X1 Carbon Touch

Got my X1CT today, after a very long wait. I'm really disappointed in the screen, brightness is low and even compared to my ancient T61p the screen quality is terrible. But anyway, I'm keeping it.

What's the recommended software for this? I tried to use the fingerprint sensor and was redirected to a webpage to download the software suite, and pay for Premium. With other laptops, Windows has built in support for biometrics. Do I need drivers?

 

What do you mean you "tried to use the fingerprint sensor"? Did you click on the control panel item "Lenovo Fingerprint Reader"?

 

Anyone have the issue that BOTH my X1CTs have with a whiny fan when it revs up? It's so annoying! I thought I had a bum unit, but now with having 2 with the same issue, I'm not sure I can stick with this laptop. It's a really distracting sound.

 

Sounds like a fan to me, doesn't annoy me in the least. For the hell of it I installed SWTOR and found it to be very playable at 1600x900 and a Medium graphics setting. The fan of course kicked in as I used no extra cooling and it wasn't a bother.

 

How's the breaking in coming along? I'm looking for a sleeve but don't want something too tight.

 

It has loosened up, snug but not tight. A trick to help in this is to store the X1CT thick side first in the sleeve once it stops being too tight. It basically drops in to the sleeve now, I haven't used my custom ordered sleeve from sfbags since I got the Targus Ultralife.

 

I'm having an issue with my x1c (bezel not properly attached to the screen) and i'm thinking about the x1ct.
I'm hoping the x1ct has a different construction, but i'm not sure ?

Problem on the x1c :
http://tweakers.net/ext/f/Ehf0Fkm86Fm4AyIAEUcbWTxw/full.jpg
http://tweakers.net/ext/f/XQXjc2oezn3dYAIOEyUJSXQF/full.jpg
http://tweakers.net/ext/f/EgvhxmfJwJ7gOAnOl2DRc6nj/full.jpg

Lenovo already gave me 2 new x1c's but they had the same problem....

 

The issue can be fixed by someone coming out and servicing it. I think it is two sided tape getting in the way if I remember right. The X1CT has no bezel, it is essentially edge-to-edge with a slight border.

 

Onsite engineer couldn't fix the problem.
I'll go for an x1ct then. I don't think the problem can be fixed on the x1c (twice an engineer, sent the first back to a repair center (replaced screen) and 2 replacements....)

 

I remember the issue of bulging in the X1C bezel was covered early in the X1C thread including pictures of what was going on, too bad Quality Control has yet to get a handle on it as I remember it being due to a simple mistake.

 

Posted this in the X1C thread (as it has to do with Windows 8).. but..

Are the Lenovo power management drivers really necessary? Seems that Win 8 has full access to all processor stepping, device power modes, etc. Can't you just set up your own profiles, or is the app providing something more?

As for my thoughts on the X1CT..
pros
- no build quality issues whatsoever (luck?)
- fast
- quiet
- low heat

cons
- battery life is mediocre (both before and after I removed the Lenovo settings app and drivers)
- Intel graphics HD 4000 = terrible
- total lack of sleeve availability

I'm looking for a hardcase type sleeve. I've confirmed the Booq Viper sleeve won't fit (about 6mm too short in width in the interior..)

 

I think the Lenovo power management drivers give you access to the battery options under the Lenovo Settings app, at least that is what I always assumed. Battery is about the same on all i5-i7 equipped touch screen ultrabooks so while the X1CT's battery length is disappointing it is the norm for such a device. The Helix looks like it will be the best for battery as it will have "two", in the display and the keyboard, but this will make it a bit heavy for it's size. No substitute for discrete graphics but the HD 4000 isn't bad, just make sure to dump the default color profile for the X1CT as it does the display no favors. I can play SWTOR on Medium settings just fine so you can do some gaming. The Surface Pro could even do some gaming if it didn't have the throttling issue. Hardcase sleeve will be hard to find but the Targus Ultralife Canvas Sleeve feels like it was designed for the X1C after breaking it in.

 

Good info, thanks. Which size sleeve did you pick up? Looks decent.

 

The Targus Ultralife Thin Canvas Sleeve or Ultralife Laptop Sleeve is a 13.3" sleeve.

 

Hey guys for the touch screen, is there any drivers we can install to make it more precise? and I also can't seem to select text when i try to tap sentences when using chrome but it works for IE. Dont' know if i'm missing something.

 

Does it support 2 x 8 GB Memory?

 

Max 8gb using no dimm modules at all... Totally onboard memory

 

Despite some of the negative issues with the touch screen I have read about, I am hoping they will have that worked out before they start shipping this model again. My question is where would a better place be ot order the unit from in the first place ... CDW or Lenovo itself. The availability at CDW states "call" so I did and they stated that they have a ship date of 3/26 but on Lenovo's website it states more thand 30 days. Is it possbile that CDW would be able to actually hit that ship date before Lenovo itself can?

 

So I ended up getting rid of my X1CT after two months...

At the end of the day the drawbacks were just too big. First and worst drawback was the screen, I could not deal with the graininess and overall poor screen quality. My eyes got tired and started to hurt after using the screen for a few hours staring at black text on a white background. Second big drawback was the battery. I was getting around 3 to 3.5 hours when actually using the laptop for something other than just very light web browsing. I loved the keyboard and the physical design, but the drawbacks were too much to deal with long term. I got a super deal on my X1CT originally, so I was able to sell it used for a little more than I paid for it... very fortunate in that regard.

What did I end up with?

I ended up getting a 13 inch Macbook Pro with Retina display, 8 GB of memory and a 256GB SSD for $1500. I am running Windows 8 / Visual Studio in Parallels 8 and it rocks. The screen is amazing. I am getting 5+ hours of battery life using OSX + Parallels/Win8/VS2012. And it is just as fast as the X1CT. Plus, same weight and dimensions. I also have the added benefit of being able to easily test out my development changes in OSX/Safari natively. The only thing it is missing is the touch screen, which I found I never really used anyways.

Just wanted to share the path I went down and what I ended up with for prospective buyers. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Has anyone else tried using the touch screen on an airplane? I tried it earlier today and as soon as I touched the screen, it went crazy. I was trying to scroll the document by touching the very right side of the screen, but it registered 5-6 more touches across the entire screen (nowhere close to my finger). Essentially, every time I touch anywhere, the screen would register 5-6 more fingers at other random locations. It's impossible to use.

I'm curious if it it's some kind of interference from the plane's electronic systems or the altitude, but I don't know enough about how these work to really make a guess.

 

Although I never tried the Carbon, I did consider it and I also bought and returned several other Windows 8 laptops including the HP Spectre XT Touchscreen, the Lenovo Twist, and The Lenovo Yoga. In the end I wanted a bigger screen, and although I liked the 15.6" HP, it had some annoyances including low battery life and an overly glossy screen. I finally bit the bullet and got the 15.4" Retina MacBook Pro. I'm also running Parallels (W8, W7, WXP, and Ubuntu virtual machines) and it really is great. I have Boot Camp configured with W8 but never need it.

The Retina MBPs are the best laptop hardware except for lack of a touch screen, but the Leap Motion looks like it might be able to replace that. Why are they the best? Speaking about the 15.4" rMBP, the audio is amazing, speed, screen is amazing (pixel density, color coverage (sRGB), aspect ratio is 16:10 instead of 16:9, low gloss), fan noise is minimal, weight and size are very manageable, etc. Downside is cost. You can often get refurbs for 15% off though direct from Apple, which is what I did.

 

Is the "Screen Door" problem still present?

The image quality is severed affected by the protective film Lenovo put on the screen.

 

Hello,
I was going to purchase an X1 Carbon Touch tonight, but saw that the shipping time is 4+ weeks. I found one on Amazon with the exact same specs, but the model number is different than when I configure it on Lenovo's website. The model number on Lenovo's site is 3443CTO. The model number on the Amazon model is 3444CUU.

The Amazon one is in stock and uses Amazon Prime. Is there any difference? Should I purchase through Lenovo? Thank you in advance.

 

I think 3443CTO is bogus, Google it. It's an i5 non Touch. That deal on Amazon ($1815.90) or so is pretty good for 3444CUU i7 Touch, 256GB and 8GB.

Screw Lenovo.com and Outlet.Lenovo.com, so tired of their "Dates".

I was looking for a Non Touch (i7, 8GB, 256GB) and ordered one on Ebay for the same reasons, had I seen that deal on Amazon I may have gone for that. But I didn't even consider a touch.

I think I rather save the weight, and possibly less issues with the screen. Seen so many posts of folks saying they rarely use the "Touch".

 

CTO means "configured to order" because you configured it on the Lenovo web site to your specs.

 

Thanks. But is there a difference between the 3443 and the 3444?

I am not sure how the 3443CTO is bogus. It is the model number from the Lenovo website. I just want to make sure that the 3444 model (whether OEM or whatever) is equal to or better than the 3443. It looks to me like the one on Amazon is pretty much maxed out in terms of options etc.: Amazon.com: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch (3444CUU): Computers & Accessories

Thanks again.

 

To see if a part is valid just go to Lenovo Support and enter the part number for Drivers and Software, for example:

3444cuu returns:
i7-3667U(3.2GHz),8GB RAM,240GB Solid State Drive,14in 1600x900 Multitouch LCD,Intel HD Graphics,Intel 802.11agn wireless,1Gb Ethernet,UltraNav,Secure Chip,4c Li-Ion,Win8 Pro 64

The part 3444cto is also valid, as compared to 3443cto, (which mine is), I would assume it is just a newer part number.

 

3443 is bogus because it's not a "Touch" model and since your asked the question in the "Touch" thread I assumed that's what you wanted.

3444 = i7 Touch
3443 = i5 Non Touch

 

3443 is valid, I have a X1CT, original batch, and it is an i7 with part # 3443CTO.

 

Thanks to you all. Very helpful.

 

Quick question. I too am getting a little annoyed with Lenovos delays after the unsuccessful release of the X1 and the X1C. I was going to wait for the Helix, but after about 8+ months of waiting for my "perfect laptop", I'm reaching my threshold with Lenovo. I'm looking at doing the Apple thing too, but was wondering what the "true cost" of running windows on a MacBook is. Do I have to buy a full copy of windows 7/8? Do I have to buy special Microsoft office? This could add another ~$300.+

 

In combination with the above, is there any way to configure the touchpad for a right click?
...I right click on my current windows machine far too much to give that feature up... Control+click on the apple machines doesn't cut it.

 

Parallels is about $80 although I found a $20 off coupon code. If you have a copy of Windows already you can virtualize that copy as long as you don't plan to use it elsewhere. Same for MS Office, you can install your current copy on the virtualized Windows.

 

You do a right-click by tapping with two fingers. Scroll with two fingers too; but fiddle with the mouse scroll wheel settings - I put them to "1". Works great.

 

How's the performance comparing Boot Camp and Parallels? Supposing if you have 8 or 16GB even, and allocate more memory for Parallels, it should be comparable?

 

Exactly on the same boat as you. Bear in mind that a new batch of rMBP will be launched in Fall, perhaps with dedicated graphics this time. MBA will have retina too... so I heard.

 

2 fingers on the touch pad and click should do it.

 

I've allocated 4gb memory and 2 processors for Windows 8. It runs very well compared to Boot Camp. Graphics is slower though. To give you an idea:

• Launching the VM and putting it in standby are remarkably quick, under 10 seconds. This is due to the SSD and also all 8 processors (quad X 2 hyper-threaded) seem to be involved in starting and stopping the VM.
• The "PCMark 7" benchmark had a score of 5173 under Boot Camp (W7) and 5025 under Parallels (W8).
• The "3DMark 06" benchmark had a score of 15725 under BC and 12853 under Parallels.
• The "3DMark Vantage" benchmark had a score of 11353 under BC and 4070 under Parallels. The large discrepancy is due to fewer processors (2 vs 4) on the Parallels VM and the lack of advanced graphics features in the Parallels video drivers.

I also tested VMWare Fusion vs Parallels, generally it was not as quick to start and pause VMs, web page scrolling was not as smooth, and graphics performance was worse.

 

No click needed even. Just a 2-finger tap. What's really nice, if you configure Parallels to run in full screen mode, you can switch between OSX and Windows 8 with a sideways 3 or 4 finger swipe (depending how your touchpad is configured in OSX).

 

Many thanks for the numbers. This really helps to open my impression on both options. For standard database office work, I suppose it is not affected much unless if you do gaming?

 

A Parallels VM will work great for office work, and even some gaming, especially games that are a bit older.

 

I just checked with a local Apple rep, he said that we could allocate more resources to Parallels, even up to the extend of the number of cores and RAM for it to function smoothly. Is this true? I tried to google it and found Optimization Settings which seems to be dated (Version 6).

 

The apple discussion forum is at http://forum.notebookreview.com/apple-mac-os-x/

There are quite a few experts there and at http://forums.macrumors.com/

 

I also bought the 3444CUU form one of the 3rd party sellers, a reputable one with their own website, thru Amazon.
It's shipped in 2 days, better price and no sales tax (shouldn't be hard to find one seller that is out of your state).
Until Lenovo.com sends out some good coupon that can be used on X1CT, stay with other retailers.

BTW, CTO model number is used in both Lenovo, HP and probably Dell. Anything you configure and order from their websites will have CTO.

 

It's really down to how many VMs you want to run at once and what other apps you are running under OSX. I wouldn't allocate all OSX memory to one VM though as I have had Parallels hang the Mac when using too much memory. I recommend getting 16gb ram for the Mac.

 

Maybe you failed to miss my point. This is a discussion thread about the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch. It isn't about an Apple product nor any products that run on OS X and allow you to virtualize.

Please move your discussion to an appropriate venue and thread. This isn't it.

 

Apologies to WPWoodJr and all the dudes. Got carried away with the Apple talk.

 

Any other X1CT owners here had luck removing the matte film on their screens? There are a couple of threads on the Lenovo forums with people who did this and said it makes a huge difference in the screen quality. Considering doing this myself, but am a bit worried about the potential for ruining the laptop and the fact that once you start you can never go back. I just cannot stand this graininess though.

 

Looks like the only real discussion about removing the anti-glare protective film is over at the Lenovo forums. Funny how now to think of it the screen effect on my X1CT is very reminiscent of when I had the HD Ant-Glare Film Set on my iPhone. But I don't plan on removing the protective film from my X1CT, I appreciate the benefits more than the distractions. I like how it protects the screen, keeps it clean of fingerprints, and reduces glare making it easier to do work. But if it ever starts pealing, I like knowing that it can be removed.

 

I have a friend that pulled the screen off, then rubbed the glue off. Sounds like it is pretty easy right now. But I wonder if the glue will harden and be harder to deal with in say 12 months.