Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Review Discussion

What happens when you take a classic ThinkPad business notebook, mix it with an Ultrabook and add a generous helping of carbon fiber? You get the all new ThinkPad X1 Carbon: a 14-inch business-class Ultrabook that promises to be a corporate executive's best friend.

Read the full content of this Article: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Review

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Also, question. Is the SSD mSATA interface. I know its dimensions aren't 50mm mSATA, but it looks like its just a longer mSATA card instead of something completely different.

 

The answer is something completely different. I've attached an image of the X1 Carbon's SSD (installed in the motherboard) next to a standard mSATA SSD that I placed next to it.

 

I guess I shouldn't be placing too much emphasis on the numbers themselves but a 3 1/2 seems pretty low for a largely positive review that got an editors choice award. Just seems a little misleading I guess.

You also mentioned that to make upgrades you would half to remove the entire bottom, but could you then comment on how easy it would be to make upgrades ie RAM after the cover is removed removed/possibly include a picture of the bottom sans cover?

 

A notebook is more than the sum of its benchmarks. That said, the benchmarks for the X1 Carbon are at or near the top of business-oriented Ultrabooks not equipped with discrete graphics.

There are indeed things I dislike about this laptop and it certainly isn't a "perfect" PC. Things like virtually non-existent upgrade options, no battery slice, and the heat on the bottom when you stress the processor are really annoying. But then there are things like that amazing touchpad, matte display, good keyboard (even if I wish the Home and End keys were in different places), light-yet-durable design and solid overall performance that swing my opinion back to positive.

I'll post a shot of the internals exposed later, but in reality even if this X1 Carbon did have easy access panels there wouldn't be much to upgrade. As mentioned above, it uses a non-standard SSD (not standard mSATA) similar to what you find in a MacBook Air so your SSD upgrade options are limited.

Lenovo (and other manufacturers) regularly remind me that the "overwhelming majority" of customers (both consumers and businesses) never open up their notebooks to make upgrades so this essentially becomes an issue only for the "vocal minority" of tech enthusiasts here in the NBR forums.

I and many other forum members prefer to to have notebooks that we can upgrade and service on our own but most buyers just configure what they want at the time of purchase (or settle for a pre-configured model) and never worry about components unless something breaks ... and if that happens they either send it in for warranty repairs or buy something new rather than fix it themselves.

 

Aren't all ultrabooks/ultraportables non-user serviceable? So that's more of a mark against the genre than a mark against this specific model in my book. It'd be like criticizing it for not having an optical drive. Nothing in this genre of laptop does.

Anyway, glad to see a PC manufacturer NAIL the touchpad. Finally. All in all, I think this is clearly the best ultraportable on the market. I'm in love with this machine. If I wanted a machine with no optical drive, this would be first on the list. And there wouldn't be a second on the list. LOVE this machine.

 

I was kind of hoping for a swappable battery on the X1. That would give it a big leg up on its competitors.

 

Jerry, I have to really strongly disagree with you about the placement of the Home and End keys. Lenovo completely nailed it with their keyboard layout. It's absolutely perfect. I use PgUp and PgDn a LOT more often than I use Home and End. Practically every time you read a web page, or write anything (email, article, document, program), you are going to be using PgUp and PgDn. It is very VERY important for the PgUp and PgDn keys to be placed next to the arrow keys, since you are very likely going to be using the arrow keys at the same time that you're using PgUp and PgDn.

There is simply no way to place the Home and End keys next to PgUp and PgDn on a laptop keyboard while placing PgUp and PgDn next to the arrow keys. There's just not enough room. So I'm very happy to see Home and End get shafted to the top row.

I never even considered a Macbook Air because it has no dedicated PgUp/PgDn keys at all. I mean, I'm sorry, but my work is text-dominated and I need those keys; I will not settle for two-handed combos. Most laptops with separate keys have PgUp and PgDn either on the top row or on an extra side row to the right of the Enter key. Either layout is far inferior to the one on the X1 Carbon, since you have to move your hand around to use both the arrow keys and the PgUp/PgDn keys at the same time. It's even worse with tabbed browsers that use Ctrl-PgUp/PgDn to switch tabs, where you have to stretch your hand or use two hands (hello RSI). My Dell D430 from 2008 (at 3.0lbs, it's an ultrabook from back before ultrabooks existed) has a similar layout with PgUp/PgDn right next to the arrow keys and I am thanking myself for that choice every day.

 

Djao, I'm glad you added your voice to the discussion. I agree it isn't easy to relocate the Home, End, Page Up and Page Down keys ... it's just my personal preference to have them located together in a group.

In any case, Lenovo's representatives have said that they never release a new keyboard without a massive amount of end user testing prior to the release of the product. So, if most people were like me then Lenovo probably would have moved those keys prior to this product being released. Since they didn't, we can probably assume my keyboard preferences are in the "vocal minority" that I mentioned earlier.

 

My Vaio F has home, end, page up and page down in a row above the numpad. I've also used the Thinkpad E420, where page up and page down are on either sides of the up arrow on the directional keys. Personally, I much prefer the latter approach, and ended up using them a lot more than I do on my Vaio F because they fell naturally to hand. I almost never use home and end, but I'd use page up and page down a lot if I didn't have to actually look at the keyboard to find them (which I do on my Vaio F).

 

Indeed, the X1C is looking to be a very strong contender in the ultrabook market, and as a high-end ultraportable option for business users. Only thing left to see is what the "realistic" price is for end-consumers, particularly through the Barnes & Noble Gold program. Hopefully, it's more than competitive with the existing MBA and Samsung Series 9 options!

 

If you remove the back cover, can you still upgrade the RAM yourself? Also, can you add an mSATA (as there is a 3G option available, I would assume there is a WWAN slot, where you would add the mSATA drive?)

 

Can't wait for mine to arrive .. I've been discussing this baby at length with Lenovo over the last few months and hope to be in the first wave of shipments ... Will put it through it's paces and do a head to head comparison with my identically specked Macbook Air (well almost, 256Gb instead of 512Gb

 

Would it be possible to test installing Ubuntu on that review unit? It would be really helpful to have a rough idea of how much does/doesn't work before I place an order. (I'm prepared for lots of things not to work on a brand new model. If it boots, that's good.)

Nathan

 

I can understand if Lenovo had to exclude the option of a slice battery. But I don't understand why they don't try to push an external battery similar to what Hyperjuice (former Hypermac) is selling. Carrying a laptop weighting 1.5 vs 2 kg is a marked difference, carrying a bag weighting 10 vs 10.5 kg is more or less a toss up. And those extra 500g could let the user double or triple the battery life of the laptop. I know it ain't a beautiful solution but surely it could be useful.

 

The review states:

Does this merely refer to the surface feel or does it also refer to functionality (buttery smooth two finger scrolling, good touchpad rejection when typing, etc)?

 

No. The RAM cannot be upgraded. Mentions this in the article somewhere - clearly. Says it is soldered. I know! That sucks!!!

 

So in that respect it sits alongside then 13.3" Samsung Series 9, which has a much better screen while users wanting more RAM can look to the 15" Samsung Series 9 (has been tested with 2 x 8GB) which also offers significantly better battery run time.

John

 

It certainly must feel a bit embarrassing for the Lenovo design team that the end result of their ultraportable turns out to share so much similarities with the MacBook Airs. They are just 2-3 years behind. Like many other PC manufactures.

I do welcome this development though, since people who like Apple's designs now get more attractive alternatives in the PC world. Hopefully together with more upgradability options and openness. For example, it supports a 3G simcard which is welcomed. You'll never see that on the MacBook Air since Apple's greed forces you to buy an iPad for that...

There are some unnecessary things kept on this model though, such as the trackpoint and extra trackpad buttons that are just there to satisfy old ThinkPadders who refuse to adapt to a superior glass touchpad with multi-gestures. Who wants to use those trackpad buttons for scrolling when you can simply swipe two fingers one glass touchpad? I have owned a ThinkPad and can compare. The trackpoint and extra buttons will be gone in 1-2 years, and people will wonder why so many years were wasted on them. Not to mention the scrolling momentum we have in OS X that is so natural as well. I guess we have to wait another 2-3 years for that as well before we have competent drivers on Windows.

 

Wait, what? How is so similar to a MacBook Air? Yes, it's thin and it's got a ULV processor...both of those are just driven by functionality, not copying. The carbon-fiber construction isn't like the MBA. The 180-degree hinge isn't like the MBA. The fast-charge battery isn't like the MBA. The multiple input devices (touchpoint and hardware buttons in addition to touchpad) aren't like the MBA. The 14", 1600x900 screen isn't like the MBA. The matte black aesthetic isn't like the MBA.

There are a ton of MBA ripoffs on the market, but the X1 Carbon isn't one of them.

 

Calling the X1C an MBA clone in an insult to both laptops. They are both thin notebooks, that is pretty much the only design similarity.

You obviously don't switch between typing and mousing a lot. Even a crappy EliteBook or Latitude trackpoint is a lot better than any touchpad if you switch between kb and mouse a lot.

1. You don't need to take your hands of the keyboard
2. You don't need to reset your fingers every once in a while

Out of all the scrolling methods, 2F scroll is one of the worst. At least for 1F Chiral, you don't have to reset your fingers.

I would peg that date a bit closer to 2-3 months because Windows 8 apparently makes life better for touchpad users.

 

Excellent review! This is the first ThinkPad that's actually pretty exciting to me, it sounds like a great machine.

I guess almost all of the Ultrabooks have soldered RAM....kinda sad but gotta give it up for the thinness i guess.

I agree wholeheartedly on the trackpad. Vizio talked a big game and ended up eating crow. Hard. They're still pushing out updates to their systems and I suspect they're regretting not going with Synaptics like Lenovo did with X1 Carbon.

I hope every PC vendor manages to study the X1 Carbon's trackpad very hard. I'm sick of every new machine having a crap touchpad experience unless I disable half the functionality (multi-touch gestures) one is paying for!

Of course, things like choppy pinch to zoom I suspect have a lot to do with how windows is currently handling stuff like that....adjusting in coarse steps rather than smoothly in and out.

Wow someone actually uses chiral scrolling...i couldnt get used to it but agree that it's cool. Personally I love two finger but only on a Mac for obvious reasons....

Windows 8 will support indirect gestures for controlling the interface's "hidden" functionality like the charms bar, app bar, and multitasking switcher. The key downer here is that the touchpad must be multi-touch, AND the functionality must be implemented in the touchpad driver. I hope they've made it a Windows 8 logo requirement for new PC's that this functionality is implemented or it'll be hit and miss depending on which vendor you choose.

It also is up in the air whether pc's shipping today or in the past will get revised drivers to support this feature.

 

I think Chiral suffers from the same problem that the Trackpoint or keyboard shortcuts do. It simply isn't natural to use, despite being more efficient. Actually, I would say natural-ness and efficiency are at opposite ends, and sadly, people seem to be favoring natural over efficient with ridiculous things like touchscreen everything and kinect type gestures.

Upgradable RAM is pretty common even on ultrabooks, so is semi-upgradable 1stick soldered 1stick not. Smaller, thinner, and lighter ultrabooks manage to have upgradable RAM, I hope in the next revision Lenovo manages to do the same.

 

For a 14" laptop, I prefer 1600x900 over 1920x1080 and really my only point of contention with your conclusion. In fact, I even wish for 15" models there would be more 1600x900 options (most laptops only offer HD and FHD resolutions). While I do wish they made HD+ resolution IPS panels, I'm glad to see that the X1 doesn't have a completely garbage panel (which is found in pretty much EVERY 14" laptop currently out there).

It's also nice to see such an improved touchpad, considering my W520 touchpad isn't great. I'm not surprised about the heat on full load considering the slim form factor and lack of surface area to dissipate the heat. As with other members, I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of internal upgradeability but as pointed out, we are the minority and I can accept that reasoning.

One major turn off for me is that Lenovo sacrificed the slice battery and also the ultrabase options for thinness. It would have been perfect if this had ExpressCard or an ultrabase option with it for a DIY ext GPU. But for their targeted audience, I say that Lenovo has gotten this laptop to be near perfect.

 

Well, there is a big demand for a king of this LIGHT and durable 14" PRO laptop... in the Audio and video business on the go.

Sadly, no upgradeable RAM (yes in this fields we do need the largest, fastest, meanest RAM), no ExpressCard and no backlit keyboard, render this ThinkPad X1 useless.
So far I have not seen an usable Ultrabook for these big segments, this one presented some hope... since their other Lenovo lines have got it quite right.

 

The X1C (as do all other current main-line Thinkpads) has a backlit keyboard option.

 

There is also the ThinkLight!

 

Oh you little troll... Take your banter to another thread.

Let us professionals who understand efficiency with minimal movements from our home row get some actual work done.

Enjoy your iCloud full of remote wipes and pretty icons. I promise to keep my Thinkpads locked down nice and secure so I can get some real work done.

 

Sounds like you are the troll.

FYI, I am not an Apple fan. I don't use iCloud. I just happened to have owned both a MacBook and ThinkPad, and enjoy both. Seems I triggered something in you. Wonder what it was...

 

annoying, first we had the nazi paradigm, now we have the troll paradigm

because someone disagreeing with you is a reason to call them troll, personal preference as well. I envy people that can use the nipple right, I dont use it though, never liked it. Thus Im a troll

 

The X1 Carbon is a MacBook Air ripoff in the sense that an Airbus A330 is a ripoff of the Boeing 767.

As Pseudorandom pointed out the list of similarities is: 1) they're both thin 2) they both have a large smooth trackpad.

Regarding the TrackPoint: keep in mind, Mackan, that not everybody has your preference. I use both the trackpad and the TrackPoint on a regular basis. I use the TrackPoint when I'm switching frequently between typing and mousing and the trackpad when I'm mostly reading. Each is superior for different tasks than the other.

You mean the momentum that we have in Mac OS X and in the open-source Synaptics drivers/software, right? Because the way you phrased it, it almost sounded like you were trying to push a particular OS as though it offered something unique...

It's unfortunate if the Windows drivers are as bad as you make them sound, but I don't really see how that has anything to do with the hardware...

 

The Trackpoint along with the keyboard is the main reason I stay faithful to Thinkpads.

All in all the X1 Carbon seems like a great laptop without any major weaknesses.

 

Btw what's the model of their HD+ panel?

 

What about the Ctrl and FN keys that are reversed from every other keyboard on the planet? I'm surprised that all the message posts about that hasn't convinced Lenovo to revert to the standard. Thoughts?

 

Many Thinkpad users prefer the current layout, out of familiarity. I know I do, at any rate. Besides, it's a simple matter to flip it in BIOS if it is really bothersome. Or, remap the Caps Lock key to Ctrl.

 

Yes, I often find myself hitting the wrong key when using other notebooks.

 

Could anyone confirm if the displayport supports audio as well?

Thanks

 

I'd prefer the former layout, with control in the far corner. My wife's MBP 15 has fn in the corner and I don't particularly like it.

 

I believe ThinkPads Displayport has supported audio since the middle of the X200 era of ThinkPads.

 

This is the perfect type of laptop once they have external video cards in mass production that can handle the best video cards, until then its desktop and tablet style or a gaming laptop that you have to lug around traveling as well.

 

between this and the other Lenovo light weights, would you choose the X230 over the X1?

 

If I were looking for an ultraportable, I'd be hitting the Lenovo Outlet for a X220 with IPS. I've seen the X220 refurbished with the i3 and six-cell in the $500 range. Your'e not going to find better value than that. The X1C is a nice ultrabook, as good as any other, but it carries with it the limitations of all ultrabooks like an ULV CPU, no upgrades, small storage, non-swappable battery, etc. If your'e OK with those and have the cash to burn, then it's worth considering. I'd prefer the X220/X230 for the better keyboard and battery life, the IPS LCD, the mSATA + HDD. When I had a X200t with SSD, I disliked carrying everything on the external.

 

Hey Zazzie, thanks for the reply! have you had a chance to also try the 2011 Sony Z series? the other light weight that comes with a non ulv cpu and should also be cheap by now

 

I would personally take the X230 over the X1C. It's faster, and has a longer battery life, more upgrade options, and a better keyboard. Definitely worth the weight increase and less screen resolution.

Anyways, compared to the Z. It depends on how much you value the screen and light weight. Is it worth a bad keyboard, lack of user serviceability, and high price? btw, the Sony Z is an expensive machine, cheaper than last year's Z, but still a $1600+ machine.

As for other options to consider, the HP EliteBook 2570p and Dell Latitude E6230 are both very similar machines to the X230. Both weigh a bit more, have better touchpads, worse keyboards and screens, and more modern designs.

 

I have a S13 I'm reviewing right now, but haven't seen the current Z model. It's expensive, but is lighter than the X230 and has a higher resolution screen. I think the screen has a better color gamut than the X230, but obviously can't match the angles. Just in my own personal opinion as screens have become more squat, bumping up the resolution has less value. Most of the extra space comes on the sides, but typical notebook usage benefits more from vertical resolution, which you don't get near as much. With the Z you could go FHD, but will be tough to read.

 

On the topic of resolution.

You can't have two full side by side screens at 1366x768, the minimum screen size that is considered by designers is generally 800x600. 1600x900 is enough to stack two of these side by side, which is a major advantage over 1366x768. I would agree with ZaZ on 1920x1080 over 1600x900 though.

 

Sincerely Im running win 8 via VM, so I can use 1920*1200, this is in a mbp 13. Its lovely.