X1 Carbon Gen 2 (Haswell)

Perfect - thank you. Same setup!

 

I placed my order or 2/12, it shipped a lot sooner than expected

 

Could you suggest better alternatives? I have been on the fence about this machine, but when I look at the competition, I tend to come back to the X1.

 

Asus Zenbook UX301LA. Approximately the same price point (depending on config) and same screen resolution (13.3" screen though) but you can get an i7-4558U with HD5100 graphics, and either 2x128GB SSD or 2x256GB (RAID 0).

This past week I ordered multiple laptops for our office. Two units of the X1 Carbon (i7-4600U/HD4000, 2560x1440 touch, 8GB, 256GB) and one of the Zenbook (i7-4558U/HD5100, 8GB, 2x256GB SSD) and the two configurations were within $20 of one another, right at $2K per.

 

I ordered on 2/11/2014 and it's arriving tomorrow. (i7-4600U, 512GB w/ WQHD Touch)

 

Ah, I was looking at the UK page, where nothing has been released, and they only show HD5000.

And a shame if the only 1600x900 panel is TN.

S

 

So my X1 with WQHD (no touch) wasn't supposed to ship until mid-March but just arrived today. Can't use it daily yet because the docking port is still not scheduled to come until mid-March so kind of just a nice toy for now. Lenovo gave me $100 to spend in accessories as an apology.

Some very initial impressions as I've only had it out of the box for 30 minutes:

I've never owned a ThinkPad or Lenovo before and my current laptop is a 2.5 yr old Dell. I'm blown away by how thin/light this thing is. And it feels premium throughout. After agonizing with everyone else about the keyboard, I don't think it will be a big issue. I haven't tried to do any extended typing on it, but just messing around I didn't make any mistakes.

I had no idea what to expect from the touchpad, which I generally prefer to the trackpoint. I didn't quite understand how one big surface would click properly and if right/left clicking was possible. After about two minutes of awkwardness, I got the hang of it. I used my old laptop by swiping my finger around and having my other hand just kind of resting on the left click. I can essentially still do this. The pad understands that it should pay attention to the moving finger and when I go to click, it registers fine. Again, I haven't tried this with excel, word, etc., doing usual tasks, but right now, it's not bothering me too much.

This is definitely a matte screen. I've seen the glossy glass screens and that's not what this is. Again, I have the non-touch, so not sure if it's different for the other models.

At 100% charged, wifi on and screen at maybe 80%, it was registering about 6 hrs of use time left. Not thrilled about this but I'll see how it does under actual use conditions.

Tons of Lenovo bloatware installed, Need to figure out what I need to keep (if anything) and what can be ditched.

So far, so good in that it works! Won't know until the dock comes whether it will meet daily requirements.

 

Thanks for the initial impressions. I posted this earlier but no one responded, I would really appreciate an answer:

What's the lowest brightness setting like on the QHD edition?

I realize this is a strange question but as a migraine sufferer I would really appreciate an answer. Since it's rather subjective a good test it to take it in a dark room, put it on the lowest brightness and simply report back how difficult it is to read text.

I know on the Y580 I used to own the screen would get so dim there was an off setting, would be awesome if that were standard across all Lenovos.

 

Initial Impressions:

- The adaptive function keys are absolutely horrible. Anyone who is used to using the keyboard for commands is going to hate them. Having to cycle through the different rows while I am in MS Office to perform tasks that normally took 2 seconds now makes me have to stop working.

- The trackpad is horrible. Lenovo, you are not Apple and that is why I buy your laptops. If you are going to try and be Apple, I will buy an Apple product.

- Screen seems to be very good, but not the brightest. Obviously there are scaling issues with QHD, but those seem to be pretty well documented already.

- Windows 8.1 makes me want to switch to iOS. Vista now feels like one of the best operating systems I have ever used.

- Keyboard is standard Lenovo quality, no complaints here.

- The computer came loaded with tons of Lenovo bloatware. Something I never had on past machines and one of the reasons I liked Thinkpads so much.

- Can't comment on battery life yet.

- Machine runs dead quiet and pretty cool.

 

It has a glossy screen. It means many people (like myself) couldn't be paid to even do so much as touch it.

If every Windows high res laptop continues having so many annoying flaws, I might end up ordering a macbook retina and getting a matte screen protector. I'm tired of this.

 

I got my x1 carbon (4600U i7 with 512 gb) and the one link pro dock. I have the dock connected to a dell 30 inch (2560x1440) monitor and a 1680x1050 monitor and it keeps giving an error saying "The display settings could not be saved. Please try a different combination of display settings." when I try to use native resolution. Any one know why this may be happening? I have the 30 inch connected using display port and the 22 inch using dvi. Other than these problems, I am loving this notebook. Keyboard is just great compared to the Thinkpad Yoga and the screen size is awesome at 14 inches.

 

Does it work OK with just one or the other of those monitors at one time? I.e. Not both at the same time?

S

 

I just tested this now...if I turn it down completely, I am able to still read text.

 

If I just use the 2560x1440 monitor, it works fine. but when trying to do dual monitor, it gives error. I am really disappointed with this dock. I have been using an usb dock and it works better than this.

 

Any significant discounts out there for the X1 Carbon?

 

I had so many problems with my Helix that Lenovo is sending me a new X1 Carbon. Of all the comments I've read, the only one that has me worries is the screen door effect. It was terrible on the Helix. A terrible display.

Is there a film on the screen of the X1 that is removable? Can anyone confirm?

 

OK, tried this for you. I could read the text with no issues, but probably wouldn't want to keep it on that setting very long. Don't know if that helps at all.

 

There is a film on it. Like the previous model X1 Carbon, it can be removed but will likely void the warranty of the panel. I did remove mine the other day and it definitely improved the screen for me. Of course it is now more glossy but I actually prefer that. I went slowly but had the entire film off in 15 mins.

 

I don't see how that would void the warranty... perhaps it may for claims related to touch or matte issues. But ya never know, right? As much angst as I've had with my Helix, I can say that I'm pleased with how easily it is for Lenovo to take my device in to Depot repair.

When my X1C (i7, 256GB, WQHD with Touch) arrives, I'll see how bad the screen door effect is. If it bothers me, I'll remove the film. I don't mind the glare and hopefully it'll add a NIT or two, haha!

Thanks!

 

Has anyone else had sleep problems? Mine doesn't seem to want to stay asleep.

 

Is the film the reason the touch version has lower NITS? I assume nontouch does not have a film. I'm am trying to figure out which version has more NITS and less screen door: nontouch out of the box or touch with film removed. Any comparison or comments are appreciated.

 

There was a discussion on the Lenovo support forum related to taking the film off the original X1 Carbon and a Lenovo employee posted that it would likely void the warranty. I think it depends on who was servicing it and whether they notice the film missing or care. To me it was worth the risk since I was not happy with the screen as is.

 

I had heard that both screen types had the film, but maybe not?

 

No issue with sleep here. Could it be a running app?

 

So is the non-touch screen the same as the previous generations??? Ie: screen door effect.

 

There are two "xxl" versions.
Both are with i7,8GB, same price.

the difference:

Intel Core i7-4600U with 4400 graphics and 256 SSD
until now the fastest processor for the x1, but "only" 4400 graphics and 225 SSD

Intel Core i7-4550U mit 5000 graphics and 512 SSD
until now the fastest graphics, but only "second hand processor" - therefore 512 SSD


Are there any good comparison test of the two processors in conjunction with the graphics card?

And what is your choice?

 

According to Lenovo, the touch version is brighter.
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Business Ultrabook | Lenovo (US)

14.0" WQHD (2560x1440), 300nit, IPS with 10-point multitouch
14.0" HD+ (1600x900), 260nit



On Edit:
It appears the Touch and non-Touch versions of the WQHD panel are different. Touch is 260nit and the non-Touch is 300nit:
http://www.lenovo.com/shop/emea/content/pdf/ThinkPad/XSeries/NEWX1CARBONDSEN.pdf

I'm not going to like that. Coming from the Surface Pro 2, which has been tested at 442nit, the new X1C will seem very dim to me.

 

You are not comparing apples to apples. The 14.0" WQHD (2560x1440) is a different display (IPS) than 14.0" HD+ (1600x900). You can get non-touch with WQHD (2560x1440).

 

just receive my new x1, here is the story:
- cooling is not good. even though is better than my 2 years old sony vaio, but a new pc shouldn't like that
- speaker was BROKEN when it came out of the box, no sound at all
- screen door is not obvious, at least i can accept

anyway, since the speaker was broken, im returning it

 

What do you mean that the cooling is not good? Did it get very hot? What were you doing (gaming, youtube, or just email)? Did you tweak your power plan? Was it noisy? Details!

I'm glad to hear that you didn't find the screen door effect a big deal. It is really bad on the Helix... distracting. The new X1C should at least be better than that!

 

Who delivered your X1? Was it USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.? Did you have to sign for it?

Thanks!

 

Mine was sent via UPS and signature was required. Also, it came from Shanghai, China to the US through Anchorage, Alaska, then to Kentucky.

 

The x1 only stay on my hand for less than 1 hour before I returning it. and NO gaming, ONLY youtubes (what's how I found the speaker was broken)
Did you tweak your power plan? NO
Did it get very hot? I dont't know how you define VERY, but all other laptops I ever have will not get such temperature on the first day.

I got from UPS. I signed, but I called Lenovo's tech rep and they sent me a return label.

Couldn't believe I return a product on the first day I get it!!! First time in my life...

 

Thank you! I was also able to get 18% discount today thanks to the tips in this forum. Here are the tips for anyone on the fence due to the high price:

• 10% Discount = Sign-up for the email offers on their website. Usually, if you clear the browser cookies and go to Lenovo website, you should see a pop-up to signup for email offers. You will then get an email with a link that will give you 10% discount
• 8% discount = Just chat with the online Lenovo sales specialist and ask for a discount. They will usually get you a discount of about 8-10%. I tried twice on Sunday and chatted with someone in a different country who told me that that was the best discount they could get me.
• 18% discount = I chatted with someone again the third time (week day, afternoon hours). This person was extremely nice and helpful and asked me to configure the machine and add to shopping cart. I did that and gave him my shopping cart ID in the chat session. He took a while, got my name, email, phone number and came back with 18% discount. I gave him my credit card information in the chat window (I was little concerned but it was HTTPS and he was also willing to just call me instead). He asked for my billing/shipping address in the chat window and I got an email that my order was being processed. I got another email after an hour with the order details. That was it.

BTW, I also got the 2 year onsite warranty with accidental damage protection. I have seen enough stories about base warranty where you have to ship to depot and wait for ever.

Also note that the intent of this post is not to deprive Lenovo of profits from the business customers by posting tips to get a discount. There are some enthusiasts like me who buy a laptop every year from personal money (I bought Lenovo Yoga first generation last year and buy a laptop almost every year) and it gets very expensive. So the hope is that you are one of those few on tight budget buying it for personal use and are on fence due to the high price. Lenovo gets to move the inventory and you get to show off your device to your friends and post more content on social media about it.

 

Thanks for your advice. Where are you located?

 

Is anyone ordering the non-touch screen? I personally have no use for a touchscreen laptop, and would prefer the weight savings, but it seems there is a major resolution drop for non-touch? Is it that noticeable?

 

Where did you get that idea? You can have the exact same QHD resolution in non-touch as well. That's what I would order, if I could ever make up my mind, that is. Like you, I have no use for touch, and I wouldn't touch Windows 8.x with a bargepole, I might add (pun intended).

 

I am in the US.

Also try this email signup: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/portals/communications?ipromoID=emlsu1a

(Maybe you will get the 10% discount option from just the email promotion)

 

Sorry. Was on the Lenovo website and it didn't seem to offer any QHD options for the X1C. Only HD+.

Another question....is there anything to prevent me from adding a gobi 5000 to the stock model after I buy it?

 

You can get 10% off by using the student discount: http://www.lenovo.com/studentrate
I would call sales and ask them to beat that price.

My company has EPP discount of 20% on the new X1C. Check to see if your company has EPP with Lenovo, too.

 

You can also get a good 20% off if you sign up for CorporatePerks. I'm not sure what the rules are for signing up with them (I did without issues) but they enable you to use Employee Discount pricing at Lenovo. Worth a shot I'd say!

 

third and final attempt...
thought it could be also interesting for other ...

 

So I tried this out. And the discount is pretty unbelievable. Is this a real deal? How does this site work that it can provide such good deals/coupons?

 

It is a basic "corporate discount" thing. My company uses ADP for payroll and they have a discount program for almost anything. From electronics to cars to travel to restaurants. Every little bit helps.

 

Anandtech has a HD4400 vs HD5000 comparison. It's about a 20% improvement.
AnandTech | A Look at Intel HD 5000 GPU Performance Compared to HD 4000
It's up to you if you can live with about a 10% decrease in GPU speed. With the throttling issue described by Notebookcheck that might not be an issue anyway...

 

Yea, I was able to configure the x1 carbon non touch version, with the i7 4600 with the qhd screen and 256 ssd/8gb ram, win 8.1 pro for 1639.

Im glad i found that my company had this perk as well.

 

Thanks for responding.

I'm still interested in a total comparison.

Or in other words, which is probably better for cutting lot of movies?

Intel Core i7-4600U with 4400 graphics and 256 SSD
until now the fastest processor for the x1, but "only" 4400 graphics and 225 SSD

Intel Core i7-4550U mit 5000 graphics and 512 SSD
until now the fastest graphics, but only "second hand processor" - therefore 512 SSD

 

Where is this configuration listed?

 

I found it in Germany (incoming soon - next month, they said).

What do you think is the better deal from those two offers?

 

Here: ThinkPad® University New X1 Carbon Ultrabook

Lenovo Website doesnt have it. Price is with student discount