Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

TatsuTerror

macrumors regular
Jan 1, 2008
144
1
Everyone knows what a MBA is. Lenovo? HELL no.
I wasn't referring to Lenovo specifically, anyways. I bet you a lot of people know what Sony is also ;) Plus, people know what it is because Apple is pouring money into advertising it. If Lenovo did the same, people would know what it is.

Apple isn't making the ultra-portable mainstream, they've just made it look good, and they've made it run OSX. I'm sure Lenovo could made a thinner laptop with specs similar to those of the MBA, but they went for a different balance of features and looks. A lot of people think Apple as gone too far towards form in the battle between form and function.

Plus, the Lenovo will probably be mildly popular just because it runs Windows.
 

Adokimus

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 2, 2007
842
3
Boston, MA
Everyone knows what a MBA is. Lenovo? HELL no.

Obviously you don't work in the business field. I believe that Lenovo (perhaps you might recognize the name "IBM ThinkPad"?) is the most common business laptop purchased by companies. The company I work at part-time just started replacing some Lenovos with HP business laptops, but most are still Lenovo. And I can assure you that none of the accountants there know what an Air is.

I'm saving up for an Air, but it will have to be on my own dime.
 

WilWheaton

macrumors member
Feb 21, 2008
33
0
Still my point sticks. Lighter casing.

The X300 weighs too much for being magnesium. I refuse to pay an amount of money the X300 is asking for ugly slapped together "ibook power". For being thicker and at it's weight, it should pack a better punch. FAIL.

A Macbook pro is also a superior machine. Lenovo fails though in competing with the MBA.

But the X300 weighs almost the same as the mba? Less even, without the drive installed (2.9 pounds without the drive, 3.1 with, the mba is 3 pounds). As for the dimensions, for all intents and purposes its .16 inches difference when you're sliding it into a bag (thickest point on both)
 

ctt1wbw

macrumors 68000
Jan 17, 2008
1,730
2
Seaford VA
3 USB ports, an ethernet Port, a better screen, an actual optical drive and a removable battery come to mind.

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

Edit: i also just found out it has GPS, and WWAN abilities heh.

GPS and WWAN. AKA GIMIC. Next thing everyone is going to hear is that it has an am/fm tuner in there and people will be saying how much better it is than anything else.

And again, can someone tell me how having three usb ports instead of one equates to power?

Obviously you don't work in the business field. I believe that Lenovo (perhaps you might recognize the name "IBM ThinkPad"?) is the most common business laptop purchased by companies. The company I work at part-time just started replacing some Lenovos with HP business laptops, but most are still Lenovo. And I can assure you that none of the accountants there know what an Air is.

I'm saving up for an Air, but it will have to be on my own dime.


Is the build quality of the Lenovo the same as it was when IBM made it? It's a Chinese made machine, so there might be tons of lead in it. :eek::D

  • This notebook's weight is about the same as the MBA's weight.
  • This notebook scored way higher in the benchmark previously posted in this thread.
  • This notebook is thin.
  • This notebook is filled with features the MBA doesn't have.
  • This notebook is ugly.
But since when did something being ugly stop people from buying it? If the "people are shallow" approach were true, Apple would have a bigger share of the computer market than they do right now. Apple fans are shallow sometimes, I'll give you that ;)

The only thing the MBA has on this is looks and the operating system. The Lenovo even costs much than the equivalent MBA. Sound familiar? It's the same as comparing an Apple desktop to an HP, or a Dell. You pay more for the operating system, the security, and the looks. The Lenovo is definately a superior piece of hardware.

No, it just has more ports. More ports does not equal superior hardware. I mean, how many usb devices do you need to plug in to a laptop for God's sake? I've NEVER had more than one plugged in at a time and I've been using laptops for 10 years. Even with my mba, I've only plugged in a usb device once. ONCE.
 

Phil A.

Moderator emeritus
Apr 2, 2006
5,800
3,100
Shropshire, UK
With the exception of the OS X vs Windows thing and the negligible processor difference, i don't see why anyone would pick up an MBA over the Lenovo. Ultimately it comes to OS X vs Windows.

The 1.8Ghz is 50% faster than the 1.2 in the ThinkPad. People have been complaining that 1.8Ghz is too slow, and you think the difference between 1.2 and 1.8 is negligible?
The fact that the X300 doesn't run OS X and is pig ugly are big enough reasons for me not to buy it anyway :)
 

BongoBanger

macrumors 68000
Feb 5, 2008
1,920
0
I think I nearly passed out with laughter when I read the comment about no-one knowing who Lenovo are.

Dear me.

Anyway, the Lenovo is a business machine, the Air is one for personal use. That's the difference. Lenovo's are brilliant laptops for this purposes - robust, excellent build quality and well supported.

Both are nice machines for their purposes.
 

3nm

macrumors 6502a
Jul 30, 2006
991
0
if apple made a MBP similar to the x300 and keep it under 3lbs, i'd get one in a heartbeat.
 

Adokimus

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 2, 2007
842
3
Boston, MA
Has anyone seen any other websites do benchmarks for the Lenovo? I'm just curious how it could have whooped the Air so bad when it has a much slower processor (1.2 vs 1.6 or 1.8). I believe they both use the same ram (though BTO up to 4 GB for the Lenovo), same video card, same SSD, etc.

I think it's because notebookreview.com used the 5,400 RPM drive model of the Air. Does anyone have a link to benchmarks for the SSD Air? I think that would be a better comparison. To be fair, I'd like a test of both machines maxed out.

---
Again, I plan to buy the Air and it is a more enticing product to me, but I like competition (it's a good thing) and I think the Lenovo presents a better option for the road-warrior business user.
 

raremage

macrumors 6502a
Nov 21, 2005
548
0
Orlando, Florida
Hey, hey... I already said I'm saving up for a MBA (and MBP, yikes!). But, there's nothing wrong with competition. Psst.. it's actually a good thing.

But, if you really want to get riled up, read this article:

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9875960-1.html

Pissed the hell out of me!

I think this was my favorite part of this article:
"When it comes to Japanese PC manufacturers, their manufacturing plants will complain or add their own technical efforts to lower cost, if a proposed structural design was insufficient," one of the engineers said. "The MacBook Air gives me an impression that its manufacturing plant packaged the computer exactly as ordered by Apple."

I didn't think having a fulfillment shop build something "as ordered" could be turned into a negative, but apparently I'm mistaken. 'Course as an engineer, I generally prefer that things be built to spec. Silly me.

No, it just has more ports. More ports does not equal superior hardware. I mean, how many usb devices do you need to plug in to a laptop for God's sake? I've NEVER had more than one plugged in at a time and I've been using laptops for 10 years. Even with my mba, I've only plugged in a usb device once. ONCE.

Two. A mouse and a dock for my iPhone. I've swithed to a bluetooth mouse instead. So now with the MBA I need two: my iPhone dock, and an ethernet jack. I rely on an external USB hub (non-powered) if I need more than one.

The MBP had two, which is plenty, especially with an ethernet port as well.

I love my MBA but one more USB port would have made things alot more convenient, and I can't believe it coud have added significant weight.
 

Sesshi

macrumors G3
Jun 3, 2006
8,113
1
One Nation Under Gordon
I think this was my favorite part of this article:


I didn't think having a fulfillment shop build something "as ordered" could be turned into a negative, but apparently I'm mistaken. 'Course as an engineer, I generally prefer that things be built to spec. Silly me.

I can't deal with people who think like you, and I have to on a regular basis. I would like other people who have valuable input to actually contribute to making a product even better.

A lot of the problems that Apple products suffer from these days is as a result of design engineer ego.
 

Zmmyt

macrumors 68000
Jan 6, 2005
1,749
836
I really like that Lenovo. If it would run OS X I would get it straight away as a replacement for my 12'' PB, I think.
 

Digital Skunk

macrumors G3
Dec 23, 2006
8,100
930
In my imagination
I'm actually hoping the next MBP will have that type of thickness (wider and longer of course). Anywho.

God I hope not.... I really hope that Apple doesn't make the MBP any thinner than what it is now... unless they can somehow make it thinner, stick more hardware inside of it, make if stronger (because the current models are flimsy and fragile), and make the machine deserve the nomenclature "PRO"

If they can make the 17" thinner, and still fit a dual 2.8 GHz Penryn, dual hard disk drives, 3G, and more FW ports on it, then go for it. If not, then I really hope they keep the current thickness, or even make it a tad bit thicker.

In all reality the lack of high end hardware in the MBP is a combination of old antiquated design, and Apple's cheesy marketing and "one size fits all" approach.

A lot of the problems that Apple products suffer from these days is as a result of design engineer ego.

AMEN!

**applause ring out from the ever suffering professional crowd**
 

Roba

macrumors 6502
Mar 18, 2006
349
2
I could be way of the mark here but i think that the driver support could have something to do with why the MBA benchmarks lower than the X300. The MBA benchmarks is also pretty much on par with the Sony TZ.


ctt1wbw
I use 2 USB ports from time to time when i have my iPod say plugged in and i am using my printer etc. Also if you want to use the optical drive that will take up one usb port and then will have no space for anything else unless you use a USB or a USB powered hub.
 

Digital Skunk

macrumors G3
Dec 23, 2006
8,100
930
In my imagination
ctt1wbw
I use 2 USB ports from time to time when i have my iPod say plugged in and i am using my printer etc. Also if you want to use the optical drive that will take up one usb port and then will have no space for anything else unless you use a USB or a USB powered hub.

Remember also, that the MBA is intended to be used as a second computer. You would undoubtedly have your 80GB iPod (or equivalent) plugged into that iMac or other various Mac with larger HDD space, faster processor, and bevy of ports.

Not that I am trying to justify the MBA's lack of ports compared to other books in it's class, just that Apple is banking on the users of the MBA having bigger, faster machines as main computers, and the MBA as the road warrior type of machine.
 

chaosbunny

macrumors 68020
...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. ;)

That's a stupid argument in my opinion. Why do people buy mercedes cars then? Why do people buy expensive, designed furniture or clothes? Face it, it may not be important to you, but some people like pretty things, and I can't see anything wrong with that. As a designer I'd be out of business if it were otherwise. ;)
 

Roba

macrumors 6502
Mar 18, 2006
349
2
Actually having just looked into this i now doubt that the driver support had so much to do with the MBA's lower benchmark score. The x300 in that particular test was using an SSD drive and the MBA when they did that benchmark was not. I would be interested to see what the scores would be if they tested both those computers with the same HD's.
 

ctt1wbw

macrumors 68000
Jan 17, 2008
1,730
2
Seaford VA
I could be way of the mark here but i think that the driver support could have something to do with why the MBA benchmarks lower than the X300. The MBA benchmarks is also pretty much on par with the Sony TZ.


ctt1wbw
I use 2 USB ports from time to time when i have my iPod say plugged in and i am using my printer etc. Also if you want to use the optical drive that will take up one usb port and then will have no space for anything else unless you use a USB or a USB powered hub.


That is true, however you don't have to keep the optical drive plugged in 24/7. My other laptop has an optical drive, but I hardly ever use it. I also just bought a wireless mighty mouse, so I still have a usb port open.
 

Sesshi

macrumors G3
Jun 3, 2006
8,113
1
One Nation Under Gordon
Remember also, that the MBA is intended to be used as a second computer. You would undoubtedly have your 80GB iPod (or equivalent) plugged into that iMac or other various Mac with larger HDD space, faster processor, and bevy of ports.

Not that I am trying to justify the MBA's lack of ports compared to other books in it's class, just that Apple is banking on the users of the MBA having bigger, faster machines as main computers, and the MBA as the road warrior type of machine.

I'm guessing though that in the Mac world at least it's going to spur some innovatively compact USB hub which will benefit 'road warriors' (God I hate that title) as a whole, maybe something less visually challenged than the squid but as usable.
 

tstarks33

macrumors regular
Jan 28, 2008
192
0
No, it just has more ports. More ports does not equal superior hardware. I mean, how many usb devices do you need to plug in to a laptop for God's sake? I've NEVER had more than one plugged in at a time and I've been using laptops for 10 years. Even with my mba, I've only plugged in a usb device once. ONCE.

You've never had a mouse and your ipod/iphone hooked up? I routinely hook up my external HD, mouse, iphone, nano and my psp. I imagine if I had an air, I'd need to hook up my optical drive as well.

Anyways, for the rest of us who use USB ports, having more than 1 would make one hardware superior over another, at least in that respect.
 

ctt1wbw

macrumors 68000
Jan 17, 2008
1,730
2
Seaford VA
Nope. I don't have an iPhone, but would dearly kill for one. And I have an iPod shuffle, which I'm not even sure where it is. I think the only thing I've hooked up to my Air so far is my 16gig thumb drive.
 

ahaxton

macrumors 6502a
Jan 17, 2008
552
0
But the X300 weighs almost the same as the mba? Less even, without the drive installed (2.9 pounds without the drive, 3.1 with, the mba is 3 pounds). As for the dimensions, for all intents and purposes its .16 inches difference when you're sliding it into a bag (thickest point on both)


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. The 1.2 Ghz is just insulting. Wonder how much that helped in packing what they wanted to put in it.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.