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Is a used ThinkPad Carbon X1 Gen 6 worth it for $400?

I’m looking to replace my tower PC with a mobile option (only strictly for work, no gaming or video editing).

And I’ve found an online shop that sells ThinkPads: they are selling this FHD (no HDR) i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage used laptop (X1 Gen 6) for 400 usd and I’m wondering if you guys would recommend it.

They offer a 3-month warranty.

They also have a 310usd i5-8350U, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage option, in case this sounds like a better deal (also used and no HDR); and a 345usd i5-8350U, 16GB RAM, 512GB one.

I’ve looked far and wide and it seems like all shops here sell these at the same price.

This is all in Vietnam and here I cannot use Amazon/eBay etc.

Dirk ,
@Dirk@lemmy.ml avatar

The X1 Carbon Gen 6 is from 2018. If it was used since then it doesn’t worth anything at all without battery replacement, maxed out RAM and a large SSD, even then, maybe 150 dollars max. If it is old stock it might still need a battery replacement and then I’d totally not pay more than 250 dollars.

Edit: I just checked PSREF: You’re limited to either 8 or 16 gigabytes of soldered RAM. You cannot upgrade or change it.

SurpriZe OP ,

Thanks for letting me know!

Any advice on what I can get for around 400usd then?

dirtybeerglass ,
@dirtybeerglass@hexbear.net avatar

I can’t speak for your local market but this looks like about £100 north of the going rate in the UK.

Good machine though.

You are paying a premium for Carbon, you can get the same performance from T series - 480’i think.

1boiledpotato ,

I’ve got the exact same model (with touchscreen) and absolutely love it!

Except I bought it 3 years ago for ~$300. I don’t think it’s worth $400 nowadays

SurpriZe OP ,

What can you recommend for about 400usd?

1boiledpotato ,

I’m not well versed in the laptop market, so I can’t tell, but ThinkPads are never a bad choice. Try to find the best specs possible for the price. Maybe a newer gen of X1?

TheBigBrother ,

If you want to run Linux I think there are better deals for $200 or less.

SurpriZe OP ,

For example?

TheBigBrother ,

Check out ebay, plenty of T480 and T480s.

www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=thinkpad+t480&_sacat…

SurpriZe OP ,

Can’t use Western sites as I’m in Vietnam. But thanks!

TheBigBrother ,

Look if you can grab a T480 or T480s there, if you want to run Linux I believe these are better and cheaper options.

velox_vulnus ,

What these folks do is essentially bulk-import cheap laptops from the USA, UAE, Singapore or Hong Kong to your country, and bump it by around 50 to 100$ to make a profit out of it.

Try looking for trusted international shipping options from Singapore or Hong Kong, because this price is pretty expensive for a almost six-year old laptop - you should be looking at 280$, at max for a 8th gen processor.

If you can wait, have a relative in the US get a slightly modern model for cheap through them, this way you don’t have to pay shipping, insurance and customs.

And just a word of warning - please verify the laptop model using it’s serial number. Check carefully if there are any discrepancies.

SurpriZe OP ,

Thanks a lot but I have no idea as to where to even begin with the search for trusted international shipping options. Any advice on that?

I’m also not from the states so tough luck with relatives 😄

How can I use the serial number to verify? Where and what to look for? Should I ask the shop before buying to show me the serial number? It’s an online-only store.

velox_vulnus ,

How can I use the serial number to verify? Where and what to look for? Should I ask the shop before buying to show me the serial number? It’s an online-only store.

Head onto support.lenovo.com/id/en/parts-lookup and enter the part number. Shops will provide you with serial number - if they don’t, ask them. If they don’t comply with your request (and given how you’re already overpaying), don’t even bother buying those devices. It has every information you’ll need - specification, remaining warranty time-period, option and even the page to look for exact parts.

Thanks a lot but I have no idea as to where to even begin with the search for trusted international shipping options. Any advice on that?

On the contrary, I was going to ask a fellow Asian for discounted stuff to import to India - I had also considered shipping old laptops from China to India, but I can’t read or understand Mandarin. Right now, I am considering to either get refurbished laptops through one of my relatives living in the east coast (for which, I’ll have to wait till November, and I’m fine with that), or pay the hefty shipping, insurance and customs (which would still be cheaper than buying locally, to be honest).

SurpriZe OP ,

There’s another option: 14 inch T14 i7-10610U, 16GB RAM, 256GB storage for 400usd (also used, directly from the US). Would that be better than the Carbon?

B0rax ,

The CPU certainly is much better.

SurpriZe OP ,

Is it worth the increase in weight and bulkiness?

B0rax ,

Well that depends on you. But you didn’t specify how big and bulky the 10th gen system is.

SurpriZe OP ,

It’s T14 Gen 1 vs X1 Gen 6

Brkdncr ,

Test the usbc charging on all ports. Test the battery. Good devices otherwise.

SurpriZe OP ,

Appreciate the heads-up. Best way to do this ?

Brkdncr ,

Install the Lenovo testing software, it should have a battery test.

Also the commercial vantage software to keep it updated and access some settings.

Plug the charger in to each port and confirm it charges.

SurpriZe OP ,

I can only ask the shop to show me the results as it’s an online-only store.

Sami ,
@Sami@lemmy.zip avatar

I think it’s an alright deal for the $345 one. More than Ebay prices but used Thinkpads are definitely worth it. I don’t think it’s worth going for the i7 for that much more if you’re just doing office type work.

SurpriZe OP ,

I teach online a lot (1on1) and I need it to handle recording my screen with OBS without stutters. Plus a good webcam. Does it still sound like a good option then?

makingStuffForFun ,
@makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml avatar

I have one, and I have to say the webcam is not good at all. It’s a fantastic machine though. The webcam and the speakers are terrible.

SurpriZe OP ,

Well I guess I can use an external one.

makingStuffForFun ,
@makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml avatar

The laptop is excellent. I think that’s a fair price. I use mine all day, every day. Years in now.

Sami ,
@Sami@lemmy.zip avatar

I’ve used OBS on desktop PCs with a 7th gen CPU without noticeable issues for work. I can’t say for certain but you should be fine with that laptop for your needs.

viking ,
@viking@infosec.pub avatar

The Carbon X1 is great. Whether it’s a good deal depends really on the price difference to a new one locally.

The i5 with 16GB + 512GB storage sounds alright as well. The other one not really, the price difference is too small. For 35 USD you can’t double RAM and storage.

SurpriZe OP ,

No new ThinkPads out here unfortunately.

There’s another option: 14 inch T14 i7-10610U, 16GB RAM, 256GB storage for 400usd (also used, directly from the US). Would that be better than the Carbon?

viking ,
@viking@infosec.pub avatar

Also not bad, but really the low storage puts me a bit off. I guess really depends how storage intensive your office work is. Windows itself would probably take up 70-90 GB already.

Sami ,
@Sami@lemmy.zip avatar

I think this one is a better option if you’re concerned about performance but either this or the i5 16GB are both good. The T14 will just weigh a bit more and be a little thicker but it’s not much a difference unless you’re carrying it around all the time.

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