How do you test your new laptops?

Question

To the gurus or people who have researched this question:  How do you test your new laptops?
When you get a new laptop, what do you do to test it?
My X1Carbon might arrive in a couple weeks, and reading about all the failures and DOAs is scary. So assuming mine is not simply DOA, how do you shake out the less obvious or more obscure problems?
I did search for this info before posting. One other person asked the question, 
>> Would appreciate advice re optimal set-up and what testing/diagnostics to do to determine if ther...
but no one answered.

Answer 1

With testing I start with the basics and work my way to the harder stuff.
Inspect the external condition of the machine.
Boot and enter the BIOS before Windows. Review settings then power off.
Boot from Acronis True Image Home backup/recovery DVD and clone HDD or SSD and thus the factory image before it's ever booted to Windows.
Boot to Windows and look carefully at the Lenovo factory image and try to get an understanding for the Lenovo software and why it is there.  This does not include the other software from Microsoft, Google, etc.
Create Lenovo Factory Image DVD set with Rescue and Recovery.  Throw disk set in the box or put on the shelf in case the machine is ever re-sold.
Test all of the ports - I test every port on the machine for my expected usage.  For instance, in the case of the X1 Carbon I would confirm the mini DisplayPort connection works correctly with an external LCD panel.  If the machine had a IEEE firewire port or something, test that.  Test the USB 3.0 ports with a known working external external enclosure and verify transfer speeds.
Test the SSD speed with CrystalDiskMark, ATTO and AS Disk Benchmark software to get a good overview of the performance.
Install HWiNFO and look carefully at the components.  Observe turbo boosting, thermals and fan RPM over the course of a few days for battery and AC power.
Do at least one full battery discharge and recharge.  Observe the cycle and details are being properly displayed and recorded in Lenovo Power Manager.
Download all software and drivers from support.lenovo.com for the model being tested.  Confirm visually you have all the core components needed.  Core includes the drivers, power management driver, Power Manager, hotkeys, etc.
Flatten the machine and install Windows or Linux from scratch.  Install drivers and software.
Re-test ports and confirm the machine is working properly.
Benchmark the SSD again.  Confirm no change.
Install HWiNFO and confirm turbo, thermals and fan speeds are still proper.
Install core applications and test them.  There may be core features in Windows that also need to be installed and tested.  For instance, Windows 8 Hyper-V for virtualization. 
Connect any external devices you expect to use and test them.  For instance, video cameras, smartphones, mp3 players, digital cameras, printers, USB docks, etc.
Do several battery tests with your typical applications and behavior.  The goal here is to simulate how the machine will be used in your day-to-day setting or travel scenarios.  I usually do at least three tests.  This can be rather time consuming with long battery life machines so I get a lot of other testing out of the way first.
By the time you get to this point, if you haven't hit any major roadblocks you'll start to have a good feel for the machine, and if it is going to be a keeper or not.  The assumption here is that during this timeframe you have been observing the screen, keyboard, and trackpad performance to see if it's to your liking.  The other assumption is that you are using the machine and applications in the scenarios you are purchasing it for.
I don't run synthetic benchmarks.  I prefer to test a machine against the scenarios I expect to use it with.  I spend most of the first week making this assessment.  If any major hardware defects are present, the machine is automatically returned.  I do not repair machines just received.  No exceptions.
Week 2 is for ironing out any minor issues and assessing if the machine meets the requirements for the scenarios it will support.  If it does, it is kept.  If it does not, it is returned.  This week includes subjective and objective input.  You have to weigh the pros and cons for a machine against your priorities. It is rare that a machine is perfect so you have to decide the ROI for the machine.  Service and Support must be considered so week two might include a call to support for any unresolved issues.  Don't discount the service you receive during this period.
After week two, you are likely right on top of the last day to return a Lenovo machine.  The return period is 21 days from the invoice date (I believe), not the day the machine is received so make sure you are well aware of it.  After 21 days, the machine is yours for good unless you sell it.  Decision time.
Good luck.