Mossberg Previews Lenovo ThinkPad X300, Pits Against MacBook Air

I have really defended apple against all the MBA bashers, but I do agree with Mossberg that the x300 manages to get more in there. The x300 lags behind in two significant ways (other than not running OS X, of course) - the thickness, and the processor speed. Those are real considerations, but the 3 usb ports, a 4 GB RAM limit, ethernet and 3G, and optional built-in optical are big advantages. Hopefully apple is already hard at work on the MBA version 2, which will not have as many things sacrificed.

Oh, but it's worth noting - this will hopefully help to shut up the fools who think the MBA is so overpriced. The x300 has a 1.2 Ghz processor and costs $2800. The design is a very important feature of both machines, and like any feature, you're gonna pay for it.

yeah, hopefully Apple is working on Air version 2. The current Air does hold it's own against other thin laptops. they are all expensive

The specs listed in the table for the Thinkpad X300 are inaccurate and should be revised in order to properly compare it to the MBA. The X300 is actually going to use a 2.0GHz Santa Rosa dual core CPU - not the 1.2GHz listed in the table. Also, the X300 will use a much higher resolution screen (WXGA+ -> 1440x900 pixels) vs the MBA (WXGA -> 1280x800). Thanks.

The only laptop I would consider at this point is an Airbook.

The specs listed in the table for the Thinkpad X300 are inaccurate and should be revised in order to properly compare it to the MBA. The X300 is actually going to use a 2.0GHz Santa Rosa dual core CPU - not the 1.2GHz listed in the table. Also, the X300 will use a much higher resolution screen (WXGA+ -> 1440x900 pixels) vs the MBA (WXGA -> 1280x800). Thanks.

What's your source for the CPU? Every thing I've read about the X300 so far indicates it is using a 1.2 GHz CPU (the model that showed up on Best Buy for Business mentioned this, for example). Where do you get that it is using a 2.0GHz one?

Frankly, that would be kind of surprising, as this seems to be more in line with the X61s, which used a ULV processor, than the full X61 (which does use a Santa Rosa CPU).

Also, I imagine the screen res will be an option. Frankly 1280x800 is probably a better res for a 13" screen (as witness its popularity on the Sony SZ, XPSM1330, 13" MacBook and MacBook Air, etc.).

-Zadillo

I really like the Macbook Air. I think it is very neat. I really think that the macbook air would beat the Lenovo laptop, especially if Apple would just decide to make the optional super drive and ethernet adaptors come with the macbook air at it's current price for the laptop itself. Even throwing in an Apple branded USB hub would help curve the fact that it only has 1 usb port. I think that the MBA appeals to a certain crowd and not to everyone. It does have some limitations. But, it is extremely thin and portable. Portability is the air's main selling point. It is thinner than the Lenovo. I can think of several people that the air would appeal to: Business men/women that travel a lot, drug reps., etc. Those people would benefit from using the air. I personally just wish that the macbook air came with the 2 accessories that I already mentioned. I can see why it doesn't, but it'd be nice and make it more of a competitor against other companies.

"Up to" 4GB - how much does that $2700 price include, with the Lenovo?

Anyway, the Air for $1799 certainly looks like a great deal in comparison. SDD is great but should not be required.

And I'm sorry, the Lenovo is just too thick :p

"Up to" 4GB - how much does that $2700 price include, with the Lenovo?

Anyway, the Air for $1799 certainly looks like a great deal in comparison. SDD is great but should not be required.

And I'm sorry, the Lenovo is just too thick :p

2GB.

And Lenovo will offer a configuration of the X300 with a regular hard drive, which would be much closer in price to the MacBook Air (and Lenovo of course regularly offers various 15-25% off deals on their site, which would bring an X300's price down even more).

The specs listed in the table for the Thinkpad X300 are inaccurate and should be revised in order to properly compare it to the MBA. The X300 is actually going to use a 2.0GHz Santa Rosa dual core CPU - not the 1.2GHz listed in the table. Also, the X300 will use a much higher resolution screen (WXGA+ -> 1440x900 pixels) vs the MBA (WXGA -> 1280x800). Thanks.

It's a 1.2GHz, at least for now:
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The specs listed in the table for the Thinkpad X300 are inaccurate and should be revised in order to properly compare it to the MBA. The X300 is actually going to use a 2.0GHz Santa Rosa dual core CPU - not the 1.2GHz listed in the table. Also, the X300 will use a much higher resolution screen (WXGA+ -> 1440x900 pixels) vs the MBA (WXGA -> 1280x800). Thanks.

how could you know that? all available evidence suggests it's the 1.2 Ghz, so if you have better info, please do tell.