Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon 7th gen

[zen]

Still early days as the 7th gen X1 Carbon isn't out yet, but I thought a new thread for it might be useful going forward!

Has anyone seen any sign of an announcement yet? Back at CES they said June, and they showed off the new carbon fibre weave model, but it's been total silence since.

I've been saving for the 7th gen to replace my 2012 MBP, but I'm curious as to whether the carbon fibre weave model will be available on all configurations, or just the high-end ones. There's a video from CES where the Lenovo demo guy says the weave is on the new 4k screen model, but no more was said about whether it's available on other configs.

I'm just curious as I wondered if the weave casing would solve the peeling skin problem some 6th gen models had. But... I don't need a 4k screen on a laptop, I'd be happy with a lower-specced model!

 

[zen]

First batch of 7th gen models listed by Lenovo. Also confirms that the carbon weave casing is only available with the 4k screen model, which is not yet available. Base price $1499 is also $300 cheaper than Lenovo had said back in January.

 

[hajime]

While I was going to order a MBP 2019, the X1Y4 and X1C7 with much better keyboard are released...

 

[zen]

While I was going to order a MBP 2019, the X1Y4 and X1C7 with much better keyboard are released...

Exactly. The X1C is smaller and lighter than the Macbook Air, has more ports, and has a full-action scissor keyboard which is the best in the industry. The choice is pretty simple!

 

[hajime]

Exactly. The X1C is smaller and lighter than the Macbook Air, has more ports, and has a full-action scissor keyboard which is the best in the industry. The choice is pretty simple!

My Yoga C930 with 4K touch screen costs CAD$2000. The X1 Y4 with 4K touch screen costs CAD 3589. That is quite a big increase in price given that both has only 1TB SSD and the C930 looks nicer. The color of the X1Y4 is kind of ugly. CPU is the same. The only advantage in getting it seems to be that it has HDMI port.

I wonder how easy it is to Hackintosh it and also how compatible it is with Linux. I know people who successfully Hackintosh a X1E. Too bad under Linux the fan noise is unbearable to me.

 

[c0ppo]

4K on this device is a complete overkill, and really, just a gimmick. 2K is great, but just 300nits of brightness?
That fact alone makes the 6th gen with 2k HDR screen better for my personal taste. You get a great 500nits screen, with almost the same CPU and GPU. For way less money

 

[zen]

4K on this device is a complete overkill, and really, just a gimmick. 2K is great, but just 300nits of brightness?
That fact alone makes the 6th gen with 2k HDR screen better for my personal taste. You get a great 500nits screen, with almost the same CPU and GPU. For way less money

The 500 nit screen is glossy, though. The matte WQHD screen on the 6th gen is the same as the 7th gen, 300 nits, and on the 7th gen the only glossy screen is the 4k one (which is overkill yes).

My 2012 retina Macbook Pro is 300 nits, which is perfect for me.

But you make a good point... is the 6th gen actually a better buy, while it is still available?

 

[c0ppo]

But you make a good point... is the 6th gen actually a better buy, while it is still available?

Yes, the 500nits screen is glossy. But HDR as well. The best screen I have ever used on any laptop. Way better then 4K on X1E I'm using at the moment. I own X1C 6th gen, my wife uses it.

Excellent little device. Fast, reliable, and lightweight. Only thing I would wish to have from 7th gen is front facing speakers. Everything else just isn't enough. Same RAM, same GPU, storage, etc. Just a bit better CPU, but where are talking about almost the same CPU.

So if I were to purchase one at this moment, I would go for 6th gen to save some money. Only reason to go for 7th gen are speakers, and FHD screen with 400nits of brightness. But that isn't worth the additional money. For me at least. Someone else has other priorities, so of course, they may have completely different opinion

 

[zen]

Yes, the 500nits screen is glossy. But HDR as well. The best screen I have ever used on any laptop. Way better then 4K on X1E I'm using at the moment. I own X1C 6th gen, my wife uses it.

Excellent little device. Fast, reliable, and lightweight. Only thing I would wish to have from 7th gen is front facing speakers. Everything else just isn't enough. Same RAM, same GPU, storage, etc. Just a bit better CPU, but where are talking about almost the same CPU.

So if I were to purchase one at this moment, I would go for 6th gen to save some money. Only reason to go for 7th gen are speakers, and FHD screen with 400nits of brightness. But that isn't worth the additional money. For me at least. Someone else has other priorities, so of course, they may have completely different opinion

Good points. The 7th gen has just gone up on the Lenovo UK website today, although with no pricing. Once the UK pricing is confirmed I'll be very interested in comparing with the 7th gen, but as you say I suspect the 6th gen is going to be much better value for money.

 

[hajime]

Hope they have better QC this time.

 

[zen]

Hope they have better QC this time.

Yeah - as I understand it, things were/are pretty much fixed on the 6th gen now. So I would imagine the 7th gen is okay. Although, obviously, nobody has used one yet!

 

[Thysanoptera]

So if I were to purchase one at this moment, I would go for 6th gen to save some money. Only reason to go for 7th gen are speakers, and FHD screen with 400nits of brightness.

I wonder if the LCD screen has same dimensions as the 300 nits on 6th gen. If yes - then it should be possible to replace it, there are some situations where I find the 6th gen too dim.

 

[hajime]

How likely can X1C7 and X1Y4 be turned into a Hackintosh?

 

[c0ppo]

How likely can X1C7 and X1Y4 be turned into a Hackintosh?

Probably rather easily. They use the same hardware as macs. I saw a few guides of X1C 6th gen hackintoshes, everything works except fingerprint reader (obviously), and battery life isn't there, but still rather good, about 5-6 hours.
[doublepost=1561068150][/doublepost]

I wonder if the LCD screen has same dimensions as the 300 nits on 6th gen. If yes - then it should be possible to replace it, there are some situations where I find the 6th gen too dim.

7th gen has FHD screen with 400nits of brightness. That's a major upgrade in my book, since I live in rather sunny area. My x1e had a FHD screen, and it was a major drawback. I've upgraded it to 4K just because of brightness. But X1C 6th gen has way better screen then my X1E. It's not even a competition.

 

[hajime]

I think they changed the wifi module to intel 9560 and upgraded the BT module. Probably just modify from existing guides.

 

[zen]

Two customisable configs of the X1C 7th gen are now available at Lenovo UK.


https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/X1-Carbon-Gen-7/p/22TP2TXX17G


I am actually amazed at the price - they are CHEAPER than comparable 6th gen models. So I've gone for the base X1C but with the WQHD matte display. Shipping time is 3-4 weeks.

 

[Thysanoptera]

I am actually amazed at the price - they are CHEAPER than comparable 6th gen models. So I've gone for the base X1C but with the WQHD matte display. Shipping time is 3-4 weeks.

You can get now the 6th gen i7-8550u/16/512/FHD for $1200 at Costco.

Edit - Nvm, I didn't notice you posted UK link.

 

[zen]

You can get now the 6th gen i7-8550u/16/512/FHD for $1200 at Costco.

Edit - Nvm, I didn't notice you posted UK link.

Yeah, our options are much more limited here, unfortunately!

 

[Waltagon]

First post: Hello everyone

I am really tempted by this laptop. In many ways it seems to good to be true in terms of the specs, IO, weight etc. I am currently weighing up this vs Dell XPS 13 vs Macbook Pro 13 Touchbar and I'm finding that the main consideration I always come back to is will it be reliable, durable and if something does go wrong, how easy will it be to resolve.

I have had (a while ago) a Dell Laptop that completely failed in 1 year and an XPS desktop which lasted a good 4-5 years but did ultimately fail. I have had many iPods, iPhones and IPads and have had probably 4 of them fail on me (plus a pair of Beats X). However I simply went to an Apple store and they were replaced free of charge (and I have never had Apple Care).

The X1C7 seems to be almost the perfect laptop, however I have seen mixed reviews regarding the quality and customer service with Lenovos. Similar with Dell although my work X280 is completely fine. Apple seems to also have its flaws in terms of keyboard, T2 issues etc. but it seems in a lot of cases Apple has sorted people out. On the other hand spec wise the MacBook Pro seems largely inferior if comparing similarly priced models.

Ah...decisions, decisions.

 

[hajime]

I think people who ordered when it was released will get them next week. So they will start posting...

 

[zen]

First post: Hello everyone

I am really tempted by this laptop. In many ways it seems to good to be true in terms of the specs, IO, weight etc. I am currently weighing up this vs Dell XPS 13 vs Macbook Pro 13 Touchbar and I'm finding that the main consideration I always come back to is will it be reliable, durable and if something does go wrong, how easy will it be to resolve.

I have had (a while ago) a Dell Laptop that completely failed in 1 year and an XPS desktop which lasted a good 4-5 years but did ultimately fail. I have had many iPods, iPhones and IPads and have had probably 4 of them fail on me (plus a pair of Beats X). However I simply went to an Apple store and they were replaced free of charge (and I have never had Apple Care).

The X1C7 seems to be almost the perfect laptop, however I have seen mixed reviews regarding the quality and customer service with Lenovos. Similar with Dell although my work X280 is completely fine. Apple seems to also have its flaws in terms of keyboard, T2 issues etc. but it seems in a lot of cases Apple has sorted people out. On the other hand spec wise the MacBook Pro seems largely inferior if comparing similarly priced models.

Ah...decisions, decisions.

Lenovo customer service is fine - if you do strike an issue, or receive a duff unit, they will sort it out. Lenovo QC has improved. I'll be ordering as soon as the UHD display option is available in the UK, and I'm confident I will not get a problem unit.

Also, just remember this has the best keyboard available, and has more ports and a larger screen than the 13" Macbook Air and is lighter and smaller. I really have no idea what Apple are doing at this point!
[doublepost=1561713330][/doublepost]The UHD option is now available in Japan.

https://www.lenovo.com/jp/ja/notebooks/thinkpad/x-series/X1-Carbon-Gen-7/p/20QDCTO1WWJAJP1/customize...

This is good news - on the Japanese site, you can customise the BASE model to select the UHD screen, which means you can go with an i5, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM if you want. Selecting the UHD option automatically changes the top casing to carbon weave (as opposed to black paint on the FHD and WQHD).

The best news is that the UHD screen is an extra 24,800 Yen, which is about £183 or US$230.

Looking good!

 

[Waltagon]

I'll be ordering as soon as the UHD display option is available in the UK, and I'm confident I will not get a problem unit.

Apparently End of July/ Early August according to a conversation I had with them on twitter. Seems a while to wait for us in the UK considering it is available to order in other territories.

 

[zen]

Apparently End of July/ Early August according to a conversation I had with them on twitter. Seems a while to wait for us in the UK considering it is available to order in other territories.

Yeah, they said the same when I opened a chat with a rep on the Lenovo order page. It is a little odd that they don't have all config options available at launch, but then I've never dealt with Lenovo before and I guess they have their reasons.

 

[hajime]

They also said P1G2 in June but it is still under “Coming Soon”. It is their practice that they don’t release many configurations at the beginning. Could take months for some configurations to come out. That is one bad thing about Lenovo.

 

[zen]

UHD display now available in the UK for £137.80 extra.