While some might view that as a negative, we like that Lenovo knows what Lenovo fans want. The laptop market is exceptionally competitive these days, so it's no surprise that Lenovo walked back some of the less conventional changes it made to last year's X1 Carbon. Under normal strain you should easily get a full workday out of it, so long flights without power should be no sweat. If you opt for a similar setup to our review unit you'll at least enjoy competitive battery life, as the ThinkPad managed 3.5 hours in our intensive battery rundown test. It may seem anachronistic, but ThinkPad enthusiasts adore it, and why complain about another way to interact with the content on your screen? ThinkPad's familiar red button in the center of the keyboard-the Trackpoint, as it's known- fits perfectly under your fingertip and can be used to direct the mouse and scroll. The chiclet keys are separate, but they're tightly grouped and provide a satisfying mechanical action that feels closer to a full desktop keyboard than many other ultraportable laptops.

When it comes to the rest of the keyboard, Lenovo's dedicated to tradition also pays dividends. Well, Lenovo listened to the feedback, and physical function keys are back for 2015. In the previous model, Lenovo switched to touch media and function keys on the top row, frustrating many of its die-hard supporters.

Lifting the lid reveals a few standard features as well as a couple of surprises for longtime ThinkPad users. It's a solidly constructed laptop that is nonetheless relatively lightweight and dressed all in black. On the outside, the Carbon closely follows the established, austere ThinkPad design language. After experimenting with some new (and not universally well-received) interface changes last year, this year's Carbon is exactly what you'd expect from a ThinkPad-little red nub and all. The 2015 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (MSRP: $1,079.10, $1,574.10 as tested) may not be sleek or revolutionary, but it is the definition of pithy, omitting needless features that business users neither want nor need.Īnd in many ways, the 2015 X1 Carbon is a return to form for Lenovo. For years, Lenovo has been the go-to brand for power users who just need a powerful, portable-and above all, reliable-Windows laptop free from frills and fluff.

Red button on thinkpad stopped working