Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2014) Review

The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon is Lenovo's halo entry into the high-end business Ultrabook market. This product features the very latest in technology including a WHQD (2560x1440 resolution) display with touch support, carbon fiber construction, backlit adaptive keyboard, fourth-gen Intel dual-core processors and up to 512GB of SSD storage. We're keen on the design but have some grumbles about the keyboard and touchpad which ultimately make it fall short of the competition.

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A bad keyboard on a ThinkPad? What are you doing Lenovo?

The original X1 Carbon seems to have had a better keyboard, why didn't they stick with that?

 

I'm not sure what was going on in Lenovo's R&D department when designing this keyboard.

 

I think I'm not sure what is going on in Lenovo's R&D department not only when designing THIS keyboard, but when designing everything else too..
They have had a design conception once, but it seems, that they are moving away from it more and more.

I've bought a refurbished T60 lately, just to have it in my collection as a example of "old" and good Thinkpads.

P.S. I think, this "virtual" key row, makes machine not useable for programming (for example when debugging - step over = F10 (Visual Studio), and
I press that key plenty of times, and I need tactile feedback)..

 

I would of bought this laptop hands down 10 times over if it wasnt for the replacement of the tactile F keys with that LED bar.

- Respectable performance for my development needs.
- 14 inch - Perfect size for portability and screen real estate
- Next Gen Resolution on the screen
- Beautiful form factor
- Great real-estate on the trackpad
- Good Battery life

But after reading your review, and the hate going on in the lenovo forums, i'll see what their next iteration holds.

Sad really.

 

Is there any reasoning behind the adaptive keys replacing the F-keys? The closest I could find was from:
Products - Products - Lenovo Blogs

It would be one thing if it was above the standard F-key row, like some other laptops have done with functions such as volume, touchpad toggle, and overclocking/fan speed profiles, etc.

 

You're right that this notebook is rather well off outside the input devices; very good overall quality and the latest technology. The HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G1 is a better alternative: HP EliteBook 1040 G1 Review
I went on a call with the HP engineers when I did that review; HP mentioned that they wanted the keyboard on that notebook to be as close to a desktop keyboard as possible in terms of layout. Its tactile feedback is not quite as engaging as the ThinkPad X1 Carbon's but still very good and much more intuitive to use due to the standard layout.

I wasn't informed of any reasoning behind it. The adaptive does technically provide much more functionality but it's such a moot point given the usability issues.

 

Yep. They killed the killer thinkpad KB. Sad. Also the TP is horribly lacking compared to the old design. Glad I purchased a mint condition X230 on ebay for my wife. Lenovo's days are over. Only decent ultra portable left is the pricey Samsung book 9. And maybe some very over priced business machines from HP.

 

Hey guys. I am in the market looking for an ultrabook which combines all the new technology and be reliable (windows pref.) and i am between thinkpad X1 carbon and Asus zenboook 301LA. The both have about the same specs (display,ram, ssd ports) although i believe the x1 has much better quality design-build and a bigger screen plus lighter, the downside as i read in comments is the screen cz is somehow dim. I am an MA student and i need it mainly for lots of typing, reading pdf, presentations, browsing the web in fast speeds and occasionally for watching movies and of course with a battery life that goes over 5 hours for classes. Which one would u suggest me cz i cant decide? Thank you very much!