Thinkpad X1 Carbon 2012

Kaso: ok, how long does it take with your USB 2.0 drives to do most laptop images?

30 minutes?

 

15 minutes. This is not something everyone does a few times a day. So what if it takes, say, one hour? When I do clean install, I give myself a couple of leisurely hours.

 

Here's your link to one of the posts I remembered: http://forum.notebookreview.com/thi...novo-x1-carbon-owners-thread.html#post8852653

I followed up with aikimox via private messaging and he indicated to me all four of the machines had poor quality screens.

There was another corporate buyer that also posted they had received an initial shipment units and were disappointed in the screens but after going through about 500 posts I can't seem to locate it.

Sorry that is the best I can do for now. I don't really think it matters much. It's clear some of the machines coming off the line have a wide variety of issues. It sounds like yours exhibits none of them. I hope mine is perfect too.

 

I'm not disputing that there are some issues with machines. I'm making a very limited point: all X1C's have the same LCD (included reviewer machines). There is no evidence of any variation at all in LCD quality with respect to the screen door effect. That kind of macroscopic variation in single part from a single manufacturer is quite implausible. (I know of no instances of this kind of variation for a single part number from any product: laptop, phone, tablet, etc.)

I am saying it is all just due to different people's perceptions. If I were being cynical, I would say that some of it is people noticing a problem because they were told about it ahead of time. Note that professional reviewers all considered the LCD at least pretty good---some thought it was a really nice LCD.

The fact that everyone who has received multiple machines found the screens to be identical (regardless of how much they liked them) seems good evidence supporting view that it is all a matter of perception.

 

Aikimox actually said all four sucked identically.

He's been posting here for three years and has nearly 10,000 posts. His rep is at a 51. I trust his views on this issue.

Yours, not so much.

 

That was actually the point, that he said they all sucked identically. As vanagon mentioned, there hasn't been one report yet of side-by-side screens that differ in quality.

To me, it seems perfectly reasonable that people are viewing the screens differently, although in actuality they are all very similar in quality.

As an aside, after using the X1C for a few days I can see how some people would notice the screen door effect and it could cause them issues. For me it won't be a problem. Also, the screen is noticeably better than my old T420, which had the horrible screen, so maybe its just that I'm used to that and this is an improvement. Certainly I can see how it might affect some people more than others.

 

Exactly...

 

FWIW I had two of these side by side and they were identical. I will have a third in a week to compare. I don't think there will be any difference.

 

Anyone else going back and forth between ordering an X1C now and waiting for Windows 8? Any idea whether Lenovo plans to have the X1C with Windows 8 available for order on or before launch?

Thanks.

 

Don't you get Windows 8 for free if you buy now? Most folks do a clean install anyway... Are you simply wanting it pre-installed?

 

Considering the delays so far, if you order today it will come with Windows 8.

Seriously though, Lenovo can't ship Windows 8 until 10/26. I don't think they can offer Windows 8 in the SKU until then either. So I believe you have to wait until 10/26 to order if you want the Lenovo custom Windows 8 image.

If someone see's a free upgrade offer, let me know. I have only seen the $14.99 deal.

 

I'm also waiting for Win8 and any potentially improved configurations. I doubt they will have it available before the launch.

 

I want the customized install. I remember when Windows 7 came out, Dell offered customized installs to everyone who bought a Dell during the free Windows Vista to Windows 7 upgrade program. I liked this approach.

 

More Lenovo confusion. I had ordered an X1 Carbon on August 17 (i5/8/256). When the shipping date kept slipping, I phoned Lenovo on September 6. I requested a discount because of all the slipping shipping dates. The rep said he had no authority to give me a further discount. I told him Lenovo was giving discounts to others in the same situation. He said, "no discount", did I want to cancel. I said "yes", but I had already received an external hard drive that I now needed to return. He transferred me to a person in post-sales, who then offered me a $90 discount if I kept the sale going. I said OK, and they promied a ship date of around September 14.

That evening I received an e-mail from Lenovo saying my order had been CANCELLED. This was the last e-mail I received from Lenovo. The following morning I phoned Lenovo, and the rep said that my sale was fine; it had not been cancelled. I told them about the e-mail and she said ignore it. I called back on September 11 and September 18 and each time the customer rep said that my sale had NOT been cancelled, and would be shipped soon.

As estimated ship dates kept slipping, I phoned Lenovo again yesterday (October 10). The sales rep said my order had been cancelled. I asked to speak to his supervisor. He said that she would tell me the same thing. He did put the supervisor on the phone. She said, "No, your order has NOT been cancelled, that was incorrect." She said she would check on the estimated shipping date. After putting me on hold several times, she finally returned and sheepishly said my order had been cancelled. and I had to place a new order.I asked her on what date the order had been cancelled. She said that her system only showed that the order had been cancelled, but no date at all!

She offered to transfer me to sales to place the new order at the same price I had agreed to on August 17. That price included the promotion in effect that week & the 10% newsletter discount. I asked about the additional $90 discount, and she agreed to that as well. When I placed the order, the sales rep estimated a ship date of October 16. I think that was sooner than they were going to send me August 17 order. We will see.

What total confusion at Lenovo. There really is no excuse for all this misinformation.

 

Got mine today. Original order was Aug. 17th. Lenovo cancelled my order Sept. 24th. Had to reorder that day. So far no problems. Now I will see if Lenovo honor my concession off my original order of Aug. 17th. I have the email concession. If not I may send it back.

 

Well, add my name to the list of people who has had not only a bad, but troubling experience with Lenovo. First off, let me say I’ve been a Think Pad fanboy for years. That is why I’m so disappointed with my last attempt at purchasing the X1 carbon.

On the 30th of September I ordered the new X1. The only email I received was a conformation of the order. Lenovo has always been behind the time in customer notifications, but I could log in an check the ship date, the 14th. On the 10th of October I logged into the site – no more ship date, no more price. I called Lenovo and was informed that the order had been involuntarily cancelled. The said the “X1 was not taking that configuration well”. The agent wasn’t really interested in helping me, but quickly wanted to hand me over to the sales department to order a new laptop, no offer to take care of the issue. I declined, confirmed that the order was cancelled, and bought a competitor’s product (Zenbook Prime).

Over a month after the cancelled order from Lenovo I get a notification that my credit card has been charged, and that Lenovo has sent out an X1. Wait... what??? When I call Lenovo to inquire, they say that yes my order was cancelled, but it wasn't REALLY cancelled and due to a glitch in the system they sent one out. They told me it was now my responsibility to return the lap top in good condition to get a refund. What’s more the agent pushed HARD for me to accept that laptop and take a $75 concession, which made no sense.

They were unwilling to recall the laptop via UPS (which can be done) and didn’t seem to care that they have mistakenly put a large charge on my credit card. They wouldn’t allow me to escalate to anyone. I feel helpless and frustrated. Although I think in a few weeks, I’ll probably see my refund, after a lot of work on my part. This is not the way for a company to behave. No communication, faulty processes, and completely unwilling to take ownership for this issue.

If SOMEONE, ANYONE from Lenovo would like to help me out PLEASE contact me. Please don’t do this to another unsuspecting consumer. Until Lenovo contacts me and listens and responds to my experience, I will make sure I tell everyone about my experience on every forum I can find.

Shame on Lenovo, they may make awesome products, but their customer service in intolerable, and in my opinion possibly unethical.

 

Be sure and post your story at X Series ThinkPad Laptops - Lenovo Community and contact Mark_Lenovo there.

I would contact your credit card company and dispute ALL charges. Blatantly charging your credit card without your permission borders on fraud. You should tell Lenovo to send someone to pickup the machine.

What a bunch of boneheads.

 

@ WingnutBlue

Just some additional information for you. I had a similar situation, and I told the Lenovo rep that I wasn't going to sign for the package when UPS shows, and the rep told me if I did that I would be on the hook for a re-stocking fee. They want you to sign for it and then return the computer to another location. They send you shipping labels electronically. Hope everything works out for you.

 

The problem with Lenovo's process is that you have to deal with it in the first place. Of course they want you to follow their process because the shipment came from China. But a delivery refusal should automatically go to the return center. Should. I don't know if it does.

Regarding the re-stocking fee, they threaten all sorts of stuff. The reality is that you have rights but few people use them. Talk to your credit card company. They can't just charge your card whatever and whenever they feel like it.

 

Hi,

Can anyone please tell me how the X1 Carbon's keyboard compares to the Macbook Air? I recently bought the Air but I find the keyboard too shallow, and am looking to return it within the 14 days for something else. Is the X1's keyboard better? Is it as good as other Lenovo keyboards?

 

It's better and I've reviewed them both, but keep in mind this is a .7" ultrabook. It's too thin to be able to match the keystroke of a standard ThinkPad.

 

ThinkPad X1 Carbon 20th Anniversery-Edition, Made in Japan: The ThinkPad 20 Anniversary Edition released - specifically network - professional laptop technology exchange website

 

These little details make me salivate:





Also included is the seppuku kit for self-upgrading:

 

Does it intentionally forget to say assembled in China? I didn't know Japan still made laptops.

 

Lenovo does have a plant in Japan, but the laptops made there are sold in Japan, I think. And Japan does make laptops: among others, some of the Sony VAIO models (Duo 11, Vaio Z, etc) are made in Japan.

 

They need to crank up production in that Japanese facility to meet X1 Carbon demand. I like the 20th Anniversary model, but just wish they could put that effort into churning out well built, higher spec'd X1Cs in general.

 

Lenovo has a deal with NEC. NEC Yamagata Plant makes (some) Thinkpads sold in the Japanese market. It is similar to their new operation in NC to make Thinkpads for US market.

Also, ToughBooks and high end Sony's are still made in Japan.

 

Lenovo and NEC has a Joint Venture in Japan, which caters exclusively to the Japanese market. It also help the Japanese customers come to term with the Lenovo brand.

 

I finally got a chance to see the X1 Carbon in the flesh at a local retailer. While I only had a few minutes with the machine powered on, I did come away with a few observations:

• the base of the machine, keyboard and bottom, seemed to have a lot of flex, almost as it they weren't screwed together properly
• I only saw the inital boot up and setup screen for the machine, the shop didn't want me to set it up and proceed to the desktop, but I couldn't notice much of the screen door effect - I am very picky and was expecting it but within the userid setup window, I couldn't make much of one out
• the machine is light, sleek and sexy

The shop did mention that they only had 4GB models and the rep said he doubted any had been sold yet as it is priced out of their usual customer's price range. All in all, I am going to order one. Hopefully WWAN is available in Canada again along with an i7/8GB config.

 

Where did you see it? Toronto? I'd like to try one out in a store...

 

I saw it at Canada Computers in Mississauga.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_577_1044&item_id=052264

I only spent about 10 minutes with it, under sales rep supervision, but it was enough to convince me that I should get one. I just have to wait for WWAN to return (as an option in Canada) and hopefully an i7/8GB config too.

 

Sorry for reviving an old thread? Is this 2012 model still plagued with screen door effect? Would Lenovo change it for free if the laptop is still under warranty? Are there any known issues as well?

 

Yes.

Looking at it right now

Also nearly bought a 2nd "NEW" one from Ebay a month ago.
Checked it when it arrived, same problem.

Eagerly awaiting something worthwhile, with working function keys, in 2015...

 

Hello,
first of all, merry christmas to everybody

do you know if it is posible to upgrade lenovo thinkpad x1 carbon 2012 screen?
I have the estandard 1600x900 14' screen
can i buy an ips screen separately and add it to my x1 carbon?

thanks for your help!
borjazd