Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 10 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

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• 1 stars

  Avoid purchase! Will wait for months!!!

  by jamesjyp1 on September 22, 2012

  Pros: None. Haven't received it when ordered last month! Says they'll ship with a missing part!

  Cons: There is no computer! I've been waiting for a month! Placed order on August 25th. September 12th - got an email (see Summary) that said they would no longer delay shipping due to missing piece and would ship with missing piece during week of 9/24!

  Summary: See the response received from customer service:
  
  Thank you for your recent X1 purchase with Lenovo.
  Unfortunately, your order has been delayed due to
  a part constraint (USB 2.0 ...

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  Summary: See the response received from customer service:
  
  Thank you for your recent X1 purchase with Lenovo.
  Unfortunately, your order has been delayed due to
  a part constraint (USB 2.0 Ethernet Adaptor).
  Currently all X1 orders are shipping between now
  and the week of September 24th. To ensure we no
  longer delay your order, we will be building and
  shipping your system without the USB 2.0
  Ethernet Adaptor and will ship it directly to you
  as soon as it is availble, which is currently due
  to ship out Mid October. We apologize for the
  delay and inconvenience and thank you for your
  time and patience in this matter.
  
  Took them 2 weeks+ to respond to let me know there was a delay (and a missing piece!!!). Worst part is, I can't cancel unless I call during store hours. There is no 24/7 support for this. Last time I buy from Lenovo, sad it's no longer IBM...

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  4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 1 stars

  Looks nice, but crazy shipping delays frustrate buyers!

  by RalphJxn on September 14, 2012

  Pros: Looks like a great piece of hardware for all the obvious reasons.

  Cons: Seems to be essentially vaporware! Virtually nobody who has ordered from Lenovo has actually received their computer, but rather a continuing litany of later and later estimated shipping dates. Lenovo's credibility is declining rapidly.

  Summary: My order was placed on August 27 with (expedited) shipping expected on 9/4. After multiple slips to the shipping schedule, their site now claims 9/28 to ship and ...

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  Summary: My order was placed on August 27 with (expedited) shipping expected on 9/4. After multiple slips to the shipping schedule, their site now claims 9/28 to ship and 10/4 for delivery. According to the single contact I've had with Lenovo, that won't even be the complete system - the hardware to connect to a wired network will be missing, to be shipped at an unknown later date.
  
  I'm not exactly alone in my frustration & poor treatment; the NotebookReview.com forum has (today) 79 pages (!!) of comments from others with similar stories: http://forum.notebookreview.com/thinkpad-edge-x1-x100e-x120e-sl-l/684799-x1-carbon-shipping-thread-79.html
  
  This is my first attempt at buying a Lenovo computer, and the way things are going it's looking like it will be my last. The ineptitude with which they've handled the X1-Carbon orders is shocking, and things are apparently still in free-fall. I'm very disappointed, because the *promise* of the computer looked very cool.
  
  Updated on Oct 2, 2012

  Update: 10/2/2012. Cancelled my order today after my "expected ship date" moved from the end of Sept out to Oct 14. I called to ask what the story was, and the rep on the phone gave an exact replay of what the rep had told me two weeks ago: things are all better, we'll be shipping real soon, etc etc. Claimed that if I ordered an X1C today, it would ship Oct 16 -- 2 days after my late August order would ship? Doubt it!
  
  My take: Lenovo isn't giving people the truth, but a series of absurdly optimistic guesses dressed up to sound like reality.
  
  Oh, and the rep 2 weeks ago? "Gave" me a 5% discount for the delay. But the discount never showed up, and the promised e-mail confirming it never showed up either. At some point, this all starts to look like, well, corporate dishonesty.
  
  The X1 Carbon really is vaporware, and I'm not up for buying the "1.0" version of this when they can't actually produce it on anything slightly resembling a schedule. Too bad - had a lot of promise. But I'm done.

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  4 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 10 stars

  Puts the Ultra in Ultrabook.

  by SGCrixus on December 20, 2012

  Pros: - Carbon fiber chassis (<3 lbs)
  - Keyboard
  - Excellent Trackpad
  - Backlit Keyboard (2 settings)
  - Mini Display
  - 17.6 boot time (cold boot to Login)
  - 3G Capable
  - 720p Camera
  - Rapid charge (80% charge in 35 minutes)
  - BT 4.0
  - LED
  - Loud Speakers

  Cons: - 1600x900 not 1080p
  - 3G is AT&T only
  - Isn't touchscreen
  - Does not look like a Macbook Pro clone
  - Is not free
  - Costs money

  Summary: This is a beautiful device. It is simply magnificent. It comes in different flavors and does cost money, but if you are a price conscious consumer than an Ultrabook is ...

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  Summary: This is a beautiful device. It is simply magnificent. It comes in different flavors and does cost money, but if you are a price conscious consumer than an Ultrabook is not for you. CNET states it does not have a HDMI, while this is true, it does have a mini display port, capable of up to 2560x1600 (WQXGA). Thus it does not need a HDMI port.
  
  You can buy a separate dock that plugs into the USB 3.0 port and supplies you with:
  
  - 5 USB 3.0 ports
  - 2 DVI inputs
  - Ethernet port
  - 3.5 mm headset jack
  
  This is a very elegant Ultrabook, it demands to be titled as such to differentiate between laptops. Most Ultrabooks are just small laptops, this isn't the case.
  
  From it's sleek matte design to it's smooth feel it shows the level of thought in designing the laptop. It's concave edges give a lightweight visual aesthetic. This is the MacBook pro of PCs. The design of other "Ultrabooks" look cheap in comparison and undeserving of such ostentatious prices. It visually looks deserving of the steep price.
  
  Being a Thinkpad it was made for the business professional in mind so the matte flat black may not look visually appealing but personally in looking at Cnet's "Best ultrabooks and thin laptops" not only is it a shame they did not include this Ultrabook but it makes me appreciate it's unpretentious look. The non Apple ones look like imitation Macbooks from their keyboard to the design of their monitor hinge.
  
  I can say after upgrading from a glossy Lenovo G570 I am genuinely glad about owning this Ultrabook. My only negative is wishing it was a touch screen to be "future-proof". From that small issue to the rest of the listed cons, you really have to nit-pick to find cons. I'd definitely would (and do) recommend this product, I also would add to not be cheap. Get the i7, 8GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, and the USB 3.0 Dock with the X1 Carbon to make this an elite package. Once again if this is too expensive for you, you don't need those upgrades, but do not skimp out on the RAM, it is soldered and you cannot upgrade later (unless you DIY).
  
  If you are in the market for an Ultrabook, this is a must buy.

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  2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 1 stars

  Poor Quality Control, Even Poorer Service

  by Roe510b on October 18, 2012

  Pros: The machine was beautiful.

  Cons: The machine could not work unplugged, and the customer service experience has been abysmal.

  Summary: Unlike the other posters who have been disappointed to never receive a machine, I did receive an X1 Carbon about two weeks after ordering on Sept. 2. Unfortunately, the machine ...

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  Summary: Unlike the other posters who have been disappointed to never receive a machine, I did receive an X1 Carbon about two weeks after ordering on Sept. 2. Unfortunately, the machine that was delivered to me did not work without it being plugged in -- defeating the point of a laptop -- and so I followed customer service's instructions to send the laptop to their service center in Tennessee. I was told that I should get my machine back in 5-6 days.
  
  The depot received the machine on Sept. 19. Ten days later, I had to call them to ask what the status of my machine was, since Lenovo did not send any updates. I was told that they needed a battery part to come in from China, and they would not have it until Oct. 2.
  
  On Oct. 9, customer service calls me to tell me they have no idea when they will get the battery in and will try to get me a replacement from one of their retail partners. On Oct. 11 they say that they cannot find a ready replacement and that they can order me a new one if I wait for it to be built. Before doing so, they ask what the problem was, and I tell them that the machine could not work unplugged. The customer service rep tells me that "there is nothing wrong" with my machine and that he thinks I can solve the issue myself using a paperclip and prepares to send it back to me. I refuse, telling him that if Lenovo's engineers cannot solve the issue, I certainly do not think I am the person to do it. He says he'll be candid: their Tennessee service center personnel are contractors and they don't know really understand their laptops. He promises to have the machine overnighted to him so he can get an engineer at the service center take a look and will be able to get back to me the next day, Friday, or at latest, Monday. That way, he says, I won't have to wait for a new machine.
  
  No one calls me. I call him on Wednesday to ask for an update, and he tells me that the machine hasn't been sent, but he'll overnight it and call me on Thursday. No one calls me.
  
  It's now Oct. 19. I have basically given Lenovo a $1400 interest-free loan for a month and a half without a laptop, and wasted my time and patience trusting in a company that has enjoyed a reputation for making laptops of dependable quality, and more importantly, exceptional customer service. It's clear to me now that my trust was misguided.
  
  tl;dr: Based on my experience and the experience of other customers who have ordered the X1 Carbon, I strongly recommend that you do not buy the X1. And considering this laptop is supposed to be top of the line, I shudder to think how their other products fare. But most importantly, their customer service is remarkable in their lack of responsiveness and respect for their customers' time and patience.

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  2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 2 stars

  Beware, nonexistent service if you have a problem.

  by mikemcjr on May 20, 2013

  Pros: Thin, light, responsive

  Cons: Apparent poor build quality, and completely annoying and nonexistent service.

  Summary: I, too, wish I had read CNET's consumer reviews before buying. CNET's editors rated it highly, so I went for it. It was received one to 2 weeks ...

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  Summary: I, too, wish I had read CNET's consumer reviews before buying. CNET's editors rated it highly, so I went for it. It was received one to 2 weeks after promised, but not as bad as some others experienced. It would fine for 1 to 2 months, then I noticed the left sided hinge getting loose. Finally it broke completely, having never been dropped or bumped. I called service and found out that in spite of 3 year on site warranty, it needed to be shipped in. I was reassured on the phone that they had all needed parts, and that computer should be returned within 6 business days. An exceedingly long, tortuous and frustrating saga ensued. Long story short, they didn't have needed parts and couldn't get needed parts, and I received a replacement laptop 3 months later. You read that correctly, 3 months later. Everyone I corresponded with said something different, and kept coming up with the same buzzwords, such as accelerating or prioritizing my claim. They finally replaced the computer, and in compensation for getting by without my computer for 3 months, and $300 to $400 in personal tech time to get the replacement up and running with software and security measures (that should not have been necessary, as only a hinge was broken, the computer itself was fine), they offered me a 10% discount on a new Lenovo computer if I wanted to subject myself to this torture again.
  
  Summary: Horrible tech support/service would appear to be a recurring problem, not just one persons problem. So if you are brave enough to buy one, hope and pray you don't have a problem that requires Lenovo technical support.
  Now 2 months after receiving the replacement, I have to admit to enjoying using the X1, but I am doing that hoping and praying thing.

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• 2 stars

  Do NOT buy from Lenovo.com at all

  by Laptop_junkie on March 16, 2013

  Pros: 1. Well-built machine... uh, I think
  2. Light and thin and stiff (no flex) as advertised
  3. 14" screen for an ultrabook is generous compared with typical 13"
  4. Fingerprint reader works well... so far

  Cons: 1. Awful customer support
  2. Did I say that customer support is non-existent?
  3. No VGA port and no Ethernet port. Much use USB port adapters.
  4. Only 2 USB ports
  4. Battery is not easily replaceable. Case is semi-sealed w/o battery compartment

  Summary: I should have read c/net reviews before I purchased. I think the machine is potentially quite good (see Pros above), but I can't really tell because even though ...

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  Summary: I should have read c/net reviews before I purchased. I think the machine is potentially quite good (see Pros above), but I can't really tell because even though I purchased pre-loaded MS Office for an additional $199, Lenovo did not send me the card with my activation code for Office. So no Word, Excel, Powerpoint or Outlook for me. As a business machine, it's been a big paperweight. Here's my saga as a warning for those who are thinking of buying Lenovo.
  
  A. Ordered on-line (lenovo.com) on 2/8/2013
  B. Delivered by UPS on 3/1/2013 (one week ahead of schedule, but original estimate of 5 weeks for delivery?? In this day and age?)
  C. Upon opening box, noticed no activation code info for MS Office. Called Lenovo post-sales customer service (in India of course) and was told to open the battery compartment, remove the battery and look for the sticker underneath that would have the code. Informed Lenovo rep that there is no battery compartment in an X1. Heard dead silence. After recovery, he found out that that there has been a shortage of activation code cards at their manufacturing site in China (of course) and that these would be dropped shipped to me from their warehouse in North Carolina no later than 3/11/2013, but hopefully sooner. I was told there is nothing else I can do but to wait and check back.
  D. Called back Lenovo customer service in India on 3/4/2013 to check the status and was told same as above. But informed that I would be placed on a "priority list" to receive the activation code cards. Was told that the code could not be provided to me over the phone or by email. Snail-mail is the only means of distribution. Was told I would receive an email acknowledging above.
  E. Called Lenovo in India on 3/5/2013 to say that I received no email confirmation. Was told again that the cards would be sent out no later than 3/11/2013 and that I am on a priority list for receipt. This time, I did receive a confirmatory email from Sriram Kannath. Again, told to wait.
  F. Called Lenovo in India on 3/11/2013 to confirm that the cards were being shipped out. Told yes and that I should wait 3-4 days for it to arrive by snail mail.
  G. Called Lenovo in India on 3/15/2013 to ask why I had not received my activation code. Now told that I should wait until 3/18 for shipment and that it should arrive by 3/21. I asked to be given a refund for the $199 that I paid for MS Office and that I could go out to Costco and buy the program and have it the same day. Was told they cannot and will not process that refund and that I would have to return the entire laptop. I told them that no one (including me) can get to the Office software without the activation code (duh), so what is the point of returning the entire laptop. Was told that is Lenovo's policy and I have no choice. I asked to speak to a supervisor. Supervisor (or so I am told) confirmed all of the above. When I pressed him, he admitted that he cannot guarantee when activation codes would be shipped out and that my only option is to wait. I asked until when. He could not say.
  H. I also wrote a letter of complaint on 3/6/2013 to Mr. Gerry Smith who is Lenovo's President of North America (based on North Carolina) and Senior VP of the Global Supply Chain to document my saga and seek help. I guess Gerry must not read snail mail, because I have received no response.
  
  So what have I learned from all of this?
  1. Don't buy from Lenovo.com
  2. Their customer service is pitiful.
  3. As a global company, they don't communicate well. They manufacture their laptops (at least X1) in China. They have customer service centers in India. The key people who oversee things are in North Carolina, but not apparently accessible by email, phone (yes, I tried), nor snail mail.
  4. They might actually make a good laptop, but I can't really tell.

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• 2 stars

  Do not buy this machine!

  by jonasnordlander on March 14, 2013

  Pros: Slim, fairly light

  Cons: - Screen which can not be usedits pixly/blury. Why? There is a film on the screen which one immediately want to remove as on all new devices. Here NOT. We bought several, all users agree
  - Battery, bad!
  - Performance, miss my old Lenovo
  - Price

  Summary: Do not buy this, you will be more than disappointed. I now use my "toy" the surface from Microsoft. Bad battery there as well, but it is above expectations and ...

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  Summary: Do not buy this, you will be more than disappointed. I now use my "toy" the surface from Microsoft. Bad battery there as well, but it is above expectations and has become a travel companion.I have loved my Lenovo's over the years, this my fourth. Always buy the most powerful one they have. So this is with great pain I took time off to write this review to save others from buying this crap.

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• 1 stars

  The patience of a saint is necessary

  by pjimperial on February 17, 2013

  Pros: Looks nice

  Cons: I wouldn't know as I can not even use it yet. These imbeciles sent out the unit loaded with Windows 7 but they didn't send a product key, I cannot use any of the MS Office. It is a very expensive netbook --at best.

  Summary: Don't waste your money. If this is a sign of things to come with service, then it is a no-go especially if you are using for business purposes (as ...

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  Summary: Don't waste your money. If this is a sign of things to come with service, then it is a no-go especially if you are using for business purposes (as I am) where reliability is key. There are too many good choices out there to have to deal with this nonsense. What a colossal disappointment. Run fast and run far.

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• 1 stars

  Lenovo service -> worst in its kind.

  by raramuriazul on January 28, 2013

  Pros: Their products are different from the competition. They don't look like Mac clones.

  Cons: Expensive product/Awful service.

  Summary: Like the other users say, you have to be REALLY patient with these guys. These machines take a month to build. They cancelled my order after 6 days (after struggling ...

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  Summary: Like the other users say, you have to be REALLY patient with these guys. These machines take a month to build. They cancelled my order after 6 days (after struggling to place an order for a couple of days). They cancelled my order because it was a businesss shipping address. But before cancelling the order, I would expect the call the csutomer, and give a chance to provide another address. So, I need to get in line again, and wait additional 6 days or the computer. Very disapointing support. I would not want to be dealing with this kind of service if my machin breaks!
  Will have to find someone with better service. Event if their machines look like Mac clones.

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• 1 stars

  They should bring in some consultants from Amazon

  by forest80 on January 15, 2013

  Pros: I'm sure the build quality will be good on this laptop if I ever receive it!

  Cons: Lenovo must tell their employees to be deceptive to anyone calling about shipping.

  Summary: I have never had shipping delays like this. I ordered the X1 Carbon Touch on December 11th. This was the first day it was offered on their website and the ...

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  Summary: I have never had shipping delays like this. I ordered the X1 Carbon Touch on December 11th. This was the first day it was offered on their website and the estimated delivery date was December 23rd. Once December 23rd came it was changed to the 24th, then the 26th, finally on the 26th it was changed to January 10th. I was mad but what came next was even worse. First the shipping started to change on a regular basis, just about every day (I have counted 11 total shipping delays now). The Lenovo customer service reps would tell me that it's being delayed because of the high number of orders on this machine. On January 11th they told me that it will ship for sure by the 14th, I asked that he send me an email with that statement... they sent me an email stating that it will ship by 11/14/2013 (Yes 11). On January 12th my credit card was charged, I received no indication that the laptop shipped and their ordering system was down (it seems to be down every weekend and they have no order support on the weekend). I figured that they must have shipped the laptop but I didn't receive the email because their ordering system was Monday the 14th came, ordering system is back, no shipping notification (mind you this is the day that the customer service rep told it would ship for sure).... no beans.... I got in touch with customer service again and asked him why they took my money without sending me my product, he said it would ship FOR SURE on the 15th "Without any further delays" (his exact words). Well... here I am... the 15th, any tracking number? No, and the order page says it is delayed for the 12th time now to the 16th.
  
  Unfortunately for these companies corporate ethics means nothing. I don't mind waiting, I have had to wait 10 weeks in the past for a Thinkpad but the issue here is honesty. If they had told me it would take 10 weeks to begin with, no problem, but now it's just ridiculous I wake up every day knowing nothing about what's going to happen that day except that Lenovo will switch the shipping day.
  
  Amazon on the other hand.... I put in an order and in 2 days I come home and know that I will have what I ordered at my doorstep, and if anything is ever delayed I get an email (which by the way Lenovo does not do, they just switch and don't tell you).
  
  I have had Thinkpads since high school, and with the exception of 2 laptops all of my Laptops have been Thinkpads. I am a programmer and buy them regularly, almost every year. And I have recommended them to countless clients, but I will say if I receive this laptop it will be my last Lenovo. And If I cancel the order, my 420S will be the last one.

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