Lenovo X1 Extreme

[maflynn]

Another nice review
ThinkPad X1 Extreme review: Big on power and price

Not to mention, it has the best laptop keyboard we've tested recently.

I have to agree with most of the points raised in the review, well agree as someone on the outside looking in.

I do think this model gives a lot of bang for your buck, its rock solid design, and keyboard offers peace of mind that it will last for years.

 

[hajime]

I can’t say that I have ever heard that theory before. I am not sure that there is really any truth to it either. In the case of the Lenovo X1 Extreme, there were users that had their machines for weeks and wondering why there was no professional reviews. If appeared that users where getting theirs prior to reviewers.

With mass manufacturing being what it is, and many companies sourcing multiple vendors, my guess is that you have as much a chance of getting a perfect one in week 1 as you do later in the cycle. If anything you might see a slight revision to address an issue.

I know from experience that buying in the first shipment doesn’t work for autos and I am guessing it doesn’t for computers either.

Now if you told me that units sent to reviewers have been inspected and hand picked I would find that more believable. But I have also seen and read reviews where reviewers have received faulty units.

I think it’s mostly hit/miss luck of the draw type stuff.

Do you think built to order units have better or worse QC than mass produced maxed models? I need to decide whether to keep mine or not the next two days. The noise is causing me much stress.

 

[SDColorado]

Do you think built to order units have better or worse QC than mass produced maxed models? I need to decide whether to keep mine or not the next two days. The noise is causing me much stress.

I think the 1TB and higher SSD’s are going to be faster than the lower models, because I know Lenovo sources the smaller ones from several vendors. But so far in the forums everyone has confirmed that the 1TB and higher have been Samsung.

Other than that I doubt it makes any difference whatsoever. Just like the MBP with display, keyboard, KP issues, etc. You buy it and hope you’re one of the lucky majority and not one of the unlucky few.

If you are really that adverse to the noise, maybe have a look at something like the Surface Book 2 instead. Whereas you say the X1E sounds like a jet engine, those sound more like the cabin overhead air vents

 

[hajime]

I think the 1TB and higher SSD’s are going to be faster than the lower models, because I know Lenovo sources the smaller ones from several vendors. But so far in the forums everyone has confirmed that the 1TB and higher have been Samsung.

Other than that I doubt it makes any difference whatsoever. Just like the MBP with display, keyboard, KP issues, etc. You buy it and hope you’re one of the lucky majority and not one of the unlucky few.

If you are really that adverse to the noise, maybe have a look at something like the Surface Book 2 instead. Whereas you say the X1E sounds like a jet engine, those sound more like the cabin overhead air vents

I considered the SB2 but the problem is that they will exchange for refurbrished units if the machine is broken.

 

[SDColorado]

I considered the SB2 but the problem is that they will exchange for refurbrished units if the machine is broken.

Not true unless the policy is still somehow different outside the US.

I have spoken to several people at Microsoft about this as well as my local store. They admitted that one time this was unfortunately admittedly the case, but has not been their policy for a number of years.

What they do now is have devices built and packaged (white box) specifically for exchange. But if yours breaks and cannot be repaired, it will be swapped for a new device, not a refurbished unit.

Your broken unit will be refurbished, if it is repairable, and resold separately as refurbished.

 

[maflynn]

I considered the SB2 but the problem is that they will exchange for refurbrished units if the machine is broken.

I've heard that MS will largely give you a new model if your machine is broken, with that said getting a refurb is no different then any other company, including apple.

At some point does it make sense that a company gives a customer new machine? I mean 11 months after the sale should the customer get a new machine or a refurb? Believe me, I'd love a new machine so don't get me wrong

 

[hajime]

My X1E’s fans often kick in at cpu load about 1%. They seem to kick in randomly. Is this abnormal?

Updated to the latest BIOS just released. The fans kick in even more than before.

 

[maflynn]

They seem to kick in randomly. Is this abnormal?

Probably not, but then you can call Lenovo and talk with them about it.

 

[calabi-yau]

I can’t say that I have ever heard that theory before. I am not sure that there is really any truth to it either.

I remember hearing that it was partly due to something called parts "bins." Earlier notebooks (and refreshed notebooks) use parts from better bins. Notebooks after these use worse bins. Whatever that means.

But good to hear your thoughts on the idea too.

 

[hajime]

I remember hearing that it was partly due to something called parts "bins." Earlier notebooks (and refreshed notebooks) use parts from better bins. Notebooks after these use worse bins. Whatever that means.

But good to hear your thoughts on the idea too.

So if I return it and get another configuration, I may get a better or worse one depending on luck?

 

[SDColorado]

So if I return it and get another configuration, I may get a better or worse one depending on luck?

Yep. Just like Apple and every single brand of computer on the market. People have returned their MBP’s due to something minor and got a bigger problem in return. Like they thought one of the keys sounded a little different than the others and in exchange got one with a display issue.

You may get one that’s perfect, you may get one that has a more serious problem than the one you are sending back, you may find what you feel is a problem is just the way they all are. Up to you whether or not you take the chance, what you are willing to accept and how many exchanges you are willing to make.

Edit: My experience with 2018 MacBook Pros

Unit 1: Constant BridgeOS kernel panics, wavy/flawed screen lamination along the top edge. Returned

Unit 2: Arrived with sharp chips along the left hand side near the speaker. Returned.

Unit 3: Keyboard issues. Several keys not responding to input on first, second, sometimes 3rd press. Sticky 8 key. Temps and fans would run away for no apparent reason. Returned.

Unit 4: No problems whatsoever during the 14 days trial period, but decided I just couldn’t trust it for the long haul after the issues with the first 3. Returned.

Would the 4th one have stayed perfect and given me years of trouble free service? Maybe? Maybe not? I will never know

Edit 2: I sent back the original X1E, because Lenovo had a sale on them after I bought the first one at release. The second one it seems that the fans don't come on nearly as often as they did on the first, or maybe just not as loud. Maybe it is just because I don't have them both to compare side by side.

Also picked up a Surface Book 2 15" to compare side by side for a while to decide which way to go. For my needs, I am actually thinking about keeping the SB2 and returning the X1E. The 2-1 design suited me well with the Surface Pro and my wife likes my Surface Pro, so maybe I will hand that down to her and stick with the SB2

 

[maflynn]

I sent back the original X1E, because Lenovo had a sale on

I see they're having a sale on them now, but I'll wait and see who the black friday deals shape up. I don't see myself selling my MBP but I'll keep my options open

 

[SDColorado]

I see they're having a sale on them now, but I'll wait and see who the black friday deals shape up. I don't see myself selling my MBP but I'll keep my options open

It’s odd that Lenovo puts stuff on sale so quickly. They put the X1E on sale before the 30 day return period was up for the 1st orders. That seems like a surefire way to promote a flurry of returns.

They seem to have a rotating 20% off code and have already been leaking Black Friday sales.

I guess you can’t fault their sales and promotion team and they are probably among the best bang for the buck brands out there $’s to $s.

 

[jrichards1408]

Sale ain't appearing on the UK website yet

 

[jrichards1408]

Still expensive for what I'm after

 

[hajime]

I see they're having a sale on them now, but I'll wait and see who the black friday deals shape up. I don't see myself selling my MBP but I'll keep my options open

I am considering to return it for X1 Yoga.
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It’s odd that Lenovo puts stuff on sale so quickly. They put the X1E on sale before the 30 day return period was up for the 1st orders. That seems like a surefire way to promote a flurry of returns.

They seem to have a rotating 20% off code and have already been leaking Black Friday sales.

I guess you can’t fault their sales and promotion team and they are probably among the best bang for the buck brands out there $’s to $s.

Do you think they realized design fault of the fan system and try to get rid of them?

 

[SDColorado]

I am considering to return it for X1 Yoga.
[doublepost=1541551367][/doublepost]

Do you think they realized design fault of the fan system and try to get rid of them?

No. That’s what Lenovo does. There is no design fault with the fan system as far as I have heard or observed , it’s very typical of the genre.

 

[hajime]

No. That’s what Lenovo does. There is no design fault with the fan system as far as I have heard or observed , it’s very typical of the genre.

In my case, do you think getting a X1Y3 or T480/480s would be better?

Are you going to get the same configuration you did or change something? If I stay with X1E or P1, I want to try i5 processor and perhaps also Quadro GPU.

 

[SDColorado]

In my case, do you think getting a X1Y3 or T480/480s would be better?

Are you going to get the same configuration you did or change something? If I stay with X1E or P1, I want to try i5 processor and perhaps also Quadro GPU.

I am trying out a Surface Book 2 along with the X1E. I am thinking about going that route. I already love the Surface Pro I have and I really like the utility of the 2-1 design.

 

[hajime]

I am trying out a Surface Book 2 along with the X1E. I am thinking about going that route. I already love the Surface Pro I have and I really like the utility of the 2-1 design.

Even I am just replying to your post without connecting to an external monitor, I can hear the noisy fans of the X1E. Time to send it back. Do CPUs with U at the end generate less heat?

 

[SDColorado]

Even I am just replying to your post without connecting to an external monitor, I can hear the noisy fans of the X1E. Time to send it back. Do CPUs with U at the end generate less heat?

Correct. U stands for Ultra Low Power. They will have a much lower TPD. The Surface Book 2, for example, is listed as a 15W processor, but it averages 25W and peaks at 35W. They will not be as powerful as their non-U counterparts but they will run much cooler.

With the Surface Book 2, the 13" model is cooled passively and is a fanless design. The 15" model has a small fan and makes more of a "whoooosh" sound at times, rather than the high-speed fan noise produced by models with the 45w processors.

It all depends on what you need. But if you are averse to the fan sounds, you might want to have a look at U models. They won't have the power fo the non-U, but they will run cooler and quieter.

 

[jrichards1408]

Correct. U stands for Ultra Low Power. They will have a much lower TPD. The Surface Book 2, for example, is listed as a 15W processor, but it averages 25W and peaks at 35W. They will not be as powerful as their non-U counterparts but they will run much cooler.

With the Surface Book 2, the 13" model is cooled passively and is a fanless design. The 15" model has a small fan and makes more of a "whoooosh" sound at times, rather than the high-speed fan noise produced by models with the 45w processors.

It all depends on what you need. But if you are averse to the fan sounds, you might want to have a look at U models. They won't have the power fo the non-U, but they will run cooler and quieter.

What about gaming laptops like the razer blade 15 that has advanced cooling system?

 

[SDColorado]

What about gaming laptops like the razer blade 15 that has advanced cooling system?

The advanced cooling system in the razor is designed to keep the system cool and to reduce throttling, etc. The performance is good, but the fan noise can border on obnoxious. I was looking at those at a couple of stores near me, but the employees cooled me on them saying they are among the most returned laptops they sell due to heat and fan noise. But did mention that they had a lot of open box deals on them if I was interested.

@maflynn could tell you more about the heat and fan noise. But I believe if anyone finds either unacceptable for the X1E, the Razor won’t be the answer to the problem.

 

[maflynn]

What about gaming laptops like the razer blade 15 that has advanced cooling system?

I had that, and it was a nice laptop but I found the fans were aggressive, so if @hajime wants to avoid fan noise, the Razer is not the right choice.

 

[hajime]

I had that, and it was a nice laptop but I found the fans were aggressive, so if @hajime wants to avoid fan noise, the Razer is not the right choice.

Yes, it is also very hot.

@SDColorado I asked Lenovo to give me a refund. They asked me the reason and whether or not I contacted tech support to get a case number. They created a case number and asked me to wait for an email for instructions on how to return it. Is this normal?