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I've been using IBM (and now Lenovo) Thinkpads for quite some time, and despite being a fan of their X series (currently using an X220) I REALLY wish Lenovo wou

I've been using IBM (and now Lenovo) Thinkpads for quite some time, and despite being a fan of their X series (currently using an X220) I REALLY wish Lenovo would consolidate lineups and focus on higher quality offerings. Even small stuff like offering a TN panel on an X series instead of an IPS panel seems foolish. Having just upgraded my display from TN to IPS, it's such a stark difference that I think Lenovo should default to selling these kinds of higher-end product lines with IPS. When IBM solid Thinkpad, it was a premium brand. It still maintains that connotation among IT professionals today (who know the lineups and history), but there are so many models out there that are absolute crap (or at least, look like garbage) that it's diluting the reputation. This is pure speculation, but I haven't heard "that Thinkpad looks awesome" or "that machine looks well built" in quite some time (X1 carbon aside).

w1ntermute 14y ago
> I haven't heard "that Thinkpad looks awesome" or "that machine looks well built" in quite some time (X1 carbon aside). That's because a large sector of the tech industry (and a lot of non-techies as well) has been drinking the Apple Kool-Aid non-stop for the last ~5 years. That said, I think the X1 Carbon is the flagship model we've been waiting for. It ticks all the right checkboxes, and if you can handle the new keyboard (which has been getting surprisingly good reviews), then I think it's the way to go.
- icey 14y ago
  Do you use an X1 Carbon? I've heard a lot of people remarking about it, but very few of those people actually seem to use one. If you do, how's the screen?
  - w1ntermute 14y ago
    No, I've got an older T-series model, but I'm considering upgrading. My opinions are mostly based on reviews I've read online.
  - cturner 14y ago
    I got one the first day I could order in the UK with a US English keyboard, and I love it. Running ubuntu. I was on a two year old macbook pro before. I'm not a screen connoisseur, but it's non-glare yet bright. I like it. But the vertical resolution is lower than on older thinkpads. Fewer lines of code.
    - icey 14y ago
      Thanks! I went from a T61 to an MBP a few years back, but I do mostly .net development so I've been considering going back to a Lenovo. This is useful!
  - pbj 14y ago
    x1 carbon owner checking in. screen is bright and matte so no glare issues. that said i certainly would not use it for serious photo editing or graphic work. however the keyboard plus trackpad are outstanding, plus you have the mouse nub if you hate trackpads. overall it's a very worthy alternative to a mba.
- stusmall 14y ago
  I'm looking at the X1 line up. Why is there a i5 model that is more expensive than the i7 model? Only other difference I see between them is RAM. I'm looking at it here: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087&current-category-id=0E6E3D0084869C3EB4172DA2F965A301 http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPo...
  - w1ntermute 14y ago
    I think it is just the RAM. That said, I don't really care too much about the specs, since I do web dev remotely and for Android dev, I just need it to run Eclipse.
- Gmo 14y ago
  I've seen a lot of people complaining about build quality on the X1 Carbon ... Problems that did not appear on the review units (which were likely pre-production runs)
- antidaily 14y ago
  Well, hands down, Apple has the coolest looking hardware; not sure you have to be a kool-aid drinker to appreciate it. But it's cool that Lenovo hasnt tried to imitate them like everyone else has. So in that way, maybe because they look a bit retro now, I'll say it, I think ThinkPads look awesome.
- ConstantineXVI 14y ago
  I passed on the original X1 for the 13" Air when I bought a new machine last year; mainly because of the display resolution. The Carbon thankfully fixed that; it's definitely back to the top of my list next time I need a new machine.

w1ntermute 14y ago

> I haven't heard "that Thinkpad looks awesome" or "that machine looks well built" in quite some time (X1 carbon aside). That's because a large sector of the tech industry (and a lot of non-techies as well) has been drinking the Apple Kool-Aid non-stop for the last ~5 years. That said, I think the X1 Carbon is the flagship model we've been waiting for. It ticks all the right checkboxes, and if you can handle the new keyboard (which has been getting surprisingly good reviews), then I think it's the way to go.

icey 14y ago
Do you use an X1 Carbon? I've heard a lot of people remarking about it, but very few of those people actually seem to use one. If you do, how's the screen?
- w1ntermute 14y ago
  No, I've got an older T-series model, but I'm considering upgrading. My opinions are mostly based on reviews I've read online.
- cturner 14y ago
  I got one the first day I could order in the UK with a US English keyboard, and I love it. Running ubuntu. I was on a two year old macbook pro before. I'm not a screen connoisseur, but it's non-glare yet bright. I like it. But the vertical resolution is lower than on older thinkpads. Fewer lines of code.
  - icey 14y ago
    Thanks! I went from a T61 to an MBP a few years back, but I do mostly .net development so I've been considering going back to a Lenovo. This is useful!
- pbj 14y ago
  x1 carbon owner checking in. screen is bright and matte so no glare issues. that said i certainly would not use it for serious photo editing or graphic work. however the keyboard plus trackpad are outstanding, plus you have the mouse nub if you hate trackpads. overall it's a very worthy alternative to a mba.
stusmall 14y ago
I'm looking at the X1 line up. Why is there a i5 model that is more expensive than the i7 model? Only other difference I see between them is RAM. I'm looking at it here: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087&current-category-id=0E6E3D0084869C3EB4172DA2F965A301 http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPo...
- w1ntermute 14y ago
  I think it is just the RAM. That said, I don't really care too much about the specs, since I do web dev remotely and for Android dev, I just need it to run Eclipse.
Gmo 14y ago
I've seen a lot of people complaining about build quality on the X1 Carbon ... Problems that did not appear on the review units (which were likely pre-production runs)
antidaily 14y ago
Well, hands down, Apple has the coolest looking hardware; not sure you have to be a kool-aid drinker to appreciate it. But it's cool that Lenovo hasnt tried to imitate them like everyone else has. So in that way, maybe because they look a bit retro now, I'll say it, I think ThinkPads look awesome.
ConstantineXVI 14y ago
I passed on the original X1 for the 13" Air when I bought a new machine last year; mainly because of the display resolution. The Carbon thankfully fixed that; it's definitely back to the top of my list next time I need a new machine.