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For those studying MacBook alternatives, I think the most underrated “serious” notebook computer in the world is the Panasonic Letsnote SX/SV. Matte screen tha

by numair 5y ago

For those studying MacBook alternatives, I think the most underrated “serious” notebook computer in the world is the Panasonic Letsnote SX/SV. Matte screen that actually works outdoors, removable long-life battery, unassuming vintage design (“let’s not rob that guy, he can’t even afford a new computer”). I haven’t investigated the Linuxability of this thing yet, but it’s super-light and impressive as a mosh terminal (especially with built-in 4G LTE!). Tough magnesium body, super comfy keyboard that’s easy to swap out if you beat it up. Made in Japan! I have a fully loaded MacBook Pro, and couldn’t imagine doing design work on anything else, but I somehow end up getting lots of work done on the Letsnote. It’s at a point where I don’t think I’ll be excited about the long-awaited new 14-inch MacBook Pro, as I doubt it’ll have a matte screen and a durable exterior (and, I much prefer to look like a sad worker stuck with a dorky computer from 2006, than a moneyed tech guy).

przemub 5y ago
Sounds awesome! I've had huge problems with some recent ThinkPads so it seems that it will be a choice between Panasonic and Fujitsu. Thanks for the recommendation.
- numair 5y ago
  It’s pretty much a staple item in Corporate Japan, which probably explains why Panasonic hasn’t offshored production as everyone else did. I think it’d be great to see more overseas business pick up for these computers — it’s one of those classic bits of Japanese technology that looks hopelessly outdated until you use it, and then you hope it never changes. My label for such things is “In-N-Out Burger Technology,” for reasons that should be obvious to my fellow Californians...
  - jron 5y ago
    Is the trackpad comparable to a macbook? I've yet to see an equal or anything remotely close.
    - fomine3 5y ago
      Their trackpad is bad for me because they stick with circler form on most models. It's bad just because very small. It support scrolling by tracing circle edge, but not much worth. Meanwhile they also stick with old fashioned non-isolated keyboard. It's great.
jstummbillig 5y ago
> think the most underrated “serious” notebook computer in the world is the Panasonic Letsnote SX/SV. Oh man, I kinda wish I felt different, but this thing gets a hard no just for its aesthetics. Notebooks are both way to omnipresent in my life and manifold to revisit something mid-90s. I do not want my home & life to feel like an old X-Files episode.
- numair 5y ago
  The great irony is, your 90s throwback nightmare is now the Gen Z dream. Everything is a cycle if you wait long enough!
  - aaaaaaaaaaab 5y ago
    >your 90s throwback nightmare is now the Gen Z dream Only ironically. See: vaporwave.
0800LUCAS 5y ago
Can you even get one of those Panasonic laptops outside of Japan? Checked Amazon.co.jp and doesn't seem like they ship to Europe. I'm actually interested in trying one of these out.
hellbannedguy 5y ago
This will probally be my next laptop. I like the retro look. I had a Panasonic years ago and adored it. It was huge, but did everything, even had a tv tuner. And it was easy to work on. Used it 10 plus years.
thereddaikon 5y ago
Looks like a japan only model. I should have known by the name, Let's _____ is a really common Japanese product trope. You should try "Let's Corn!" sometime. Its uhhh, japanese. How do you suggest getting one of these things or getting support for it? I'm not against foreign market hardware but they can be a real pain in the ass for many. Last japanese laptop I had was almost 20 years ago, an ultraportable Sony. It was interesting but finding drivers online back then was a challenge.
- fomine3 5y ago
  Let's note sold in Japan only offers Japanese keyboard layout, this may be a top problem. It seems that US keyboard model is sold as "Asia Model", but sold only for corporate. Hopefully you can find used one. Possibly it's also available in asian marketplace. https://biz.panasonic.com/jp-ja/products-services/letsnote/lineup/sv8-asia https://biz.panasonic.com/jp-ja/products-services/letsnote/l...
1-6 5y ago
You can probably buy a laptop with a certain generic form-factor with a rugged case that snaps onto the body. Panasonic, unfortunately, can't get economies of scale like LG, Lenovo, Apple.
certeoun 5y ago
How about this "made in Japan"[1] laptop as a MacBook alternative?: https://us.vaio.com/collections/vaio-z https://us.vaio.com/collections/vaio-z [1] https://us.vaio.com/pages/vaio-made-in-japan https://us.vaio.com/pages/vaio-made-in-japan

by numair 5y ago

przemub 5y ago

Sounds awesome! I've had huge problems with some recent ThinkPads so it seems that it will be a choice between Panasonic and Fujitsu. Thanks for the recommendation.

numair 5y ago
It’s pretty much a staple item in Corporate Japan, which probably explains why Panasonic hasn’t offshored production as everyone else did. I think it’d be great to see more overseas business pick up for these computers — it’s one of those classic bits of Japanese technology that looks hopelessly outdated until you use it, and then you hope it never changes. My label for such things is “In-N-Out Burger Technology,” for reasons that should be obvious to my fellow Californians...
- jron 5y ago
  Is the trackpad comparable to a macbook? I've yet to see an equal or anything remotely close.
  - fomine3 5y ago
    Their trackpad is bad for me because they stick with circler form on most models. It's bad just because very small. It support scrolling by tracing circle edge, but not much worth. Meanwhile they also stick with old fashioned non-isolated keyboard. It's great.

jstummbillig 5y ago

> think the most underrated “serious” notebook computer in the world is the Panasonic Letsnote SX/SV. Oh man, I kinda wish I felt different, but this thing gets a hard no just for its aesthetics. Notebooks are both way to omnipresent in my life and manifold to revisit something mid-90s. I do not want my home & life to feel like an old X-Files episode.

numair 5y ago
The great irony is, your 90s throwback nightmare is now the Gen Z dream. Everything is a cycle if you wait long enough!
- aaaaaaaaaaab 5y ago
  >your 90s throwback nightmare is now the Gen Z dream Only ironically. See: vaporwave.

0800LUCAS 5y ago

Can you even get one of those Panasonic laptops outside of Japan? Checked Amazon.co.jp and doesn't seem like they ship to Europe. I'm actually interested in trying one of these out.

hellbannedguy 5y ago

This will probally be my next laptop. I like the retro look. I had a Panasonic years ago and adored it. It was huge, but did everything, even had a tv tuner. And it was easy to work on. Used it 10 plus years.

thereddaikon 5y ago

Looks like a japan only model. I should have known by the name, Let's _____ is a really common Japanese product trope. You should try "Let's Corn!" sometime. Its uhhh, japanese. How do you suggest getting one of these things or getting support for it? I'm not against foreign market hardware but they can be a real pain in the ass for many. Last japanese laptop I had was almost 20 years ago, an ultraportable Sony. It was interesting but finding drivers online back then was a challenge.

fomine3 5y ago
Let's note sold in Japan only offers Japanese keyboard layout, this may be a top problem. It seems that US keyboard model is sold as "Asia Model", but sold only for corporate. Hopefully you can find used one. Possibly it's also available in asian marketplace. https://biz.panasonic.com/jp-ja/products-services/letsnote/lineup/sv8-asia https://biz.panasonic.com/jp-ja/products-services/letsnote/l...

1-6 5y ago

You can probably buy a laptop with a certain generic form-factor with a rugged case that snaps onto the body. Panasonic, unfortunately, can't get economies of scale like LG, Lenovo, Apple.

certeoun 5y ago

How about this "made in Japan"[1] laptop as a MacBook alternative?: https://us.vaio.com/collections/vaio-z https://us.vaio.com/collections/vaio-z [1] https://us.vaio.com/pages/vaio-made-in-japan https://us.vaio.com/pages/vaio-made-in-japan