This page gives an overview of the Lenovo New ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook™ (3rd Gen) (2015), also referred to as X1C3.
Previous generations: 2012, 2014

Details

• Machine type: 20BS*, 20BT*
• Processor: One of the following ULV fifth generation Intel Core processors (code name: "Broadwell"):
  • Intel® Core™ i5-5200M (2.2-2.7GHz, 3MB L3 cache)
  • Intel® Core™ i5-5300M (2.3-2.9GHz, 3MB L3 cache)
  • Intel® Core™ i7-5500U (2.4-3.0GHz, 4MB L3 cache)
  • Intel® Core™ i7-5600U (2.6-3.2GHz, 4MB L3 cache)
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500
• Display:
  • 14.0" WQHD (2560x1440), 260nit, IPS with multitouch
  • 14.0" WQHD (2560x1440), 300nit
  • 14.0" HD+ (1920x1080), 300nit
• Memory: Soldered directly on the mainboard, with capacities of:
  • 4GB DDR3L SDRAM PC3-12800
  • 8GB DDR3L SDRAM PC3-12800
• Disk:
  • 128GB SSD
  • 256GB SSD
  • 512GB PCIe SSD
• WLAN:
  • Intel Dual-Band Wireless-N 7265 (Stone Peak 2 BN) 2x2 AC + Bluetooth 4.2
  • Intel Dual-Band Wireless-AC 7265 (Stone Peak 2 AC) 2x2 AC + Bluetooth 4.2

• WWAN:
  • Sierra Wireless EM7345
  • Ericsson Business Mobile Networks BV N5321 gw
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2 supported by WLAN module
• Keyboard: 5-row with Trackpoint, backlit Keyboard keys
• I/O Ports:
  • 2 x USB 3.0 (1 with AOU)
  • Audio/Mic Combo
  • OneLink Dock
  • HDMI
  • MiniDP
  • Ethernet mini jack
  • Sim card slot
• Battery: Up to 10.9 hours
• Webcam: Integrated camera 1.3MP - 720P with mute function
• Audio: Dolby® Home Theater® v4 with Digital Dual Array microphone certified for Microsoft Lync
• Fingerprint Reader: yes
• Wired ethernet network: yes, via a external dongle provided FRU:04X6435; Lenovo P/N:SC10A39882AB
• Size: 13.03in x 8.94in x 0.73in (331mm x 227mm x 18.5mm)
• Weight: 3.07 lb (1.39 kg)

• Download and support page for ThinkPad X1 Carbon 3rd Gen
• Hardware Maintenance Manual Thinkpad X1 Carbon 3 (52,995,586 bytes)

Distro resources

Archlinux

Amazingly the X1C3 works out of the box on Archlinux. Only a couple of niggly issues remain:

• HDMI sound output does not work
• Trackpad is a horrible UX
• Resources for running with Archlinux

Debian

Debian Jessie worked out of the box via the Ethernet connection and a netinst image on USB. All buttons appear to work. Need some more time to test but amazing. Did install the non-free firmware and repos. Confirmed that HDMI audio does work however I had to configure the HDMI audio source to be higher in the list to be selected for output. ArchLinux above should work with proper settings.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu 14.10 on ThinkPad X1 Carbon 3rd Gen

Troubleshooting

Unrecoverable System Freezes

Users have reported freezes when their systems are under medium/heavy load or playing html5 videos (Youtube, Netflix) with the only option being a hard power off.

this issue is usually related to c-states, a power saving feature on intel CPUs

Fixes

Disabling c-states from bios (Easy)

This solution is simpler than the others since does not involve editing system files nor needs superuser access.

   1. Enter Bios Setup
   2. Config > Power Management > CPU Power Management > Disabled

Adding a Kernel parameter to GRUB Bootloader (Medium, needs administrator privileges)

This solutions applies only to GRUB Bootloader, if you're not using GRUB you should search instructions on how to add kernel parameters to the one you're using, the parameter should be the same.

   1. Edit file /etc/default/grub
   2. Locate the variable GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT.
   3. Add intel_idle.max_cstate=0 to the variable (0 should disable c-states falling back to acpi, 1 or 2 should work too). The variable should end similar to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=intel_idle.max_cstate=0 quiet"
   4. Run # update-grub as administrator to apply the new configuration.
   5. Reboot.

Bugzilla Bug report

ArchLinux forums