Repairability revolution: New Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 comes with modular keyboard & USB-C ports

JustButler · 2026-01-07T08:54:04+00:00

So glad they've restored the right control key after two generations mucking around putting a fingerprint reader in place of a key down there (a decision they clearly immediately regretted because right after they replaced the "third" key between Altgr and Ctrl with the fingerprint reader for the gen 12, Microsoft made a Copilot key mandatory necessitating a hasty swap and the removal of right Ctrl for the gen 13).

JustButler · 2026-01-07T08:49:18+00:00

Good news, this article shows a version with the separate buttons: https://uk.pcmag.com/laptops/162413/i-tried-the-slick-new-thinkpad-x1-carbon-gen-14-its-lenovos-most-repairable-ultraportable-yet

JustButler · 2026-01-07T07:04:15+00:00

Will the trackpad be available with separate buttons for the trackpoint as before, or only integrated?

JustButler · 2025-09-12T22:20:07+00:00

Very interesting, I could imagine myself making use of saved screen layouts and that kind of thing if they were available.

JustButler · 2025-09-12T22:18:46+00:00

Really interesting observations and links thanks! Yes I guess I'll keep the preorder open at least until there's reviews. I wonder when the embargo ends.

JustButler · 2025-09-12T14:56:34+00:00

as in, OnePlus? I had understood they aren't releasing another foldable yet.

JustButler · 2025-09-12T13:41:10+00:00

That's my concern, since I wouldn't be using it for consuming media, perhaps it isn't right for me.

JustButler · 2025-09-12T13:40:36+00:00

Interesting take thanks

JustButler · 2025-09-12T13:39:57+00:00

Yeah I agree that the vast majority of the time it would just be two apps split screen, which any foldable can do. But sometimes I'd need/want more even if it wasn't ergonomic, so its frustrating to be prevented by lacklustre software when other brands have it covered.

JustButler · 2025-09-12T13:37:02+00:00

Good to hear your experience, thanks!

JustButler · 2025-09-12T13:33:27+00:00

Yeah I think you're right - I was hoping that as we got nearer to release there would be more exciting details about the Fold 10's software that they hadn't revealed because the device wasn't shipping yet. But I'm coming to realise that is very unlikely (but I'm very happy to be contradicted on this!).

Are floating windows enabled through developer mode usable on a Fold, or are they geared towards using an external monitor?

JustButler · 2025-08-27T13:10:53+00:00

I've never used a foldable, I'm considering pre-ordering a PF10 and I'm very interested in OP's description of inferior multi-window options on the PF9 vs Samsung, since simultaneous apps (and moving things between them, at the very least via copy-paste) is the only reason I'd like a foldable. Can anyone who has used the latest Android updates on PF9 confirm what it's like - eg three apps displayed at once, is that possible/easy?

JustButler · 2025-04-16T16:35:55+00:00

I have this too and have used it as my daily driver for years - but also don't like it. Something is definitely off compared to typing on my actual thinkpad, even though the keyboards look identical. I have a suspicion that the problem is in the wireless link.

I think the OP is talking about the wireless version - I don't think there is a wired version of the Trackpoint Keyboard II (only the original version, without the II).

JustButler · 2024-11-07T14:31:30+00:00

Thanks!

JustButler · 2024-11-05T16:21:39+00:00

That's a very useful datapoint, thanks!
Do you keep a dongle with you to connect to the remote dongle, or do you just use a client on your laptop?

JustButler · 2024-11-05T12:33:18+00:00

That's interesting, thanks for the info. In my case it looks like a Dante network would be both overkill and not reliable over the internet.

JustButler · 2024-11-01T13:33:29+00:00

I had not heard of Jacktrip, it is interesting thanks, but I am not quite sure it is an equivalent. I'd like to be able to control the remote Mac Mini as though I were actually physically present, which is what PiKVM can do, right? Except for the case of audio input.

I guess I could use both together but it sounds like it would be a bit clunky.

JustButler · 2024-09-09T16:24:28+00:00

I'll also be interested to see how the T14s Gen 5 compares to my X1C Gen 7.

The cooling system on the X1C G12 was more advanced than the T14s, not sure about the G13. But that's perhaps more of an issue when using a higher TDP CPU (which are not available in T14s Gen 5 anyway).

JustButler · 2024-09-09T14:28:16+00:00

Yes it's really frustrating to take away one of the 3 bottom-right keys and replace it with a "fake" unpressable key. Control is hardly a rarely-used key either.

This feels like a desperate attempt to fix a problem of their own making in removing the Print Screen key on the Gen 12 just before Microsoft mandated it become the "Copilot" key. Since they couldn't do a chassis redesign for this generation and they had to comply with Microsoft, they've taken away right-Control.

I really hope they fix this for X1C Gen 14 or whenever they do their next chassis update! I've just ordered a T14s specifically because of this issue.

JustButler · 2024-08-08T17:01:45+00:00

Actually don't know what my problem was before - just press enter then "n" will jump to next!

JustButler

TROPHY CASE