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{{ProductLineCargo
{{ProductLineCargo
|ArticleType=
|ArticleType=
|Category=Lenovo
|Category=Laptops
|Company=
|Company=Lenovo
|Description=
|Description=
|InProduction=Yes
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=
|Logo=ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Gen.jpg
|ReleaseYear=
|ReleaseYear=2012
|Website=
|Website=https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/d/thinkpad-x1-carbon/
}}
}}
The Lenovo X1 Carbon is a laptop series made by [[Lenovo]], a Chinese-American multinational technology company, advertised as portable, thin and durable, while offering "full PC power and functionality".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Compare Different ThinkPad Models {{!}} Lenovo Egypt |url=https://www.lenovo.com/eg/en/faqs/laptop-faqs/best-thinkpad-for-you/ |access-date=2025-08-22}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250808193521/https://www.lenovo.com/eg/en/faqs/laptop-faqs/best-thinkpad-for-you/ Archived])</ref>


This article outlines the various anti-consumer measures used in the Lenovo X1 Carbon series of laptops. Some concepts may overlap with [[Lenovo]]'s general practices.
The '''Thinkpad X1 Carbon''' is a laptop series made by '''[[Lenovo]]''', a Chinese-American multinational technology company, advertised as portable, thin and durable, while offering "full PC power and functionality".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Compare Different ThinkPad Models {{!}} Lenovo Egypt |url=https://www.lenovo.com/eg/en/faqs/laptop-faqs/best-thinkpad-for-you/ |access-date=2025-08-22}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250808193521/https://www.lenovo.com/eg/en/faqs/laptop-faqs/best-thinkpad-for-you/ Archived])</ref>
==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}
 
==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].


===Hardware-vendor lockout (BIOS whitelist)===
===Hardware-vendor lockout (BIOS whitelist)===
Most models of the Lenovo X1 Carbon will fail to post if the user changes their WWAN broadband card to a WWAN card that is not on the Lenovo Vendor Whitelist.<ref name=":1">[https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/ThinkPad_mobile_Internet "ThinkPad mobile Internet"] - wiki.archlinux.org ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260116220153/https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/ThinkPad_mobile_Internet Archived])</ref> If a user intends to use a WWAN card manufactured by another company, which are typically cheaper than the Lenovo factory-installed WWAN cards, the computer will not boot until the user removes the card. Evasion of these whitelists has been outlined in the Arch Linux wiki,<ref name=":1" /> but success is very limited.


====Resulting cost for the consumer====
====WWAN card whitelist====
Lenovo currently charges $298 USD to install a Quectel RM520N-GL 5G Sub6 from the factory.<ref name=":0" />
Most models of the '''Thinkpad X1 Carbon''' will fail to post if the user changes their {{Wplink|WWAN}} broadband card to a WWAN card that is not on the '''Lenovo''' Vendor Whitelist.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ThinkPad mobile Internet |url=https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/ThinkPad_mobile_Internet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260405113731/https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/ThinkPad_mobile_Internet |archive-date=2026-04-05 |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=ArchWiki}}</ref> If a user intends to use a WWAN card manufactured by another company, which are typically cheaper than the '''Lenovo''' factory-installed WWAN cards, the computer will not boot until the user removes the card. Evasion of these whitelists has been outlined in the Arch Linux wiki,<ref name=":0" /> but success is very limited.
[[File:Lenovo store screenshot.png|thumb|right| Pricing options for WWAN card (Lenovo X1 Carbon gen2) <ref name=":0"> [[:File:Lenovo store screenshot.png|Screenshot or pricing options for WWAN card of Lenovo Laptop]]</ref>]]
[[File:Lenovo store screenshot.png|thumb|Pricing options for a WWAN card (Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 12)]]
 
=====Resulting cost for the consumer=====
'''Lenovo''' currently charges $298 USD to install a Quectel RM520N-GL 5G Sub6 from the factory.
 
Some used options of similar modems can be purchased for less.


Some used options of similar modems can, at the time of writing, be purchased for $150 USD.<ref>[https://www.ebay.com/itm/296886818084 "Quectel RM520N-GL"] - ebay.com - 17 Jan 2025 - Archived Page: https://archive.is/IkmZV</ref> 4G modems can be purchased for less.<ref>[https://www.ebay.com/itm/196914042141 "NEW Dell V8KN6 Sierra Wireless AirPrime EM7455 DW5811e LTE 4G WWAN Card"] - ebay.com - 17 Jan 2025 - Archived Page: https://archive.is/uSubr</ref>
===Gen 10 Incidents===


==Thinkpad X1 Carbon sub series==
====Repairability and upgradability====
Gen 10 laptops use soldered RAM<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iliev |first=Alex |date=14 Oct 2022 |title=Inside Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 10th Gen – disassembly and upgrade options |url=https://laptopmedia.com/highlights/inside-lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-10th-gen-disassembly-and-upgrade-options/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251010130732/https://laptopmedia.com/highlights/inside-lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-10th-gen-disassembly-and-upgrade-options/ |archive-date=10 Oct 2025 |website=laptopmedia.com}}</ref> which makes upgrading it highly difficult, requiring advanced soldering knowledge. The display and the bezels of the LCD are glued together, making replacing just the LCD without replacing the entire lid complicated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOLVED: How to replace the LCD screen without replacing the whole lid? - Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 10th Gen - iFixit |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/772580/How+to+replace+the+LCD+screen+without+replacing+the+whole+lid |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250709023016/https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/772580/How+to+replace+the+LCD+screen+without+replacing+the+whole+lid |archive-date=9 Jul 2025 |access-date=2025-08-22}}</ref>
 
==Products==
 
*ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (''2022'')
 
==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}


==='''Repairability and upgradability'''===
The 10th gen Lenovo X1 Carbon uses soldered RAM<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iliev |first=Alex |date=14 Oct 2022 |title=Inside Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 10th Gen – disassembly and upgrade options |url=https://laptopmedia.com/highlights/inside-lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-10th-gen-disassembly-and-upgrade-options/ |website=laptopmedia.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251010130732/https://laptopmedia.com/highlights/inside-lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-10th-gen-disassembly-and-upgrade-options/ |archive-date=10 Oct 2025}}</ref> which makes upgrading it impossible. The display and the bezels of the LCD are glued together, making replacing just the LCD without replacing the entire lid complicated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOLVED: How to replace the LCD screen without replacing the whole lid? - Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 10th Gen - iFixit |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/772580/How+to+replace+the+LCD+screen+without+replacing+the+whole+lid |access-date=2025-08-22 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250709023016/https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/772580/How+to+replace+the+LCD+screen+without+replacing+the+whole+lid |archive-date=9 Jul 2025}}</ref>
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
 
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Lenovo X1 Carbon]]

Latest revision as of 12:06, 5 April 2026

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Thinkpad X1 Carbon
Basic Information
Release Year 2012
Product Type Laptops
In Production Yes
Official Website https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/d/thinkpad-x1-carbon/

The Thinkpad X1 Carbon is a laptop series made by Lenovo, a Chinese-American multinational technology company, advertised as portable, thin and durable, while offering "full PC power and functionality".[1]

Consumer-impact summary

[edit | edit source]

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):

  • User Freedom
  • User Privacy
  • Business Model
  • Market Control

Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


Incidents

[edit | edit source]

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Thinkpad X1 Carbon category.

Hardware-vendor lockout (BIOS whitelist)

[edit | edit source]

WWAN card whitelist

[edit | edit source]

Most models of the Thinkpad X1 Carbon will fail to post if the user changes their WWAN broadband card to a WWAN card that is not on the Lenovo Vendor Whitelist.[2] If a user intends to use a WWAN card manufactured by another company, which are typically cheaper than the Lenovo factory-installed WWAN cards, the computer will not boot until the user removes the card. Evasion of these whitelists has been outlined in the Arch Linux wiki,[2] but success is very limited.

Pricing options for a WWAN card (Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 12)
Resulting cost for the consumer
[edit | edit source]

Lenovo currently charges $298 USD to install a Quectel RM520N-GL 5G Sub6 from the factory.

Some used options of similar modems can be purchased for less.

Gen 10 Incidents

[edit | edit source]

Repairability and upgradability

[edit | edit source]

Gen 10 laptops use soldered RAM[3] which makes upgrading it highly difficult, requiring advanced soldering knowledge. The display and the bezels of the LCD are glued together, making replacing just the LCD without replacing the entire lid complicated.[4]

Products

[edit | edit source]
  • ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (2022)

See also

[edit | edit source]

Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.


Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


References

[edit | edit source]
  1. "Compare Different ThinkPad Models | Lenovo Egypt". Retrieved 2025-08-22. (Archived)
  2. 2.0 2.1 "ThinkPad mobile Internet". ArchWiki. Archived from the original on 2026-04-05. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
  3. Iliev, Alex (14 Oct 2022). "Inside Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 10th Gen – disassembly and upgrade options". laptopmedia.com. Archived from the original on 10 Oct 2025.
  4. "SOLVED: How to replace the LCD screen without replacing the whole lid? - Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 10th Gen - iFixit". Archived from the original on 9 Jul 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-22.