About to order X1C -- i7 or i5?

[mschubb]

i5-3427U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.80 GHz) v. i7-3667U Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.20 GHz)

Would welcome any advice or observations... ready to buy an X1C w/ 8gb and a larger SSD. Most of my video and photo editing is on my desktop, but expect to use Adobe LightRoom a lot on the new laptop. Three questions:

1) The big bang for the buck in a desktop i7 comes from 4 cores plus hyper-threading. But the mobile version is just 2 cores... so will the $200 upgrade to i7 make much of a difference?

2) Does an i7 run hotter in the X1C? Will getting an i5 make it less likely that I might experience the fan noise issue that some complain about? (If it has a lot of fan noise, I will probably return it.)

3) Anyone think it's better at the moment to wait for the 4th generation chips? Any rumors about the next X1C?

Okay, that was really four questions...

Thanks in advance.

[domi]

3) Anyone think it's better at the moment to wait for the 4th generation chips? Any rumors about the next X1C?

I currently have an X301, which I'm looking to replace with a non-touch X1 Carbon. I have decided to wait for the 4th generation CPU (Haswell) and the HD5000 graphics adapter. The new MacBook Airs already have them, so I guess it won't be too long before we see them in the X1C as well.

[mschubb]

Thanks for the advice. Found this post on the notebook review forums... shouldn't have to wait too long to find out if it's true.

"I spoke to a Lenovo rep over live chat and heard some good news! I specifically asked about the x230 and X1 Carbon but I'm sure this applies to other similar models. The rep told me they will be available by the end of the month (June)."

[domi]

Thanks for the advice. Found this post on the notebook review forums... shouldn't have to wait too long to find out if it's true.

"I spoke to a Lenovo rep over live chat and heard some good news! I specifically asked about the x230 and X1 Carbon but I'm sure this applies to other similar models. The rep told me they will be available by the end of the month (June)."

Sounds more promising than what I read in this thread. More realistic too.

[domi]

3) Anyone think it's better at the moment to wait for the 4th generation chips? Any rumors about the next X1C?

I currently have an X301, which I'm looking to replace with a non-touch X1 Carbon. I have decided to wait for the 4th generation CPU (Haswell) and the HD5000 graphics adapter. The new MacBook Airs already have them, so I guess it won't be too long before we see them in the X1C as well.

Has Lenovo lost interest in the X1 Carbon? The above posts are from June 2013. Six months have passed since, 4th gen iCore CPU's are all over the place, but the X1C still hasn't got one. The X1C was my first choice as a replacement for my trusted X301, but I'm now starting to consider the T440s or even the new MacBook Pro.

[mschubb]

Same here. Back in June, I decided to wait for the X1 to get the Haswell update... and I'm still waiting. At this point it definitely makes no sense to buy a premium ultralight with a 3rd generation chip.

Heard lots of rumors. Even had Lenovo website chat reps tell me "next month" a several times since June. Last week, one said "Some time in January." (I think the the chat people have absolutely no idea, but just say something I want to hear. Maybe to avoid getting down-rated in a satisfaction survey.)

Very disappointed in Lenovo. You'd think for a slick machine at a premium price like the X1, they would get how important it is to high-end buyers that the technology be reasonably up to date.

[domi]

Very disappointed in Lenovo. You'd think for a slick machine at a premium price like the X1, they would get how important it is to high-end buyers that the technology be reasonably up to date.

I'm starting to think the X1 Carbon is now set to be a remake of the X300/301: a top-notch and very promising model that was eventually abandoned for lack of faith in it. It's kind of squeezed between the X240 and the T440s, but so is Apple's 13" MacBook Air (between the 11" MacBook Air and the new, slimmer/lighter 13" MacBook Pro) and it doesn't look like Apple is abandoning their 13" MBA.

[QWERTY Andreas]

Do you Guys know that it have been presented for some time now?

Here you go, take a link: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/th ... x1-carbon/

[mschubb]

Yes, thanks! That last rep was right, the new Carbon x1 was announced this month.

Anyone seen a detailed review w/ benchmarks yet? (More than a "quick look" at CES or a review of the press release?)