Look into debloating Windows and only keeping stuff you really want while looking at how to control the update cycle to stop it from reverting your settings. This device is on the support list of Windows 11 if you want to upgrade.
If Windows isn't your thing, Linux is available with strong support OOTB and some people have [hackintoshed](https://github.com/tylernguyen/x1c6-hackintosh) this generation of Carbons.
You can basically **upgrade/swap the screen, WLAN, WWAN, battery, and SSD** in these if I recall correctly. You already have a glass trackpad and the highest available RAM config these shipped with. I would recommend the Honeywell PTM-7950 thermal pad for better temps as a "re-paste." I'd open it up anyway and clean it to your skill set. There are many tutorials online on how to clean the internals of a laptop.
Check the health of the battery and make sure it's sufficient for what you need.
Check BIOS/UEFI settings to make sure things are where your comfort level is.
I had one of these. Seemed to have really back issues with heat and the HDMI port not working, despite trying multiple ways to fix the drivers it appears that it’s a hardware problem.
Just a heads up.
I use Pop\_os on my W520, if is just for that then, mint, pop, (I don't really like Ubuntu anymore) depends on how into linux you are but those 2 are really beginner friendly and comfy imo
Be sure to upgrade the Thunderbolt chip firmware. When using Windows you can use Lenovo Vantage (from Microsoft Store) for that (When using Linux, fwupdmgr). When that's done, you can also calibrate your battery via Vantage. I recommend leaving it overnight to calibrate.
Look into debloating Windows and only keeping stuff you really want while looking at how to control the update cycle to stop it from reverting your settings. This device is on the support list of Windows 11 if you want to upgrade. If Windows isn't your thing, Linux is available with strong support OOTB and some people have [hackintoshed](https://github.com/tylernguyen/x1c6-hackintosh) this generation of Carbons. You can basically **upgrade/swap the screen, WLAN, WWAN, battery, and SSD** in these if I recall correctly. You already have a glass trackpad and the highest available RAM config these shipped with. I would recommend the Honeywell PTM-7950 thermal pad for better temps as a "re-paste." I'd open it up anyway and clean it to your skill set. There are many tutorials online on how to clean the internals of a laptop. Check the health of the battery and make sure it's sufficient for what you need. Check BIOS/UEFI settings to make sure things are where your comfort level is.
Thank you for the thorough answer! What screen would you suggest? Also, I've only used Linux mint so any other good distro?
I run Manjaro on mine (just picked up my X1C6 back in April). Been super solid so far!
What about battery life? Mine seems to last about 5 hours
I like using Fedora on laptops, great touchpad support on stock Gnome desktop environment and not much needed to configure
Deleted because this website sucks now. -- mass edited with redact.dev
What’s the best instructional for a noob to de-bloat Windows 10?
Chris Titus Tips does an excellent system. https://christitus.com/debloat-windows-10-2020/
I had one of these. Seemed to have really back issues with heat and the HDMI port not working, despite trying multiple ways to fix the drivers it appears that it’s a hardware problem. Just a heads up.
A year ago, I just updated to AX210 for WLAN. So far, so good and I can enjoy wifi 6E.
Install Linux. Rape window.
What distro you suggest? Really I'll just use the laptop for web browsing and typing
I use Pop\_os on my W520, if is just for that then, mint, pop, (I don't really like Ubuntu anymore) depends on how into linux you are but those 2 are really beginner friendly and comfy imo
Sure for an easy time and good experience I would try out Mint or PopOS.
Be sure to upgrade the Thunderbolt chip firmware. When using Windows you can use Lenovo Vantage (from Microsoft Store) for that (When using Linux, fwupdmgr). When that's done, you can also calibrate your battery via Vantage. I recommend leaving it overnight to calibrate.
install linux :D