ThinkPad X1 Helix (11.6" FHD IPS)

[sveintore]

right click is pushing with the pen for a second.

[ajkula66]

Absolutely not a eraser and no buttons at all, sorry
The stylus from the Samsung Note works the same way on it.

OK...talk to me like I'm really stupid: how do you erase something utilizing a pen?

[crashnburn]

It would be great to see a Side by Side picture comparison with X-Series Machines: X6x, X2xx - If someone can do it.

[twistero]

right click is pushing with the pen for a second.

I am too impatient to wait a second. On my X60t I turn off that feature and use the side button only.

OK...talk to me like I'm really stupid: how do you erase something utilizing a pen?

The digitizer pen on X-series convertibles (starting from X60t) have an eraser nub on the back like real life pencils. In supported applications like OneNote, Windows Journal, Win7 handwriting input panel or whichever art program people use, you can simply turn the pen around and "erase" anything you don't want.
X41t's pen does not have an eraser, but it does have 2 side buttons. Holding down the second button and "writing" has the same effect as "erasing".

Without the eraser nub or a side button, you have to click the eraser tool on a toolbar somewhere to erase something, and then remember to switch pack to the pen tool before writing more stuff.

[sveintore]

I am sorry to report that I was mistaken very much with the pen. After reading the manual I actually found a button on it. Will correct my other post.

In text fields it right clicks, in OneNote it makes a select tool.

Again, sorry about the mistake, (it's easy to miss)

[ajkula66]

The digitizer pen on X-series convertibles (starting from X60t) have an eraser nub on the back like real life pencils. In supported applications like OneNote, Windows Journal, Win7 handwriting input panel or whichever art program people use, you can simply turn the pen around and "erase" anything you don't want.
X41t's pen does not have an eraser, but it does have 2 side buttons. Holding down the second button and "writing" has the same effect as "erasing".

Without the eraser nub or a side button, you have to click the eraser tool on a toolbar somewhere to erase something, and then remember to switch pack to the pen tool before writing more stuff.

I shouldn't post when I'm tired...

I know how the eraser button works on X60T and onwards...my question was related to how it works on Helix when there's no button.

That got answered by the fact that there is a button...so I think we're all good now...

[twistero]

I am sorry to report that I was mistaken very much with the pen. After reading the manual I actually found a button on it. Will correct my other post.

In text fields it right clicks, in OneNote it makes a select tool.

Again, sorry about the mistake, (it's easy to miss)

That's definitely good news. However, are you sure there's only one button that acts as right click? Because this picture of the ThinkPad Tablet 2 pen indicates that it's a 2-button pen (top and bottom of the button have separate function), and I will be surprised if the Helix pen has less functionality than that.
Pic: http://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/u ... G_4216.jpg
Review article: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/04/ ... eviewed/2/

[zmurf]

I have exchanged the 3G in my X220 for a drive, and it looks like it's possible here too, I think. If I dare to open it up

Yes. Some systems have ports that can act as both. But that is most often specified in the documentation (as it is in the X220 documentation http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/con ... _ug_en.pdf )

But in the Helix there isn't a word about it in the documentation:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... c10337.pdf

... Actually, it doesn't even seem to use a standard PCIe mini port for the Wireless WAN card.

It's very well visible in the service video:
http://service.lenovo.partner-managemen ... layer.html

[sveintore]

That's definitely good news. However, are you sure there's only one button that acts as right click? Because this picture of the ThinkPad Tablet 2 pen indicates that it's a 2-button pen (top and bottom of the button have separate function), and I will be surprised if the Helix pen has less functionality than that.
Pic: http://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/u ... G_4216.jpg
Review article: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/04/ ... eviewed/2/

I am very sure that it's not two buttons or a button with two functions. Trying to push the upper part does not even make it click.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/8688 ... 4368b3.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/8688 ... a971ac.jpg

The manual is in norwegian, so it just calls it a click button. No further mentioning of it.

[sveintore]

BTW, here are some pictures of them next to my X220:

http://flic.kr/p/eeG74V
http://flic.kr/p/eeG762
http://flic.kr/p/eeG77e
http://flic.kr/p/eeMQDE
http://flic.kr/p/eeG798

[crashnburn]

BTW, here are some pictures of them next to my X220:

http://flic.kr/p/eeG74V
http://flic.kr/p/eeG762
http://flic.kr/p/eeG77e
http://flic.kr/p/eeMQDE
http://flic.kr/p/eeG798

Nice- Amazing. Thanks. One more request - When I was saying Side by Side I was actually thinking SIDE profile comparative / Thickness etc also Can you take some pics when them on top of each other? Side Profile CLOSE UP?

So it shows thickness and length/ breadth differences in a CLOSE UP ?


PS: It doesn't look that much different in size except the screen space looks smaller.

[twistero]

I am very sure that it's not two buttons or a button with two functions. Trying to push the upper part does not even make it click.

Ouch. It's still not good enough for me, then. Good thing that I can keep using my X60t in peace. Thanks!

[Adda]

BTW, here are some pictures of them next to my X220:

http://flic.kr/p/eeG74V
http://flic.kr/p/eeG762
http://flic.kr/p/eeG77e
http://flic.kr/p/eeMQDE
http://flic.kr/p/eeG798

Looks like an Edge with a mirror in stead of a display.

[loyukfai]

Some videos from early adopters are now available on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... kpad+helix

And here's a textual review by one early adopter:

http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/lenovo- ... eview.html

My notables/concerns thus far:

- No integrated card reader.
- No high-speed external interface (e.g. Thunderbolt/ExpressCard)
- No eraser on stylus (and the stylus is small, BTW)
- No 802.11ac
- Pressure sensitive driver not ready
- Opens to max. 120-degree

Even with Haswell on the horizon, it seems unlikely to me that Lenovo will release a refresh version anytime soon. Even if it's going to do so, it seems more likely to be only a processor and chipset swap rather than any major design changes. Though it would be good if they're going to release an updated and improved version with Windows Blue, which is expected to arrive before this Christmas.

Cheers.

[GomJabbar]

BTW, here are some pictures of them next to my X220:

Can't say that I am impressed with the ascetics of the X1 package.

When I got my brand new T42 ThinkPad (circa 2005), I was very pleased with the purchase.

When I saw the features the X220 was going to sport when it came out, I got really excited. I was one of the first ones on the block to get one. I really enjoy my X220, but I know it won't last forever... I hope that the X220 is not the last great ThinkPad.

The question is: will I ever experience that excitement again?

[sveintore]

The question is: will I ever experience that excitement again?

I really understand what you mean.
For me, the Helix does that

Especially after getting the touchpad to work like it should, it covers my needs, and I love the display

[loyukfai]

Another thing that would be a concern to me is that, Windows 8 doesn't seem to be able to handle different PPI on different screens. And the built-in high PPI screen is kind of incompatible with an external low PPI screen.

However, this is not exactly a Helix problem, and I expect Microsoft to resolve the issue with Windows Blue.

Cheers.

[Ibthink]

Wacom has released their Wintab drivers for Windows 8 devices, including the Helix and the ThinkPad Tablet 2: http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/lenovo- ... intab.html

[loyukfai]

Another thing that would be a concern to me is that, Windows 8 doesn't seem to be able to handle different PPI on different screens. And the built-in high PPI screen is kind of incompatible with an external low PPI screen.

However, this is not exactly a Helix problem, and I expect Microsoft to resolve the issue with Windows Blue.

News about this: http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue- ... ay-scaling

[Ravin' Ray]

Finally, the Helix is now officially available at Lenovo's website:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... 0C7731C3FE

$1679 for the i5 4GB and $1999 for the i7 8GB.

[rsutoratosu]

ooh so nice, doesn't look like i can downgrade to windows 7

[Puppy]

It looks like Lenovo QA has given up: Helix End/Insert keys swapped Do you remember similar bug in a production system lately ?

[loyukfai]

Review on the Verge...

http://www.theverge.com/2013/6/21/44454 ... lix-review

Cheers.

[crashnburn]

No official forum/ sub forum location for the Helix as yet?

[ajkula66]

No official forum/ sub forum location for the Helix as yet?

Even Lenovo has it under their "X Tablet series"...so I guess it will fall under "non-classic ThinkPad hardware here"...

I'm pretty certain that there are other - far more pressing - issues that need to be addressed right now, such as slow-as-snail behaviour of the entire forum...

[loyukfai]

Another review over at Laptopmag.com...

http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptop ... helix.aspx

Handled one for a short time the other day. The hinge is interestingly designed, it lets you lift up the tablet section effortlessly. At the same time, it also brought about some limitations like being more top heavy than it could have been with a more traditional connector, and limited max. opening angle.

If the fans in the hinge are part of the reason of the limitations, perhaps Lenovo can consider using this in the next iteration. Besides, there have been a number of complaints about high operation temperature.

Cheers.

Edit: Reivew by Notebookcheck: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Len ... 014.0.html

[loyukfai]

More on scaling (relevant for Helix users w/external monitors) on Windows 8.1...

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands ... ay-scaling

Cheers.

Edit: Another take on Ars... http://arstechnica.com/information-tech ... l-lacking/

[alkazmalim]

I am a loyal Thinkpad user and using Helix since mid May. It is a design nightmare! Screen top cover is attached to the rest of the tablet by clips and there is no screw like solid element that ensures a solid connection. Because the screen is little bit flexible, in every little twist on screen the clips comes off and there is an opening "in to" your screen. Every time it happens, it becmes more likely to happen again. In my case, in the first week clips started to come off, in four weeks it came to a point that the whole bottom side(keyboard connection side) of the screen cover came off and some connections are effected in a way that screen is broken. Just be careful with that item.

I was a loyal Thinkad user(this is my 4th thinkpad) and I will not buy thinkpad anymore. I was out of country when all those things happened, and Helix was not defined in the Lenovo of that country although it is a country of warranty covers. Just because of that I can't return the item on time and "Helix not being defined in a coutntry that Lenovo warranty covers" becomes the reason for not being able to return the item regarding a problem from day 1. I will use a refurbished item for a 2000+ laptop because of a problem from first week just because "business" laptop's company didn't defined "Helix" internationally yet.

No more business with Lenovo

[loyukfai]

Engadget's review...

http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/04/leno ... ix-review/

The article says a version with Haswell is coming (did anyone think otherwise....?), and says the same thing people have been saying, that the hinge design could use some more refinements.

Cheers.

[rsutoratosu]

I tried to order one and notice there is only a 1 year warranty with depot service.. i guess no on site for this. I have a few remote users and losing computer for repair for a few days isn't good. Did you guys have option to buy with more than 1 year and TPP for accident damages ?