Lenovo X1 Extreme

[CE3]

Speakers any good?

I personally think the speakers are bad. The only way I would describe them as decent is if decent means they work and sound comes out of them. The Spectre x360 I owned briefly had decent speakers.. I would even say they were good if you don’t mind the complete lack of low-end. My tiny iPhone 8 Plus speakers still probably sound better than both, though. Thankfully, I didn’t buy this for the sound quality, and I have a couple of Sony Bluetooth speakers that work fine at a desk if I need them. Still, this is not a cheap laptop, so there’s really no excuse for the sound being so poor.

Other than the speakers and the backlight bleed I mentioned in a previous post, I've been happy with the X1E so far. Most of my annoyances and gripes have been with Windows. Color accuracy is pretty good with some minor tweaks, but I'll be calibrating my displays with i1 Display Pro soon (which is long overdue).

The Lenovo Vantage app has a lot of really helpful quick settings in it.

Since I bought refurbished, I was only able to extend my international warranty 1 additional year and add ADH & "keep my drive" for $130.

@Never mind
I added the 16GB of Crucial RAM the other day, and it's working fine. I'll also be putting in a second 1TB Samsung SSD in a few days.

 

[c0ppo]

Speakers are the only downside to X1E for me. They aren't even average in my book. iPhone speakers for comparison is a good one. Even a smartphone has better and louder speakers.

Other then speakers, this thing is a beast in my book. All the ports I need, and even FHD version is great in the direct sunlight. No reflections at all. Keyboard is a masterpiece in its own league, nothing comes even close to it.

What would I change in X1E? Well, for starters, speakers. And I would put a 16:10 screen, or at least, 3:2. 4:3 is dream in this day and age... But 16:9 is by far the worst screen ratio for productivity. I get it when razer has 16:9 screens, their demographic is mostly gamers. But for productivity, which Lenovo is after, 16:10 is way better then 16:9.

But honestly, can't complain. This thing is rock solid, and I love the feel of X1E way more then I love aluminium (imagine that Jony is saying it) on MBP.

Honestly, if this thing would run Mac OS natively, I wouldn't even read MBP specs or anything MBP related. But I'm also very satisfied with Pop_OS, and occasional windows 10

 

[jrichards1408]

Speakers are the only downside to X1E for me. They aren't even average in my book. iPhone speakers for comparison is a good one. Even a smartphone has better and louder speakers.

Other then speakers, this thing is a beast in my book. All the ports I need, and even FHD version is great in the direct sunlight. No reflections at all. Keyboard is a masterpiece in its own league, nothing comes even close to it.

What would I change in X1E? Well, for starters, speakers. And I would put a 16:10 screen, or at least, 3:2. 4:3 is dream in this day and age... But 16:9 is by far the worst screen ratio for productivity. I get it when razer has 16:9 screens, their demographic is mostly gamers. But for productivity, which Lenovo is after, 16:10 is way better then 16:9.

But honestly, can't complain. This thing is rock solid, and I love the feel of X1E way more then I love aluminium (imagine that Jony is saying it) on MBP.

Honestly, if this thing would run Mac OS natively, I wouldn't even read MBP specs or anything MBP related. But I'm also very satisfied with Pop_OS, and occasional windows 10

How does the 1050 perform for gaming at say 1080p?

 

[CE3]

Speakers are the only downside to X1E for me. They aren't even average in my book. iPhone speakers for comparison is a good one. Even a smartphone has better and louder speakers.

I guess the upside to the sound features of the X1E is that it includes Dolby Atmos, which sounds awesome on my headphones and Bluetooth speakers!

 

[SDColorado]

I guess the upside to the sound features of the X1E is that it includes Dolby Atmos, which sounds awesome on my headphones and Bluetooth speakers!

That is a definite upside. I was impressed with how good Atmos sounds on the headphones. Very immersive soundscaping.

 

[zen]

That is a definite upside. I was impressed with how good Atmos sounds on the headphones. Very immersive soundscaping.

Yeah, this is the thing. Speaker quality is something I’m happy to compromise on with a laptop, because really, how good could laptop speakers possibly be these days given the size/shape/thickness of a modern laptop body. And sure, some are definitely better than others (a LOT better), but that would never be a consideration for me when choosing a laptop. 90% of the time, I use my current one either with headphones or muted.

That said, something like Dolby Atmos *is* a selling point - but that’s less about the speakers themselves and more about audio decoding and output.

Having said THAT, I do find the sound bar in the Yoga C930 fascinating, as it seems to be an attempt to really address bad laptop sound. But that machine looks great for other reasons too (screen, keyboard, size/weight, overall design).

 

[c0ppo]

How does the 1050 perform for gaming at say 1080p?

1050Ti

CS GO runs like a charm. Haven’t tried anything else.

I guess the upside to the sound features of the X1E is that it includes Dolby Atmos, which sounds awesome on my headphones and Bluetooth speakers!

Indeed, sound via my headphones is great.

 

[maflynn]

I just noticed that bitlocker is not enabled on my laptop.

 

[SDColorado]

I'm pleased and the long warranty, and solid build gives me a peace of mind that I didn't have with the MBP.

I think you made the right choice. Just a moment ago, while responding to Kaz in the Surface thread, I had my E key not respond until a hit it rather forcibly about 5 or 6 times and got it to unstick. These 2018 MBP keyboards are #$@_

 

[maflynn]

These 2018 MBP keyboards are #$@_

That sucks, but you're right. I cannot take a chance. When I started seeing people here at MR having issues with their 2018, I knew my laptop would only be a matter of time. I figured if I sell it sooner then later would be best both financially and not having to worry about someone complaining about the keyboard and demanding a refund

 

[jrichards1408]

That sucks, but you're right. I cannot take a chance. When I started seeing people here at MR having issues with their 2018, I knew my laptop would only be a matter of time. I figured if I sell it sooner then later would be best both financially and not having to worry about someone complaining about the keyboard and demanding a refund

 

[maflynn]

^^ Yeah, I saw that video and it just helped confirm that I made the right decision. The design if flawed, so each MB/MBA/MB are just ticking time bombs.

 

[Queen6]

^^ Yeah, I saw that video and it just helped confirm that I made the right decision. The design if flawed, so each MB/MBA/MB are just ticking time bombs.

I agree it's just a joke now, and exactly why I never progressed past 2015 Mac's. I'm simply not willing to take a risk with Apple the way thing are. Right here, right now it would be near impossible to resolve, I'd be screwed and Apple would be $4,250 in pocket.

Such a shame, it's like Apple has no pride now, simply happy to churn out poor design after poor design; keyboards, T2, now flex cables. Apple is absolutely destroying it's credibility in some circles, nor will it be easily earned back...

Q-6

 

[SDColorado]

That sucks, but you're right. I cannot take a chance. When I started seeing people here at MR having issues with their 2018, I knew my laptop would only be a matter of time. I figured if I sell it sooner then later would be best both financially and not having to worry about someone complaining about the keyboard and demanding a refund

Man, I have only had this one since the time the holiday return period began. I decided to give it one more shot since I had the extended return period to evaluate. I am already beginning to regret that decision.

Experiencing pretty much the opposite of that video though. No repeated characters. I had to mash the "e" key pretty hard several times just to get it to work at all.

 

[jrichards1408]

Have u guys got this machine under volted?

If so. Do you notice increase in performance cooling and fan noise?

Have u lot also got the laptop to sleep just like a macbook pro when you put the lid down or press the power button button?

 

[Queen6]

Wrong Thread

Q-6

 

[jrichards1408]

Wrong Thread

Q-6

You quoted me?

 

[Queen6]

You quoted me?

Wrong post, apologies. Either ways, you should definitely see a benefit to undervolting the CPU. For the 8750H start at -100mV both Core & Cache. My own notebook with Intel 8750H is at -140mV

CPU can go deeper (-160mV) although as production system I want error on the side of stability. I use ThrottleStop as Intel's XTU is too finicky and often reset the undervolt back to zero with no notification. ThrottleStop is just an application so it doesn't interact with BIOS, takes a little more setting up, however the benefits are well worth it.

Max performance:

Solid 3.9GHz for the full duration of the render - ASUS ROG GL703GS, 8750H, 32GB RAM @ 2666, GTX 1070, NVME SSD & SSHD, Windows 10 Pro 1809, -140mV undervolt, Turbo limits unlocked. Windows is fully up, no stripped down OS full 1809, max CPU temp in the region of 85C.

Q-6

 

[maflynn]

Have u guys got this machine under volted?

I have my laptop configured to run cooler then faster if that makes sense. I have it undervolted to -150mV and I have the power slider set to better battery (and the Lenovo vantage app to cool and quiet. What that gives me is a laptop that the fans rarely spin up. I'm usually chugging in the mid 40s (Celsius). I've been playing with the settings and -150 Mv is the sweet spot for my laptop, -160Mv is guaranteed to crash it. -150 gives me the stability I want.

 

[CE3]

I have my laptop configured to run cooler then faster if that makes sense. I have it undervolted to -150mV and I have the power slider set to better battery (and the Lenovo vantage app to cool and quiet. What that gives me is a laptop that the fans rarely spin up. I'm usually chugging in the mid 40s (Celsius). I've been playing with the settings and -150 Mv is the sweet spot for my laptop, -160Mv is guaranteed to crash it. -150 gives me the stability I want.

So the fans are behaving well for you?

 

[maflynn]

So the fans are behaving well for you?

Yes, I'm very happy with it. There are some circumstances where they spin up but nothing obnoxious. Most of the time I hear no fans.

How about you?

 

[CE3]

Yes, I'm very happy with it. There are some circumstances where they spin up but nothing obnoxious. Most of the time I hear no fans.

How about you?

Awesome! Yeah, the first day or so the fans ran more as I set everything up to my liking, but now they’re only turning on for CPU & GPU intensive tasks. For basic web browsing, videos, email, etc..the laptop stays cool and completely silent like my iMac and my previous MacBook Pro.

I use Malewarebytes in place of Windows defender anti-virus, which I know runs lighter and leaner than most anti-virus software. I also uninstalled Intel Mangement Interface (and disabled AMT). I can’t say how much either of these things impact performance, but it’s less stuff running in the background that I don’t need.

A lot of the reviews had me prepared for the fans to be loud and running often, so the quiet performance has been a pleasant surprise. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that I keep it elevated and on a desk most of the time, since all the vents are on the bottom.

 

[turbineseaplane]

not having to worry about someone complaining about the keyboard and demanding a refund

That's a great point. Depending upon where/how you sell it, you can be on the hook many months afterwards due to buyer protection plans/a to z guarantee type of stuff.

These things are rotten lemons in terms of resale.

 

[maflynn]

A lot of the reviews had me prepared for the fans to be loud and running often, so the quiet performance has been a pleasant surprise. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that I keep it elevated and on a desk most of the time, since all the vents are on the bottom.

Yeah, the OP of this thread returned his X1E due to fan noise, so there was a concern yet I'm extremely pleased with how its configured. Even when the fans spin up, they're not very loud.

 

[jrichards1408]

Do you guys play any games on your machines?