Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2018) Review

[@econpkftw]

This is genuinely one of the best reviews I’ve seen of a thinkpad. I’m struggling heavily to find good reviews. Thank you

[@Fighter4Street]

Yes there are not many reviews for this unit, surprisingly.

[@rob-xo2yg]

Well ThinkPads don’t get good reviews since they aren’t good, lol.

[@felipeferreira7503]

Loved your review!

[@MCAlexisYT]

WWWHHHHAAAATTTT I wasn’t expecting that keyboard “pop-out” type camera on that Huawei machine!

[@EndurableGames]

I really like the challenges you set like installing new software on old hardware! Let’s get some more of that :)

[@matthewlopez1706]

I remember ThinkPad laptops. They still look similar from when I used one on Vista. They look great still and still perform well.

[@BloodRider1914]

For some reason I've always been attracted to ThinkPads, but they're always so pricy. Still, this is essentially the exact machine I'm looking for to replace my old Gateway laptop

[@tsatsanisgreg]

I was too, before they messed up the keyboard, made the cpu and ram not upgradable and guess what they will solder next... the storeage. Guess they are bocoming cheaper macbooks.

[@nerdiloo9863]

I have the 5th gen. If you are a web developer / programmer etc., and you want ONE computer to tote around the house, to/from work on the plane etc., I'd recommend. Keyboard ravel is so good and doesn't jab your finger tips. It's sturdy.. I never understood why reviewers bend the lid, or press on the keyboard to test flimsiness - it's designed to be as thin as book, and we don't bend and fling books around so ultrabooks should be handled with the same care as well. Beefy apps like Adobe Photoshop or Android SDK etc. will make the fans spin up but it's such a light hiss that you could use this with someone in a room at 2 am and they wouldn't hear anything. I didn't like the fact that the Fn and CTRL keys are swapped on the Thinkpads to the right of the space bar. Maybe Lenovo separates 'business' folks from all day 'programmers' which I think is lame. You can swap the behavior in the BOOT settings but you can't switch the key caps to match. So you'll have to remember that your Fn key is the CTRL key and vice versa. If they have another line of products that has the keys switched around, 14" or 15" at 2.5 lbs. max, with the great key travel I would get that one. It seems laptop makers think of gamers, business, casual, content creators but not so much programmers - but in my opinion programmers hammer on keyboards around the clock. Overall happy.

[@mr.electronicsdevicevlog9333]

I just started using one X1 Crabon gen 4. i7-6500U. Thin, light and faster with Nvme ssd.

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

Less than 400 to 100k bud, nice work. Well deserved.

[@KimJensen76]

I have the 4th gen X1 carbon and loved it since day 1.. And it is running just as smooth as when it was new.

[@EsotericArctos]

Calling it "plastic" really makes it sound bad. Majority of the shell is made from Carbon Fibre and made to Military spec. Calling it plastic is really downgrading what it is. The camera is poor, and the IR camera is only available on the standard Matt display, no the hi res display.

[@bricenm]

I'm planning on buying the same X1 as yours from Costco. That configuration for the Costco price and Costco free 2nd year warranty makes it a bargain! It currently sells for $1499.99. I'm waiting for the famous price tag asterisk and price markdown before buying mine....probably in a couple of months.

[@A4orce84]

Here I am picking up a used X1C 6th gen in 2023. Thanks for the thorough review Colin. Do you still have / use this machine for your personal use?

[@joseluiscaamanogutierrez8149]

Yo también estoy comprando una de 6th gen

[@BkunS]

0:27 "The outside is mostly plastic..." If so, I guess it won't be calling "Carbon", right?

[@bigdisme5622]

I picked up the 6th Gen with i7 8650u, 16GB, 512GB, QHD Screen with Windows Hello for 800 bucks, just couldn't beat it, I LOVE IT!

[@bigdisme5622]

@GateCrashers t14 is not the carbon

[@bmp713]

Are there any issues with noise or popping with the audio jack using headphones?

[@TechReflex]

congrats on 100k. Well deserved.

[@hakemon]

"This is not a laptop, this is a Thinkpad", *pans up* "Thinkpad Laptop". 8:00. Sorry that's pretty funny in my book. Lol

[@electricmiragemedia]

Great review, thank you

[@bmp713]

Are there any issues with noise or popping with the audio jack using headphones? How are the speakers?

[@Menda_Lerenda]

I recently got a Lenovo Miix 510 because the form factor, it has a very similar cooling setup and I can tell you: it likes to run hot

[@ehudfelus4533]

I know this video is from 2018 but just got a deal on the i7-8650u with 16gb RAM and WQHD 300 nits screen. Any idea why my battery discharge rate is much higher than yours? It shows me only 6:52 for a full runtime

[@faithjsx]

I'm going to buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon!!

[@Sterophonick]

WOOOOO 100K SOOBS! CONGRATS!

[@HarrisonGeorge1]

I love mine! I'm in IT and am yet to find a laptop I like more.

[@timothyandrewnielsen]

T480s?

[@HarrisonGeorge1]

@@timothyandrewnielsen it's probably a better machine overall, but, as someone who travels a lot I still prefer the X1 due to it's slightly smaller size and weight.

[@bmp713]

Are there any issues with noise or popping with the audio jack using headphones?

[@HarrisonGeorge1]

@@bmp713 I bought the machine around April 2018 and had a few audio issues in the first month or two but an audio driver update back then seemingly fixed the issues. It’s now some 3.5 years later. I'm still using this laptop and haven't had such issues since the early days. Edit: I think there may have also been a BIOS firmware update involved back then too. It was a very long time ago!

[@longhairwhocares]

You CAN get 16gb of RAM on the i5, just not the slowest one. The other i5 does allow 16gb RAM on Lenovo's website. (I know bc I bought one.)

[@Kee-Lo]

In the UK, they are literally making $1 = £1 for these laptops.

[@denvernaicker8250]

im curious more about how the font renders on screen for text editors and the sub-pixel ratio whether that interferes based on resolution of artifacts around text, particularly when using browsers, text editors or tool suite software - what would be your daily uses? also is the staple lenovo ibm nub in the middle removable? is the trackpad using window precision drivers? does the trackpad activate if the palm goes over it? palm rejection how quick will the laptop heat up when using chrome: google docs, spreadhsheets - big or small, youtube 1080p/4k long - short hour sessions? does windows handle scaling correctly on the higher display variants of this model? also for hdr - would this output correclty with no colour distortion

[@jimmiles33]

Buy a pile of these for remote users with Citrix apps.

[@Inv8erZlM]

I got the same one from Costco and I love it.

[@bmp713]

Are there any issues with noise or popping with the audio jack using headphones?

[@Inv8erZlM]

@@bmp713 No, no issues like that. An issue I do have is that the track pad will just randomly stop working so I can’t move the cursor. I have to reboot it to get it to work again.

[@EssenceofPureFlavor]

Is this really any thinner than a T480? Not sure I understand the point of this model.

[@mrzisme]

It’s 2.5lbs and has a 500 nitt 2k display option. And a shitload more I/o ports

[@cosmicraysshotsintothelight]

I bought a flex 6 11 for small and do not care much about thin. For this (mobile), however, my choice is a souped up (loaded) T480. A far more capable machine and who cares it weighs a slight bit more. Give me performance and function. Oh, and I also have a P71 behemoth. That Xeon "mobile workstation" monster will be my main (office) machine for years. For mobile though, for me, the T480 screams quality and performance.

[@pedropablopicasso]

Any chance you'll look at any of the new X1 Carbons?

[@ugh.idontwanna]

She looks nice, she does, though I wouldn't pay over $1000 for a laptop without dedicated graphics. I guess it's reasonable for an Ultrabook though, espeically seeing you're getting a decent keyboard.

[@MaxiMuM1441]

intel hd 620 isnt that bad, you can play skyrim with medium settings on it

[@phreakinpher]

So PS3/X360 level then? Not bad considering they came out in 2006.

[@timothyandrewnielsen]

The T480s can get a mx150 which will give you 3x the performance of intel hd620. for 150 bucks more.

[@impyr3x293]

how much? release date?

[@alsamuef]

mx150 overkill for media, still mediocre for gaming... for 150 or whatever bucks more...

[@impyr3x293]

and for video editing? full hd content maybe some 4k footage

[@ikwilgeenkanaalzeur]

It's 1500 euro's in Holland, not my price for a laptop. And thats for the lowest model.

[@ariathyf144]

*Did someone managed to put the X1 Carbon screens into a T430??*

[@Mikenopolis]

I love Elitebooks...the older ones with easy open bottoms at least

[@somecoder3054]

Would still pick it over a macbook if I had only the two choice of the two.

[@polaris911]

decent specs for the price, but I wouldn't buy one unless it had a second M.2 slot to add another SSD.

[@CreatiVastARTS]

What lamp is that on your desk?

[@ThePayola123]

Lenovo makes a separate laptop for gamers...so get that one if you're a gamer.

[@blakryptonite1]

When is the merch coming out?

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

You mean the new T-shirts? Soon.

[@SpittedDusk]

Why do you use WIndows and not Linux?

[@kentarohigashi1451]

This Does Compute. the best.

[@Poire33]

5:50 "AND the RAM is soldered down." F*** the soldered RAM. :'(

[@dg7438]

I just bought one and I have to say I was expecting the keyboard to be better, like the old IBM thinkpads. And the scroll seems not as intuitive as I'd like. In general it's a nice laptop, but would not of purchased it have I not have gotten $600 discount for my personal /student needs

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

I've recently read that the keyboards are sourced from several vendors, with some having better feel than others. I think in any case, it's better than what most other laptops offer, but there does seem to be some luck of the draw as to whether you get a good one or an awesome one.

[@bmp713]

Are there any issues with noise or popping with the audio jack using headphones?

[@CommodoreFan64]

Looks like I'll stick to cheaper Chromebooks, or used machines for my needs.

[@televisionandcheese]

Commodorefan64 You commented on World Doctors?

[@CommodoreFan64]

@@televisionandcheese WTF?

[@televisionandcheese]

Commodorefan64 You're a famous, my friend. Sorry.

[@zakarikous1]

This one vs asus zenbook 430UN (i7 8gen 16ram mx150 512 ssd) ????

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

Depends on your priorities. Gaming, I’d go Zenbook because of the MX150. Productivity and portability, ThinkPad all the way.

[@rinaldianwar15]

I accidentally step on it several times and it’s not even scratch

[@skubeeraw]

that's the great thing about windows. one size doesn't fit all, like apple. apple doesn't seem to want you to have a touch screen apparently, but they do give you a touch bar! whoopty doo. ThinkPads are awesome pieces of machinery. I have a work issued T460S and love typing reports on it. It's thin, light and gets me though half the day between charges. I like it so much I bought one for my personal use, a ThinkPad Yoga 14, complete with dGPU and built in pen support. Well, I passed that one along to someone and got myself a Surface Book 2 with dGPU because I can't live without the stylus. Plus I love the fact that I can detach the screen and use it as a tablet. I could have gotten the ThinkPad tablet, but that's the thing, there are a plethora of hardware to chose from, but I chose to type this from my surface book 2.

[@aliasname5518]

how does it compare to a surface?

[@ronindebeatrice]

Alias Name I don't think anything compares to the Surface.

[@davidg4512]

If you using an ultrabook, don't be rendering lol. Laptop is perfect for turboy tasks.

[@fabarati]

I have one of these (the HDR one) and it rocks. Like you I undervolt, but found out that undervolting using Intel XTU will lead to Bsods when sleeping/waking up. It's an incompatibility between XTU and the Modern Standby. So I recommend using Throttlestop instead.

[@kyashmember5618]

鯉のぼり(Koi-Nobori)?

[@BoRerunn]

does it have a OLED screen ?

[@Ag3ra__]

not sure

[@thetaleteller4692]

Why the hell companies still copy the bad aspects of Apple, like soldered down RAM and thermal throttling on full speed due to insufficient head dissipation?

[@cosmicraysshotsintothelight]

It is not easy, if not even not doable to place memory sockets in such a design. And particularly to make use of the industry's standard memory modules. An entire new standard module form factor would have to be introduced and we are not there yet. There is also a cost/return issue at that point. Once the form factor of the base level chips is significantly reduced we will then see memory module form factors shrink. At that point a new high integrity mount method would also have to be engineered. The issue with any high pin count, not fixed part is connection integrity over time, shock and vibration, etc. Note also that thermal abatement designs have a limited amount of ability to perform the task. Throttling is required if one considers ambient environment. If your incoming cooling air is already over 100 degrees (F), the amount of 'cooling work' capacity it can do is limited. They can run hot, it just happens to be hotter than a person is comfortable with. One cannot have it all. Get a lap spacer pad.

[@kavilakhani1295]

Can this laptop run dark souls?

[@warth45]

inner dave2d 💀

[@user0710]

I thought it had exposed carbon fiber instead of rubber coating, no?! PS: What were your reasons to buy this vs an Macbook? I prefer the lenovo, but since you have mostly Apple products, it would seem logical

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

I have a 2017 MacBook Pro for work, and I'm not terribly thrilled with it. The keyboard is frustrating and lack of legacy ports means I'm always carrying a USB-C dongle around. I just find the Carbon's hardware to be much more compelling for the price.

[@abubakrakram6208]

How do you feel about a lack of touchscreen or stylus support on the MacBooks?

[@sam-zy2dn]

I bought X1 carbon gen 6, It is a terrible design really. You can check it yourself. If you use Ethernet gen2 cable which comes by laptop (Lenovo ThinkPad Ethernet Extension Adapter Gen 2) in order to connect the normal Ethernet cable to the laptop, you cannot use USB-C that is located beside that as these ports are too close to each other and the design of the extension cable is too silly and thick that prevents you have two ports in the same time! They even do not have any answers and supports (they have three years warranty but only on paper) to hear such stupid mistake on their design after many trying to contact them in order to fix this issue with at least modifying the extension that has less thickness,

[@ilustrado7291]

Plastic? I think it's not plastic, right?

[@toriqulislamshimanto]

Nothing can beat Lenovo ThinkPad series

[@thomasharrog8845]

Nothing but the *IBM* Thinkpad series.

[@MemberHomei]

Huh, face reveal! You are older than what I imagined!

[@jacobkauffman1993]

still like the old keyboard I love the x220 lmao

[@ariathyf144]

Those classics are unbeatable when it comes to type for extended period of time. Modern thin-ass kb are really trash in comparison not only in terms of feel but also the layouts.

[@hbarudi]

Interesting laptop, but our family had issues with lenovo laptops in the past, The first lenovo laptop was their gaming laptop that had good specs, but as students we kept it on and placed it in backpacks and after a year it stopped turning on and when we sent it to a repair store, they said that the motherboard got fried. Partly it was our problem, but also the laptop should sleep if the cover is closed, but laptop these days always wake themselves up and if they are in a backpack, they can overheat. The second lenovo laptop got a bios update from the manufacturer that bricked the machine within the return policy period of best buy, we returned the laptop back to them and later on we got another laptop but from Dubai also lenovo that is working well. For laptops, best cpu would be a quad core 2ghz turbo boost 3ghz and 2 thread per core. Intel Hd graphics on the later versions of intel cpus are way better than the old intel graphics and can play most modern games released before 2015 or so. It is just the newest games that need the gpu and the extra video memory. But other laptops with that kind of cpu a little bit thicker and heavier can allow for an nvidia gpu and better fans and cooling. For those prices, there is that nice asus zephyrus laptop, but I am still using the older asus rog laptop that does very well.

[@mishakms2829]

Last real Thinkpads were x220/t420/t520 with genuine IBM keyboard.

[@Sebastiaanmatla]

Plastic? Isn't the whole point that its made from carbon fibre?

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

There are varying reports as to which specific parts of the machine use carbon fiber, and Lenovo doesn't specify other than that it uses 4 layers with a magnesium frame. It's definitely not used on the entire machine, so I didn't think it would be appropriate to declare it a "carbon-fiber laptop". Either way, though, the machine is impressively lightweight.

[@BoRerunn]

Those Laptops are Chick magnets 👌

[@ahmedp800]

Love Lenovos

[@David-tb4cv]

honestly i just hate windows ...

[@abobobilly]

Worst part of this think pad ... the display. It's as if the 'business class' NEEDS to have a sucky display. Change the display to something the like of a Huawei Matebook X Pro, make the track pad wider ... and this is suddenly the best laptop to have.

[@Khal337]

These things are gorgeous but have a slew of issues, my friend bought one with some serious heating issues and RMA'd it only to get another with the same issues and he's probably gonna go with another machine sadly. Here's a link to a reddit thread that exposes most of the issues with the system: www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/8ybokm/new_x1c6_on_the_way_what_do_i_need_to_know/?TestSubject9a

[@nervdon]

Ecuse me... You know why its called Carbon dont you? Because its made of carbon fiber not plastic

[@仲山隆志-o4v]

LANポートがないのがねぇ。。

[@Lightning2011]

wait so this this the only second comment?

[@panda1987cs]

thinkpad from lenovo is rabbish

[@jimlee2297]

Really, plastic, you need to change jobs, you do not know this one!

[@TheGrantourismo]

What a crap island-type keyboard, Fn and Control misplaced. No, it is BAD for typeing.

[@FlintG]

Eh would rather the macbook instead.

[@tarkang657]

bad boring review

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

bad boring comment