Isn’t it amazing that Lenovo had some ultra thin notebook coming, just as Apple had one coming? Unlike the Apple, the Lenovo doesn’t sacrifice any features to do what it does (other then looks). Now it is out and about and a bunch of people have reviewed it.
The all over feel of the reviews is that they really liked it. Most of them directly compared it to the Air, which it truly is aimed at it, and feel that the slight fatness was better then losing features. They liked the keyboard layout, they like the screen, they like the cooling and they like the sound system among other things.
They didn’t like the price and lack of HDD space, but considering the Air is around the same price, you don’t really have a choice. The biggest choice you really have to make between the notebooks is, do you want MacOSX or Windows (XP or Vista)?
Now for my rant (sorry). I think both notebooks are a good step forward in technology, but that Lenovo doesn’t challenge anything. It just makes things as small as possible, which Sony and a bunch of other manufactures will be doing right now.
Sony’s challenge with the TR1 was a ultra small 10-inch notebook. Asus challenge was the EeeCP with a 7-inch with Linux and SSD. Apples challenge was with the Air’s feature sacrifice for size. The Lenovo is an attractive package, but it isn’t anything particularly different.
Unfortunately for Lenovo other companies will soon release products that are similar and possibly cheaper or more attractive (looks and features). I would enjoy the spotlight while I had it Lenovo.
To read the complete reviews, go to PCMag, CNET, CMP Channel, Notebook Review and Walt Mossberg.
Thank you Gizmodo for doing the hard work.
There are a million articles out there that explain to you what you get in the new Macbook Air, so I’ve decided to skip all that and do a pro’s and con’s on the device. If you don’t believe me or want for more info, go to Apple.
What is the Apple Macbook Air, and what does it mean for Apple? It is another niche product and a shot at the current ultra light notebook market. It is the worlds thinnest notebook, it is also very attractive. The list of features is great with pro’s such as -
- 5 hour battery life with everything running
- LED backlit display
- Minimalist design, means you get what you need
- 802.11n wireless, so fast wireless speeds
- Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, gives you the latest Bluetooth
- Unique multi-touch trackpad
- Core 2 Duo Processor (much smaller design then what other notebooks have)
- Option for SSD (64GB)
- It’s better for the environment (bromide and PVR free, packaging is 56% smaller and mercury and arsenic-free glass)
It is a very interesting feature set and for people who just want ultra small and light, you can’t go past. Not everything is good in Apple town though, because there are issues with this design.
- 1 USB port
- No HDMI
- No removable battery
- No user upgradeable memory
- No user upgradeable HDD
- Built-in speaker is mono
- No built-in mobile internet card (HSDPA or whatever it is called)
- No externel PCi-E connector
The features missing is a gamble for Apple, and seeing that lately they can’t be faulted, hoping the trade off will keep consumer interest. The major problem is the asking price, which is $US1799 (or a ridiculous $AU2499). If Apple didn’t know already, America, your major buyer base, could quite possibly go into recession (if they aren’t already in one) and people will be look to save money.
Apple shares took a dive after the keynote, but I wouldn’t worry to much, Apple fanboys will just go around robbing people to get their crackbook fix. If they could do this for around $US500 cheaper, it would have stormed the market and could become the perfect ultra-portable, unfortunately for Apple for about twice the thickness (which isn’t much really) you can get a whole lot more for your money.