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Lenovo X1 Carbon: Difference between revisions

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This article outlines the various anti-consumer measures used in the Lenovo X1 Carbon series of laptops. Some concepts may overlap with [[Lenovo]]'s general practices.
This article outlines the various anti-consumer measures used in the Lenovo X1 Carbon series of laptops. Some concepts may overlap with [[Lenovo]]'s general practices, a Chinese-American multinational technology company.


=== Hardware Vendor Lockout (BIOS Whitelist) ===
=== Hardware Vendor Lockout (BIOS Whitelist) ===
Some (most) models of the Lenovo X1 Carbon will fail to POST if the user changes their WWAN broadband card to a WWAN card that is not on the Lenovo Vendor Whitelist<ref>https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/ThinkPad_mobile_Internet</ref>. If a user intends to use a WWAN card manufactured by another company, which are typically cheaper than the Lenovo factory-installed WWAN cards, the computer will not boot until the user removes the card. Evasion of these whitelists has been outlined in the ArchLinux wiki, but success is very limited. The intent behind this vendor-lockout is ambiguous, and not well-documented officially by Lenovo. Lenovo currently charges $298 USD to install a Quectel RM520N-GL 5G Sub6 from the factory<ref>[[File:Lenovo store screenshot.png|thumb]]
Most models of the Lenovo X1 Carbon will fail to post if the user changes their WWAN broadband card to a WWAN card that is not on the Lenovo Vendor Whitelist<ref name=":1">[https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/ThinkPad_mobile_Internet "ThinkPad mobile Internet"] - wiki.archlinux.org</ref>. If a user intends to use a WWAN card manufactured by another company, which are typically cheaper than the Lenovo factory-installed WWAN cards, the computer will not boot until the user removes the card. Evasion of these whitelists has been outlined in the ArchLinux wiki<ref name=":1" />, but success is very limited.  
</ref>. Some used options of similar modems can be purchased for $150 USD<ref>[https://www.ebay.com/itm/296886818084?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Zmer97QERgG&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY https://www.ebay.com/itm/296886818084]</ref>. 4G modems can be purchased for even less<ref>https://www.ebay.com/itm/196914042141</ref>.
 
The intent behind this vendor-lockout is ambiguous, and not well-documented officially by Lenovo.  
 
==== Resulting cost for the consumer ====
 
Lenovo currently charges $298 USD to install a Quectel RM520N-GL 5G Sub6 from the factory<ref name=":0" />.
[[File:Lenovo store screenshot.png|thumb|right| Pricing options for WWAN card (Lenovo X1 Carbon gen2) <ref name=":0"> [[:File:Lenovo store screenshot.png|Screenshot or pricing options for WWAN card of Lenovo Laptop]]</ref>]]
 
Some used options of similar modems can, at the time of writing, be purchased for $150 USD<ref>[https://www.ebay.com/itm/296886818084 "Quectel RM520N-GL"] - ebay.com - 17 Jan 2025 - Archived Page: https://archive.is/IkmZV</ref>. 4G modems can be purchased for even less<ref>[https://www.ebay.com/itm/196914042141 "NEW Dell V8KN6 Sierra Wireless AirPrime EM7455 DW5811e LTE 4G WWAN Card"] - ebay.com - 17 Jan 2025 - Archived Page: https://archive.is/uSubr</ref>.


== References ==
== References ==


[[Category:Product Line]]
[[Category:Product Line]]

Latest revision as of 13:28, 17 January 2025

This article outlines the various anti-consumer measures used in the Lenovo X1 Carbon series of laptops. Some concepts may overlap with Lenovo's general practices, a Chinese-American multinational technology company.

Hardware Vendor Lockout (BIOS Whitelist)[edit | edit source]

Most models of the Lenovo X1 Carbon will fail to post if the user changes their WWAN broadband card to a WWAN card that is not on the Lenovo Vendor Whitelist[1]. If a user intends to use a WWAN card manufactured by another company, which are typically cheaper than the Lenovo factory-installed WWAN cards, the computer will not boot until the user removes the card. Evasion of these whitelists has been outlined in the ArchLinux wiki[1], but success is very limited.

The intent behind this vendor-lockout is ambiguous, and not well-documented officially by Lenovo.

Resulting cost for the consumer[edit | edit source]

Lenovo currently charges $298 USD to install a Quectel RM520N-GL 5G Sub6 from the factory[2].

Pricing options for WWAN card (Lenovo X1 Carbon gen2) [2]

Some used options of similar modems can, at the time of writing, be purchased for $150 USD[3]. 4G modems can be purchased for even less[4].

References[edit | edit source]