Photos: Lenovo ThinkPad X300

[CaptainCaveMann]

This new ThinkPad has at least one major fault -- it uses Windoze.

'Nuff said......

+1

I love how people always come on the Mac forums and are like, "hey look at this new laptop it's so much better than any mac laptop, I'm gonna save my money and buy this instead because it's a better value!"

The problem with this thinking, is that obviously these people are not partial to the mac osx operating system. Therefore their arguments don't hold any weight with me. The reason I personally buy mac laptops is not because of their specs, it's because of the OS. These posts are so annoying, oh well.

 

[Ratty]

It's just another Thinkpad and not even IBM any more! The MBA is unique the X300 is just another expensive wanabe.....(I was with for IBM many years and worked on the device drivers for the some of the first Thinkpads models - Hummingbird ala 750)

 

[anirban]

I think the X300 does have a lot to offer to the people who would want to own only one computer. MBA is designed to be a companion machine. No matter how ugly the X300 may look, I have complete faith in its build quality. I have owned 4 Thinkpads, and they have been very durable.

 

[QCassidy352]

And about the Processor, i doubt you would really notice the difference in use anyway.

LOL if apple released anything with a 1.2 Ghz processor people on this forum would be *howling.*

IMO both are nice machines and do some things better than the other. The Air is going to be a lot faster, and is obviously a lot sexier. The x300 has more connectivity options.

It doesn't seem to me that one is obviously superior. Both are really good machines. But one thing that I would hope the x300 does do is shut up the whining fools who complain about the price of the Air. The x300 is right around the same when both are equipped with SSD. Yeah, it does actually cost a lot to get all that computer in to that tiny space. Who knew.

 

[ctt1wbw]

The x300 rulz! It has more than one usb port! It is sooo powerful!!!

 

[Adokimus]

There is no change necessary. Being concerned with a) social demands and b) appearances are evolutionary adaptations with viable and substantive purpose. Figure out why on your on.

And trust me, being "shallow" and concerned with outward appearances is hardly high school behavior. People who rail against judging on looks are, in fact, the people who haven't figured the true purpose of appearance.

Life means suffering, the origin of suffering is attachment, the cessation of suffering is attainable, the path to the cessation of suffering is the gradual path to self-improvement.

You can argue based on biological evolution all you want, but your interpretation of human evolution is stale and uninspiring. I suggest that you will find more fulfillment in life by discovering your own true purpose, rather than the true purpose of appearance. Figure out why on your own.

Cheers.

 

[raremage]

Give me an effing break. Where do you think your Mac is made? I wouldn't recommend you licking your ipod either.

Being made in China is not a detractor. Being made by Lenovo may be a detractor.

Before the IBM deal Lenovo was still a huge manufacturer of PCs, and their reputation for poor quality was pretty widely known. While this has not carried forward into the ThinkPads so far (reportedly IBM is guarding that brand carefully) there's always the fear that it could.

I bought a ThinkPad x61 Tablet about a year ago for use on a project. The battery failed within a month, the wireless adapter had to be replaced within three, and the stylus had to be replaced about three months ago.

On the other hand, my first Macbook Pro had to be replaced three days after purchase because it would randomly power off.

Build quality varies. The thing here is Lenovo used ot be known for poor quality products.

 

[Abstract]

The X300's only flaws are:

1. It's ugly
2. It uses Windows.


That's it. Wrap that thing up in Apple's anodized aluminium, put a 1.6 GHz processor in it, and sell it. That's what everyone wants, anyway.

The one flaw with the MBA are the tapered edges. Sure, it makes a slightly smaller machine look MUCH smaller (than it really is), but it limits the amount of internal space. Apple can't even take the design back. They can't say, "Sorry guys, we needed a bit more space and had to make the MBA a bit thicker this time." It's out. It was released like this, and if they really do need more space, they're not going to be able to take those tapered edges away, or make it thicker.

I'd bet if the tapered edges were not there, you'd be able to get at least 2 USB ports and possibly even an ethernet port (despite its thickness), and still keep it as thin as it is now.

 

[John.B]

I'd bet if the tapered edges were not there, you'd be able to get at least 2 USB ports and possibly even an ethernet port (despite its thickness), and still keep it as thin as it is now.

Its been said before but its worth repeating: The tapered edges on the back are probably what keeps it from being flimsy.

 

[Whorehay]

Life means suffering, the origin of suffering is attachment, the cessation of suffering is attainable, the path to the cessation of suffering is the gradual path to self-improvement.


Cheers.

Ain't that the noble truth?

 

[Adokimus]

Ain't that the noble truth?

all four of them in fact.

 

[eddy64]

Looks like the x300 has been reviewed.
Here

Looks to be very nice.

 

[SodiumBenzoate]

It weighs a lot for being made out of magnesium. It isn't fair to compare the Lenovo to the MBA when it doesn't share similarities. If Apple went thicker and added more weight using aluminum or same weight using magnesium I'm sure apple could beat Lenovo's specs.

Please know about things before you write about them.

The difference in weight between a magnesium-alloy case and an aluminum case is not much, seeing as magnesium-alloy is typically about 90% aluminum, and can be up to 95% aluminum - meaning that an equivalent volume of magnesium-alloy will have about 97% of the weight of aluminum. The main advantage of magnesium-alloy is that it is harder (not necessarily stronger - but less likely to dent or bend).

 

[ahaxton]

Please know about things before you write about them.

The difference in weight between a magnesium-alloy case and an aluminum case is not much, seeing as magnesium-alloy is typically about 90% aluminum, and can be up to 95% aluminum - meaning that an equivalent volume of magnesium-alloy will have about 97% of the weight of aluminum. The main advantage of magnesium-alloy is that it is harder (not necessarily stronger - but less likely to dent or bend).

I'm basing it off what I have seen in the photos of the X300. There's quite a number of choices of "magnesium" casings

 

[skulchalehum]

Skulchalehum

How can you say that? The Lenovo obviously had more than enough thought and design put into its making to have such a feature rich device. The Air is just a thin computer. No ultra thin drive...no stereo speakers. Just a faster processor and thin......

Who cares what the outside looks like? Honestly folks, it a computer, not a purse. If you're trying to impress someone with electronic devices, you're wrong.

Also Apple want to sell additional Optical Drive after you spend what you saved for MBA, and after using that optical drive the battery(whcih is fixed) of MBA will shrink in terms of time,
while in X300 you get six-cell swapable battery as standard and if you want more you can use the BAY battery in place of Optical Drive(which is really cool).

 

[cherry su]

I think the X300 does have a lot to offer to the people who would want to own only one computer. MBA is designed to be a companion machine. No matter how ugly the X300 may look, I have complete faith in its build quality. I have owned 4 Thinkpads, and they have been very durable.

Perhaps MacBook Air is a companion to the X300?

 

[SodiumBenzoate]

I'm basing it off what I have seen in the photos of the X300. There's quite a number of choices of "magnesium" casings

Exactly what have you seen in pictures of the X300 that claims that the magnesium case results in a significant weight reduction? It doesn't.

They may say it's a "magnesium" case, but it's really magnesium-alloy that is at least 90% aluminum. Pure magnesium is not at all useful to make cases with. It's very brittle, corrodes when exposed to air, and has the unfortunate quality of igniting fairly easily.

 

[Masquerade]

is ugly like a dog, but this is much more than a air. yes, you got all the ports, you got twice the battery if you want plus one or more in your bag, and you don't have to borrow anyone dvd drive (or ask him to burn a dvd, because you have the last generation personal notebook)...

 

[Jayrod]

Yeah, the Thinkpad is hideous. So it has an optical drive - big deal. I never really use my optical drive on my laptop that much anyhow. The MBA is not for all audiences - same as all ultra-portables. If you use an optical drive a lot when you are on the go, then the MBA isn't for you. Maybe that awkward looking chunk of plastic is more suited for your needs. Or better yet, buy a MacBook. Then you won't be embarrassed to take your laptop out of it's bag in public.

 

[BongoBanger]

Err... since Lenovos are pretty widely used in business I don't think anyone's going to be embarrassed.

Once again, these machines are for two different audiences and both have their good and bad points.