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    Thinkpad X1 Carbon 2012

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by xzybit, May 15, 2012.

  1. Razius

    Razius Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have read through the entire thread, and didn't see this question posed or answered. What I am curious to know is the dimensions of the laptop, and if since the screen has a slim bezel if it is possibly the size of a 13" body wise?
     
  2. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    I found the dimensions in the Russian test we saw

    329 x 226 x 16-22 mm
     
  3. vindicator83

    vindicator83 Notebook Consultant

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  4. mikew3456

    mikew3456 Notebook Consultant

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    will there be mini-displayport?
     
  5. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thankfully, yes.
     
  6. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    Any news yet? I'm dying to see more on this laptop. It looks great. I'm especially interested to see more on the display. I won't assume it'll match the Asus Zenbook Prime, but I hope it comes close.
     
  7. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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  8. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    Yeah I saw that posted a few pages back. Was hoping for even more lol. But I've been taking those display stats into account. It doesn't seem to live up to the display on the Zenbook Prime but it also seems pretty good. I hope they don't screw that up. I'm hoping it's still possible changes will be made before production.
     
  9. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Here's my analysis of the Zenbook Prime matchup. This is just based on reading reviews and specs.

    Screen - Prime
    Keyboard - Carbon
    RAM - Carbon
    SSD - Prime
    GPU - Tie
    Case - too subjective. I like black.
    Warranty and Support - Carbon
    Price - I'd bet the Prime will be much cheaper

    If you could get a Zenbook Prime with 8GB of RAM, it would really help the case for buying the ASUS, especially with a 256GB SSD. Without that option, there is strong gravitation for the Carbon.
     
  10. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    Sucks, cuz that screen is big for me. But with how many other areas the Carbon excels in, and the fact that it'll likely be built much better than the Asus, it's a bit of a no brainer.

    But why did you put the Asus as the winner in the SSD department? Won't they both offer up to a 256GB or are we seeing new evidence of 128GB tops?
     
  11. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Why do you say the screen is too big? One is 13.3" and the other is 14".

    You can't really decide a winner until Lenovo releases the full specs and prices for the model(s).

    Lenovo has historically not supplied SATA III SSD in large capacity and if they do on the Carbon, it would be a first. So I made an assumption they'll fumble this again. I mean really. The lame Toshiba proprietary SSD stick instead of a mSATA slot? That alone turns me off.

    But ASUS is making the same mistake.
     
  12. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    I meant the screen is a big FACTOR for me. It's not physically big. The bigger the better, as long as the size of the laptop itself isn't too large. For doing design work I'd prefer the 14" over 13.3". But color accuracy and viewing angles is really important to me for the same reason.

    I didn't know that about Lenovo, but I hope they would at least offer a 256GB. If they don't use a proprietary connector and instead a standard mSATA, I could care less. But from what we're seeing, that might not be the case. I'm hoping by August, 256GB will be more common and Lenovo decides to include it. 128GB is just not enough for me. On top of that, I hope they use a GOOD SSD, and not repeat the same Asus situation between the U100 Sandisk/ ADATA. Fortunately, Asus seems to have included the ADATA for final release on the Prime.
     
  13. Pseudorandom

    Pseudorandom Notebook Evangelist

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    128GB is the only option we've seen so far.

    Do note that the proprietary SSD is about twice as large as a standard 50mm mSATA drive. It would be a depressing waste of space if there aren't any larger options, since in theory, there should be enough space to fit 512GB worth of NAND chips.

    As for lameness of the stick. At least its a much better SSD than Toshiba's 128GB mSATA drive in the Z830...
     
  14. ibmthink

    ibmthink Notebookcheck Deity

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    I think we will see 256 GB as an option too. But I don´t expect 512GB, due to the cost.
     
  15. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    A 128GB only option isn't going to fly.

    Options and pricing for the X1 Carbon will be key. There is a lot of competition now.
     
  16. Pseudorandom

    Pseudorandom Notebook Evangelist

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    Depends on how you look at it. The X1C has a lot of competition for "premium ultrabooks" in general, but pretty much none for "Ultrabook with a usable keyboard and a Trackpoint". So if I for whatever reason decide that I want an ultrabook instead of a real ultraportable, there really is no competition at all.

    I think for any machine that isn't an niche halo product, options and pricing are key.

    As for the 512GB. Lenovo really likes their volume, so that is something against a 512 option. But there has to be a reason other than "we hate our users" for the custom SSD. 512GB is pretty much the only thing I can think of, since 256 is doable with half the size.
     
  17. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    I hope 256GB is offered at least.

    Also, I've seen contradictory statements made about whether this is to be marketed as an ultrabook or full powered notebook. So have we figured out if the final production will have a low voltage cpu or not?
     
  18. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm pretty sure the X1 Carbon, and price, will come with a premium. I'm sure we'll find out in the next 30 days.
     
  19. hecke

    hecke Notebook Enthusiast

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    As far as I see, they are very specific:
    ThinkPad X1 Carbon - tough, reliable Ultrabook Laptop from Lenovo (US)

    Still I hope for a non-Ultrabook Version with a real CPU. But usually I get disappointed in my prayers for a perfect notebook. :frown:
     
  20. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    True. I think all the reads from their designers saying they were aiming for something different than the current ultrabooks made me think otherwise. But you're right, they have mentioned "ultrabook" many times.

    The Russian test we saw not long ago also listed a low voltage processor

    "Intel Core i5-3427U: 1,8 GHz (2.8 GHz mode Turbo Boost); 2x256 KB of L2; 3 MB L3; two processing cores"

    I don't mind it though. I can understand how a lot of you would want a full powered device, but I personally am more concerned with the display. I wish they'd use an 14" IPS similar to the 12.5" x230. :/
     
  21. vindicator83

    vindicator83 Notebook Consultant

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    The display on this laptop is going to suck. Too bad because I want to buy it.
     
  22. Pseudorandom

    Pseudorandom Notebook Evangelist

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    The panel is actually a pretty decent panel.
     
  23. vindicator83

    vindicator83 Notebook Consultant

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    If its anything remotely close to whats on the T430s I will pass.
     
  24. Pseudorandom

    Pseudorandom Notebook Evangelist

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    Did you click on any of the Russian review links that have been posted?

    It's a much better panel compared to the crap found on the rest of the 14 inch Thinkpads both in terms of gamut and viewing angle.
     
  25. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Andrew, one of the moderators here, has seen the X1 and said the LCD was decent. It's not IPS, but if it's as good as say the MBA, I could live with it.
     
  26. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    Using Ñóïðåìàòè÷åñêèé óëüòðàáóê: ïðåäâàðèòåëüíûé îáçîð Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon | Íîóòáóêè è ïëàíøåòû - 3DNews - Daily Digital Digest as a reference for the Carbon and Test Apple MacBook Air 13 Zoll 2010 Subnotebook - Notebookcheck.com Tests for the Macbook Air, I came up with some comparison numbers.

    Lenovo X1 Carbon
    Maximum: 341 cd / m²
    Black level: 0.84 cd / m²
    Contrast: 400:1
    Resolution: 1600 x 900

    Macbook Air 13 (2011)
    Maximum: 322 cd / m²
    Illumination: 72%
    Black level: 0.56 cd / m²
    Contrast: 575:1
    Resolution: 1440 x 900

    Lenovo Thinkpad X230
    Maximum: 280 cd / m²
    Illumination: 91%
    Black level: 0.27 cd / m²
    Contrast: 1037:1
    Resolution: 1366 x 768

    From what I'm seeing, the X1 Carbon and MBA are both TN screens. Carbon is matte while MBA is gloss, so obviously there will be disadvantages/advantages for both. I have a feeling the viewing angles on the Carbon will be superior. Also, the Carbon has a very large color gamut.

    Still, it likely won't compare to the IPS of the Zenbook Prime / Lenovo X230 or PLS of the Samsung Series 9 (13"). I hope changes are made and they either improve the screen or include the IPS. Didn't they surprise everyone with an IPS on the X230 out of no where?
     
  27. Razius

    Razius Notebook Enthusiast

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    That is good news to me. The macbook pro 13" is 12.78" x 8.9". I currently have a 13" macbook pro which I am dying for replacement laptop now. I just really like the form factor, but getting a bigger screen in essentially the same size chassis is great news for me. Thank ya sir.
     
  28. andrubuntu

    andrubuntu Notebook Guru

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  29. ibmthink

    ibmthink Notebookcheck Deity

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    Very interesting, thank you. :)
     
  30. srbravo1

    srbravo1 Newbie

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    Yup. thx for the interesting link!
     
  31. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    Thanks for the video. It didn't tell us much we didn't already know but nice to see it is becoming more public. The display on the bottom video didn't seem too impressive, though it's not the best quality footage either (distortion in the video even).

    Here is one video from the same event some of you may not have seen on that page with Dilip Bhatia still speaking on the same notebooks.

    Lenovo reveals Carbon X1 in Dubai - YouTube!

    In it, Bhatia mentions it having a "glass touchpad". I wonder how that will do for its accuracy/reliability.
     
  32. e690595

    e690595 Newbie

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    I wonder what will be the durability difference of T430U and X1 Carbon hinges.
    - T430U seems to have standard ThinkPad hinges (titanium I suppose)
    - Thinkpad X1 Carbon seems to have weaker hinges

    Opening/closing of X1 Carbon lid looks very light on all videos I've seen, I don't like that.
     
  33. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    He also mentions at the 7 minute mark as he begins talking about the T430U that it will be available this summer. Was that a slip? I thought the T430U was a Fall 2012 launch.
     
  34. ibmthink

    ibmthink Notebookcheck Deity

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    No, steel.

    These hinges are maybe a bit weaker, but they are made of metal too.
     
  35. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    Well I'd imagine there'd be some compromise with a thinner body so it is expected. Most ultrabooks have this same light feel due to allowing the user to lift it with one hand. The Samsung Series 9 13" felt a little flimsy whereas the Asus felt a little better. Hope it doesn't feel flimsy, but I'd imagine Lenovo would put that on more of a priority than the other manufacturers.
     
  36. e690595

    e690595 Newbie

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    The guy also emphasized that T430U will be their best performance ultrabook.
    - 1TB disk is even performance downgrade in comparison to SSD in X1C
    - discrete graphics, OK, performance advantage

    But do we already know CPU difference between T430U and X1 Carbon?
    Russian test shown that X1C has ULV CPU, right?
    Do you think T430U will have standard CPU? (not ULV)
     
  37. Dayton

    Dayton Notebook Evangelist

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    Waiting on info for the X1 Carbon but thanks to this thread discovered the ThinkPad T430u, discrete graphics as an option, interest piqued.
     
  38. Pseudorandom

    Pseudorandom Notebook Evangelist

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    Ultrabooks by definition use ULV CPU's. I don't think the T430u is going to have an SV CPU since Lenovo is advertising it as an ultrabook.
     
  39. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    Yeah. Which makes me wonder about the difference between the T430U and X1 Carbon. I think it's gonna be similar to...

    Asus UX31A - Lenovo X1 Carbon
    Asus UX32VD - Lenovo T430U

    The latter models might be slightly thicker but offer discrete graphics and able to be modified from the bottom.
     
  40. LenovoGringo

    LenovoGringo Notebook Consultant

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    I like the T430u... But it appears that it will only have a lackluster 1366 × 768 resolution 14" screen (DEAL BREAKER!) whereas the X1 Carbon is 1600 x 900. Kinda odd since the T430u is rumored to come with a more powerful GPU. Lenovo's offerings don't really make sense to me.
     
  41. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    Well if it's anything like the T430, it will be offered in 1366 x 768 (HD) or 1600 x 900 (HD+).

    Which goes back to my theory on my previous post comparing the T430U to the Asus UX32VD which is offered in 1366 x 768 (UX32A) or 1920 x 1280. Then the X1 Carbon will be offered in only 1600 x 900 just as the UX31A is only offered in the higher 1920 x 1280.

    This might not be the case, but it's just an educated guess on my part.
     
  42. Dayton

    Dayton Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm hoping that resolution is only for the preview version and that the final will offer better resolutions, especially if you opt for the discrete graphics. Guess we will have to see but I totally agree.
     
  43. ANDS!

    ANDS! Notebook Enthusiast

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    Damnit release pricing already! I was less antsy for graduate school admissions than for info on this. . .
     
  44. zackiv31

    zackiv31 Notebook Consultant

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    Does anyone know what the original Thinkpad X1 MSRP (base model) went for? I would assume the X1 carbon will come in at around the same price (whatever that may be).
     
  45. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm not sure it makes sense to offer 1366x768 on the X1 Carbon since they already got beat up over that with the original X1.

    Not offering 1600x900 on the T430U seems brain dead.
     
  46. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    I don't know who said that but I'm pretty sure the X1 Carbon will be strictly a HD+ (1600 x 900) display, whereas the T430U will be a 1366 x 768. But hopefully they offer the HD+ screen on the T430U as an option. Seems likely since that's what they've been doing with the standard T430.
     
  47. LenovoGringo

    LenovoGringo Notebook Consultant

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    Well, we know that (with 100% certainty) that the X1 Carbon will be offered with 1600 x 900 and that the T430U will have 1366 x 768 as an option. Everything else is speculation (btw, Lenovo seems brain dead a lot of the time lol).
     
  48. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    Isn't that what I said? Except, if you're saying the T430U will have 1366 x 768 as an option, what are you saying it will come with standard?
     
  49. bradsh

    bradsh Notebook Consultant

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    If there is one thing we know, its that lenovo is brain dead when it comes to screens. All manufacturers except apple and HP are. It's really a joke. Even lenovo's high end 1600x900 screen is truly garbage with terrible contrast and viewing angles. "Business" is their excuse. They have literally one panel in their entire lineup that doesnt suck, the 1080p 15.6
     
  50. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

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    Lenovo offers an excellent display with the X230 IPS. Unfortunately, it's only 12.5". I don't know why you're leaving out Sony, Samsung, and Asus.

    The Sony Vaio Z, Samsung Series 9 (13"), and Asus Zenbook Prime offer some of the best displays out there in areas like screen resolution, viewing angles, wide color gamut, and brightness.
     
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