Lenovo's X300 vs. Apple's MacBook Air

By Pierre Dandumont
published

The Memory, Graphics Card and Add-Ons

Lenovo uses a Santa Rosa platform with its GM965 chipset. So the X300 does use two channel DDR2-667 (2 GB included) memory and a GMA X3100 graphics controller.

The Memory

Lenovo offers DDR2-667 for the X300. By default the machine is delivered with 2 GB of RAM memory (two 1 GB modules). Unlike other ultra-portable laptops, the memory is housed in two classic SO-DIMM slots so adding up to 4 GB of extra memory is very easy.

The Graphics Card

The graphics card is a classic GMA X3100. However, ultra-portable laptops have to use a decelerated version of the X3100, so while the normal version runs at 250 MHz on battery with a maximum speed of 667 MHz, the X300’s speed is 166 MHz on a battery charge and a maximum of 500 MHz. A few more minutes of battery life is achieved through the reduction of performance.

Let’s be clear, the GMA X300 does not in any way make the X300 a gaming machine, and the machine’s screen resolution (at 1440x900) doesn’t at all help Intel’s controller. It’s enough for an application like Google Earth or Aero (Windows Vista’s interface), but that’s about all.

Extendibility

It is possible to add extension cards to the X300, such as flash memory devices and MiniCards. In addition to the 1x (250 MB/s) PCI-Express/Mini Card slot, there is also a USB 2.0 (60 MB/s) port. The X300 we tested came with a Wi-Fi card (Intel 4915AGN), a 3G Sierra USB module card (Sierra, USB) and an empty slot that could accommodate a WiMAX or wireless USB device.

Pierre Dandumont
26 Comments Comment from the forums
  • anonymous x
    I would say its better than the macbook air.
    The air is so limiting (you can't even change the battery- its an ultraportable without flexible battery options!
    Reply
  • CptnVortex
    Did you forget about the 3 year Lenovo Warranty? And the optional 6 Cell main battery? The X300 is an amazing laptop, got one myself! $2550 CAD. Also, mine came with a single 2GB module installed, so I upgraded to 4GB for $39!!
    Reply
  • CptnVortex
    What about the 3 year Warranty the Lenovo comes with? Also, the one I ordered and recieved came with a single 2gb module isntalled, so $39 CAD and I was at 4GB! A great deal for such an AWESOME and rigid notebook. Dont forget there is also an optional 6 Cell Main battery available too
    Reply
  • kalpesh
    Mac Great show of your money and style
    Reply
  • huafi
    Have you mixed up some of your data? For instance, the article says that "The time it takes for Photoshop CS3 to load up is comparable on both machines, even if the Windows version is faster", but the data shows that the MBA launched Photoshop in 8 seconds, vs 46 seconds for Windows. That makes the Mac nearly 6 times as fast! And if you're going to show the data for the MBA with mechanical drive, you should note more clearly that that model is much, much cheaper than either SSD machine.

    Don't get me wrong; I think the X300 is a fantastic machine. It's a bummer that they didn't give it a good screen, and I hope that some of the quality issues with recent Lenovos don't manifest with this one, because it's an amazing engineering accomplishment. It has several features (especially WWAN and much better expandability/connectivity) that I really wish the MBA hadn't compromised on. Then again, aesthetically there's no comparing the two; the MBA is simply an amazingly desirable object, where the X300 just comes across as...competent. Whether that matters to you or not is purely personal.
    Reply
  • LikesMacsToo
    The thing that I would like to know is......in what way did you actually compare the two machines? This is a lenovo review with the mac used as merely reference to something of similar size. My beef here is not that its mac vs pc but it's just a lousy article with a misleading title. WTF THG, this is not up to your standards.
    Reply
  • croc
    I have a sony vaio that's about the same specs, and it's two years old! I just don't see what's so 'new' about this lappy from Lenovo. The MBA is cute, but the lack of devices and options just makes it impractical for my uses. BTW, my Sony has one of the best screens for the size that I've seen. Much better than the MBA, (I've done a side by side comparison, really pissed off the Apple store folks) but have yet to compare the Lenovo.

    The MBA is 4400 AUD with the solid drive, I can get a Mtron 64GB for about 1400 AUD, making my Sony cost about 3900 AUD. Battery life? My non-extended battery can play two DVD's without needing a charge, (barely) or just about enough time to get me from SYD to HI :-)
    Reply
  • bitburn
    Since they are both way to expensive, I would still pick the Air just for its style and OS superiority. But that's just me ;-)
    Reply
  • MadHacker
    strange that they compare load time of 2 different OS's
    they should have installed vista on the macbook or MAC OSX on the x300
    that would give a proper benchmark of the hardware.
    Reply
  • TechieXP
    What was Apple thinking? A laptop with no CDROM? So how am I suppose to install application/game? Oh I have to go out an buy one? Why? For the price of teh laptop they didnt include and external one? Thay only cost $20 to make if that much. And why external anyway. In the sleek design they couldnt have squeezed in a slot loading one? Come on Apple and you wonder why you're at the end of the computer gene pool. A laptop is suppose to be a portable computer with some of the features of my desktop. What happens if I am in class and the teacher hands us an instruction CD? I dont want to have to carry an additional component.
    Reply