when I first booted it because I was expecting it, but after a day of good use it isn't bothersome or really noticeable.

 

I'm *really* curious to hear what people who ordered when it said GOBI 4000 get. When I asked a Lenovo rep the other day, he said my order showed a GOBI 4000, even though that was never listed for mine on anything I saw. My X1 definitely has the Ericsson card though.

If it's just a different 3G WWAN card, I don't care much... but if I'm potentially missing out on 4G support, that's kinda a bummer. I don't see a half-height GOBI4000 on Lenovo's site, though...

 

SanDisk SD5SG2128G1052E (128 GB Disk)

 

It could be both.

 

I suspect it's the former. I can see it clearly, but it doesn't really bother me and I can understand how some people wouldn't really notice it. I use IPS panels on my desktop at home and work all day, which might make me more sensitive to it.

 

Turns out that I have the Ericsson H5321gw as does zrlenner. I talked to Lenovo Mobile Access support and they were unsure of why. It's on my order sheet, but you apparently need the GOBI3000/4000 to enable Mobile Access.

Anyone else experiencing this? It's frustrating because it was a big selling point for me to have the a la carte mobile hotspot access.

 

Hello folks i just got mine today yay... omg i love this machine! the keyboard is amazing and track pad is awesome... but the screen is bit disappointment, i have same screen door issue that other owners mention, am still debating myself if I can live with this or no but most likely am going to keep it. Just because of the keyboard/ trackpad it makes perfect work laptop on the go. Overall laptop feels really premium and solid.

 

anybody fine the fan noise a bit annoying?

 

So I'm pretty unhappy with the quality of this X1C for what I paid for it. The plastic trim around the LCD is sticking out with a gap on the bottom left-hand corner, above the Lenovo logo. I can probably fit a quarter in it so when I look into it, I can see wires and some adhesive that is failing to hold.

Like others, the trackpad wiggles a bit when touched lightly and needs to be tightened. Something is blocking the downward travel of the ' key and it is very difficult to press. When the lid is closed and I'm holding it, I feel like the lid/screen has some play where I feel it should be tight.

I know these things sound nitpicky, but isn't this supposed to be a premium, business-grade notebook? There are so many awesome things about this notebook that I feel are hindered by these quality issue. Their CS rep told me to take it to my local authorized locations that would do the repairs but I wasted my time when I went and was told they were afraid Lenovo wouldn't cover them for the screen replacement. They said my best bet is to ship it to Lenovo directly. But now after waiting a month to receive this, I have to wait another 1-2 weeks. Does anyone have any experience with their tech support and know if these fixes will be possible? If I receive it after this repair and nothing was fixed, I will definitely get my money back and buy the Samsung Series 9 13".