New ThinkPad X1 Carbon evaluation

After acquiring IBM, we saw a series of consumer changes on the ThinkPad laptop, such as the ThinkPad X1 Carbon. The "World's lightest 14-inch ultra-extreme" has been well received since the listing, and the latest version of the 2014 has been launched recently. New updates include 2560*1440 screens for resolution, Haswell processors, lighter designs, and new "adaptive" shortcuts. Obviously, some of the changes may sound controversial, but they can also be a new selling point. So, is the new ThinkPad X1 carbon good? Take a look at the actual trial experience.

　　Exterior design

In addition to the small changes in the keyboard, the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon basically maintained the original appearance, but compared to last year's more frivolous style. Fuselage work is still delicate and exquisite, support mil-std-810g U.S. military protection level, high-strength carbon fiber shell can withstand a certain intensity of fall, high temperature or cold, dusty and rainy environment. Even the new adaptive touch function key surface, also covers a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass, to withstand scratches.

The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon currently has the highest resolution of 2560*1440 pixels of the optional screen, the super clear resolution makes the display more delicate, but also maintain a good color, visual angle, the only flaw in some not yet optimized applications, Smaller icons and text can affect the use experience.

interface, the fuselage has a SIM card slot, HDMI, two USB 3.0 connectors, Mini DisplayPort interface, and a common headphone interface. Unfortunately, the SD card slot is missing, and perhaps Lenovo thinks that this function is no longer required by the ultra extreme.

Keyboard and Touch pad

Lenovo has been changing the ThinkPad series of keyboard design, user reviews are also polarized, but no matter what, Lenovo's determination to change is unshakable, the new ThinkPad X1 carbon is subversive. As you can see, the traditional FN function key has ceased to exist and becomes a row of touch buttons. These keys are characterized by support for programming, you can use software to change the key mode, to achieve more flexible application forms. Of course, there are only a few buttons, because there is not enough physical buttons, sometimes you have to switch on the right side of the mode switches more than a few times to find the function you want.

Of course, there are some details that have been overlooked, such as no screenshots, or even a lock on the Caps button, which you need to batter two times to achieve. What's worse, the backspace and delete keys adopt an all-in-one design, located in the upper right corner. In other words, this position usually has only backspace keys, but you tend to mistakenly press the DELETE key, a challenge to traditional keyboard practices that may not be too popular.

On the touchpad side, the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon is designed with a keypad-free design to better suit the gestures of Windows 8.1. The classic Little Red dot has not been abandoned, can achieve a good navigation operation. In total, Lenovo is gradually changing some of the characteristics of the ThinkPad series, perhaps to adapt to the new operating system, perhaps to achieve innovation and breakthrough, the actual effect of success is also inadequate.

Performance and battery life

The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon uses the Haswell series processor, the basic style for the core I5-4200U dual-core processor, is not a very surprising configuration, after all, a lot of 4000 yuan in Low-cost notebook also use this processor. In the performance test, we can see that the processor score is not the same as the same model, solid-state hard disk speed is not as strong as Sony VAIO Pro 13 version, but at the mainstream level, but 137mb/s write speed slightly less. As for game performance, integrated graphics can run some casual games and Photoshop, but don't expect an excellent mainstream 3D game effect.

The ThinkPad series has always had a good reputation for battery life, but the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon's slim fuselage seems to have had some impact on endurance. Lenovo's official data was 8.6 hours, but in a mixed-use test, only 6 hours and 18 minutes were implemented. Although the result is higher than last year's style, but compared to Sony, HP, Apple and other models, still slightly inadequate.

　Configuration options and Prices

The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon has now landed in the U.S. market at $1259 (about 7820 yuan), with a Core i5 processor, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD and 1080P screen (no touch). If you want to have a super clear screen, the starting price is 1359 dollars (about 8441 yuan). In addition, Lenovo also offers upgrade options such as the Core i7 processor (USD 270), 8GB RAM (USD 130) and 512GB SSD (450 USD). The above prices are all not included in the price of consumption tax.

As the licensed has not yet listed in the domestic market, want to experience the new ThinkPad X1 carbon users can only choose parallel imports. We have provided a reference price for the parallel imports of the aircraft, plus the U.S. excise tax (usually about 9% of the price), the price is more reasonable, but need to take into account the relevant risks.

　　The intensification of the competition

Because the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon more consumer-grade positioning, it also makes its competitors a bit more. Samsung's Ativ book 9 Plus and Acer Aspire s7-392, for example, are priced and configured with an ultra clear screen, most importantly lightweight and longer lasting. In addition, Dell XPS 12 and Lenovo's own Yoga 2 Pro are also a good choice, with a richer application format, while HP Spectre 13 is a cheaper option.

　Summarize

Obviously, we've seen from the new ThinkPad X1 carbon that Lenovo's determination to subvert the tradition seems more perfect than it was before: thinner, more powerful, clearer screens and longer battery life. But the so-called "innovation" part is not perfect. For example, the adaptive keyboard to some extent does not work, and even increased the cost of access, strange keyboard layout also affected the use of the experience. Although battery life has increased in comparison with last year's, it is still short for a full day of use compared to competitors.

Simply put, if you're a hardcore ThinkPad supporter, you'll love the solid workmanship and overall protection of the new ThinkPad X1 carbon, but it may not be very satisfying for keyboard operations.