X300 vs Envy 133 vs MacBook Air... Fight!
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Jun 10th 2008 8:05AM
posted Jun 10th 2008 8:05AM
Suddenly the 13.3-inch ultra-portable market is looking a might bit crowded. At the same time, it's never looked better now that we have the choice of Lenovo's X300, Apple's MacBook Air, and Voodoo's just announced Envy 133. Decisions, decisions.
| ThinkPad X300 |
Envy 133 |
MacBook Air |
| 0.73 to 0.92-inches |
0.70-inches |
0.16 to 0.76-inches |
| 2.9 to 3.1-pounds* |
3.37-pounds | 3 pounds |
| 13.3-inch LED |
13.3-inch LED |
13.3-inch LED |
| 1,440 x 900 |
1,280 x 800 |
1,280 x 800 |
| Removable Battery |
Removable Battery | Not Removable |
| Ethernet | External | via USB adapter |
| 3x USB | 1x USB, 1x USB/eSATA | 1x USB |
| DVD | External | External |
| 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo | 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo | 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo |
| GMA X3100 | GMA X3100 | GMA X3100 |
| SSD only | HDD or SSD |
HDD or SSD |
| Vista | Vista | Vista or OS X |
| $2,700 to $3,000* | $2,099 starting | $1,800 to $3,100* |
| Business minded | Instant on Voodoo IOS | Cuts cake |
*Depending upon configuration
How about dimensions?
The only thing that's really losing this battle for me is my wallet.
Since when 3.4 pounds is ultra-fucking-portable?
Since when is 3 lbs ultra portable?
Looks like the winner here is the X300, at least in features but not in power. The MBA and Envy are pretty much the same but the Envy is better. I wonder if it uses the same processor as the MBA? Anyways MBA = Fail. They are all too expensive though. I would rather carry around $1200 my 5 pound Macbook than an under powered $1799+ 3 pounder. I'm just not feeling any need for any of these because the prices are to damn high.
One thing that is never taken into account is the weight of the peripherals needed to get anything half decent done on a machine. Dont you have to add another 20-30 Lbs to the MBA in peripherals to get it to do something other than switch on and play iTunes?
I don't know what you guys using ultra portable laptop for, but I bought MBA and external DVDRW for MBA and I almost never used DVDRW. (about 5 times for last 3 months). If you need to carry it, it's small and light enough to feel like it's just one of the CD cases (you don't even need separate power cable for DVDRW). I don't need any peripherals other than power adaptor to do my daily stuff.
I dont know why lenovo didn't put a faster proc in the x300.
I think that out of the three the voodoo is the best balance of form and function.
Nice comparison. Sorry, but it's external with a t, *runs away scared*
Ding Ding Ding.
is it just me or is this table missing a column of labels?
Yeah, but you can deduce what they are by looking at the first column.
its you.
;-)
Yep, you aren't the only one.
Well it looks like the MBA has lost it's crown (if it ever had one in the first place, though it probably would have bought one for itself...) the X300 is the obvious winner of the lot however very expensive. And I think the Voodoo wins overall because the MBA costs $3100 with the SSD and the Voodoo for $2100 comes with one, and they apparently including an external DVD writer for free instead of making people cough up $100 for one.
And the Voodoo has much better features and size isn't exactly a worry because they are all under an inch thick and only someone with the strength of a 1 year old would have difficulty carrying any of them
I guarantee the $2100 price is for the 80GB 4200RPM slow coach HDD and not the SSD
Nice computers, all have plus and negatives, at least mine can cut cake with ease
Why is this low-ranked? I'm FAR from an Apple fanboy and I got a kick out of it.
Glass half full. I like the attitude ;-)
Since the No. 1 reason I didn't buy the MBA is because of its lack of oomph (compared to my current 2.4GHz MB), the X300 is out of the question for me. The Envy is very nice, and if I had to choose one piece of hardware, I might actually pick that over the MBA. Unfortunately, Envy won't run my OS of choice so I guess I'll just have to wait for an upgrade to the MBA.
Why if it is thinner is it heavier? More battery or something? Meatier heatsink? Anyways they need to make these touchscreen tablets then I will be really impressed. Otherwise it seems laptop developers are on the right track now only if I could get this hacksaw through my shoulder I might be able to purchase one.
Psshhh! Hope you are not done cutting, arms are overrated . I think these days a kidney will fetch you a far better price
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7212596.stm
i think the envy 133 can also have a 80 GB HDD so its not SSD only.
You're right. I was just reading the site and I came back here to see if anybody else had noticed.. Update chart please?
there will be a 160 GB HDD version for the x300 as well.
http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1416223dbzw1.jpg
ah, oops.
i mean, 120 GB HDD
These all fail compared to the Macbook, which is only marginally thicker than the X300.
Also the concept of being as thin as possible is lost on me, I'd strive for a smaller footprint, which on all of these laptops is the same.
I agree with this to a degree. The MacBook is 2 lbs heavier, and that makes a big difference if you're lugging it around all the time. So the question comes down to what you want/need.
Personally, I'd buy the Air, because I've enjoyed my time with Mac a lot, and my MBP is rather noticeable when lugging it around all day in a backpack. I've heard the 2.4 lb difference feels like a tonne.
I would hardly use the verb lug on something that weighs 5 lbs.
lol "Cuts Cake"
You can use it for that when the non-user replaceable battery can't hold a charge.
The X300 still the much better in terms of specs.
Looks ? It's a tie for MBA and the Envy 133 IMO.
But I'd go for the Envy 133 if I have the cash.
I think the HP is the clear winner here, with Lenovo second. Add a column for boot time to browser. The instant on really is a great benefit for me too.
I wouldn't spring for the Lenovo or MAC but definitely would buy the HP.
I think that if anything, this comparison demonstrates no clear winner at all. What's odd is that the price advantage goes to the Mac. HUH? Yes, the Mac with the standard drive. SSD is not ready for prime time. It's too expensive.
Give me a smaller screen with a smaller footprint, say 12" and scrap the ultimate in thin for a built in DVD. Give me more storage and screw the ultra expensive SSD. For me, they all fail but if I had to buy just one, money no object, it would be the ThinkPad.
I like Apple a lot. I have an iPod nano and will probably get an iPhone soon. Having used an Air I would definitely take my thinkpad (T61) over it for work, and honestly, I have a better laptop with beefy graphics and such for home, and I still end up using my thinkpad all the time (not huge on gaming). They're sturdy, and although they're bigger than the Air, that doesn't mean they are big. For me, the simplicity of having my dvd built-in, having an ethernet port, and many other things, is too handy. I think the Air is going to appeal to some business users for its size and straight-forwardness, but I think most other people are going to be getting it for the novelty, not because it's a more useful laptop. I think the ThinkPad wins for being a useful laptop. The Air gets a prize for looking good while not being completely useless, but it's a runner-up nonetheless.
13.3"=!ultraportable
just buy an eee and a normal Powerful PC.
Did you mix up the != , or is this something that's a feature in your favourite programming language?
@pundit
13.3" equals (not ultraportable)
works either way, unless your favourite programming language needs whitespace for forming assignment statements...
@Sirius
Shouldn't it be == instead of =
Yep, should be ==! if used in that order
Hey what about the Toshiba R500 Engadget???
Too expensive for crappy Intel video.
why is hdd/ssd size not in the chart? who cares if the voodoo is a grand cheaper than the x300 if its ssd is only 8 gb? urggh
read the spec on voodoo.com before jumping to conclusions. information is a internet search away (i.e. google it).
the ssd is 64gb. the price may be misleading however because there is a 80 gb hdd available. i am betting that the price as shown is for the 80 gb hdd and not the 64 gb ssd. everyone should expect the ssd to be the same $1000 option that it is for everyone else.
Voodoo just put out a VERY competitive offering.
For just $300 more, you get an additional USB port, an included optical drive, the removable battery, A SOLID STATE DRIVE, and the voodoo name. Don't underestimate the Voodoo name, the Apple brand is getting a little diluted considering how many people at Starbucks have one and how many students are going Mac - Voodoo is like the Ferrari of the computing world, owning one puts you at the epitome of coolness that Apple can't deliver anymore. This puts it clearly in the lead against Apple for people who want pure perfornance close to the MBA's cost. For pure cost, Apple is better - a lot of people aren't going to care about the SSD or any of that and OS X is still better than Windows, which is why Apple is still competitive here and Voodoo does not have a clear lead for all users.
Against the X300 though, you get what you pay for since they're at different price points. Lighter, denser screen, more USB, internal drive, Lenovo quality and support, but you pay for it.
So, kudos to Voodoo, assuming it ends up with good battery life in the reviews and all that.
Wow, the MBA starts at $300 less than everyone else. This immediately means that
1) It is far superior
2) PC's are way overpriced
3) You pay a premium for the IBM name
Man, I just can't afford those uppity PC laptops. They're for nerds and those Starbucks-Artsy-Graphic-Designer-Types.
So price means everything? If you're willing to sheel out $1800 for a laptop I assume you'd be able to go for an extra $300 for:
1) a removable battery
2) more connection options including HDMI and E-SATA
3) a laptop which is just as easy to carry around
4) boots up quicker
5) has an SSD
6) and looks better.
So you can't afford 'uppity' PC laptops? then why the hell are you looking at this market? go pay half the price of a normal macbook and get an 'uppity' Dell notebook with the same performance.
And here, in the blog-jungle, we see the humble Skry. One of many creatures in this foreboding and savage environment with no perception of irony. See how it scratches feebly at the ironic jokes of others, trying to gather a semblance of an argument. Tragic.
You sir, are an idiot.
what IBM name? ThinkPads now carry the Lenovo brand. but... probably the premium is on the ThinkPad name.
Viakenny is right, IBM doesn't make the ThinkPad anymore, so I hardly think its the IBM name you are paying for..
Dear posters:
1. Replace 'IBM name' with 'Apple.'
2. Scratch head.
3. Walk away with confusion.
In reality, when you take the base dell XPS and give it the same specs as my 2.4GHz 13.3" macbook, the Dell is more expensive. (and comes with vista)..
Even when you apply Apple's student discount ($100).... 1199
With dell's student discount($178)... 1279
Huh.
Be warned, Voodoo's service is pathetic. Even after HP bought the company, their service has not improved. This is not my experience alone. Unfortunately I bought a computer from them and have had no end of troubles since.
After sending it back for the third time in a year, I asked for my money back and was treated very rudely.
Oh, you forgot a column: Operating system
You're right, all three of them can run nearly any OS.
You're right, that row was there before I started making formatting edits. Re-added.
Thomas
The Envy really is the best of the three, but I don't understand why computer makers are trying to compete with the MBA by releasing comparably specced products. The general specs (physical and performance specs) of these products don't really fill a niche of any sort, so competing with Apple here seems pointless.
Make an 11" version that's 1" thick, and you'll have a machine with a similar internal volume, and actually fills a need.
Apple's not always right. Eff'em.
I think they DO fill a niche. Just because you can't see what it is doesn't mean its not there.
The niche is people who want a highly portable laptop, but actually want to, you know, use it without having to peer at some minute screen.
A thick 10" unit is harder (for me) to lug round than a thin 13" one. This one fits snuggly in my bag between files, the other would cause a hefty bump and some folding.
First of all this is a MacBook Air, not a MacBook Pro Air. Apple is targeting a different market, same concept but different market. It has the features need for the market they are targeting. Why does Apple have to cram EVERY feature in to make you happy. When will a student taking notes in class worry about their DVD drive, or extra USB ports. I think most campuses are covered with WiFI nowadays, so there's no need for ethernet. What about when the insurance adjuster come out to look at your wrecked car. Chances can be that he has a program on his machine or online that he uses to fill out the information and possibly upload some photos. again, no need for more USB, and no ethernet needed. Or what about a salesman who is provided a laptop linked the their companies CRM software, and doesn't need to run DOOM4 on the latest graphic card. Or maybe the Maytag guy that fixed my refrigerator. All he needed to do was print me an invoice and update his log in the system. Again, no need for more. Last time I checked most of the commuter trains are adding WiFi and NOT ethernet. This may also apply to McDonalds, Starbucks, and a few other places. I could be wrong.
SSD is a joke at the moment, it has no REAL differences to make it worth the cost. If you drop your computer, chances are your going to be SOL anyways. Apple included the option just so you will have one less thing to complain about (that worked ;) ).
I'll give the battery issue to you. I don't understand that.
OK I'll make this simple for the small minded. Just because it doesn't suit your needs, DOES NOT MAKE IT JUNK.
Actually many computer manufacturers do make certain models for certain niches (see how many models HP, Dell, Sony etc. actually sell), Apple is rather the exception than the norm (with only MacBook, Pro and Air).
By the way, if you want a rugged device then you'd get a Panasonic Toughbook. They're quite expensive though, and not powerful.
Ha i like the missing OS column comment. Just can't beat OSX.
However, i think instead of getting an 'ultra-portable' you could just either get 1. An Eee PC, or more appropriately
2. A MacBook - same size, tiny bit thicker and the extra weight will help with those nerdy broomstick arms :P
Plus i was looking at mine today from across the room and the thing looks pretty small (also much faster than the 3 above contenders)
sure you can. i can't use any autodesk product on it, so OSX is worthless to me.
I would like to see you use an autodesk product on any of these computers. AutoCAD or Inventor would bring them to their knees.
I didn't enjoy using the keyboard on the Air, and the Lenovo isn't pretty enough, so it's the Envy for me.
Thomas,
It'd be great if you can also add the advertised battery times to the chart.
How about updating the chart, since it's almost definitely not $2100 for a 64GB SSD.
looks like if you need it and you got the $ the x300 has got it... except the fact you have to run windows. Lenvos makes a good product though and they back it up. i had/have one before my mbp, and I would say they make the best windows based laptops hands down
treat them bad (drop them to the floor, spill liquids on them, etc.) and you'll see who wins.
x300, of course.
It's funny to compare this stuff because the real question is 'are you sick of Windows or do you hate OS X?'
Macs are faster on slower hardware, which again makes these comparisons difficult.
I'd take the Lenovo over the HP because I had an HP and it blew up, had a thinkpad and it was fantastic.
I'd take the Air over both because windows is so archaic and I'm too in love with the tricks in OS X (spaces, expose, quick look, etc.)
3xusb and dvd is a big PLUS but 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo will screw all other specs.
cuts cakes should also have an asterisk by it.
Vista? XD
Which one runs a real OS? Only the MacBook Air.
Because technically, Vista is a joke.
Actually, technically, Microsoft was quite serious about Vista. No joke.
Or you could just run Ubuntu or something like that... now that's a real OS right? =)
Linux from scratch is the only real OS.
clearly the Mac Book Air's ability to cut cake, as HP demonstrated for us, makes it the superior machine. All hail Steve Jobs and his snob like products that will forever haunt the electronics market due to their unnaturally good ability to market useless and frivolous products to morons.
The winner is the sony vaio TZ. It was released way back in august 2007 for crying out loud.
Sony Vaio TZ
- 1 inch
- 2.7 pounds
- 11.1-inch LED
- 1366×768
- Removable Battery
- Ethernet
- 2x USB, 1X i.link
- DVD or HDD
- 1.06, 1.2 or 1.33GHz Core 2 Duo
- GMA 950
- HDD or SSD
- Vista
- $1000 to $3,000*
- Twice as much battery life as the X300 and MBA wich just standard battery life. Design surpasses everything
*depends on configuration and cashback offers
It beats everything on the market.
Glad you mentioned the battery life... a laptop without any battery charge is, well, a brick (or a cake-cutter). Instead of a really thin laptop I'd rather have one that is a bit thicker, but has far longer battery life.
Forgot to mention it has more hidden features like a card reader for every format and an expresscard slot. Wich the lenovo X300 have neither.
You could just pop in an external videocard in the expresscard slot and hook up a huge screen and do some serious gaming. Or you could pop in a GPS card and track your laptop everywhere it goes in the world in case it gets stolen. Slide in a high quality soundcard. The options are endless.
I'd take an i.link port over an usb port anyday. Its just a shame that usb has become the standard in the computer world. The i.link is in practise much much better then usb.
Oh btw I'd also have to defend vista. I recently switched from XP to Vista and I have to say vista runs really nice and smooth. If you got the hardware vista really runs like a dream. Its the most secure OS according to Ballmer and it never failed on me since I made the switch. It runs nice and smooth so far
It's runs dreamlike and smooth, too. ;)
The Mac is the cheapest?
Whoda thunk it?
MBA wins hands down
but i was falling out of my chair luaghing at the cuts cake
that is funny
HP is useless for everything other than world class gaming pcs and great moments in apples history
Is there actually an option to purchase a MBA with Vista? On the chart it lists it's OS options as "Vista or OSX". I know there are more than a few ways to get Vista running on Mac platforms but by that logic then there are literally dozens of OS's that could also be listed under the OS options for all three contenders.
I think the Envy does look mighty sexy though, if I had piles of cash that I needed to spend and a desire for a new laptop I'd be looking to buy one of those.
Hi Guys,
Why do you think so important of the SSD? Since when do you care so much about the disk performance of an untra portable notebook? If you worry about the battery time, I doubt how many minutes the SSD can save you. X300 is obviously the winner, it has everything ready, which is so important because it is the only one ready to work for you. For the others, you should not focus on the machine itself. think about all the peripherals. They would make the notebook not thin and ultra portable at all.
Well, just to throw in my 2 (Euro) cents, I think the Envy is a very nice looking PC, and I'd certainly give it serious consideration if I was in the market for a Windows-based PC.
@ outlander
there is no such thing as an out-of-the-box ready PC
im not exacly an apple fanboy(litterally boy but anywho) Windows can take an hour to start
especially on a 1.2 GHz proc
i admit the X300 has better specs but they can not be utilized to their full potential on a 1.2 GHz proc-its impossible
if they put that custom MBA C2D in there, it would blow the other 2 away, but since it doesnt, it is a win for the air because of its multible uses and ways to waste 2k+
the other dont have that:-)
An hour ? I think you need to open msconfig and clean out your startup !
Hi guys,
I currently use a (now creaking) Sony X505 to carry around all the time as it can cope with looking at photos, email, documents, etc and isn't heavy or large.
I am looking at replacing it at the moment but I can't overstate how great it being small and light is. This has to be the most important thing with ultraportables.
I don't use the portable DVDRW drive much - it stays at home to install things from DVD once in a blue moon. You don't need one in the computer in my opinon. So it's not an issue. This tilts against the Thinkpad as it makes it thicker (albeit not much) than it needs to be.
You do need as fast a processor as you can, so the computer lasts as long as it can! You don't want to drop $1,800 or $3000 on something that only lasts 12 months. This rules out the Thinkpad for me, especially on cost grounds.
I don't ever plug it into a projector or external monitor, so you don't need that plug. I only ever plug in a single USB thumb drive, or possibly my digital camera, so you only really need one USB port. Thus, the MBA isn't a problem.
The thing that bugs me about the MBA is the non-removable battery, though I have a spare battery for my X505 and haven't ever needed to swap it round as if away for a long time I tend to chuck in my AC adaptor.
So it comes down to price and SSDs: personally I think SSDs are currently too expensive so would go for the MBA with the 80Gb drive as it's $1800. If the prices came down, then I might change my mind, but that leaves only the MBA in the running from these three.
The only thing stopping me at the moment is that I am keeping an eye on the Eee PC 1000 as this is much cheaper and has either a 40Gb SSD or 80Gb HDD - both are around $650! What I am concerned with is the weight (about the same as these three) and size (unconfirmed at present).
Instead of ultra portable these laptops should be termed ultra expensive.
I think the Voodoo is the winner. Same inside as the MBA but with an extra USB, replaceable battery and a router built into the power brick.
Thats what i can innovation !
I love how all the iTards were going on and on about Apple's engineering genius that built the MBA, I guess the Envy proves that all that genius came from Intel, but hell they do design nice cases eh !
I think the 4200 rpm HDD speed relates to the fact that they use 1.8" drives.
@james
Probably battery life.
considering that you cant really tell the difference between a 1.5ghz single core and a 2ghz dual core a slower processor probably gives you a better ratio to power usage. Personally i think dual core in a laptop is a waste of power and processor. Being a programmer myself i know that dual core is just a sales term more then real tech improvement.
I'd never buy a ThinkPad simply because IBM or Lenovo see fit to swap the Ctrl key with the Fn key. Insanity. Toshiba also plays keyboard madness by placing the tilda key beside the spacebar on some of their models.
They should add to the Macbook Air "cuts cake, and decapitates," that's funny.