Lenovo X300 vs. Apple MacBook Air... Fight!

As long as Lenovo is drawing a direct comparison between their own X300 and the MacBook Air, we thought we'd go ahead and put them side-by-side for you. So dear reader, how do you define perfection?

[Smithers @ Feb 15th 2008 7:28AM]

X300 FTW. Got a question about the price. Does the Lenovo come in a HDD option or only SSD?

[loz @ Feb 15th 2008 7:31AM]

I'd take the thinkpad in the Mac allum shell running OS X.

[Don Rober @ Feb 15th 2008 7:47AM]

It does come with either a 64 solid state drive or 120 GB Hard Drive.

[Matthew @ Feb 15th 2008 7:50AM]

I'd take the air. You get OSX instead of crappy Vista and save $1k. And get much more wow factor when using it in public.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Feb 15th 2008 8:03AM]

@Matthew: Well those are your priorities, and you're certainly welcome to them.

I'm in love with that X300, though I would love it to run OSX. The next computer I buy will definitely run OSX.

[SimonRichards @ Feb 15th 2008 8:13AM]

X300 + OSX86 = WIN!

[Jon @ Feb 15th 2008 8:17AM]

@ Matthew,

I think I prefer to put usability in front of wowing the public. But that is just me. I like my gadgets practical.

[insertAlias @ Feb 15th 2008 8:57AM]

@Matthew
I think that you just defined everything that the Air is about. Wow factor. Or, in other words, something to make random idiots tell you that your laptop is cool when you sit outside just so people can see your laptop.

Now me, I prefer substance over style, but I actually really like the Thinkpad style as well. Tough, unassuming, and utilitarian. Nothing wrong with glossy, round and silver, but if I want a work laptop, I'm going with Lenovo.

[bondsbw @ Feb 15th 2008 9:06AM]

Hmmm... I sense... MS fanboy mods... yes....

[Ignacio @ Feb 15th 2008 9:25AM]

Should the fact that the Lenovo X300 uses a LV (low voltage) 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo processor (slow) while the MacBook Air uses a 1.6 or 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo (not earth shattering but not slow by any accounts) be mentioned somewhere in that chart?

[hans @ Feb 15th 2008 10:08AM]

@insertAlias: if you ask me, I don't think MBA is all form factor. I use OSX at work and home and it's pretty solid, and very utilitarian. I don't plan ever to buy a MBA, but if I did, the lack of cdrom and 1 USB port would not bother me. I rarely use my cdrom on the go, and I have a bluetooth mouse. The only part that I feel was a mistake was not to include an ethernet port. MBA was not meant to be a main computer. It's supposed to be an on-the-go computer.
Let's see how the X300 does battery-wise, and how that CPU beats the MBA (not on chart?).

[Andrew @ Feb 15th 2008 9:32AM]

Jeez, yeah, you're right. I sit in the middle since I have a MacBook but am just as happy with a PC, but you guys do sound too much like PC fanboys. The article asked for your opinion, Matthew gave his. If yours is different then fine, but let him have his.

I think the Air is built for a market which Apple isn't really a part of. That's the onsite guys who are always on the go carrying around a laptop that they want the be small and light and don't need a whole lot fancy but need portable first and foremost.

Unfortunately that's not really Apple's forte. I think the Air is an important step though, but it's not enough personally for me. In fact, I bought my MacBook AFTER the Air announcement. Just like every Apple product though, I'm sure the second version will be MUCH better.

[madgunde @ Feb 15th 2008 9:55AM]

@Ignacio
Yeah really. I mean, if the situation were reversed, PC fanboys would be making a big stink about how underpowered the processor is, now suddenly it's not even important enough to list on the comparison chart?

Have fun running Vista on such an UNDERPOWERED machine. At least you can watch DVDs while you wait for your apps to load, but unfortunately that will leave you with less battery life to get anything done.

[Brassen @ Feb 15th 2008 10:01AM]

@Ryan

I would take the X300 and get OSX on it... or not?

=)

[joe23521 @ Feb 15th 2008 10:02AM]

@Matthew:

Yeah, you'll certainly get a lot of "Wow"s in public, like "Wow, what an idiotic way to have spent 3 grand!" or "Wow, there's an Apple fan boy if I've ever seen one!" or "Wow, that dude actually thinks his laptop is cool!"

[Jeff @ Feb 15th 2008 10:23AM]

The X300 is clearly the better machine. Its problem is price. Lenovo needs a version with a regular hard drive.

My prediction: despite the price, the X300 will sell around 10 times more units than the MacBook Air. Yet somehow, the MacBook Air will continue to receive 90% of the press.

[insertAlias @ Feb 15th 2008 10:33AM]

@hans
I never said anything about the OS. I have no problem with OS X, actually I kinda like it. But I've seen the benchmark tests on the MBA, and the iPod harddrive cripples it. Sure, it's got a decent processor and ram, but anything that does a lot of read/write cycles will surely bring the MBA to it's knees. And the bench tests for the SSD didn't fare all that much better, surprisingly.

@Andrew
Sure, he can have his opinion, nobody can take that away from him. But we can also have _our_ opinions about somebody who puts "public wow factor" high on their priority list for a laptop.

[96rt10 @ Feb 15th 2008 11:31AM]

Lenovo sucks. They screwed me out of a month of my warranty. I'd get the Air and put Linux on it. Compiz is the big!

[Matt @ Feb 15th 2008 12:28PM]

I find it funny that the Apple people make a deal about processor saying the faster processor is a big deal, then 2 seconds later say that no ethernet, and only 1 USB (that is almost unusable when on a desk) is a moot point because it is a computer for on the move people. Both seem to go hand in hand. I prefer to sacrifice power on my CPU for battery life. My Fuji 7120D right now has a Pentium M ULV processor and is underpowered, but I can get ~8.5 hours battery life. Well worth the trade off in my book. It runs compiz fusion great, so I am happy. The X300 might be a good upgrade option in the future though....

[Nick @ Feb 15th 2008 1:45PM]

@ joe23521
"Wow, what an idiotic way to have spent 3 grand!"

If a person only needs the base model of these two laptops the MBA is cheaper even after you add in the portable superdrive.

[cromas @ Feb 15th 2008 1:58PM]

Let me revise that:

X300 + OSX86 FTW.

[Carl Vitullo @ Feb 15th 2008 2:09PM]

@96rt10
How? no optical drive.
you'd have to hack it so you could install from usb stick (proving that you need to hack anything from apple to make it particularly useful) or buy the superdrive, and $100 for linux is a bit steep.

[PSM @ Feb 15th 2008 4:03PM]

Seems to me most people buying these machines are buying them because they're small. Otherwise why would you want something relatively underpowered. The MBA is still much smaller based on these specs, and on average the same weight, so that makes the most sense to me. Plus it runs OS X.

I use a laptop as my primary computer so I have no place in my life for a secondary mini-laptop, but if I did it would be a no-brainer to go with the MBA. If I wanted 3 USB ports, ethernet and a CD drive I'd get a real laptop. This is a niche market for people who would rather be minimalist.

[Mike @ Feb 16th 2008 12:59AM]

its not just the Wow factor for you ms fanboys.. you get OSX rather than windows xp/vista. thats a major plus for macbook air. THATS the meaning of 'usability'

[brickwood @ Feb 15th 2008 7:30AM]

x300.. the clear cut winner..

[jimmy @ Feb 15th 2008 7:59AM]

finish him

[Pismodude @ Feb 15th 2008 8:00AM]

Yeah, from the stats up there, it appears that niether of them have a multitouch trackpad, webcam, full-sized keyboard, RAM, or any processing capabilities. Could this possibly be to make the Macbook Air look worse? I wouldn't know, but it sure looks like the person who made this article was trying to make the Air look like $#!+...

[Paul @ Feb 15th 2008 8:33AM]

@Pismodule, while you might ave a point with the RAM / CPU capabilities (as in I would like to see what how they compare)

I am willing to bet that they both have full sized keyboards (they both have the same size screen which ussually dictates the area available for a keyboard).

The Multi-touch trackpad seems to be a big gimick to me without a large practicle purpose. Sure, you can zoom in on pictures with two fingers, but I can do that now by just using the scroll area of my trackpad.

As for a built in webcam, that is not really an important feature to me and is not something I would consider in buying a laptop.

[Adoniteking @ Feb 15th 2008 8:35AM]

In the spirit of valentine i guess it depends:

do you want a girlfriend who is wife material; can cook, complete all household chore and can easily have fun on a night out but she aint a knockout just good-looking and she also nags sometimes
or
would you be interested in a very beautiful high maintenance size zero "blonde" model who does cooking quite well and loves a night out but very lazy with the chores?

[Skeezle @ Feb 15th 2008 8:53AM]

@Paul:
"The Multi-touch trackpad seems to be a big gimick to me without a large practicle purpose"
Something similar to this was said in the late 70's about the mouse. It was a novelty, a toy and not a 'real' computer tool.
You just can't see the practicality of it yet.

I agree, there were many features omitted from the comparison. Sort of like the Hyndai commercials that compare their car to a Mercedes and declare Hyndai the winner. One of the biggest omissions (low ranker trolls get ready!) is the ability to run OSX, or whatever OS you want on it. If a computer doesn't run OSX, it isn't even in the consideration.

[Pismodude @ Feb 15th 2008 9:10AM]

@Paul:
I know that they MAY have the same sized keyboard, and MAY have the built-in webcam, but I STILL don't KNOW... I don't know, therefore, I am not buying.

P.S. The Air's trackpad was actually really useful. Kind of like the difference between a mouse with a scroll wheel and one without ;-)

[Surur @ Feb 15th 2008 9:06AM]

Skeezie, I think you are the troll...

[Hax Or @ Feb 15th 2008 9:34AM]

I agree. Can't run OSX? Then it's not really a computer is it?

[Juice @ Feb 15th 2008 9:50AM]

@Adoniteking

What? So the MacBook Air is the size zero blond? Is she good in bed? Cuz sometimes the "cooking wives" are the freakiest.

[Skeezle @ Feb 15th 2008 2:40PM]

@surur
Yeah, possibly a troll - if nothing else terribly opinionated. But you ABSOLUTELY are a troll!
You have great disdain for Apple, regardless what the post is about. What's the matter did they fire you after the floors weren't spotless? Or did Steve Jobs not answer your fan mail?

[PSM @ Feb 15th 2008 4:09PM]

Personally I think this comparison makes the MBA look better. Smaller and cheaper to boot. The MBA is not designed for people who want a full-featured laptop, there are other products for that. The X300 may be a good middle ground for some people, but it's not competing directly with the MBA for that real smallness and light weight. It might fit in a manilla envelope, but it looks like it would be like carrying a textbook in the envelope, vs. the Air which looks more like a magazine.

After reading a previous post which was setting up the X300 as the MBA-killer, I just assumed it would be. After reading these specs I see it's not really the same kind of product, maybe more of a Macbook killer or something, if anything running Windows could be said to be so.

[mr.me! @ Feb 15th 2008 7:31AM]

Macbook Air has the nicer looking envelope, therefore it wins

[Kizorblade @ Feb 15th 2008 9:44AM]

Yeah but people are arguing about practicality and stuff.

I don't blame them. A bag will kick a manila envelope's ass any day.

[MEAT! @ Feb 15th 2008 10:37AM]

But that gray envelope is more utilitarian! How dare you, you manila envelope fanboy! Everyone knows it's easier to read handwriting on battleship gray than "environment-killing yellow." What, you'd hurt the environment with that harmful yellow dye just so you can sit in a Starbucks for the "wow!" factor?


"You people and your slight differences disgust me!"

[Asha @ Feb 15th 2008 8:09PM]

Pitty the Mac Book Air kind of sucks balls. Honestly, I'm seen one in the wild and I have to say I was thoroughly unimpressed. Who cares if it is uber thin? That is all it has going for it.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Feb 15th 2008 7:32AM]

for the price and features i'd go with lenovo. Just for good looks, it's apple.

[joe23521 @ Feb 15th 2008 10:11AM]

That's exactly it. If all I want is good looks, I'd go out and buy a painting.
I love sexy gadgets, but function should never be so severely sacrificed for form.
This is probably the most ridiculous Apple product I've seen in a long time. And I'm not an Apple hater by any stretch.

[Jeff @ Feb 15th 2008 12:30PM]

The Macbook Air comes with a faster processor, larger HD, and many other "features" not listed here, for nearly $1,000 less.

what are you talking about?

[CJ @ Feb 17th 2008 6:16AM]

@Jeff

A faster processor, I grant you, but most of that speed would be wasted when you're using the HDD, WHICH, I can add, is only an 80gig PATA, as opposed to a 120gig SATA (both have an optional 64gig SSD, so it's pointless to mention it.)

[RaynorWolfcastle @ Feb 15th 2008 7:34AM]

Between the extra USB ports, removable battery, Ethernet port, and internal optical drive, how can anyone not choose the X300 over the MBA in terms of hardware? If you're dead set on OS X though, there's not much choice, however.

[DownwardMonkey @ Feb 15th 2008 1:17PM]

Could it be... And this is just a guess here... That not everyone wants or needs what you want?

The MBA loses nothing that I need and comes in slimmer and cheaper. Perfect for my current laptop needs.

We nerds seem incapable of accepting that not everyone needs the extra stuff we claim is a must have.

[Paul @ Feb 15th 2008 8:35AM]

OSX86 Project, nuff said.

[Josh* @ Feb 15th 2008 8:41AM]

@Paul: I'd sooner run XP than a choppy unsupported version of OSX. And hey, on a Mac, I can! On a machine that doesn't look like ass, to boot!

[mrblack @ Feb 15th 2008 1:17PM]

Just because you brought it up, I'll say this; Apple products are very nice visually, great design, sturdy construction, but the problem is that's their ONLY design. The smooth, rounded edge, bar-of-soap, minimalist design. If you want to stand out, getting a mac is a pretty sh*tty way to do it, because EVERYONE who has a mac has a computer that looks EXACTLY like yours.

When you're like me and you have a macbook on a college campus, you do much more blending in than standing out. I have a friend who has a sweet-looking sony vaio running dual-boot windows vista and OSX86 and I couldn't be more jealous.

My point is, I don't think I'm alone when I say, I love OSX, but there are OTHER laptops out there that I would like to use! Apple, if you're not going to make any variety in your hardware line, then for god-sake release and open-hardware version of OSX.

[Carl Vitullo @ Feb 15th 2008 2:18PM]

i'd just like to point out that the dell latitude (THE latitude) that has almost the same size specs as the MBA (smaller footprint, slightly taller), but has a removable hard drive (!), removable battery, expresscard slot, ethernet port, modem, the old printer port and a port i don't even recognize. still only one usb, and not built in wireless, but it's from early the 2000s.
and it runs XP SP2 great. it's not the fastest, but for business it's pretty much prefect.