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Mossberg Previews Lenovo ThinkPad X300, Pits Against MacBook Air

shadowfax said:
Seams like the X300 has the MBA beaten to the floor in terms of performance, hardware features, screen real estate.
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Performance-wise, the MBA indeed ships with either a 1.6 GHz or 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, but you would expect Apple to keep updating their CPUs, right? And as for hardware features, the MBA also has some features the X300 lacks, like the multi-touch trackpad or backlit keyboard. And, most importantly, since you mention screen real estate, while it's true the X300 built-in screen's top resolution is higher than the MBA's, the latter has a micro-DVI output that allows both for some hefty screen real estate expansion at home (23'' ACD, anyone? ;) ) and for using an external projector to give presentations, one of the tasks where ultramobiles usually come in very handy...
 
Why is the world would anyone even compare a Windows machine to the MBA.

The bottom line is the MBA runs OSX.

For you pot smoking idiots. The MBA is clearly a supreme machine.
 
Mainyehc said:
Performance-wise, the MBA indeed ships with either a 1.6 GHz or 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, but you would expect Apple to keep updating their CPUs, right?
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You'd expect any computer manufaturer, including Lenovo, to do the same, right?

And as for hardware features, the MBA also has some features the X300 lacks, like the multi-touch trackpad or backlit keyboard.
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And what else?

And, most importantly, since you mention screen real estate, while it's true the X300 built-in screen's top resolution is higher than the MBA's, the latter has a micro-DVI output that allows both for some hefty screen real estate expansion at home (23'' ACD, anyone? ;)
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So? having you guys been saying all along, when pointed to the restrictions of the MBA, that the MBA isn't "meant to be your only computer"? On the road, you cannot bring an ekstra screen to get the real estate on the MBA you get on the X300.


) and for using an external projector to give presentations, one of the tasks where ultramobiles usually come in very handy...
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Yup, among other things. Are you saying that the X300 cannot be connected to a projector? Even if, if that is what you do, you won't need either computer. You could use any computer. It's hardly "bring it along to connect it to a projector" I would call the essense of a "road warrior".
Ultramobiles (which, btw, none of the two are) are for getting work done "on the road".

If, however, a plug for that high(er) resolution external screen/projector was your main concern, why not dump them both, and get this instead (it does 1920x1200 too:

http://www.oqo.com/intl/products/modele2/specifications.html
 
JOHNGAETANO said:
Why is the world would anyone even compare a Windows machine to the MBA.

The bottom line is the MBA runs OSX.

For you pot smoking idiots. The MBA is clearly a supreme machine.
Click to expand...

LOL, with that argument, they could sell you a Mac with 667mHz CPU, 256MB ram and a 10 GB harddisk, and it would still be a "supreme machine".

I guess it's obvious who's the pot smoking idjit around here.
 
appleretailguy said:
Isn't that with two batteries though? Wouldn't that up the weight to 4-5 lbs?
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From the looks of it, the big battery pack would put the weight at 3.16 lbs. That's a mere .16 lbs. more than the Airbook. Oh, and you can carry an extra too :p
 
netdog said:
There is so much concern for specs here, and so little for working with beauty.
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I don't take my pretty Morgan to move furniture. I take the vehicle best suited to the job.

P.S. No, I don't own a morgan – it was an example.
 
Tosser said:
From the looks of it, the big battery pack would put the weight at 3.16 lbs. That's a mere .16 lbs. more than the Airbook. Oh, and you can carry an extra too :p
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Yeah, but the point of an ultraportable is NOT having to carry extra stuff you don't need.

I think the last 12" powerbook is still king when it comes to portability and size. I'm having a hard time letting go of mine.
 
Tosser said:
Yup, among other things. Are you saying that the X300 cannot be connected to a projector? Even if, if that is what you do, you won't need either computer. You could use any computer. It's hardly "bring it along to connect it to a projector" I would call the essense of a "road warrior".
Ultramobiles (which, btw, none of the two are) are for getting work done "on the road".
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I can't agree with you on this one... Yes, FWIW, the X300 can't connect to an external screen. And, while having an external screen at home for a MBA would be dumb at best (since you'd likely have another main desktop/laptop computer anyway), as would be sharing same screen with the aforementioned main computer by means of a KVM switch, the use of a projector is not a moot point. I can easily envision an executive finishing up a Keynote/Powerpoint presentation while "on-the-road" (or on a plane, whatever), and delivering it on his destination point, which could easily be a projector-equipped conference room.

Same goes for hip, rich youngsters who will want to take their MBAs (pun unintended :p ) to classes to show off their laptops presentations... For example, on the Lisbon Faculty of Fine Arts, everyone in the Communication [graphic] Design class, which I also attend, takes their Macbooks and Macbook Pros to class for working but also giving presentations, even though they could on occasion, theoretically, save themselves the hassle and use one of the school's Powerbooks instead, since our presentations are mostly produced with InDesign in .PDF format anyway :rolleyes: . As for me, I don't usually take my 20'' G5 iMac to class... 8 Kg is a bit too much for me to carry in the subway :D .
If, however, a plug for that high(er) resolution external screen/projector was your main concern, why not dump them both, and get this instead (it does 1920x1200 too:

http://www.oqo.com/intl/products/modele2/specifications.html
Click to expand...

As for the OQO... while it's a fantastically cool, ex-Apple-engineer-designed device, you could either get an iPhone/Touch or wait for the fabled MacTablet... thanks, but for now, even if I was in the market for one of those things, I'd pass everything that has "Vista" on its screen :rolleyes: .
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minkintosh
What about the built in camera and microphone on the MBA? Does the x300 have that?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sterlingindigo
Or look as sexy? I would never bring the Lenovo to a knife fight, too unwieldy.

Tosser said:
Oh yes, a computer that weighs from much less to just .16 lbs more than the Airbook and has a smaller footprint all of a sudden is "unwieldy"? Are you kidding me?
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Yeah, hey tosser: sharp! ;)
 
Marion said:
Well, so far I'm not that impressed :confused: by the width and depth of these new super "slim" laptop (either MBA or X300).

If I remember, more than 6 years ago, the T4x series of IBM was 12" x 10" x 1" with a 14.1" screen (up to 1400x1050). You had the option for the best processor around :) and was able to fit the biggest 2.5" hard drive available :) (super easy to swap). There was option to switch the CD/DVD burner for a 2nd HD :) or another battery or nothing to save weight. You had all the necessary ports (even parallel, which I agree is not really useful in these modern days) and 2x pcmcia slots. Weight was between 4 to 5 pounds. :(

Today we have the MBA 13" x 9" X less than 3/4". That is 117 square inches compare to 120 for the T4x series. :( To gain 3 square inches, you need to go for a smaller screen:mad:, less ports:(, lack of HD flexibility:mad:, no CD/DVD:( and no way to change battery on the fly:eek:. Also, less processor power:confused: and less max RAM:(. On the pro side you're gaining a bit more than a pound :D and a slimmer design:), but at what cost? Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think the techno humanity did such a great step within the last 6 years :confused: (comparing the pros and the cons).

It's my 2 cents. :p
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Best post of the week using colors!
 
shadowfax said:
It looks to me like the MBA only has three or four advantages over this laptop:
1. It's not butt-ugly, in fact it's beautifully designed and it's made out of sturdier Aluminum
2. It has the awesome Multitouch trackpad
3. It runs Mac OS X legally and easily.
4. It might have better battery life, depending on configuration... I doubt it will if you put a spare battery in that drive bay.
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Add faster processor and cheaper price to the list of MBA.

In the end, Lenovo offers a much more expensive laptop in a slightly heavier and thicker package, with a shorter battery life, smaller hard disk, 50% slower processor that runs Vista (which will slow it down even further) in return for a few extra ports, a DVD drive and removable battery. Oh, and it offers only VGA instead of DVI. I don't think Lenovo is that attractive.
 
shameless mac fanboys:cool:
the x300 has 3 usb ports, Gb ethernet, WiMax, 3G, DVD burner (Yes, in a .92 inch machine!), stereo speakers, microphone jack, card reader, removable battery.....(everything mba doesn't have)
and it also has webcam, microphone, bluetooth, 802.11n...etc
It only weighs 2.5 lbs without the expansion bay!

It's a machine that you can use as your primary computer (if you don't game or have other special interest of course) It's a bit slow but Core 2 Duo 1.2GHz should be faster than you think.
And you can connect to the internet anywhere
But I don't think anyone could live with 1 USB, no ethernet, no dvd etc...

Perhaps it's not as sexy as the macbook air, I think it still looks better.
Just like every other thinkpads, it looks RELIABLE
(I really hate MBA's BLACK keyboard and glossy screen, with a wide edge beside the monitor)
 
I agree. If I am a road warrior, I don't want a cute, trendy laptop to show off at starbucks, I want something I can trust when I'm in the middle of nowhere.(and I can already see the posts about Vista coming, I run Ubuntu, so that problem is solved). I want something that I don't mind dinging up. The aluminum on my macbook pro warps and gets scratched and dusted so easily. For serious traveling, I would much prefer the thinkpad (especially since it holds two batteries, awesome feature)
 
redrabbit said:
I agree. If I am a road warrior, I don't want a cute, trendy laptop to show off at starbucks, I want something I can trust when I'm in the middle of nowhere.(and I can already see the posts about Vista coming, I run Ubuntu, so that problem is solved). I want something that I don't mind dinging up. The aluminum on my macbook pro warps and gets scratched and dusted so easily. For serious traveling, I would much prefer the thinkpad (especially since it holds two batteries, awesome feature)
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Except most road warriors tend to be corporate types -- salespeople, execs, and the like. Somehow I doubt they'd be using Linux.

The techies that populate boards like this really don't seem to grasp that most computer users aren't interested in mucking about with the hardware and software any more than most drivers are interested in tuning and tweaking their vehicles. They're interested in something that "just works." For the majority, Windows is "good enough." Apple is pushing the "just works" -- and slowly changing some people's minds. Individuals will generally choose one or the other based on what's important to them.
 
TechHistorian said:
Except most road warriors tend to be corporate types -- salespeople, execs, and the like. Somehow I doubt they'd be using Linux.

The techies that populate boards like this really don't seem to grasp that most computer users aren't interested in mucking about with the hardware and software any more than most drivers are interested in tuning and tweaking their vehicles. They're interested in something that "just works." For the majority, Windows is "good enough." Apple is pushing the "just works" -- and slowly changing some people's minds. Individuals will generally choose one or the other based on what's important to them.
Click to expand...

I think road warriors like windows more than mac os x. to them, apple is just childish - just see the getamac ads.
they usually want security as well as expandability (fingerprint, usb...)
 
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