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X1C models...what's the difference and what should I get?

Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 11:12 pm
by Thinkpad4by3
I'm debating an X1C and really a bit confused on which model I should go for?

So far this is what I'm thinking

X1C1: I prefer the dedicated volume keys on the keyboard...but how slow is the ULV 3rd gen processor and how is the HD+ TN panel? Is it better than the T430 and T430s HD+ panels?
X1C2: ew....no
X1C3: is this just a slimmed down T450s?
X1C4: the hinge on this one is different than the other X1Cs...is that a pro or con?
X1C5+: I think these will be out of my price range.

And for all 3, how is the battery life and what can I expect in terms of docking solutions if need be?

Re: X1C models...what's the difference and what should I get?

Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 12:23 am
by RealBlackStuff
X1: FOR: HDMI port and 2.5" HDD/SSD. AGAINST: HD-screen only. Needs 90W charger.
X1C1: AGAINST: X1C1-specific SSD that nobody seems to sell anymore. It also does not fit in any other laptop, BEWARE!
X1C2: YUCK keyboard Fn-bar and clunkpad
X1C3: finally a useful one, with generally available M.2 SSD and IPS option. This would be my choice IF I wanted one (but I don't).
etc.
But better read this: https://dankpads.com/2018/08/19/thinkpa ... 2-to-2018/

Re: X1C models...what's the difference and what should I get?

Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 12:44 am
by Thinkpad4by3
RealBlackStuff wrote:
Mon Jun 24, 2019 12:23 am
X1: FOR: HDMI port and 2.5" HDD/SSD. AGAINST: HD-screen only. Needs 90W charger.
X1C1: AGAINST: X1C1-specific SSD that nobody seems to sell anymore. It also does not fit in any other laptop, BEWARE!
X1C2: YUCK keyboard Fn-bar and clunkpad
X1C3: finally a useful one, with generally available M.2 SSD and IPS option. This would be my choice IF I wanted one (but I don't).
etc.
But better read this: https://dankpads.com/2018/08/19/thinkpa ... 2-to-2018/
Thanks RBS! :mrgreen:

Ok well that rules out the X1C1. Don't really want a X1, for a 2nd gen CPU really doesn't seem more than a kinda crappy X301 knock off.

Was mostly looking at the X1C3, but was curious about the 4 given I like the non dropped hinges a bit better looks wise and 6th gen CPUs should be faster.

Re: X1C models...what's the difference and what should I get?

Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:34 am
by dr_st
RealBlackStuff wrote:
Mon Jun 24, 2019 12:23 am
But better read this: https://dankpads.com/2018/08/19/thinkpa ... 2-to-2018/
Wow, this is a great resource. :thumbs-UP:

To me the most important change was in the X1C5 when the footprint and weight were dramatically reduced. You really get a 14" notebook in a 13" shell, which is amazing. In terms of hardware, of course, the X1C6 brings the most meaningful change - quad core vs dual core.

Re: X1C models...what's the difference and what should I get?

Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 2:32 am
by Thinkpad4by3
dr_st wrote:
Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:34 am
RealBlackStuff wrote:
Mon Jun 24, 2019 12:23 am
But better read this: https://dankpads.com/2018/08/19/thinkpa ... 2-to-2018/
Wow, this is a great resource. :thumbs-UP:

To me the most important change was in the X1C5 when the footprint and weight were dramatically reduced. You really get a 14" notebook in a 13" shell, which is amazing. In terms of hardware, of course, the X1C6 brings the most meaningful change - quad core vs dual core.
Right now I'm using a 11" MBA and I really like it for something I would use a X131e if it had a half-way decebt screen, processor, and didnt weight as much or is nearly as thick. I was thinking about getting a 13" but like for that point may as well go the extra 0.7", save some cash and add a trackpoint and a black paint job along with plenty of welcome upgrades.

For my purposes, the X1C3 looks to be the best fit.

Re: X1C models...what's the difference and what should I get?

Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:08 am
by w0qj
For X1C3 (X1 Carbon 3rd Generation), just be careful of the gotcha (you can still get X1C3 if you're comfortable with below SSD situation):
"2280" sized SSD can be either M.2 SSD ACHI / PCIe 2.0 x4 or SATA "2280" sized.

ie: You need either ACHI "2280" sized SSD which is very hard to find "new", or use a SATA "2280" sized SSD.
Our own X1C3 used ACHI SSD, and we actually bought an extra refurbished unit from ThinkPad to ensure SSD continuity.

ie: NVMe "2280" sized SSD will not boot up in X1C3.
We tried exactly this a few months ago just to confirm that it does not boot up from NVMe SSD (it does not boot up).

http://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF ... rd_Gen.pdf

Re: X1C models...what's the difference and what should I get?

Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:21 am
by w0qj
[Edit: Because the X1C4 (4th Gen) accept *any* NVMe "2280" sized SSD, I personally would recommend X1C4.]
(We have using both X1C3 & X1C4 for years now, so we can compare).

- - - - - - - - - -
So for you it's X1C3 vs X1C4 (X1 Carbon 3rd Gen vs 4th Gen):

X1C3:
~USB 3.0 ports only (no USB-C ports).
~slim/rectangular charging tip unique to Lenovo
~4 GB RAM or 8 GB RAM, soldered onto motherboard (cannot change)
~"ACHI" "2280" SSD max out at 500 GB
~Use the proprietary network dongle (the one from X1C3 works on X1 Extreme, and vice versa by the way)
~We can't comment on its docking solution, we wanted to buy it but it was not viable for us.
~Product Recovery DVD either in Win8 or Win7 (if you have downgrade rights). Yes, DVD.

X1C4:
~USB 3.0 ports only (no USB-C ports).
~slim/rectangular charging tip unique to Lenovo
~8 GB RAM or 16 GB RAM, soldered onto motherboard (cannot change)
~"NVMe" "2280" SSD max out at 1 TB
~DOES NOT use the proprietary network dongle used on X1C3
~Network dongle can only be used X1C4, connects to your port replicator slot. We didn't buy it for this reason.
~We can't comment on its docking solution, we wanted to buy it but it was not viable for us.
(Honestly, have you heard anyone using the X1C4 WiGig short range wireless docking station? Neither have we.)
~X1C4 models that came out in first half of 2016 supported Win10 or Win7 (with downgrade rights DVD for Win7, USB thumbstick for Win10 Product Recovery).
~X1C4 models that came out in second half of 2016 supported Win10 only (heard the fingerprint reader was different with no Win7 driver, USB thumbstick for Win10 Product Recovery).
~X1C4 hinge is OK, functionally same as hinges in x1C3, but the heat outlet pours out the heat onto the right/bottom side of the LCD panel. Does not affect LCD panel from our daily use.

Have fun deciding on your X1 Carbon!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If you can wait until X1C5 prices drop, this might be a good idea.
~X1C5 and onwards have USB-C ports, so more future-proof.

Re: X1C models...what's the difference and what should I get?

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 11:39 am
by w0qj
There's a related discussion centering around the very hard to obtain X1C3 M.2 PCIe "2280" AHCI SSD (technically it's SM951 (AHCI) ).

X1C3. M.2 upgrade: hacked NVMe vs SATA III vs PCIe AHCI
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 76#p835376