Kurt Shintaku's Blog

I just got a new Lenovo X1 Carbon Touch for my production machine.  While I could probably roll just fine with my Surface Pro, I’ve decided to use my Surface Pro as a compliment to my X1 Carbon because I love them both sooooo much:

• My X1 Carbon has a massive high resolution touch screen, 8GB RAM, & a 256GB hard drive.
• My Surface Pro is a tablet with a Wacom digitizer on it for taking handwritten notes and it’s smaller, lighter, and much more ‘mobile’.

I use SkyDrive to ensure each has the exact same content on them (encrypted with BitLocker of course) and because they’re so light, I can actually carry BOTH everywhere.

DRIVERS

• Lenovo Published Drivers: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/research/
  hints-or-tips/detail.page?&DocID=HT074689
• Updated DisplayLink Driver for Lenovo USB 3.0 Dock:  http://www.displaylink.com/support/downloads.php
  (This is mandatory to drive 2 monitors through the docking station)

USER GUIDE

• Lenovo X1 Carbon Touch User Guide (2.74MB, PDF): http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/x1_carbon_ug_en.pdf

PERIPHERALS

• AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_2?rh=n%3A193870011%2Ck%3Alenovo+x1+carbon&keywords=lenovo+x1+carbon
  &ie=UTF8&qid=1369062566&rnid=2941120011&ajr=0
• EBAY: http://www.ebay.com/sch/Laptop-Desktop-Accessories-/31530/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=lenovo+x1+carbon

NOTES:

1. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE SCREEN FILM
   You may have noticed that this is a hazy protective film that covers the touch screen.  This is by design however to many, it degrades the display quality compared to previous Lenovo displays.  Some enterprising users have managed to actually peel off the film. 
   “Lenovo has stated that removal of the screen film would void the warranty on the X1 screen at a minimum.  Any machine that is denied warranty repair due the film being removed will not be repaired or replaced. You will be personally responsible for providing a replacement work machine.”
2. TARGUS ADAPTERS – POWER TIPS COMING
   It looks like the Targus consider for the Lenovo X1 Carbon Touch Power Adapter’s “tip” is called the “X9”.  It may be available from Zone but it is not readily available from Targus at this time.
   http://www.zones.com/site/product/index.html?id=004083367
3. BIOS CONFIG = F1
   During startup, press <Enter> to interrupt startup. Choose F1 to enter BIOS setting and this will allow you to do all the traditional changes to your machine.  For instance, for folks that are really annoyed with the way they accidentally hit the Trackpad and prefer using the TrackPoint, choose Config, then Keyboard/Mouse. Disable the Trackpad in that submenu.
4. FULL REVIEW… FROM A MICROSOFTIE
   Scott Hanselman wrote a massive review of his new Lenovo X1 Carbon Touch.  It’s very detailed and a good read if you’d like to know the good & the bad.
   http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ReviewTheLenovoX1CarbonTouchIsMyNewLaptop.aspx