I have a gen 2 x1 carbon that I got from work many years ago, so I know the machine.  It's a hard laptop to beat at any price.  My gen 1 cost $1700.00(ish) new...  I got this gen 5 for $172.00!Condition: There are no noticeable scratches or dings on the machine.  The surface has lost it's "luster" from human touch so you can tell its been used but nothing that I'd call "wear".  Maybe a few buff/rub marks.  Nothing that you are not going to be putting on the machine in the first year anyway.  Keys all look and perform like new.  There is a spot where a sticker was, that said "intel inside" or something to that effect (under where your left palm would rest on the machine), that has been worn off and you can see a bit of the outline from where it was placed.  That is probably the biggest clue its been used.BE CAREFUL IF YOU NEED MORE RAM...  the gen 5 DOES NOT HAVE EXPANSION SLOTS.  The only way to upgrade is a new system board.  DO NOT BUY IF YOU PLAN ON UPGRADING RAM!!!!!  YOU CANNOT!!!I do a lot of video work and massive powerpoint / visio presentations and excel spreadsheets.  Often I have multiple large apps and files open together and the 8 gig RAM holds up just fine.  Based on my experience with other brand machines 8 gig does not seem to be adequate so don't let the RAM dissuade you unless you definitely know you need extensive multi-media capabilities.  I assume if you need that much performance, you are savy enough to know this machines limitations by its specs.Laptop battery:  I've never had a new laptop come even close to its claimed battery endurance, this one seems to be about what I'd expect.  Tests by online resources with new gen 5 x1's, running 10 pro, state a duration of about 6 hours unless battery saver mode it on, then up to 13 hours.  Mine ran 5.5 on battery (being used for battery draining video/media work) before I plugged it in.  So BRAVO!There is a factory defect on the keyboard of all gen 5's that has nothing to do with the refurb.  So don't open yours up and send it back thinking the keyboard is shot!  The keyboard has mislabeled the $ and the ".  They are reversed on the keyboard.  There are many articles online to document this should you have an issue finding the location of the keys.  You can order replacement keys from Lenovo if you really need to have clarity on which key does what.  Another option, if you have the will, is to apply a fix that will change the programming to match the existing keyboard...  For me the right solution was a bit of nail polish.Good luck to you on your purchase.  I've had many refurbs...  its the way to go!  If there is a defect Amazon refurb will exchange for a new one so don't think its "to good to be true".  This is a good buy.