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Where are you finding a thinkpad with the i7 2.2GHz for <$800? The only way I can see this is if you're assuming the apple prices for RAM, etc., upgrades.

The middle range Lenovo W520 is close to being a $1000 under for identical configuration.

Lenovo: For $1275, you get a 2.4GHz i7, 1600x900 anti glare, and NVIDIA Quadro 1000M with 2GB of VRAM. ($200 more gets you a 1920x1080 anti glare display)

Apple: For $2350, you get a 2.4GHz i7, 1680x1050 anti glare, and a AMD 6770M with 1GB of VRAM.

That's the closest comparison I could come up with. Mind you MSRP on these models are pretty close, but Lenovo offers their web price and coupons quite frequently, so the realistic going price of a Lenovo is about 40% off of MSRP.


In comparison, the Lenovo has a workstation card with more VRAM (11% higher in benchmarks), but is only 16:9 while the MBP is 16:10. The Lenovo has much higher spec'd options though if you spend the money. The Lenovo also has 4 DIMM slots for RAM, while the MBP has 2. The Lenovo can be equipped with a Huey color sensor, the MBP can't (important for some).

The cost of the 3 year Applecare is $100 more than Lenovo's 3 year warranty with accident protection.

It's still Apple to Oranges, but at least now we're comparing fruit.
 
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