2019-06-10, 1:35 AM

I am fortunate to enjoy an X1 Carbon 6th Gen, daily, for work and play and travel, so when Lenovo asked if I wanted a look at a new X1 Carbon 7th Gen, I jumped at the chance, and one landed on my desk!

The X1C7 was announced in January: https://news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/end-user-insight-and-engineers-perfect-thinkpad-x1/ AUGUST 2019 UPDATE: X1C7 with 10th Generation Intel CPU's announced in August, available in September: https://news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/smarter-lenovo-thinkpad-laptops-engineered-for-future-workforce/

I know you will ask "When can I buy one?". I'm reliably informed that Lenovo IS going to make its June target X1C7 shipping date, so watch https://shop.lenovo.com

From here on I will refer to them as X1C7 and X1C6, because those long names are well... long.

This is a somewhat random walk, and not a scripted review. I've focused on what's different about this 2019 model. If you have questions or are interested in detail I didn't cover, ask!

Here's a table with the differences in the datasheets, and the configurations of this X1C7 on loan from Lenovo and my X1C6.

X1C7 Series X1C6 Series This X1C7 My X1C6 Up to 8th Gen i7 Up to 8th Gen i7 i7-8665U i7-8650U Up to 16GB LPDDR3 RAM Up to 16GB LPDDR3 RAM 16GB 16GB Up to 2TB PCIe SSD Up to 1TB PCIe SSD 2TB 1TB 14” FHD IPS (400nit)

14” FHD IPS Touch (300nit)

14” FHD IPS PrivacyGuard (400nit)

14” WQHD IPS (300nit)

14” HDR400 UHD IPS (500nit) 10 bit 14” FHD IPSFHD IPS touch WQHD IPS

14" HDR WQHD IPS with Dolby Vision 14” HDR400 UHD IPS (500nit) 10 bit - 3840 x 2160 14" HDR WQHD IPS with Dolby - 2560 x 1440 720p HD+IR Camera with ThinkShutter 720p HD Camera with ThinkShutter

720p HD + IR Camera without ThinkShutter 720p HD+IR Camera with ThinkShutter 720p HD Camera with ThinkShutter 4 x 360 degree microphones Dual array microphones 4 x 360 degree microphones Dual array microphones Dolby Atmos Speakers Dolby Premium Audio / Stereo Speakers Dolby Atmos Speakers Dolby Premium Audio / Stereo Speakers WWAN LTE Cat 9 & Cat16 WWAN LTE Cat 9 None WWAN LTE Cat 9 WLAN Intel Wireless-AC 9560 WLAN Intel Wireless-AC 8265 or 9260 WLAN Intel Wireless-AC 9560 WLAN Intel Wireless AC 9260 Bluetooth 5 Bluetooth 4.2 Bluetooth 5 Bluetooth 4.2 Black or Carbon fiber weave top cover Black or silver Carbon fiber weave top cover Black 51Whr battery, 18.3 hours MobileMark 2014 57Whr battery, 15hrs MobileMark 2014 51Whr battery 57Whr battery Height 14.95mm Height 15.95mm Height 14.95mm Height 15.95mm Weight starting 2.4lbs Weight starting 2.49lbs 2.39lbs on a kitchen scale 2.54lbs on a kitchen scale microSD slot microSD slot

"Does the BIOS support Microsoft Modern Standby (S0)?" you ask. Yes! That's the default. Others will ask "Does the BIOS support S3 standby?". Yes again. Here what the setting looks like, and while we're looking at it note the X1C7's more graphical BIOS interface, as compared to the classic texty BIOS interface of the X1C6.

The immediate impression of the X1C7 Dolby Atmos speakers is LOUDER with more dynamic range and wider sound stage. Much less of a feel that the sound is coming from a point in a thin computer. This is better room-filling audio which does not distort even at max. There's a Dolby Atmos app with equalizer presets, or customize it yourself. Definitely an X1C7 step up.

The power button moved to the side, to make way for the Atmos speaker.

The Carbon fiber weave on the lid is understated. Glance at it and you might miss it, but look closely and you see the pattern, like the cloth of a business suit. Very elegant!

I'm a TrackPoint user and the first thing I noticed was the more "ballistic" feel of scrolling with the X1C7. It seems to pick up momentum more quickly when scrolling. No problem adjusting. Further investigation reveals that it's an Elan Trackpoint (vs Synaptics in the X1C6). I also note that the TrackPoint is shallower, using an Ultra low cap vs Super low on the X1C6.

The X1C7 TrackPoint buttons are flat, and it's a nice simple look. Compare with the ridged X1C6 buttons. At first I thought the flatness was going to be a problem, finding the buttons in the dark (sorry I'm a workoholic), but it's a minor adjustment.

The UHD display is amazing. I already love the WQHD display but this is a step up. You notice the UHD especially in the rendering of small text. The display is glossy and I have found this is not a problem - sometimes in bright environments I have to adjust the angle of the screen to reduce reflections, but the 500nits punches right through. even in bright sunlight.

The only feature I can't try yet is WWAN. After some initial quirks the X1C6 WWAN has been very good. The X1C7 will support even higher speeds, but we have to wait for the June release for more details.

Overall this the X1C7 is a very solid upgrade. Is it worth anteing up for if you already have an X1C6? That all depends on how much the improvements mean to you. I can say that after a few days, I'm hooked :-).

Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll do my best to answer!