X1 Carbon Touch

Swenpro- Great first impressions. I share many of the same.

I didn't feel like the touchpad or keyboard was better on the Yoga.. Kind of the opposite actually, maybe it's that the touch version has been tweaked a bit. Read recent reviews, ie: Engadget.
I do hear what your saying about the Yoga seeming more comfortable, but that may be a temporary thing. The soft casing on the Yoga vs the spun aluminum may have something to do with that.

The build quality on the Asus seems a bit better. This thing is beautiful, the back lit keyboard is great. Screen seems superior. The touch screen is much more receptive as well.

I did think that this IPS high resolution on a 13" could make reading a little small, but like swenpro said, I adjusted to 125% in settings and Chrome and it is much better now.

I'm not a huge fan of the spun aluminium. I feel like I could dent it, or it could slip from my hands easier than the Yoga or Thinkpad type finishes.

Also, at first I kept hitting the trackpad while I was typing sending the cursor irratically appearing in random parts of my screen, or executing a random command. I installed a third party freeware program that disables the trackpad while typing, and the problem no longer exists.

Chances are that I will continue with my order on the X1CT, and give it some seat time as well. So far, if it turns out to remain a dud, or if I'm unhappy with he sum of features on the Carbon touch, this seems like it could be a suitable option.

I ordered the i7 with 8 gigs of RAM, and the Asus has an inferior spec list to my build on the Lenovo, but the truth is, I don't do anything terribly intensive. I just tend to get the best of what I can get so I don't have to wish I did later.

Definitely happier already with this over the Yoga.

 

the biggest problem with ASUS for me is with the warranty service. Recently BBB issued a public warning to ASUS about the lack of warranty service.

 

I had a UX31A (Non-Touch). This is the only reason I got rid of it. Windows DPI is scaling is not universally supported, and even programs that do support it are spotty - some things scale properly, others do not (ie. menus/dialogs). You'll constantly be zooming in/out depending on the application. Also, many websites that are fixed-position will have issues with icons next to text, etc. I will never again buy a high-DPI display that must be scaled down in order to be readable. Full 1080 on a 13.3" was just a tad too small for my eyes - and I love small text (maximum viewing).

There are numerous articles on "windows dpi scaling issues", along with examples of things that go wrong. I honestly can't believe more people have not raised the issue.

 

I think the 1600x900 resolution on the Yoga is perfect for a 13.3" display. Also, the Yoga has a certain comfortable quality to it that I like, with the different screen positions and soft-touch finish. I'm not a fan of aluminum, it can reflect in the screen and it's not as comfortable for typing, especially when it gets warm.

Does the UX have a matte or glossy screen? The Yoga's screen could be less reflective...

 

Shipping delayed another day now, of course. If I could find the core i7 version of the Asus ux31a touch or the new Samsung series 7 ultra, I would ditch my X1CT order in a heartbeat at this point.

 

This, right here. I'm desperately trying to get a release date out of Samsung support so I can make a judgement call.

 

Interesting. Re: X1 Carbon Touch - touchscreen problems - Page 8 - Lenovo Community

 

My status just changed to "in production" and the shipping estimate is now 1/17 (from 1/13). Wonder if that'll hold.

 

Same here.

 

I have been "In Production" since the 26th of December (ordered 12/11) - still hasn't shipped.

 

I received an email from them, not too bad on their part I suppose.

Thank you for your recent purchase of the Lenovo Thinkpad
X1. Unfortunately due to overwhelming demand, we are
experiencing delays in processing shipments for your
X1 system. We are making every effort to fulfill your order.
Please feel free to contact a Lenovo Sales Product
Specialist to discuss your options. We can be
reached at 1-866-968-4465.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this delay has
caused and thank you for your patience.


Kind Regards,
Lenovo Customer Service

 

I ordered on January 8th with a shipping date of January 20. It has now been "released to manufacturing". I hope it ships on time, but I know I'm asking for a bit much.

 

Just got the same thing...

 

Did you guys contact Lenovo or did they just send it out on their own? I received no email.

 

I got the same, looks like facing difficulty to ship X1CT, I'm wondering how they are taking orders every day without having any plan to ship the units. perhaps want to ask for cancelling too, because the representative asked me 2 times for canceling. The surprising part is that estimated ship date for someone who order it today is 22/01/13

 

I haven't contacted Lenovo.

 

there is a software fix for the touch screen problem on X1CT.

X1 Carbon Touch - touchscreen problems - Page 8 - Lenovo Community

 

Any update from those who already got their X1CT... (e.g. Dayton, haha). Still liking it? Any regrets or would purchase again? Thanks...

 

Registered and Trusted, my X1CT is a keeper. I've really grown to love the thing. Once it became clear that for a Windows 8 Touch Ultrabook a battery run time of just over 5 hours is the norm, well there really wasn't much to complain about. Okay it is on the pricey side and the panel isn't IPS but it is overall a very good performer. The keyboard is every bit as good as I had hoped and the Touch is better than expected. Where the Yoga was week the X1CT excels, so for my needs I'm happy I made the switch and have no regrets.

 

Someone asked me about the Zenbook Prime Touch vs the X1TC with latest impressions, so here goes:

I'll be keeping the X1CT over the ZBP for a couple reasons. I'm not a fan of the metallic ZBP, the rubberized feel of the X1TC is MUCH better and comfortable for longevity. I think anyone that's put their palms on the ZBP and then the X1CT immediately after would understand- it's sublime in comparison. The keyboard itself is also obviously better by huge margins - the kb on the ZBP is workable and fine for many, the difference is magnitudes of difference when you have them side-by-side. I'm also a long time Thinkpad user, so I've grown accustomed to the ThinkPoint for navigation, it lets me do quick mouse clicks without taking my hands out of position. I work in email a lot, so it's nice to be able to keep my palms where they are when I'm typing several emails and need minimal mouse involvement- just a click here and there. Much more efficient.

The display is the *only* thing that kills me on the X1TC, when you compare it to the Asus or any other screen it's just horrendous. As a result I try pretty desperately not to compare it to other displays, and use the USB docking station for the X1C at work so I have it hooked up to an external LCD there. My touchscreen works well and I haven't had any problems with it- so I'm super sorry for those that got a bad one that slipped through QA.

I can't compare the trackpad on both because I never use the trackpad, I actually have it disabled so that I don't accidentally roll my finger or palm over it or whatever.

I also have the 8GB i7, which Asus doesn't offer, so that's a big reason to go with the X1TC as well.

At this point the only thing I'm looking at to compete with the X1CT would be the Samsung 7 Ultra. I would classify the Samsung 9 as a compromise between the Lenovo and the Asus. It has a better display than the Lenovo, but slightly behind the Asus. Better keyboard than the Asus .. but behind the Lenovo. I expect the 7 to be similiar, but we'll have to see.

So when it comes down to it, it's keyboard vs screen. In the end I went with the keyboard because it's a work machine. If I was looking for something to play movies with, or was doing graphics work, or just anything that required more output than input, I'd get the Asus. Since my work is more input based (lots of email, web forums, IM'ing, etc.) I went with the keyboard. And again, if you need the i7 8gb, it's the only game in town.

Oh .. and if I didn't want touch, I'd probably get the Samsung 9. It's fantastic. Not as great a keyboard or display as the other two, but very close, and you don't feel ripped off every time you look at the screen.

X1CT:
Keyboard: 10
Screen: 3

ZBP:
Keyboard: 5
Screen: 10

Samsung:
Keyboard: 8/9
Screen: 8/9

 

My X1CT is meant for an emphasis on work as well. If entertainment came first I would have gone with the Yoga. The 360 hinge allows for unrivaled video watching and metro UI use in an ultrabook.

 

Thanks, LSK2, for your thorough comparison of the ZBP vs X1CT. Also, Dayton, for your update.

Basically I think there is a lot to like about the ZBP, it is a big improvement over the Yoga, but excessive light bleed causing yellowing on white areas of the screen is a big stain on the whole great screen idea. Additionally, 2-finger scroll with the touchpad is really abhorrent.

Too bad it's so hard to find a product without QC issues these days. Yes, we are particular, but naturally so when spending $1k+.

Just to confirm, is 2-finger scrolling smooth on the X1CT? Also, would you say the screen is about the same as the ThinkPad Twist at Staples? I think that one is usable but not great (the image seems to be recessed under the glass a little bit), maybe on par with the X1CT?

Glad to hear about the potential software fix for the touchscreen, hope you all that haven't received yours yet get it before too long now!

Sent from my Incredible 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

Once you back off the gesture protection settings under Smart Check, the TouchPad is excellent.

 

LSK2, excellent review! Isn't the Samsung 9, that brushed aluminum feel also?

 

And it begins. Ship date got pushed back from 20th to 22nd. However, I do have a delivery date of the 29th now.

 

Thank you all for your very helpful posts about the X1 Carbon Touch. I too, who ordered on December 12, am still waiting for my computer to arrive. Every day for the last week or so, Lenovo has postponed both the ship date (now listed as January 17) and the delivery date (now listed as January 24) by one more day, but I've received no e-mailed notice of a postponement.

I have a different question. Understanding that, as an ultrabook, the X1CT has no internal DVD reader, I ordered an external DVD reader from Lenovo when I put in my order for the computer, but I didn't see it on my list of components on my order status sheet. When my secretary asked the Lenovo representative about this discrepancy, he replied that the X1CT had an internal DVD reader and therefore I didn't need a separate one. This surprised me and I wonder whether his information is correct. Can anyone who has already received the X1CT confirm or deny this?

 

Nope no ROM drive, surprised a Lenovo rep said there would be one. While I can accept confusion over the panel I can't see how a rep could miss this.

 

I have never been one to get into the argument about sourcing out customer service to other countries. However, it seems that Lenovo has done this to some call center rich industry countries. I have heard so much conflicting responses from these employees. It's almost as if they just blindly tell us what we want to hear to keep our order in place. Literally. "Does the X1C have IPS", "YES! IT Does!"

"When will my order ship out?"
"In 3 days!"

"Does the computer have a dvd drive?"
"Yes! Of course!"

It really is killing the integrity of this company, and souring my experience of their products..

Rant over.

 

Great thread. I have 2 X1CTs on order, order dates 12/14 and 12/26. Ditto on the frustration on the lack of communications on ship date and status, and the falling short of their offshore communications (but that is a way of life and am glad they have a job). As a matter of fact, last month 1 of offshore reps told me the order was NOT a Touch. When I went to cancel the next day, someone different told me it was in fact a Touch. Go figure.

The latest dated order is moved this week for ship dates 1/10 > 1/15 > 1/16 > 1/17 as of yesterday.

The copy/pasted delays email was/were received yesterday at 4:40 PM EST for both of my orders. I called them multiple times. To US Sales and offshore support on my one hour commute home. I got mostly differing pieces of info, because all of their departments have different systems which have different info. The only accurate info is the system that ties to the warehouse. The one consistent piece of info was that no one knew anything about such an email, and no one saw any problem on my order record for the 1/16 ship date, which now moved as of this morning to 1/17.

A couple times a week, they tell me the screens they have been having problems with are "definitely confirmed to be received by them next week". Multiple reps have said the problem is not with the touch part of the screen feature, but with the carbon covering. Well, here we are week's later.

I got home yesterday and there was an unexpected big brown box that did not say Amazon on it. My computer I wondered? Nope.

The other annoying thing is the constant in and out transactions in my bank account for almost 2 grand for each computer order. Each time Lenovo messes around with the ship date, my bank account is impacted. BTW, the order I made first, has a later ship date than the order I made last. I also sent an email to my Lenovo Sales rep yesterday. No reply, as anticipated.

In summary: I have a no confidence vote in any communications from Lenovo. Whether from land, sea, or air. I'm sitting like some of you, wondering whether just to cancel, but, my anticipation level is like a new kid a Xmas so I won't cancel anytime soon!

I have resigned myself to wait-and-see mode.

 

Excellent review, thank you!

Could you expand on why you consider the X1CT screen to be so poor?

 

does anyone know if the screen on x1ct is better or worse than x1c?

 

Same boat here, I have ordered the X1CT on the 28th, and when I asked the sales rep back then they said the delivery date would be within 19days(stated on the web,2wks producing, 5days delivery). My initial shipping date was the 21st Jan. But since 10/11 Jan this is missing and I have had no further emails , even the delay message.

 

Yea, although I would say it felt better than the Asus. It's tricky because at this point you're comparing subjective feelings rather than concrete better-worse features. The whole unit felt higher quality and put together better, and the palm rest felt better than the Asus. I think the nicer keyboard helped with the hands-sitting-on-the-device experience. Neither compare to the SUPER comfortable X1CT. When you use one right next to the other, it's sitting in a plush lazyboy lounge chair vs hard seats on the bus.

 

+1. Thinkpads in generally have a great feel. I find it extremely difficult to use aluminum laptops (like the macbook pro or air) for extended periods of time. Quite surprising that few companies focus on this aspect.

 

X1C and X1CT uses a ~90 % magnesium and ~9% aluminium alloy for the base case and palmrest construction.

 

I find it's most noticeable in white space- the background of this forum for example. It's not a pure, flat color- it's a distracting static-y white. The best way to describe it would be if you've ever used a smartphone, and put a low quality, bad screen protector on it. The film causes distortion and there's an electronic noise texture to it rather than a flat, clean display. It's probably what everyone refers to as the screen door effect. It's distracting and my eyes feel strained immediately on looking at it. It just feels "dirty". I would HIGHLY recommend putting it next to another ultrabook to compare before purchase.

 

I would say it's about the same, just with touch now

 

I can only assume it's about marketing. The brushed aluminum looks great, and the entire ultrabook genre is about copying the MBA. Personally I like the way the lenovo looks, but I can certainly understand the common "it looks BORING" complaint. In this regard I'm happy lenovo stuck to their guns and kept the machine about being functional rather than cave in and make it shiny and blingy and useless. The Thinkpad brand's about utility and fuction and work. This is a machine designed so your hands will want to stay there for the next 5 hrs of typing. It's like that ugly but RIDICULOUSLY comfortable chair your wife wants you to throw out so she can bring in a shiny new, uncomfortable, impractical chair that you wouldn't want to sit in, but makes the living room look super stylish.

 

Thanks, I wish I could!

Sent from my Incredible 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

I hope the screen is matte.

 

Current owners. How much do you use touch? Is it worth the extra weight? Just curious about your thoughts on laptop touch.

 

Additional weight isn't really an issue, now the difference in battery run time is as it can amount to 2 hours. I like Windows 8 and for me Touch really enhances it and is almost required to get the full experience. I use Touch quite a bit, especially when in the Metro UI using Metro Apps. Touch is great, if you have a working unit anyway, on the X1CT which makes me want to use Touch.

 

I don't have the X1CT but I have a touchscreen Ultrabook with Windows 8 and so far I am using the touchscreen very little. I have installed Start8 start menu and try to look at that unproductive tile interface as much as possible!

Sent from my Incredible 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

If you have no interest in using Touch, don't get a Touch capable Ultrabook. Why limit yourself to 5 hours of battery for a feature you won't use?

 

The Verge just posted a review of the X1CT. Not much new in there but there's one interesting bit: they claim the battery life is exactly the same as the non-touch version.

 

I just ask about shipping status of X1CT. They said from yesterday the hold for quality issues have been removed and now started with shipping the packages, although I personally don't trust them. Has any one who ordered got the UPS tracking from yesterday or days before?

 

I was told the same thing yesterday, "it will ship tomorrow, 1/17". Well, today is 1/18. So that seems to mean that today is tomorrow, and it should ship today. When I checked with them I was told "it will ship tomorrow 1/18".

Moral of the message, like a vintage song: I guess, tomorrow never comes....with Lenovo.

I have moved to the tepid position of having no expectations when dealing with info from Lenovo. It will come when it comes.

 

The Lenovo online chat is useless. My order has been delay to the next day everyday since Jan 10. My order status right now shows ship date of Jan 18. I use the chat to ask for my order status. The first rep said that they have a shortage in parts and my order will be delay for 3-4 weeks. So 10 min later I use the chat again and they next rep said my order will ship on Jan 19. So just for fun I went in the chat again 10 min later and this rep said that there is a high demand in this product and they are trying to ship the orders as fast as possible. So 3 different answers from the same chat within 30 min time frame. Does the lenovo rep just make sh*t up and say whatever they want?

 

Just a quick side note on my experience so far on the ASUS Prime Touch.. Not digging it so much any more. The keyboard isn't satisfactory. It's mediocre at best. The tracking is laggy sometimes, and believe it or not, I'm just not happy with IPS on a 13" screen. I have great eyes, but this is just not a fun experience. I don't like an aluminum finish, I just don't.. So, i've realized that I would rather have a good keyboard experience than an IPS panel.. Go figure. And so I wait for my elusive X1C shipment notification.

 

I believe I was one of the first people to order this (thru my work). And I've never had worse service from any company, I'm sorry to say. My order wasn't even in their online system (due to some upgrades they were doing) so I had to call the one contact person I knew about, or email. Emails take 2 weeks to get any response. It has now been almost 2 months of repeated emails/calls with me supplying order details they keep asking for and forgetting about. Meanwhile other colleagues at work who ordered after me already have the machine. I've finally had to cancel my order and place another one, hoping it ships in time.

I haven't had a chance to play with the X1CT, but the person who has it is very happy with it so far. But this is extremely poor CS esp for corp customers, even though I understand this was a high demand product and Lenovo are having trouble meeting production.