Regarding the screen, I'm considering it's a defect but I'd think it would be less uniform. Lenovo panels also have a history of this effect. This will probably be one of those things that depends on the person to see/notice. However, as much as I'd like to say otherwise, it's certainly not in my head and I double-checked by comparison a white background on the MacBook Air 11" to be sure.
I did consider the placebo/psychosomatic possibility after reading on other forums that some other early adopters report the screen as excellent, but it's just not possible to say it isn't there once you see it despite the otherwise indeed excellent IPS display. It's a faint, almost film-like gray "grid" or honeycomb pattern in the screen most noticeable--or perhaps to be fair only noticeable-- on white and gray backgrounds. In my years of pickiness about screens, nothing about this one makes me think it's a unique manufacturing defect of my machine and I think we all have the same production run in all likelihood. So it's probably dependent on the person to notice. One thing I've read is that it could be related to Lenovo's touchscreen tech.
But it's nothing like the X1C's. I hope other users can get their hands on the machine soon to report back and make me appear less crazy here.
Assuming it's going to show up on other models (not guaranteed as yet; wait for other anecdotes), keep a few things in mind as you guys lurk for impressions:
* It's slightly distracting with text on white when you are in tablet mode (since that's when you are looking more up-close at the screen), but not enough to upset me. I've gone through probably a half dozen personal laptops in the last year on account of various nits and picks, so that's saying something. Definitely can't notice it in laptop mode ~2ft away from the screen. Tablet mode is where it could bother you if it does.
* My wife needed her glasses to see it. We're in our 30s and her prescription is pretty weak. So it's not something that jumps out at you as on the X1C.
* Since it's indeed 1080p on an 11.6" screen--or so I assume this is why-- the "grid" effect is pretty small. Way smaller than the X1C's lower res 14" panel for sure.
BTW, TPFC has drastically improved my experience as well. No more fan complaints! Wonderful. I am also pretty clueless about the pen stuff so I can't help with that. Seems like the Surface Pro's to me as well but I'm certainly no artist. Limited utility for a non-artist IMO.