[X1 Carbon] 8Gb option incompatible with i7 option?

[Arthur_Randolph]

I must choose between:

Intel Core i5-3427U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.80 GHz)

8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3L SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)

And:

Intel Core i7-3667U Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.20 GHz)

4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3L SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)

No way to pick 8 GB with the i7-3667U!

The tech spec seems to ambiguously confirm this:

http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/content/pdf/system_data/x1_carbon_tech_specs.pdf

Note the "Up to 8 GB DDR3 1333MHz with 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5-3427U Processors"

[gdpotter]

I agree, this is really a horrible choice to make... I'm leaning towards i5 right now since I think the additional RAM would be better but I don't know what to do!

Does anybody know WHY 8GB doesn't work with the i7? Heat?

[RedEd12 Retired Support Specialist]

Hey guys,

I can confirm that in the X1 Carbon the i5 supports 8GB of RAM and the i7 only up to 4GB. I'm not certain why but I'm going to try to find out and repost the answer here hopefully later today.

Best regards,

Ed

[gdpotter]

I could maybe understand heat (I've read reviews where they say the computer gets really hot), but size shouldn't matter since the i5 is the same size as the i7--unless they're giving us something extra with the i7 like Thunderbolt (though I doubt that).

[george99]

Is the RAM removable?  If so, I could add my own RAM and get the i7

[alex1906 Retired Support Specialist]

Hello george99,

The X1 Carbon has OnBoard system memory.

The system memory chip is planer, there is no SoDIMM slot.  Therefore, the memory is not interchangeable.

Hope this helps,

Alex

[george99]

So no chance of seeing an X1 Carbon with i7 and 8GB in a few weeks or some time soon?

I googled a comparison between the 2 processors, and there is very little difference.  The i5 is slower, and uses more watts (which makes me wonder how it would actually run cooler than the i7 if it uses more power).  That's it.  All the other specs are the same.

So I suppose I could go with an i5, because the 8GB is far more important to me.  I just don't want to buy it now, and a week later see i7 with 8GB on Lenovo.com.

[alex1906 Retired Support Specialist]

The 8Gb of ram does seem like an important part, but I personally think it is due to a heat issue.  There is a small chance the construction of the X1 Carbon will be changed anytime soon, if ever.

There is always a chance but a slim one.  Most of the time when a computer is released like the X1 Carbon it is the way it is.  Some options just aren't available, but for good reason.

I hope this helps,

Alex

[dualmonitors]

it is incorrect to say that the 2 i5 options use more power than the i7 option.

i just checked.

kindly show us what was your source of information or misinformation and let's try to clear this up.

thx.

[george99]

http://compare-processors.com/core-i7-3667u-vs-i5-3427u/4969/

17 watts for i7 vs 35 watts for i5.