IBM ThinkPad Users' Group

[blue_quartz]

I got a mailer from Lenovo US last night. Yea. the prices are much cheaper than SG but they don't include 3 year warranty. Since it's so new, I'm not expecting any discounts. but this is definitely on my buy list.

Not happy about the soldered ram though - max 8 gig.

I tried searching for X1 Carbon's model number (3443) here: Lenovo Support - International Warranty Services but the website did not recognize it.

Maybe I'll try spying on the model numbers during COMEX and compare...

 

[shawniiex]

Nice choice! I have been using my 128GB mSATA SSD from MyDigitalSSD for the past year and it has been chugging along nicely. The price drops are great! Remember getting mine at about S$280!

Unfortunately X220s & X230s mSATA slots are pegged at SATA 2 speeds.

Yeah a sad thing it's only SATA 2.
I was waiting for about 3weeks as it was out of stock, checked one day and realized there were only 3 left (and i check almost everyday)
And also realized it was $10 cheaper!
Haha.

 

[Azrielsc]

Yeah a sad thing it's only SATA 2.
I was waiting for about 3weeks as it was out of stock, checked one day and realized there were only 3 left (and i check almost everyday)
And also realized it was $10 cheaper!
Haha.

Well, it doesn't really matter if its SATA2 because its still a SSD, much better than a HDD!

 

[eastcyber]

So with all the anticipation of the X1 Carbon, is it still worth getting a X230? Am actually deliberating between these 2 models..... 1 is new and shiny, the other is within my budget and seems hardier

Wanna get a laptop / ultrabook to replace my aging desktop CPU at home. My idea is to have one piece of equipment only. BTW am using a X100e now which is starting to fail me too

 

[shawniiex]

So with all the anticipation of the X1 Carbon, is it still worth getting a X230? Am actually deliberating between these 2 models..... 1 is new and shiny, the other is within my budget and seems hardier

Wanna get a laptop / ultrabook to replace my aging desktop CPU at home. My idea is to have one piece of equipment only. BTW am using a X100e now which is starting to fail me too

well, i would say wait for the x1 to be in stores. check the two out for your self, feel which suits you better.
do note, the x1 comes pre installed with an SSD already, so whatever the cost of an X230, i'm sure you'll top it up with an SSD one day. correct me if i'm wrong.

Anyway, my personal preference is that i hate ultrabooks, they feel brittle as **** and are too thin for my liking. Tried the zenbook, and toshiba's hated them, bought a robust X220. Haha.
Same can't be said about phones of course, using an S2 which i find is rather perfect as well.

ALL IN ALL, TRY IT OUT, YOU LIKE IT? BUY IT? You hesitate to buy it? Try something else.

 

[parky123]

how much it cost to replace IBM laptop keyboard

some of the keys is not working

is it worth while ??

 

[eastcyber]

well, i would say wait for the x1 to be in stores. check the two out for your self, feel which suits you better.
do note, the x1 comes pre installed with an SSD already, so whatever the cost of an X230, i'm sure you'll top it up with an SSD one day. correct me if i'm wrong.

You are so right man. When the time comes, will be swapping out the HDD for a SSD. In my opinion, laptops should already be the weight of what ultrabooks are now today. Of course, keeping in mind technological constraints and economies of scale, I'm gonna be realistic.

Am also looking to get a dock for whatever machine I purchase, that's why I was looking at the X230. Heard many good reviews about it as a desktop replacement. When I need to be on the go, just unplug, slot in battery and presto! Mobile computing at a weight I'm comfortable with.

Anyone has more tips/suggestions/advice on this?

 

[yukita]

Its US set .....

Anyone know? Or it cant be upgraded?

 

[Azrielsc]

You are so right man. When the time comes, will be swapping out the HDD for a SSD. In my opinion, laptops should already be the weight of what ultrabooks are now today. Of course, keeping in mind technological constraints and economies of scale, I'm gonna be realistic.

Am also looking to get a dock for whatever machine I purchase, that's why I was looking at the X230. Heard many good reviews about it as a desktop replacement. When I need to be on the go, just unplug, slot in battery and presto! Mobile computing at a weight I'm comfortable with.

Anyone has more tips/suggestions/advice on this?

For such a high-end ultrabook, the X1C doesn't have an IPS screen, still a TN screen, according to reviews online. And the i7 model is being released sometime in October. Upgrading capability is typical of an ultrabook, which is zilch! No docking ability as well. Island-style keyboard, oh what has Lenovo done!!

I believe the only saving grace for the X1C is the touchpad, apparently much better (on the same level as the macbook, as some reviews claimed) than the useless touchpad on the X220/X230! I know I disabled the touchpads on my X220 & X230!

 

[shawniiex]

For such a high-end ultrabook, the X1C doesn't have an IPS screen, still a TN screen, according to reviews online. And the i7 model is being released sometime in October. Upgrading capability is typical of an ultrabook, which is zilch! No docking ability as well. Island-style keyboard, oh what has Lenovo done!!

I believe the only saving grace for the X1C is the touchpad, apparently much better (on the same level as the macbook, as some reviews claimed) than the useless touchpad on the X220/X230! I know I disabled the touchpads on my X220 & X230!

Touchpads? Oh we have touchpads? That minuscule chunk of plastic at the bottom? I see a small red dot more clearly than i see that piece of plastic.

And yeah, Ultrabooks can upgrade things? even RAM can upgrade anot?

 

[ginseng1]

Can X1C SSD and Ram be upgraded?

I've been using my X230 for a whole day and keys feel a little stiff. I prefer the old keypad on my T420 and X61. No complaints as I just need to adapt.

I bought 2 pieces of KVR 8gb 1600 sodimm from Best Bargain for $67 each and plugged it into my X230. I also changed it to Crucial M4 7mm 256gb SSD and the system loads very quickly. IMO, the X230 is a better buy than ultrabooks which I feel are expensive and not easily upgradable, if any.

Overall, I like my X230 as much as my previous X201.

 

[ginseng1]

Got my X230 for USD599 and I upgraded it to i5, IPS panel, Intel 6300. All in, it came to USD711. Quite good price but only 1 year warranty.

I got it through my cousin's academic discount.

 

[ginseng1]

Just received my W530. The 170w adaptor is a huge brick. Crap, HDD is a 7mm one. I will salvage my X61 HDD rubber and use my SSD with it. Lucky can put in a 9.5mm HDD.

I currently have 4 x 4gb RAM. Now that 8gb is so cheap at Best Bargain, very tempted to replace it to 32gb. Ha!

Didn't know that i7-3610 has 8 threads. My very first i7 CPU.

I also ordered the caddy tray from Amazon for USD58. haven't arrive.

 

[ginseng1]

Anyone here using the docking station? I'm thinking of ordering the USB3 set with 170w adaptor. It allows for 2 monitor output through mini DP.

Cost about USD 215.

I was thinking that I can just plug one 27 inch monitor using the mini DP port on the notebook instead and save the money.

 

[eastcyber]

Can X1C SSD and Ram be upgraded?

I've been using my X230 for a whole day and keys feel a little stiff. I prefer the old keypad on my T420 and X61. No complaints as I just need to adapt.

I bought 2 pieces of KVR 8gb 1600 sodimm from Best Bargain for $67 each and plugged it into my X230. I also changed it to Crucial M4 7mm 256gb SSD and the system loads very quickly. IMO, the X230 is a better buy than ultrabooks which I feel are expensive and not easily upgradable, if any.

Overall, I like my X230 as much as my previous X201.

Got my X230 for USD599 and I upgraded it to i5, IPS panel, Intel 6300. All in, it came to USD711. Quite good price but only 1 year warranty.

I got it through my cousin's academic discount.

1) So would upgrading void the warranty?
2) Overseas uni? Did not see any academic discount amounting to that amount in any of our local institutions.....

 

[Azrielsc]

The X1C's RAM is soldered onto the motherboard so there is no way to upgrade the RAM, ala the Macbooks. Only thing that you can upgrade will be the HDD... but read that it could be different from the standard 2.5" form factor.

 

[OKK77]

Anyone here using the docking station? I'm thinking of ordering the USB3 set with 170w adaptor. It allows for 2 monitor output through mini DP.

Cost about USD 215.

I was thinking that I can just plug one 27 inch monitor using the mini DP port on the notebook instead and save the money.

I've just ordered the docking station (and the monitor stand) to use with my still-in-production T430. Since my first ThinkPad (X41, T61p), I can't live without a dock since this is my desktop replacement.

 

[blue_quartz]

For such a high-end ultrabook, the X1C doesn't have an IPS screen, still a TN screen, according to reviews online. And the i7 model is being released sometime in October. Upgrading capability is typical of an ultrabook, which is zilch! No docking ability as well. Island-style keyboard, oh what has Lenovo done!!

I believe the only saving grace for the X1C is the touchpad, apparently much better (on the same level as the macbook, as some reviews claimed) than the useless touchpad on the X220/X230! I know I disabled the touchpads on my X220 & X230!

Keyboard: from reviews online, at least it seemed that Lenovo has kept the essence of Thinkpads on the X1C, and I am very interested in having a go during COMEX. At least they didn't butcher the design by swapping the Fn and Ctrl keys to the "correct" format Personally, I think I will miss the six-key-cluster of Insert/Delete/Home/End/PgUp/PgDown keys at the top right.

The X1C's RAM is soldered onto the motherboard so there is no way to upgrade the RAM, ala the Macbooks. Only thing that you can upgrade will be the HDD... but read that it could be different from the standard 2.5" form factor.

It's mSATA format, although some people are reporting that the installation looks slightly different from a standard mSATA component. We shall see...

 

[Azrielsc]

Keyboard: from reviews online, at least it seemed that Lenovo has kept the essence of Thinkpads on the X1C, and I am very interested in having a go during COMEX. At least they didn't butcher the design by swapping the Fn and Ctrl keys to the "correct" format Personally, I think I will miss the six-key-cluster of Insert/Delete/Home/End/PgUp/PgDown keys at the top right.

It's mSATA format, although some people are reporting that the installation looks slightly different from a standard mSATA component. We shall see...

Yup, the island style keyboard is definitely much better than I expected but after using the X230 for about 1 mth, I still prefer my X220's traditional keyboard. I also miss the Page Back and Page Forward on the X220. So I am back to the X220, the X230 is back to the cupboard.

There are pictures of the "new" mSATA SSD design over at Lenovo forums but we wait and see!

 

[ktee]

Got my X230 for USD599 and I upgraded it to i5, IPS panel, Intel 6300. All in, it came to USD711. Quite good price but only 1 year warranty.

I got it through my cousin's academic discount.

Did they ask for any chk on the student disc? Is it open to local u? tks