(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)
4.0
Love it - but is it better than an X-1?
3/2/2013
Pros
Backlit keys
Durable Construction
Easy To Use
Fast
Good Battery Life
Great Beats Audio
High Resolution Screen
Multi-touch Touchpad
Quick Start And Shut Down
Reliable Performance
Sexy Looking
Cons
Cold To The Touch
Glassy Surface Smudges
Hard To Open
No Fingerprint Reader
Only 128 Gig Storage
Comment:
I give it 4.5, subtracting .5 because of the gorilla glass and lack of 8GB RAM and 256 GB SSD options. It was a toss-up between the HP Envy 14 Spectre and the Lenovo X-1 Carbon. I haven't seen the X-1 yet, but I hate Windows 8, so I needed a new Windows 7 machine. I'm not positive I made the right choice. Both have the same strong points, very fast and thin (but the X-1 is lighter), backlit keyboards and Bluetooth mouse. What pushed me to the HP in the store is probably the best screen in a Windows machine -- equal to the MacBook I think, compared to what I've heard about lesser resolution on the X-1, even though both have 1600x900. Great sound! And if you are giving it as a gift you will make an big impression when it is unwrapped. It comes in beautiful packaging -- the best I've ever seen for a computer.<br /><br />The CONS: What creeps me out about this laptop is the cold and clammy gorilla glass it is made of. I would rather have the traditional black metal surface of the Lenovo. I get the willies resting my palms on that icy surface. The black glass outer surface shows every fingerprint and smudge, and always looks dirty. I'm constantly polishing it. It takes away from that sexy space-age look that I'm sure motivates some to buy it. I would like to have the X-1's fingerprint password option. I would have ordered more RAM and a bigger SSD if it was an option. The Envy Spector only has 4 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD, and I'm worried I'll run out of storage and have to drag around an external drive. The X-1 offers 256 GB SSD and 8 GB RAM. The Spectre has no USB ports on right side, which is kinda inconvenient. And is difficult to open -- you almost need to carry a tire iron with you if you have short fingernails. It's like trying to pry open an oyster. But once you pry it open, you have found a pearl. The CONs are all minor things. My wife and son love it, and have no complaints. Maybe when I get to see the X-1 screen I'll go for an X-1 with 8GB/256GB, load Windows 7 on it, put the Envy Spector back in its gorgeous packaging, and give it to my son for his birthday!
How long have you owned it:
A month or less
Bottom Line
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.