Forget the MB Air, Meet the ThinkPad X301

All the reviews that compare the Macbook Air with the Thinkpad (and the linked review actually doesn't - only the submission title does) miss an essential point: the Lenovo laptop simply doesn't LOOK as thin as the Air. If the people who buy the Air do so for its looks and prestige rather than for practical reasons, then no, the X301 isn't an alternative.

My X300 is, bar none, the best laptop I've ever used. Unlike the MacBook Pro or T-series laptops (my previous all-around faves), it doesn't attempt to be a desktop replacement, but it's worlds more capable as an all-around travel computer than the Air, due to the internal optical drive, onboard Ethernet, and numerous USB ports.<p>The 301 looks like a very minor, but worthwhile, upgrade.<p>Of course, the fact that the Air runs OS X, while the X300 runs Windows or Linux, will make the decision all by itself for most potential buyers. Personally, I find that the X300 running Ubuntu makes for a nearly ideal mobile development system.

The ability to swap out the optical drive for another battery is fantastic. I'm still on my X60 (which is easily the best computer I've ever owned) but will probably have to upgrade to this, pending approval from my accounting department (i.e. wife).

It does look like a dogs dinner though, what are all the bits and pieces around the LCD? What are all the holes and chunks of missing plastic in the base?

It's small and functional like the Air, but it still won't run OS X which is why all comparisons of PC's to Macs are, to some degree, apples to oranges.

Sweet Jesus, why is Apple the <i>only</i> computer company in the world that understands (and applies) the idea that, in the age of Core Duos and 2 GB RAM standard, style is the primary thing most people want in their computer?

I would get it. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of effort to run Leopard on it, so it is no option for me. Linux costs too much time, and I simply don't like Windows. I would love Apple releasing their OS on other platforms.

These are all great computers, now if only people thought about price. All of these 3lb 13" notebooks are cool and really what I want for a notebook, but can anyone afford them?

I would choose the thinkpad with its optical drive and 5yr vs 2yr lifespan anyday. Looks mean nothing.<p>But it comes with Vista :( That's the only reason I'm with my first mac, the air.

It's ugly.

I like my X40 and since the built-in optical disk and touch pad aren't important to me, I'm waiting to see the X201.

"Forget BMW , meet the Scion!"