Part 1: appearance, case features, expansion options, impressions of input devices, screen and sound
Introduction
As is usually the case with Lenovo Thinkpad laptops, during my acquaintance with the X1 Carbon, my opinion about it changed several times. Because impressions of use cannot be reduced only to a formal assessment of the pros and cons of the model (performance, heating, autonomy, number of ports, size, etc.). Only after working with a laptop for some time can you draw final conclusions about how convenient and pleasant it is to use. Based on this personal experience, general impressions very often change: some laptops that initially did not make any stunning impression, after a week of work, you don’t want to give up, and from some “market leaders” you can’t wait to get rid of them. The X1 Carbon was difficult to use, primarily because of the keyboard, but not only that. That's what we'll talk about.
What is Thinkpad X1 Carbon?
Judging by the index, the Thinkpad X1 Carbon is the successor to the Thinkpad X1. At one time, Lenovo tried to make this laptop a flagship, targeting it at active, positive and inquisitive young people. However, the model turned out to be unsuccessful and at the same time expensive, and reviews about it were mostly negative, including the opinions of people who bought the X1. And sales, apparently, turned out to be very low.
In my opinion, the reason for all the troubles of the original Thinkpad X1 is that the manufacturer either could not decide what he wanted from the model, or could not implement the wishes at the technical level (which is a minus for him in any case). As a result, the X1, which was designed to provide the user with a good combination of performance and autonomy, as well as a unique ability to withstand the rigors of constant use on the road, completely failed to live up to its original positioning. For a travel laptop, it turned out to be too large and heavy, and even with an unacceptably low level of autonomy, around three hours or even less. Therefore, there was no talk of working on the road, security as a result remained unclaimed, and for everyday work in the office the laptop turned out to be too expensive and non-functional. And it’s just inconvenient, let’s be honest.
One of the attempts to get around the problem with autonomy was the announcement of the Thinkpad X1 Hybrid model, where, in addition to the Intel platform, ARM with Android was also built in, but then this model quietly disappeared from the radar. There was little practical benefit from this combination, and at the same time the laptop looked like a hint of excessive power consumption of the Intel platform. Now, on the wave of tablet mania raised by Microsoft (already alone and to some extent without Intel), the company has decided to add another device to the line, the X1 Helix transformable tablet. There is already information on it, but we won’t delve into this topic for now, but will return to today’s guest.
As a result, X1 Carbon, instead of playing the role of a “heir,” began to look like some work on the mistakes. Moreover, if the Thinkpad X1 had its own unique and very interesting concept (and how it was implemented is another question), then the Thinkpad X1 Carbon in concept and implementation became much closer to the “mainstream” of modern top-end laptops, i.e. ultrabooks (i.e. Macbook Air). Either the developers were directly exposed to “current market trends,” or they themselves decided not to swim against the tide.
But at the same time, the Thinkpad X1 Carbon is largely a combination of the strengths of Lenovo's top Think line and the Macbook Air concept from the company that once raised the Think Different slogan to the flag. And this combination will be appreciated by many more users, including professional ones. So the chances of success in the market for the Thinkpad X1 Carbon (in case of successful technical implementation) are much higher, because it is in trend.
By the way, it is almost officially known that next year Lenovo will launch a new version of the Thinkpad X1 Carbon: with Windows 8 and a touchscreen.
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon - who is it for?
In addition, we will try to outline the main advantages of the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon and its positioning at the beginning of the review, so that readers can immediately understand how this model fits their needs.
So, the main features of the model:
- universal work laptop;
- limited set of ports and no upgrade options;
- 14-inch screen with a resolution of 1600×900 pixels with a very small size and weight of the laptop;
- excellent input devices and good ergonomics overall.
My opinion is that the Thinkpad X1 Carbon is aimed primarily at business users. These may be specialists in non-computer fields, middle and high-level managers, and executives. On the one hand, they constantly work with a laptop, and they need a very reliable and convenient work tool. On the other hand, a laptop is used to solve a limited range of general and relatively simple tasks, i.e. there are no specific requirements for hardware or performance levels. But there are preferences regarding quality and external style.
For hardcore computer specialists and engineers, the Thinkpad X230 (we just tested it) is probably better suited, which looks much more interesting from the technical side.
Appearance, laptop case
Traditionally for Lenovo's corporate lines, the X1 Carbon comes in a regular cardboard box with rather modest printing.
For work laptops, this solution is more than justified: the box is needed only until unpacking, and when purchasing it from a company, most users will not see it at all, so the main thing for it is to reliably protect the laptop until unpacking (and be easy to dispose of/recycle).
The delivery set is also very spartan: a laptop in a package, a power supply and several paper brochures on safety rules.
Frame
Is it worth comparing the X1 Carbon to the Air? It seems to me that it is more likely yes than no. The X1 Carbon differs in the size and proportions of the case, but the impression of the wedge-shaped case both in the closed and in the open state (thanks to the huge clickpad) is very, very similar. And we’re not just talking about the contours of the case; in this model, Lenovo borrowed several small, but very characteristic design features from the Macbook. For example, instead of a traditional socket with indicators that glow along the contour, it is in this model that “pin heads” are made, i.e., a narrow hole through which a diode shines from the inside. Where did this come from? But if on Apple laptops the indicators are really “hidden” in the case and you cannot distinguish them on the surface, but on the cover of the Lenovo X1 Carbon they are visible, and at the same time there are large icons nearby.
So fans of the old work lines may well be disappointed. If there is no doubt about the ancestral genes of the Thinkpad X230, then the appearance of the Thinkpad X1 Carbon is indeed some kind of transitional. Although one thing you can’t deny it is subtle elegance, which was not previously considered among the advantages of angular Thinkpads.
However, despite the first impression, the Thinkpad X1 Carbon has enough of its own unique features (primarily related to ease of use) that make it a very interesting and distinctive device. Let's start with size and weight.
Let me make a reservation right away that the thickness of the Thinkpad X1 Carbon is taken to be average; in reality it ranges from 8 to 23-24 mm (if measured from the table), but the thickness of the case fits within the ultrabook’s specifications. For example, the official dimensions of the Macbook Air are 325 by 227 mm, the body thickness is up to 17 mm, and the weight is 1.35 kg. In other words, these two laptops are almost the same in size and weight; the X1 Carbon is slightly thicker, but the Air has a noticeably lower screen and resolution.
If we return to the comparison table, the Thinkpad X230 body size is predicted to be much smaller, but its thickness is significantly greater, which is the price for more powerful filling. It can be fully appreciated even from the photograph above. The Ideapad U300s, Lenovo's first consumer ultrabook, is smaller and thinner, but also has a smaller screen. But both models are equal in weight - this is due to the use of carbon fiber in the Thinkpad X1 Carbon. The old X1 is a big loser compared to the Thinkpad X1 Carbon: it is larger and heavier, but it has only a 13.3-inch screen. In terms of dimensions and weight, it corresponds to modern budget ultrabooks with a diagonal of 14 inches. By the way:
If you compare the Thinkpad X1 Carbon with modern 14-inch ultrabooks (some of them), then, as you can see, it wins a little in size and a lot in weight. Moreover, we should not forget that almost all ultrabooks with a diagonal of 14 inches have a resolution of 1366×768 pixels, which is not so convenient to use. It is even slightly smaller in size than the Ideapad U310 with a 13.3-inch screen.
Let's take a closer look at weight. It is immediately noticeable that in many models it suspiciously revolves around the figure of 1.35 kg. This is, in general, no secret: 1.36 kg is 3 pounds, a cherished figure for manufacturers working with the USA. For them, the phrase “weighs less than three pounds” is a reason to be proud of the weight and size indicators. And for our readers, the phrase “this lightweight laptop weighs less than 1.36 kg” should serve as a clear indicator that this sentence (or the entire text) is a mechanical translation. Asian manufacturers treat the even figure of 1.36 kg without any respect and can release a laptop with a weight of, for example, 1.2 kg.
Thus, in terms of body size and weight, the Thinkpad X1 Carbon practically does not stand out even among laptops with a 13.3-inch screen diagonal. But at the same time it has a 14-inch diagonal screen, and even with a higher resolution, which is a significant advantage for a work system. In my opinion, this is a remarkable achievement.
The manufacturer explains such a large gain in weight by the fact that the Rollcage frame of the Thinkpad X1 Carbon is made of carbon fiber instead of aluminum alloy, as in previous models. This material allows you to achieve the same strength at a third of the weight of aluminum. According to Lenovo, the Thinkpad X1 Carbon frame is 50% stronger than a comparable aluminum frame and weighs half as much. So you don’t have to worry about the strength of the case either.
Well, let's talk about the appearance of the laptop.
The body is black, a noble soft shade. The top panels (both the lid and the bottom) have a soft-touch coating. And the appearance is better, and it’s much more pleasant to carry the laptop. True, noticeable greasy stains from the palms of the palms appear quite quickly on the black matte surface, they are difficult to remove (a dry cloth does not help), you can only smear them. I found the X1 Carbon to be more dirty than the Thinkpad X230.
Let's open the lid. It is impossible to do this with one hand, it will only open slightly, and then the light body will also begin to rise from the table, so you will have to hold it with your other hand. The hinges are quite rigid and the lid moves hard. There is an automatic closer, at the end of the stroke the lid closes itself. When printing, the cover is level, but in conditions of external vibration (in a car or train) it may wobble a little, however, this is the case for everyone. The lid of the Thinkpad X1 Carbon opens 180 degrees or even more. Despite its apparent unimportance, during operation (especially among active users), many situations arise when this feature turns out to be useful. In addition, if the laptop falls on the keyboard, the hinges will not break.
In working order, the X1 Carbon maintains a formal and business-like, yet extremely stylish appearance. Even now, when the external foppishness of expensive models is rapidly giving way to functional simplicity and high-quality materials, the X1 Carbon still, in my opinion, stands out for its noble lines and materials.
As for the design, compared to the traditional representatives of the “working” Thinkpad lines, the design of which has always gravitated towards straight lines and angles, and the bevels were strictly 45 degrees, the Thinkpad X1 Carbon looks much sleeker and more modern - and more unisex. It's a little disappointing that almost all the striking changes in the design are inspired by Apple (the wedge-shaped body, the huge clickpad). I would like more independence in design. However, this laptop has retained, and perhaps even further enhanced, the combination of external simplicity and expensive style that Thinkpad technology has always had. Even the thin red stripes on the trackpoint keys have been preserved - it seems like a small, but such a stylish and elegant element.
I didn’t drop the laptop, but subjectively the case is very durable. For example, the lid cannot be pressed until distortions appear on the matrix; it also cannot be torsioned. Some panels on the case (for example, the right palm rest) began to creak when pressed hard, but this is only minimal play - there is no impression that the panel will wear out under strong pressure, everything is very solid and reliable. I think that the X1 Carbon is perfect for complex and intensive use in a variety of conditions.
Number and location of connectors
What thin laptops and ultrabooks often have problems with is the number and location of expansion ports. The X1 Carbon was no exception. However, first things first.
The front edge is sharp, so there is no talk of any ports or connectors. The back edge is covered by an opening lid, so there is no access to it when the laptop is in working order. So you can’t post anything there either.
The photo shows a rubber cover, under which there is a slot for a SIM card. It will be useful if the configuration includes a cellular modem. You can also appreciate the small thickness of the rear part of the case.
All connectors are traditionally located on the side faces. So, the left side:
On the left, closer to the back edge, there is a new power connector. Due to the fact that the cases of modern laptops and ultrabooks are becoming thinner and thinner, the connector had to be redesigned: now it is not round, but rectangular. The new connector was first introduced on the Yoga 13 convertible, if I remember correctly. The solution is not very good for corporate solutions, but apparently already necessary. The power plug can be inserted into the socket either way. In general, in size it is very similar to a USB port, so I constantly tried to plug a flash drive into it.
Next is a USB 2.0 port with the ability to recharge portable devices and a hardware switch that allows you to instantly disable all wireless interfaces. You can switch it only with a fingernail (and a fairly long one) or an object with a sharp end, like a pen.
On the right side there is a universal card reader, a headset jack (headphones or headphones with a microphone), a Mini-DisplayPort, USB 3.0 and a Kensington lock port. As they say, “that’s it, guys.”
Active professional users who make the most of the laptop will likely be quite disappointed by such a meager selection of ports. For a home Air (or ultrabook), which is used mainly for mail, social networks and similar tasks, such a set may be enough, but for a work system?
As a result, the X1 Carbon has only two USB ports (which is criminally small), does not have HDMI, VGA, or even a wired network. Of course, there are adapters. For a video signal this can be solved relatively simply, but a little more complicated with a LAN. In American versions, a USB-LAN adapter is included in the kit; as usual, we have it separately and for an additional fee. But in any case, it will take up one USB port, and there are only two of them! The same applies to other adapters. Even for me (and I hardly connect anything to my laptop), there were enough USB ports. And how easy it is to forget or lose an adapter is not even worth telling.
Finally, the final blow: there is no connector for a docking station or an additional battery on the bottom either. In other words, there is a docking station with duplicate connectors, but it now connects to USB 3.0, so charging will have to be connected separately and one USB port will be occupied by the dock.
Finally, let's look at the bottom of the Thinkpad X1 Carbon:
The photo of the bottom only confirms the opinion that expandability is not the strong point of this model. There are no hatches for access inside; moreover, the manufacturer prohibits independent access inside.
However, there will be nothing interesting there: the main components such as RAM are soldered, the SSD has a non-standard interface, so replacing it will be problematic, the slot for a cellular modem is half the size, which also reduces the range of potential candidates for installation to almost zero (and let’s not forget about blocking wireless devices from other manufacturers in the system BIOS). In general, the user has nothing to do under the bottom cover. By the way, the battery is also formally non-removable.
Thus, the Thinkpad X1 Carbon has zero upgrade options, and expandability can be described as poor. In general, if you are going to actively work with peripherals, then this model will clearly not be the best choice. The remaining ports are more or less convenient to use (although I would swap USB 2.0 and 3.0, since, for example, the hard drive ends up on the mouse pad), but this will not affect the situation. On the other hand, you need to soberly assess your capabilities: for example, a significant part of users connect a maximum of a mouse and a flash drive to their laptop, nothing more. In this case, you should not refuse to buy the X1 Carbon.
Keyboard
We just looked at the keyboard in detail in the review of Lenovo Thinkpad X230, as well as in materials on Lenovo Ideapad U300s and Lenovo X1. Therefore, the main arguments can be read in the listed articles, but here we will focus on specific impressions and comparisons.
So, all modern Lenovo Thinkpad models have new keyboards. These are island-type keyboards that have only six rows of keys, and the top row is made non-standard. The shape of the keys has changed: they have a semicircular bottom edge and a strongly concave central part of the working surface. Thanks to this, when printing quickly, the speed and accuracy of printing increases, which I have already noted several times. The fonts are readable, Russian letters are noticeably smaller than Latin ones.
There is no traditional keyboard backlight diode above the screen in the Thinkpad X1 Carbon. But the keyboard has a white-bluish LED backlight with two-stage brightness adjustment. The backlight is turned on and off using the Fn+spacebar combination, which is easy to find even in the dark. The outlines of letters and keys are illuminated well, but the bright light of the diodes does not penetrate into the gap between the key and the backing - this often happens on other keyboards, and the diodes simply hit the eyes, which is very annoying and tiring. The Lenovo keyboard is the best solution in this regard.
It is worth noting that if we put the Thinkpad X230 and the Thinkpad X1 Carbon side by side, the keyboards of our copies differed in appearance: the Thinkpad X230 has rougher plastic keys, a much larger gap between the key and the backing (the keyboard is not backlit).
There is a slight difference in clicking, but it is impossible to say that one of the two keyboards is better or worse. The layout of both keyboards is identical, but the X1 Carbon has slightly larger keys in the top row and has gaps between the blocks. In other words, the physical keyboards are most likely different.
Let's talk about impressions at work. There are two complaints about the location of the keys: PgUp and PgDn in the cursor (you constantly press them together with the arrows, and even separately, for example when reading, they are inconvenient), we already talked about this in previous reviews, but when testing the Thinkpad X1 Carbon I also Once I appreciated how inconvenient it was.
The second is the location of Fn and Ctrl. I typed much more on the X1 Carbon than on the Thinkpad X230, so I can confidently say that this arrangement is inconvenient and annoying. Even if you swap these two keys in BIOS Setup, you often get confused when performing Fn+ combinations - you reach for the Fn button, not the Ctrl button. Moreover, the tested Thinkpad X1 Carbon exhibited the following problem: after the laptop goes to sleep and back several times (and when actively carried, this happens all the time), the changes “fly” and the keys return to their default functions. After going into hibernate or rebooting, they change places again, as specified in the BIOS Setup. This happened to me often and was very unnerving. Let's hope that updating the BIOS will resolve the problem.
As for noise, the keyboard could be called quiet if not for the space bar. When typing quickly, it makes a dull rumble - apparently, the keys are hitting the backing, but the sound is dull, and there are few negative sensations. But the space bar clicks loudly and cheerfully, distracting and irritating those around you. In general, I would like complete silence from a keyboard of this class, especially since the last step remains - the spacebar. It's just one key, albeit a big one!
The keyboard still seems a little harsh to me when typing, but I have repeatedly seen opinions on forums that this is precisely what gives the feeling of feedback, unlike modern ultrabooks. I used several laptops and a Microsoft 3000 desktop keyboard at the same time, and while I had a Lenovo X1 Carbon at my disposal, I preferred to print all large documents on it (even if I had to transfer them from another computer). So, in terms of typing ease, the modern Lenovo keyboard is probably still one of the best offers on the market.
Additional functions and keys
This model has four additional keys. Firstly, there is an additional key for calling up the proprietary shell, which for some reason was made instead of the Thinkvantage launcher. The shell as a whole left a terrible impression - clumsy and inconvenient to use. Outwardly, it is an unsuccessful parody of iOS with its icons, but it was introduced a very long time ago, during the time of the Lenovo Thinkpad T400 model. The manufacturer implemented a touchscreen in it, and working with Windows (let alone trying to configure something) is an almost impossible task, so I had to invent my own launcher that you can operate with your finger. The problem is that without a touchscreen it is not needed, and it is inconvenient to work with a mouse, and it is organized extremely illogically. Now, with the release of Windows 8, its usefulness tends to zero.
In addition to this key, there are also three sound control keys.
In general, they are no different from the similar panel on the Thinkpad X230 (although here the panel is well secured, unlike). With their help, you can increase or decrease the sound level, as well as separately turn off the speakers and microphone (when turned off, the key begins to glow dim orange). It seems to me that this is a very convenient thing for users (especially corporate ones) who often use video conferencing and IP telephony.
Some laptop control functions are called via Fn+ combinations. I was unpleasantly surprised that combinations with F1, F2 were not used - after all, they are easiest to reach with one hand! Previously, in this place, if my memory serves me correctly, there was a switch to sleep mode and the screen turned off. F3 - locks the computer, and F4 - puts it to sleep. F5 - displays the wireless connection management utility (or in the utility itself you can configure it so that wireless networks are turned on simply by clicking on this button). F6 - displays the webcam control utility, F7 - controls multi-monitor (primarily focused on output to the projector), F8 and F9 control brightness, F10, F11 and F12 - for some reason the media player. The latter functionality seems very controversial for a work laptop of this class, especially since using the keys is inconvenient: until you find it, until you reach it, it’s easier to click the mouse. The combination Fn+space controls the backlight.
Our model also had a fingerprint scanner. It allows you to flexibly configure fingerprint authorization even in BIOS Setup (very convenient, by the way), and in the system its functionality depends on the bundled software. Its presence is always a huge plus for a working system. Because it combines not only reliability (the password can be very long and is transmitted using secure algorithms), but also ease of use. You solve all problems with user passwords at once (forgot, entered in the wrong place, entered incorrectly, forgot to switch the layout, etc.). And most importantly, users stop disabling passwords because it “takes a long time and is inconvenient to log in” and begin to enjoy the benefits of protection.
Indicators
On IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad laptops, the operating indicators were always located at the bottom of the lid, under the screen, and worked on both the inside and the outside of the lid. The set of indicators changed from model to model, then the set of indicators for the outer and inner parts of the cover began to differ. From an ergonomic point of view, this arrangement of indicators is the best possible, since they are perfectly readable in any position of the laptop, whether with the lid open or closed.
The number and functionality of the X1 Carbon indicators have not changed compared to the Thinkpad X230: the battery charge and sleep mode indicators are located on the outside of the cover, the hard drive access indicator and enabled wireless interfaces are on the inside. However, the indicators themselves have become completely different.
The socket on the outer part of the lid has disappeared, and the indicators themselves now shine through narrow holes in the lid itself, approximately the same way it is organized in Apple laptops. Only the holes are noticeable even when the indicators are turned off, and next to each of them there is a carefully placed pictogram. It’s clear where the idea came from, but the implementation, in my opinion, was not very elegant.
The indicators inside have also been removed from the cover; they are now located in the panel of additional keys. The indicators that are turned off are absolutely invisible, while the indicators that are turned on shine through the panel.
Positioning devices
The X1 Carbon has two positioning systems: the traditional IBM/Lenovo Trackpoint and a huge clickpad, which replaced the touchpad. Together they traditionally retained the name Ultranav.
Let's start with the trackpoint. This device, traditional for all Thinkpad laptops, has been familiar to us for a very, very long time, and in my opinion, its functionality and operating scheme have not changed much. However, I was left with the impression that the trackpoint on the X1 Carbon was slower than on the Thinkpad X230. Either it has a different sensitivity (or its settings), or it’s due to the high screen resolution, but visually it seems that the cursor moves more slowly. Therefore, you begin to put more pressure on the “pump”, and after a few days you can rub a noticeable callus on your index finger. At least, during active surfing, the pad of my index finger hurt in the evening. The trackpoint is still very convenient in operation, because it allows you to position the cursor without removing your fingers from the typing position, and also control the cursor by moving not the entire palm, but only the tip of the finger.
The clickpad is made of a smooth material (glass?), the finger slides over it easily, but the feedback is felt. Although it is somewhat slippery... I didn’t have any particular complaints about the speed, but it’s not possible to move the cursor from one edge of the screen to the other with one finger movement. The company says it has spent a lot of time and effort making the clickpad fast and responsive. And you can feel it - indeed, using it to control the cursor is easy and convenient. Multi-touch gestures are handled very well - for example, scrolling (to do this you need to move two fingers along the surface) is as convenient as on Apple laptops (many ultrabooks had serious problems with this).
The main problem with the clickpad is that it is too big. When printing, you constantly touch it with your palm (and not only with your left one - you can also touch it with your right one), this makes the printing process inconvenient and very annoying. Unlike older models, I did not find standard utilities for controlling and disabling the clickpad; I had to do this through the control panel (and you need to search for “mouse”). In general, when actively typing, it’s better to turn off the clickpad, but it’s convenient to use, so when surfing you want to turn it back on. And then you notice that the ability to disable the touchpad using a keyboard shortcut has disappeared. I draw attention to this because, unlike the Thinkpad X230, this feature is needed here.
Screen
Despite the rumors, the Thinkpad X1 Carbon has a matrix with standard TN+film technology. Let's look at its parameters.
In my opinion, the parameters are optimal for a work laptop. The screen is matte, which allows you to work under any light sources without glare and reflections (and this also makes your eyes very tired). Plus, a very good balance of diagonal and resolution allows you to fit a large amount of information on the screen and be able to work with it without a magnifying glass or binoculars.
We also measured the main operating parameters of the matrix:
The maximum screen brightness reaches almost 300 cd/m² (280 to be precise). When working in a room, a comfortable brightness level is approximately 10 out of 15. Zero level allows you to work in complete darkness without illuminating the entire room.
The main problem with this matrix, in my opinion, is the very large interpixel grid. It is clearly visible in any position, as if a fine grid was superimposed on the screen. You gradually get used to it, but it is unlikely that you will be able to completely get rid of the discomfort.
The screen is very suitable for working with any text. The middle diagonal is well balanced: the laptop is not very large, and the screen does not look like a viewing slit. The resolution allows you to fit quite a lot of information on the screen (it is very important that there is enough vertical space), so it is convenient to work with texts.
Despite the fact that some users complain about the color temperature being too high (in other words, the colors are too cold), I did not notice this, although the color rendition is not ideal. The colors and viewing angles for TN are not bad, there is no obvious discomfort when viewing pictures or videos.
In general, the screen is not bad for a work laptop, the brightness and contrast are very, very good, you can work for a long time, your eyes don’t hurt. The main disadvantage is that the grid on the screen is too noticeable.
Sound
The Thinkpad X1 Carbon has two speakers, they are located under long slots on the bottom and look to the side. The speakers play “from the table”, due to which the sound is subjectively felt better when the laptop is standing on a hard surface, but on a soft one (for example, on a sofa) - the laptop will play noticeably quieter, and the sound will become unintelligible.
If the X1Carbon is on a table, then the sound is quite good: it’s quite suitable for Internet telephony, and even for TV series. Traditionally, the upper-mid frequencies play best, which is where the voices are. The volume level also seemed quite acceptable to me. The problem is with the other frequencies, but this is unimportant for a work laptop, because it is suitable for work (since it transmits voice well), and everything else must be done through external acoustics. If such a need arises.
Conclusion
If we summarize the impressions that we already have, then the Thinkpad X1 Carbon, like the first X1, is a kind of hybrid between professional and consumer laptops, but at the same time it has an impressive list of its own unique advantages, including not only reliability and durability, but and your own style. In my opinion, the model was a success, and the Thinkpad X1 Carbon is truly one of the best in its class.
Another thing is that you need to clearly understand that this is not a completely professional model. The Thinkpad X1 Carbon is, rather, a fashion product and is intended for a boss or a specialist who is not particularly involved in IT. The laptop is clearly aimed at relatively “simple” users, with simpler and more common requests. But... but for these users, working with the Thinkpad X1 Carbon will be truly easy and pleasant. It seems to me that it has retained the main advantage of the Thinkpad - ease of use. The screen and keyboard (well, and touchpad) - what we work with most often - are very good here. And for technical professionals it is better to choose something more traditional - T or X.
However, we will refrain from making final conclusions for now, because we still have to evaluate the performance, autonomy and many other important parameters of the model.
This 14-inch laptop combines great performance, cutting-edge features and a stunning display. You can’t find fault with either the ergonomics or the quality of workmanship. Those who are not intimidated by the high cost of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G6 (about 104,000 rubles) will receive a faithful companion for many years.
Advantages
remarkable work pace and productivity
bright and high-contrast display
very long battery life
Flaws
high price
ThinkPad X1: looks great
The ThinkPad X1's carbon-fiber-reinforced aluminum chassis not only looks high-quality at first glance, but when you look closely at every nook and cranny, it's craftsmanship is remarkable. Thanks to the matte surface, dust and fingerprints are much less noticeable here than, for example, on or. What's also particularly impressive is the weight of the device: - This 14-inch ThinkPad weighs almost 1.1 kg, which is lighter than many 13-inch models.
Many details have been thought out in the laptop: the display opens easily and is well fixed in any position without swaying. The decently backlit keyboard turns out to be (nothing else is expected from the ThinkPad line) excellent. The free travel height of the keys and the pressure resistance, despite the thin body, are quite large here and the buttons are well separated from each other.
But Lenovo's keyboard layout will require some getting used to: in the lower left corner, instead of "Ctrl", there is a "Fn" button, with which you can call up various key combinations. “Mouse substitute” is a touchpad, very large and clearly responds to input. Those who do not want to take their fingers off the keyboard when typing can use the canonical red trackpoint to control the cursor.
The ThinkPad X1's keyboard is great, even if the layout of some of the keys is unusual
Thunderbolt, USB Type-C and LTE
Inside the ThinkPad is an Intel Core i5-8250U with Kaby-Lake-Refresh architecture. The CPU has a nominal clock speed of 1.6 GHz, which increases to 3.4 GHz in Turbo mode. At the same time, system performance is supported by 8 GB of RAM. There is no dedicated graphics card here, there is only an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 chipset. Despite this, the performance here is sufficient not only for office and Internet tasks, but also for resource-demanding photo and video processing systems. At the same time, even under full load, the laptop always remains pleasantly quiet and heats up only minimally. The ThinkPad only reaches its limits when working in the 4K region, in demanding rendering processes, and when running modern 3D games.
All this is confirmed by the results of our laboratory measurements: in the benchmark PCMark 8 Creative Accelerated, which evaluates system performance from web surfing and video processing to casual gaming, the ThinkPad X1 received good 4582 points. Thus, for several more years the laptop will be able to cope with the latest software and work productively.
Photos, videos and other files will find a place on the 512 GB SSD drive. Four USB ports are available for connecting external storage media, two of which are compatible with the Type-C standard with Thunderbolt. The latter additionally serves to charge the battery and as a port for connecting a 4K monitor or external graphics card.
For a monitor operating with Full-HD resolution, an HDMI interface located on the left side of the case will be sufficient. At the same time, in order for the body to remain as thin as possible, Lenovo had to abandon a full-fledged card reader and a classic LAN port. Note, however, that the necessary adapter, unlike some competitors, is included in the package. This is a stone for your garden, Apple!
Besides, You can insert a SIM card into your ThinkPad and thus be everywhere online via LTE. At the same time, wireless data transmission can be carried out through modules WLAN ac standard and Bluetooth 4.2.
The USB Type-C port actually offers all the benefits - including the Thunderbolt protocol. Unfortunately, the widespread implementation of the “new” standard is so far progressing only slowly Suitable for more than just office work
Despite the fact that the ThinkPad line is initially positioned as business laptops, thanks to the remarkable display of the X1 Carbon, it is also suitable for periodically watching movies or even photo and video processing. Here the 14-inch panel with WQHD resolution (2560x1440 pixels) shows its strengths in color reproduction. In particular, the results of measuring the coverage of the AdobeRGB color space, which is an indicator of suitability for image processing and, among other things, serves to synchronize the color rendering of color printers and desktop screens, turned out to be 99.8 percent: an excellent result.
The sRGB color space (a quasi-standard for laptop displays, monitors, projectors and other image output devices) is, of course, 100 percent covered.
With a ratio of 146:1, the checkerboard contrast is at a good level - the image is colorful and high-contrast. The only drawback: because... The panel is not anti-glare; the ThinkPad is suitable for outdoor use, but with some limitations. And although there is a very good matrix installed here with a maximum brightness of 475.4 cd/m2, as soon as the sun begins to shine, strong glare makes effective work impossible.
Two working days, with a tea break...
Lenovo, on the other hand, does not allow itself any weaknesses when it comes to battery life. In our simulated office mode with periodic pauses and medium display brightness, the ThinkPad can last an excellent 14.5 hours. With pure video playback, the battery life will be about 10 hours. In the benchmark PC-Mark-8 Work, which simulates a working day with image processing, office applications and video calls, we measured more than 7 hours - also the highest figure. Considering all this, ThinkPad confidently sets a record in the field of mobility.
In both the sRGB and extended AdobeRGB color spaces, the ThinkPad X1 outperforms the competition with scores of 100% and 99.8%, respectively. Alternative: Dell XPS 13 9370 (Y153F)
Thanks to the fast Core i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM, it performs even better than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon in performance tests.
In addition, the 13.3-inch display has 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels) and excellent contrast.
The equipment is about the same level as that of Lenovo, except that there is no SIM card slot. Battery life is good, although not close to the X1 Carbon's top-end performance. But the Dell XPS costs about 20,000 rubles less.
ThinkPad is the world's oldest line of laptops, once produced by IBM. Since 2005, the legendary series of business laptops has come under the wing of the Chinese company Lenovo. In 2017, the fifth generation of Lenovo ThinkPad x1 Carbon was released - the top version of ultrabooks in the company's line.
Key Features of Lenovo ThinkPad x1 Carbon
Basic specifications of the ThinkPad x1 Carbon model.
Detailed overview of the main features
For the fifth generation of the ultrabook, a completely new case had to be developed. The fact is that the company’s junior models began to literally “breathe down the back” of the top version, so when developing a new generation, designers and technologists had to work hard. As a result, the x1 Carbon 5th Gen can boast a weight of 1 kg 100 g, the width and thickness have been reduced by more than 1 cm. By the way, the x1 Carbon fully lives up to its name - carbon fiber is actually used in the body materials, although the main material, of course, , plastic. It is thanks to the material that x1 Carbon has a fairly strong body, despite its low weight and visible fragility.
For the fifth generation of ultrabook, a completely new case had to be developed
The main advantage of this model is its 14-inch monitor, combined with the light weight and compactness of an ultrabook. For example, the 13-inch MacBook Pro weighs 200 grams more. To achieve such indicators, the manufacturer had to narrow the side frames of the screen as much as possible. The screen can be opened up to 180 degrees.
The main advantage of this model is the 14-inch monitor
When looking at the keyboard, the first thing that catches your eye is the proprietary TrackPoint joystick, which distinguishes the x1 Carbon from other models. Located between the B, H, G and N keys, the joystick can replace the traditional touchpad for laptops, although it is also available. The joystick is quite comfortable to use, so the proprietary feature does not at all interfere with ergonomics.
When looking at the keyboard, the first thing that catches your eye is the proprietary TrackPoint joystick
As with all modern laptop models, all ports and adapters are located at the back and on the side walls of the case. Unfortunately, the x1 Carbon does not support SD memory cards - only microSD. The scheme of their use is the same as on modern smartphones - the card is inserted together with the SIM card into the combined tray. Access to it is possible only with the lid of the ultrabook closed. And it’s not easy to open it - you’ll need a sharp tool. In a word, everything here looks the same as on modern mobile phones.
The set of communication ports of the ultrabook is quite sufficient: 2 USB 3.0 ports, 2 universal USB-C ports with support for PowerDelivery 2.0 for charging the device, one HDMI port and one Mini-Ethernet port. The ultrabook kit includes adapters for all ports.
The ThinkPad x1 Carbon traditionally comes with two matrix options: standard Full HD and WQHD (2560 by 1920 pixels). The display itself, in any of its variants, does not cause any complaints, with the exception of small highlights in the left corners. An important advantage of the x1 Carbon is that the screen maintains maximum brightness even when powered from the battery. However, Lenovo still had to sacrifice something - the screen response is 31–41 milliseconds. These are quite large figures, so this model is not very suitable for modern x1 games. However, it is positioned as a business model, and not just another device for gamers.
ThinkPad x1 Carbon traditionally comes with two matrix options: standard Full HD and WQHD (2560 by 1920 pixels)
The performance of this model matches the specifications. By default, the ultrabook is equipped with a dual-core Intel Kaby Lake-U Premium PCH processor. But there is a choice of RAM: the buyer is free to purchase a package with 8 or 16 GB of RAM. The video card is only built-in Intel HD Graphics 620 with a maximum stated frequency of 1050MHz.
In such a compact case of this ultrabook model it was possible to integrate only one version of the Samsung SM961 hard drive with a capacity of 512 GB. After installing the unchanged Windows 10, the amount of free memory is 454 GB - quite enough for the business model. Tests showed the maximum possible disk performance, so this configuration looks quite successful.
In such a compact case of this ultrabook model it was possible to integrate only one version of the Samsung SM961 hard drive with a capacity of 512 GB
The integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 video card is quite sufficient for the main purposes of this model. The owner of this device will be able to watch movies in high definition or even edit videos. Naturally, the built-in video adapter is inferior to powerful discrete video cards like the Nvidia GeForce 940MX, which are found on a number of business models. The difference in performance reaches 50–60 percent. But this is normal - after all, an ultrabook is designed for work. However, you can still play powerful modern games on it. To do this, you need to either select low quality settings or connect an external video adapter through the port. One of the USB-C ports supports Thunderbolt 3 technology (maximum data transfer speed - 40 GB per second).
Due to its particularly thin body, the x1 Carbon gets quite hot at maximum operating modes. The main areas of temperature increase are the processor and cooling system. Therefore, it is not recommended to place the laptop on your knees, otherwise its right side will heat up even more, since that is where the cooling system is located.
Due to its particularly thin body, the x1 Carbon gets quite hot at maximum operating modes
The noise level is quite good - the maximum fan output in test mode was less than 40 dB, which is quite comparable with other models of thin laptops. However, the threshold for turning on the fan is quite low - only in rest mode and at minimum load does it remain off. Even under light load (browser + WI-FI, watching video), the fan can turn on, in which case the noise level is 32 dB. At average load the noise level increases to 34 dB. However, the reduction in load is immediately reflected in the operation of the cooling system - the fan immediately turns off.
Despite the fact that the new generation x1 Carbon has become even thinner and lighter, Lenovo managed to perform a small miracle. Compared to the previous model, the 5th generation has a higher power battery - 57 Wh, which is 5 Wh more than the previous generation. This is one of the highest indicators in its class. Such battery power allowed us to achieve impressive results:
- in maximum consumption mode, the battery life of the ultrabook was 2 hours;
- in Internet surfing mode with WI-FI turned on and the backlight level at 75%, the x1 Carbon lasted 8 hours (1 hour more than its nearest competitor);
- In video viewing mode, battery life reached 12 hours.
Charging occurs quite quickly - only 1 hour is required to charge the ultrabook to 75–80%. However, fully charging the battery takes quite a long time - the remaining 20–25% is “overcome” in 1 hour 30 minutes.
Charging is quite fast - only 1 hour is required to charge the ultrabook to 75–80%
The impressive power consumption and battery life results combined with the performance make this Ultrabook a leader in this comparison category compared to other business laptop models.
Video: ultrabook review
A full analysis of the features of the new generation of ultrabooks from Lenovo is in the video review.
The stated characteristics and test results showed that the x1 Carbon is one of the most interesting options on the ultrabook market. Of course, one cannot fail to note the disadvantages: lack of support for SD cards, rather strong heating and increased noise are obvious disadvantages. However, they are largely explained by the advantages of the model. ThinkPad x1 Carbon is an ultrabook for those who care about the combination of decent characteristics (primarily screen size and performance) with the minimum possible weight and size of the device itself. We can say that the new generation x1 Carbon is Lenovo’s confident step towards leadership in the market for ultra-thin business-oriented laptops.
Externally, it is practically no different from the demo sample. By and large, there are only two differences: the presence of Cyrillic on the keyboard and a neater frame around the display. In the demo sample it was made of unsightly smooth plastic, but in the retail laptop the plastic acquired a rough texture, thanks to which it looks better and gets less dirty.
Otherwise the design remains the same. Thus, all parts, except the aforementioned display frame, are equipped with a velvety soft touch coating. On the “working panel” it is smoother, on the lid and bottom it is more “rubbery” so that the laptop can be held more firmly in your hands.
Unlike most ultra-thin laptops, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon can be folded flat.
The stated thickness of the case is about 19 mm. Just don’t ask us what the compilers of these stated characteristics had in mind. According to the results of our measurements, the thickness of the case varies from 16 to 23-odd millimeters - depending on what you mean by this parameter.
In a word, the ThinkPad ultrabook turned out to be noticeably more “meaty” than the “champion” Samsung 900X3C. However, the black color and the cunning shape of the case hide this fact well - the X1 Carbon does not look thick at all.
According to the reviewer, the X1 Carbon keyboard is the best that can be found in ultra-thin laptops. It is slightly inferior to typical ThinkPad keyboards in terms of key travel, but still several heads above anything that other ultrabook manufacturers use, especially the thinnest ones.
Actually, it was precisely because of the long-travel keyboard in combination with TrackPoint that the first ThinkPad ultrabook turned out to be so plump - if not for these two elements, the thickness of the case could have been reduced by one and a half times.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has an internally backlit keyboard. It is turned on by the most convenient key combination - Fn + spacebar.
Next to the volume control buttons is a mysterious black key. In previous generations of ThinkPad, it was blue, called ThinkVantage and was responsible for launching the package of proprietary utilities of the same name for configuring and diagnosing the system.
Now it runs something called SimpleTap, a simple full-screen shell designed, apparently, to work with a laptop using touch input. By the way, it’s very interesting: what will Lenovo do with this dubious innovation in light of the release of Windows 8, which has a much more successful touch interface?
There is a fingerprint sensor on the right side of the case. As with other ThinkPad laptops, it allows you not only to identify the user in an already running system, but also to turn on the laptop and then automatically log in to the system. In this case, the switched off ThinkPad periodically blinks the LED built into the sensor.
Like all other full-fledged ThinkPads, the X1 Carbon ultrabook is equipped with two manipulators: a buttonless touchpad and a TrackPoint mini-joystick. The implementation of the latter is quite classic for ThinkPad - with an additional scroll button.
As for the touch panel, it is quite convenient. The coating, at first glance, seems the same as on the body, but in reality it turns out to be much less “rubbery” and incredibly pleasant to the touch, “silk”. The finger glides over it quite well. The panel dimensions are large. Recognition of right and left button presses works quite adequately. In general, using the touchpad is quite convenient - at least by the standards of “buttonless” panels.
The set of connectors has not changed at all since we saw the demo sample. There is only one difference - in the final implementation, the only USB 3.0 port was repainted black. It looks more harmonious, but is somewhat less convenient in the first days of using an ultrabook - you have to look closely at the small signatures next to the ports.
Despite the absence of a 3G modem in the tested configuration, there is a SIM card slot on the back wall. Don’t rush to rejoice: this does not mean that the laptop is fully prepared for installing a WWAN module. We'll talk more about this in a few paragraphs.
Many of the traditional ThinkPad features are missing from this model. There are no docking options, no numerous battery options, no famous drainage holes, no specially shaped feet.
⇡ Technical specifications
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-3317U: 1.7 GHz (up to 2.6 GHz with Turbo Boost); 2x256 KB L2; 3 MB L3; two computing cores |
| Chipset | Intel QS77 (1E56) |
| Graphics controller | Intel HD 4000, integrated into the processor |
| Screen | 14.0 inches, 1600x900; TN technology Matte finish, LED backlight (LG LP140WD2-TLE2) |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR3L-1333 (soldered on the motherboard, no expansion connectors) |
| HDD | 128 GB SSD (SanDisk SD5SG2128G1052E), non-standard form factor |
| Optical drive | Absent |
| Flash card connector | SD/MMC |
| Interfaces | 1 x USB 3.0 1 x USB 2.0 1 x Mini DisplayPort 1 x combo audio jack (mini-jack 3.5 mm) |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n, 2x2, 2.4/5 GHz (Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205S) |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 (Broadcom) |
| 3G | This configuration has a SIM card slot, but no adapter or antennas |
| Network adapter | Absent |
| Sound | Realtek ALC269; two speakers, two microphones |
| Battery | From flat cells, 46 Wh (3110 mAh, 14.8 V) |
| power unit | Power supply 65 W (19 V; 3.42 A) |
| Other | Metal body, carbon fiber cover, keyboard backlight, TrackPoint, fingerprint sensor, webcam |
| Size, mm | 329x226x20.3 excluding legs 329x226x23.2 including legs |
| Weight, kg | 1,34 |
| operating system | Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64 bit) |
| Official manufacturer's warranty | 36 months |
| Price | From 49,000 rub. |
We tested the serial Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon in one of the lower configurations - with a Core i5-3317U processor. There is also a slightly more expensive version with a slightly faster i5-3427U (1.8 → 2.6 GHz) and a significantly more expensive version with a significantly faster Core i7-3667U (2.0 → 3.2 GHz).
The RAM is soldered onto the motherboard, and there is no way to expand it - there are no expansion connectors. Unfortunately, Russian buyers are not yet offered an option to increase the volume: all configurations sold in our country have 4 GB of DDR3L-1333 preinstalled. So in this case, there is an additional incentive to purchase a laptop in the States: Americans are offered an 8 GB version.
Update: As we were informed from the Russian representative office of Lenovo, configurations with a memory capacity of 8 GB in our market for large customers will be available on special order.
Graphics, however, even in the USA are only available integrated. For those wishing to own a ThinkPad ultrabook with a discrete graphics adapter, we recommend taking a look at
Hello, Habr! Today we want to talk in detail about the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. There aren't many laptop series in the world that have been released for half a dozen years in a row. The 2018 X1 Carbon is already the 6th generation in the popular series. Externally, the computer has hardly changed, but in terms of hardware and other components there are quite a few pleasant innovations. But first things first.
Appearance
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a laptop for people who spend a lot of time outside the office, frequently type (email, texts, presentations), give presentations, and regularly face the need to work on the road. That is, we are talking about business users or freelancers from completely different areas with an above-average income level. Most of all, these people value mobility, convenience, good autonomy and high performance.
Mobility and convenience - this is a story about the design and, in part, the ergonomics of input devices, which will be discussed a little later. The computer case is made of magnesium alloy and covered with carbon fiber. This is all not only for the sake of a strict and attractive appearance, but also for its light weight. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon version 2018 weighs only 1.13 kilograms. At the same time, the developers were able to fit a 14-inch screen into a small body with dimensions of 323.5 x 217.1 mm. The thickness is absolutely fantastic: less than 16 millimeters!
As a result, such a gadget looks very solid, and it’s comfortable to carry it with you every day. It is also very pleasant to touch the matte velvety surface of the computer. Yes, fingerprints remain on it, but they are noticeable only upon very close inspection, and laptops are examined point-blank only by technology reviewers and service technicians, but not by ordinary users.
By the way, good news for those who like to drink tea while sitting at their laptop. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon has a keyboard protection against water, and at the bottom of the PC there is even a drainage hole through which moisture that gets on the buttons flows down. The bonus is useful, but you need to treat it wisely: this does not mean that liquids cannot harm electronics. “Protection” is not the same as “invulnerability,” plus the fatal consequences of some sticky soda that glues everything together has not been canceled.
Interfaces
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon does not claim to be the champion in the number of connectors on the sides, but the developers were not given such a task. The main thing is that there is absolutely everything you need here. Let's start from the right side. There is pure minimalism here: full-size USB 3.0 and a headphone input.On the right there are more interfaces: HDMI, full-size USB 3.0 and two USB Type-C, one of which is combined with a proprietary one for accessories and docking stations, among which the ThinkPad Ultra Docking Station stands out.
This is not cheap (23,950 rubles), but an absolutely irreplaceable thing for everyone who connects their laptop to a large monitor (or several monitors) at home or in the office and uses a lot of peripherals in their work. This is what she looks like:
And it has so many interfaces that anyone would envy: four USB 3.1, two USB Type-C, two DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, VGA and a combined audio jack. The station supports vPro and PXE Boot technology and can charge a laptop up to 80% in just 30 minutes. In general, this is a really useful thing if this scenario for using a mobile PC is close to you.
You probably noticed that the laptop itself does not have an input for a network cable, which automatically becomes a noticeable drawback for many corporate users. Why it is not there is clear: the interface is large and simply does not fit into a thin case. But there is a solution: the ThinkPad X1 Carbon comes with a compact adapter with RJ-45, which connects to the same proprietary connector discussed above.
By the way, how about taking a look at the back panel? There's a surprise here: a pull-out tray with a slot for a microSIM card. An indispensable thing for those who have something to hide from public Wi-Fi networks or those who often need to work in places where these same networks are usually not visible. Just don’t forget that for SIM to work you need to select the X1 Carbon configuration with a WWAN module. There is also a slot for microSD, with which you can significantly expand the data storage space.
Display
Agree, it’s nice when you can choose a laptop not only by configuration, but also by screen parameters? The case is, however, rare, but the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is just one of those. The laptop is available with four different displays: with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, 1920x1080 pixels (touch), 2560x1400 pixels (maximum brightness - 300 nits), 2560x1440 pixels (maximum brightness - 500 nits). In all cases, the diagonal is, of course, the same - 14 inches, matrix type - IPS. The thickness of the frames around is very, very modest, which you can see for yourself in the photographs below.Our specific test sample is Full HD with support for touch input, but there are no visual differences from the non-touch configuration. This option is good if more or less serious work with graphics is not included in the proposed scenarios. And for preparing presentations, web surfing, text editors, and watching videos, this will be absolutely enough. Color rendition is normal, there is no need to complain about viewing angles at all. In addition, it is worth considering the lower load on the hardware and greater battery life compared to WQHD displays.
However, autonomy is autonomy, and the “top” screen with a resolution of 2560x1400 is very attractive. Firstly, HDR support. Secondly, color gamut indicators. If on a Full HD panel the user receives about 90% coverage of the sRGB color space, then on WQHD this is already full coverage of the entire spectrum. In Adobe RGB the difference is even more dramatic: ~90% versus ~60%. Well, let’s take into account the increase in price: it’s not that big for such significant advantages.
And the conclusion is simple: ThinkPad X1 Carbon with “top” matrices is great for serious work with graphics, hurray! And it not only fits, but in this regard stands out favorably against competitors in its niche. Just keep in mind that the brighter (500 nits) WQHD panel is glossy, and the less bright (300 nits) is matte. But you can distinguish them right in the store “by eye”; you don’t have to go into specifications or run tests.
Also pay attention to the hinges: they used to be silver, but now they are black to match the color of the body. It seems like a small thing, but it definitely gives it a +1 to appearance. But in terms of reliability, nothing has changed: the hinges are still metal and firmly hold the laptop lid in any position up to the maximum 180 degrees. In none of them does it outweigh the main part of the laptop with the keyboard.
Input Devices
The keyboard of the 6th generation ThinkPad X1 Carbon has undergone absolutely no changes. Many users rightfully consider it one of the best in its class, so there is not the slightest reason to upset them and force them to get used to something new. It is clear that this is all a purely individual matter, but, in our opinion, these full-size and slightly concave buttons with a deep and quiet stroke give a truly cool sensation when typing. And your hands don’t get tired.
There is a backlight, it has two brightness levels. Important buttons (Esc, F1 with a mute indicator and F4 with a microphone mute indicator) are additionally highlighted with bright dots against the background of the rest. There are also additional LEDs in the power button and next to the USB Type-C, which is responsible for powering the laptop, so that they can be easily found even in complete darkness.
The trackpoint, of course, has not gone away, as well as the large touchpad with excellent response and a tactilely pleasant surface. To work with it, you can use either auxiliary mechanical buttons above the touch panel or press its lower part, if that’s more convenient for you. There is also a fingerprint scanner and an IR camera with two lenses. The latter is not used in all configurations; more often in its place is a regular “web” with a convenient curtain.
Hardware component
The main hardware innovation in the 2018 ThinkPad X1 Carbon is, of course, the 8th generation Intel Core processors with reduced power consumption. Two additional cores and two additional running threads are a very nice performance boost. Specifically, our test sample has 16 GB of RAM and an Intel Core i7-8550U. Compared to last year's predecessor (i7-7500U), its base clock frequency decreased from 2.7 GHz to 1.8 GHz, and the maximum, on the contrary, increased from 3.5 to 4 GHz. The calculated thermal power remained at the same level - 15 W.
Tests in Cinebench R15 show that in single-core computing the power of the new chip has increased by about 15-18% compared to the old one. In multi-core operating mode, the gain reaches an impressive 60-70%. If previously there were few reasons for an upgrade in this regard, now the difference can really be felt, and not only in benchmarks. Just remember that like all other processors in the new U series, the i7-8550U also begins to gradually reduce frequencies under prolonged load. However, specifically in the case of the X1 Carbon, this does not happen as quickly, and the drop is not as noticeable as with competitors. The secret is in the increased temperature limit.
Of course, you shouldn't expect miracles of gaming performance from the integrated UHD Graphics 620. Not a single laptop in the same class as the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is focused on games in principle. However, this computer will not let you get completely bored. It’s clear that you won’t be able to run Kingdom Come or even The Witcher here even at minimum settings, but popular online projects (DOTA2, Overwatch, WoT) run without problems at low or sometimes even medium settings.
The perception of fan noise is an individual matter, but we found the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon to be quite good in this regard. Even under quite serious loads, the cooler did not buzz so much that it began to really irritate. There is also no need to be especially afraid of heating. If the laptop is on the table, then there will be no problems even during complex calculations. But holding it on your knees during them may not be very comfortable - in stress tests, temperature values can still slightly exceed 50 degrees. However, when working with texts and while watching videos, they are in the region of 35-40 degrees.
As a result, we can say that the laptop copes with all its main tasks without problems. The overall system performance is excellent, as confirmed by PCMark 10 tests, which we will present below. The computer responds to all commands cheerfully and without hesitation - there are no annoying delays.
Finally, a few words about the SSD drive. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has 4 options, of which the most optimal, perhaps, is the one used in our test laptop. This is a PCIe model with 512 GB of internal memory, to be precise, a Samsung PM981 with a Polaris V2 controller. Its speed performance is very decent, so it’s unlikely that you will want to change the module in the next few years. If desired, the data can be encrypted - there is a TPM module on the motherboard. And you can return the laptop to factory settings, if something suddenly goes wrong, not only using the tools built into Windows, but also using proprietary Lenovo software.
Upgrade options
With the upgrade options of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, things are not particularly rosy, but such is the price to pay for a thin body and modest weight. This is the picture you can see if you unscrew the five screws and remove the bottom cover:You can independently replace only the SSD drive in the M.2 2280 form factor. You can also easily remove the battery, and remove and replace the WWAN module. There are no options for increasing RAM - all the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard, so we strongly recommend choosing configurations with the maximum amount for future use. That is, with 16 GB on board.
Autonomy
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a very durable machine. In the case of models with a Full HD screen, a full battery charge (57 Wh) will last you for 6.5 hours of video playback with the same resolution and maximum brightness level. If the brightness is reduced to a still comfortable 60-70%, there will be a noticeable increase in another couple of hours. If we talk about working with texts and web surfing, then the user definitely has a full working day (and with an extra couple of hours to spare).Charging the gadget from 0 to 80% is quite fast - it takes a little more than an hour, and then the same amount for the remaining 20%. A useful “feature”, especially when you realize that in 40 minutes you have to run off to a meeting, and the cleaning lady carefully turned off the office pilot and all the time since the morning the laptop has been doing nothing but slowly but surely discharging.
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