8 ms·

Ask HN: Any good Macbook Air alternatives?

85 points by puredemo 15y ago

drKarl 15y ago
You can look at the excellent Sony Vaio Z Series
- cema 15y ago
  However one needs to keep in mind that Vaio Z is a Windows machine which is a poor platform for Ubuntu or a linux in general.
  - mansr 15y ago
    I have a Vaio Z, and the only thing that doesn't work smoothly is dynamic GPU switching. This is not a problem specific to the Vaio, it is simply not supported by Xorg (yet?). All other important hardware is Intel so driver support is excellent. The only thing not to like about this machine is the price.
    - genieyclo 15y ago
      I haven't tried Linux on any Sony devices yet, how is the driver support? I tend to buy Lenovo only since I'm always confident that full driver and wireless support will be there always. The Vaio Z is very enticing, but with similar offerings from Lenovo like the X220, I'm tending towards the familiar.
      - mansr 15y ago
        All the important hardware is, as I said, Intel and thus has good driver support. My Vaio Z additionally has an nvidia GPU, Ricoh SD/MS controller, Broadcom Bluetooth, and Ricoh camera. I'm using only the Intel GPU so I can't comment on the nvidia one, but I imagine it would work with their binary drivers. The SD reader works, MS does not (there is a driver for another Ricoh MS controller, might be similar; simply adding the PCI ID doesn't seem to be sufficient). Camera works with UVC driver. No idea about Bluetooth. The machine can be configured with fingerprint reader, 3G modem, and maybe something else. I don't have any of the extras so I don't know the level of support for these. When I got it last year, there were a few minor issues with suspend, but these have since been fixed.
- profquail 15y ago
  I'll second this. If you're looking for a cheap, light notebook with mid-range features, look elsewhere; however, if you want a fast, portable machine for development/design, I don't know of anything better. I've had one for about a year (typing on it now), and it's probably the best development laptop I've ever used (maybe even best development machine, period). The only drawbacks I've seen are the price (it's quite expensive) and Sony isn't very good about keeping their drivers up-to-date, so anything custom/customized in the machine (like the graphics card) is kind of annoying to get new drivers for.
  - hnhg 15y ago
    The point about the drivers is a big one. I've had a few Sony laptops and I'll never buy one again because support is non-existent after a couple of years.
- CamperBob 15y ago
  If the answer involves giving money to Sony, then you asked the wrong question.
- lannydayinhull 15y ago
  Disagree. Everyone in my office got VAIO Z's. They were great machines for about 9 months, then started having SSD, overheating, and graphics problems. I used to be a huge fan of the VAIO, but not any more.
frzn 15y ago
Or the Samsung 9 series -> http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Samsung-900X3A-Subnotebook.50378.0.html http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Samsung-900X3A-Subnotebo...
- ArchD 15y ago
  I have one of these. If you plan to run Windows on it, it's fine. Linux (Ubuntu) is ok and fairly usable, but not 100% working. For example, some of the special Fn keys don't work, and it forgets my dual-monitor configuration when I disconnect and connect my external monitor.
- clebio 15y ago
  I have been using a Series 9 since the week it was released. It is an awesome computer. I run Windows 7 on it and use Ubuntu in VirtualBox for *nix development work. My only reservation is the SSD is only 128GB, but there's apparently a newer iteration that has 256GB: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-NP900X3A-B02-13-3-Inch-Notebook-Black/dp/B0056EY91Q http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-NP900X3A-B02-13-3-Inch-Noteboo... That said, I find the OP a bit unclear. If you need a computer that runs Mac OSX, your choices are clear, though fairly limited. The discussion in that case is about what form-factor you prefer (ultra-mobile, portable, desktop). If you don't care about operating system, but are looking for a computer with a similar design aesthetic and form factor, there are several choices. The Samsung Series 9 is the closest match, in my opinion, for being metal, thin, light, and lacking a optical drive. With an optical drive, I would suggest the Toshiba Portege (R835) or so, which runs Ubuntu well.
- vii 15y ago
  I've this laptop. I quite like it, the screen can go very bright so you can use it outdoors. The downsides: super sharp edges make it uncomfortable to rest on oneself, the power socket is flimsy and the charger easily damaged, awful drivers for the Broadcom WiFi chip. I tend to give laptops a rough treatment lugging them around (my ThinkPad was continually damaged and had bits shattered off it on a regular basis). My last laptop was a Toughbook which bravely survived years though a few screws came out of it. The Samsung has done very well and the only damage is to the charger and the screen getting bright patches from being squashed in transit. The SSD is very fast, maybe faster than the Intel X25M I had before, and I'm generally pleased with it. I use Ubuntu without major issues.
realize 15y ago
No. The other macbooks are too big, and all other notebooks are too windowsey.
- sid0 15y ago
  Too windowsey? What does that even mean? Does it mean you don't actually have to choose between working AHCI and working sleep in Windows?
  - mcritz 15y ago
    It means they're commodity hardware. They're made of plastic. They're poorly designed, cheaply made, and the general goal is to be almost as good as a MacBook Air. Sometimes second place isn't good enough.
    - sid0 15y ago
      It means they're commodity hardware. They're made of plastic. They're poorly designed, cheaply made And yet they're much better to run anything that isn't Mac OS X. They allow you to boot Linux or Windows from USB. They don't disable AHCI just because and force you to apply a sleep-breaking MBR hack if you wanted to use it. An Apple laptop is the worst possible laptop you could get if you wanted to run Windows. Trust me, I have one and I really hate it. This is the last Apple laptop I'm ever going to own. If all other laptops are too Windowsey, then give me a Windowsey laptop over an Apple one any day. edit: awww, seems like I hurt the delicate sentiments of a poor widdle Apple fanboy.
- rbanffy 15y ago
  > all other notebooks are too windowsey. Some are very Linuxey. My Acer netbook is fast enough for me and, for the price of an MBA, I could buy 4 of them. It's been reported Toshibas and Sony's have some issues. The i5-based Dell I got issued at work also works very well and seems to be built like a tank. If you want Windows, well... There are small computers, some of them well built that can run Windows at Windows functionality levels.
f1shrman 15y ago
In my experience the Macbook Air is the best bang for your buck in terms of weight, battery life and speed. The Samsung Series 9 is really the only one that comes close in those 3 areas, and it's more expensive. Full disclosure: I own the new i5 13" MBA and think it's the best purchase I've made in a long time.
- sushi 15y ago
  I am planning to purchase the same MBA that you have. Would you say it's good enough for someone who wants to do Django, python dev, Photoshop, Illustrator and some basic video editing?
  - rograndom 15y ago
    Seeing as how I've done most if not all of those things on a secession of laptops from a Powerbook G3, G4, plastic Macbook and a MBA, it's more than enough.
  - f1shrman 15y ago
    Good question, I don't run a lot of those apps but I do Ruby/JavaScript development on it and it feels faster than my i7 MBP (probably because the MBP has a 5400rpm hard drive). My guess is that you'd be fine, the only thing I can think of is that the Intel video card might slow you down in graphics intensive work in Photoshop.
  - cmurphycode 15y ago
    Yup, without question. The only thing I'd warn you is that when you're doing heavy work (video encoding or lots of heavy compilation/running) or heavy play (lots of flash), the battery life will probably be just under 5. Not at all like the 7 they claim, which is really only for casual surfing where the processor is bored out of its mind. (I have the same i5 13", it's been great)
lowkey 15y ago
Check out the Asus UX21 http://gizmodo.com/5807015/asus-ux21-matches-macbook-airs-sizes-and-scorches-its-specs http://gizmodo.com/5807015/asus-ux21-matches-macbook-airs-si...
- puredemo 15y ago
  Comes out next month then?
- edtechdev 15y ago
  Yeah the Asus UL20FT-B1 is out already and has more features than the air, and it's only around $400 at some places. Weighs 3.3 pounds.
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
SandB0x 15y ago
Lenovo ThinkPad X1, T420s and X220
- g-garron 15y ago
  In May I was thinking about the X220, finally I've decided for a MacBook Pro (No new Airs at that moment). My decision was mainly because I prefer the Mac OS to Windows. Of course I was going to install Linux on the Levono and Wipe Windows, but now I have OS X with my Laptop and Linux with my Desktop.
2muchcoffeeman 15y ago
I just looked at the link to Samsung 9 series and the googled for the Sony Viao Z series. The Samsung 9 in the link is 1600EUR. I checked the German Apple site. The top end Air is 1499EUR. The low end 13" with a 128GB SSD like in the link is 1249EUR. I looked up the Viao Z series on the Sony German site and this is a bit confusing. It says that it starts at 1754EUR which seems like a really good deal. But at the bottom where there are preconfigured models with more detailed specs that you can compare, it really starts at 2299EUR (so what are you getting for 1754EUR?). The Air is the cheapest option???
- zobzu 15y ago
  Dunno how you got your prices but the MBA starts at around 1000E and ends at around 2000+EUR The Z starts at around 1700 and ends at around 4500EUR Not sure about the samsung. Of course, you don't get the same between a MBA and a Z. The MBA is a pretty nice machine in fact, if you're an OSX user and don't need the best-of-the-best (aka the Z, so far, its so much faster than the MBA it's not even funny)
  - 2muchcoffeeman 15y ago
    The Samsung prices are in the link in tis topic. I got the MBA prices from the German Apple site. I got the Z prices from the German Sony site. I only looked at preconfigured 13" systems. I was only looking at the basics too. CPU, RAM, SSD capacity. The Z is faster for sure, but I am not convinced it's worth the premium that they are selling it for.
ssgrfk 15y ago
MacBook Pro
blinkingled 15y ago
I actually switched from 2010 Air to X220 after the 2011 Airs came out. Needed a Windows machine and did not like where Lion was going - with 2011 MBA I would have no choice but to run Lion and Windows with half baked support (AHCI, other minor annoyances) The X220 fits the bill - 1) Display is good - it's IPS panel with good viewing angles and great brightness (Make sure you opt for Premium HD display) 2) Battery life is great - 6-7 hrs for regular use is no big deal at all with the normal battery. Go with 9 cell for little extra thickness and you are talking 9 hrs. 3) It is fast even with the 7200RPM HDD - resume from sleep is fastest I've seen for a Windows laptop with regular HDD and pre desktop fingerprint authentication saves you more time. 4) Legendary Thinkpad keyboard - love it! 5) Fast regular voltage i5/i7 CPUs - not undervolted ones. 6) Does not get noisy or hot even under full load - the i7 models throttle a bit more but are still great. 7) Can have 8GB RAM - big deal for me as I run VMs. Not an option with the Air. The only issue really is the tiny trackpad. It gets the job done but is nowhere near the nice big glassy one on the Air. If you were into Linux X220 runs Ubuntu 11.04 great out of box - added benefit.
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]
- sgt 15y ago
  I did a search for X220 and found this: http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-x220.aspx http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-x220... Are you serious? This doesn't look like anything that may compete with Macbook Air in my book. Not to seem too negative, but the overall design is reminiscent of old laptops from the year 2001. (Typical for PC laptop designers).
  - blinkingled 15y ago
    Of course in the form/looks department nothing beats the Air so far. But for me if I can get function with form I will go with it. Sacrificing function for form is not a luxury I can afford at the moment :) But the point is - Thinkpads are well built, the x220 is thin if not as thin, and it offers lot of functionality over the Air and even if it doesn't look as flashy it doesn't look that bad - people are used to seeing Thinkpads :) [ I noticed you deleted the running OS X part - if anyone else was wondering - x220 can make a great hackintosh if you swapped the WiFi card - it has an empty mSATA connection if I remember correctly. Apart from that the hardware should be OS X friendly.]
nickpp 15y ago
I own a Lenovo X220, bought before the Air refresh. Similar weight as the Air but much thicker. Little more powerful CPU to which I added 8GB ram and a 240GB OCZ Vertex 3 SSD. 12-13" IPS display, is the crappiest IPS I ever saw, still better than a TN though. Battery life is around 5h, OK I guess. Keyboard is great but touchpad is horrible. Mac os x is not an option, but Win 7 runs pretty great on it.
- mrud 15y ago
  JFTR the X220 does not have a 13.3" (that would be the X1 or X301 iirc) but 12.5"
  - nickpp 15y ago
    You are correct, sorry I was thinking about the Air.
cageface 15y ago
I haven't found any non-Apple laptop with a trackpad that's even close. Everything I've tried on the Windows/Linux side has been bad enough to be a deal-breaker.
- eitland 15y ago
  True. However on Linux and Windows I don't need to use the touchpad as often.
  - hexley 15y ago
    Or OS X if you learn the shortcuts.
  - sjs 15y ago
    When I use Windows I feel like everything is inside a damn context menu that's difficult to access with the keyboard. (imo of course) OS X beats Linux for keyboard shortcuts because they are more consistent. My ranking is: 1. OS X, 2. Linux, 3. Windows. I'm a keyboard junkie, to a fault sometimes, but I find that I use the trackpad on my MacBook quite a bit because it's so useful with all the gestures and such.
    - ToastOpt 15y ago
      > context menu that's difficult to access with the keyboard Hmm, I guess you're right. Without the dedicated context menu key, you have to use SHIFT+F10. That's a pain.
      - sjs 15y ago
        Yes cumbersome would have been a better word than difficult. Once open it's pretty straightforward to navigate, though I really wish you could type the name of any menu item and jump to it like you can on OS X. If there's no alt shortcut on Windows you have to use the arrow keys which are off the home row, which still disrupts me every so slightly.
- haecib 15y ago
Goladus 15y ago
This isn't a recommendation, as I am not a customer, but System76 offers a "Lemur Ultrathin" model: http://www.system76.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=106 http://www.system76.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&produc... Here's a review: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1610568 http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1610568
- hogu 15y ago
  battery life seems pretty bad
  - japhyr 15y ago
    I use a system76 pangolin, and battery life is my only complaint. I got mine when they offered a 1680x1050 screen.
- diziet 15y ago
  The specs and prices of upgrades for things like ram/cpu are really impressive!
blackiron 15y ago
Samsung QX411 actually looks a lot like the macbook air. It costs around 800$ with i5 and 6gb of RAM. Its very light for a 14' laptop and battery is pretty good too. I own one and just love it, at first I installed Ubuntu but video and clickpad drivers didnt map well.. then found out I could just run Ubuntu inside VirtualBox with seamless performance .
- jedbrown 15y ago
  It's a lot heavier than an Air, really more of a competitor to the 13" MBP. The Asus U46E is also in that category (slightly lighter and narrower, I preferred the screen).
rkalla 15y ago
I have asked this question and done this research a number of times and all the links here are the paths you want to look down. The Asus lowkey links, the Samsung 9 series (you can get this at Costco), the Sony Vaio Z series and the small end Lenovo ThinkPad's (which some friends have told me are a bit too small cause of the higher res screen). When I looked the Samsung 9 had some serious touch-pad sensitivity issues. The Sony Vaio Z series is packed and quite expensive if you really load it out. I would point out that the scrolling/zooming/multi-touch experience in Windows 7 on these other devices is no where near as fluid as the MBA; I don't know how important that is to you, but once I realized how herky-jerky it was going to be that was a turn off for me and how I was using my laptop. Also the hardware loadout in the MBA compared to some of these other devices actually ends up making the MBA really competitively priced, especially when you add the SSD to the likes of the Sony Vaio Z which got quite expensive. As always it depends what you want to do with the laptop (gaming? programming? web?) but just know that if OS X/Win isn't an issue the hardware on all these high end ultra lights is within the same ballpark and not night/day different.
petervandijck 15y ago
I believe Intel is coming out with a new motherboard spec soon (or already did?) to build Windows computers that basically imitate the Air. So wait 6 months and you should have some good choices. Couldn't find link, sorry.
- dstein64 15y ago
  Here is a link that has some information on the Ultrabook: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20067411-64.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20067411-64.html
keidian 15y ago
I personally have an Acer 3820tg that I've had for about a year now. i5-430, 4gigs of ram, 500gb drive. I upgraded the memory to 6gb (had some lying around) and switched the 5400rpm drive for a 7200rpm. When I have the cash to spare, I'll put in 8gb and a SSD which should speed it up more. I run CrunchbangLinux (debian + xfce) upgraded to Sid repos instead of Squeeze. The only problems I have with it are the video switching can be a pain (solved with a bios mod that lets you disable the ati card, which I don't really use much at all) & the usual annoying broadcom wireless that means you need to connect wired to get the driver the first time or have the .debs downloaded first. The model is a bit older now but the specs are good and you can probably find them quite cheap now. There is also a second gen version (3830 i think is model?) that has most of the same specs except second gen i5, usb 3 & i think nvidia instead of ati video.
- starwed 15y ago
  That is almost twice the weight of the smaller Air, with larger dimensions. Since those are pretty much the defining characteristics of the Air, not really an "alternative".
clvv 15y ago
I've been using HP dm1z for half a year now. It's a pretty good portable laptop with good battery life. Although in terms of computing power it won't compare to the airs. But at $400 it is a pretty good MacBook air alternative.
thigbee 15y ago
I know you're asking about Air alternatives... But I bought the top-of-the-line MacBook Air (i7 1.8ghz, 4gb ram, 256gb sdd) right after it came out, and it's one of the best purchases I've ever made. It's my first Mac and won't be the last. Definitely the best computer I've ever owned. I run Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign on it, and do minor video editing. The thing's blazing fast.
- intenex 15y ago
  Have you ever had an SSD before?
zeit_geist 15y ago
An iPad.
some 15y ago
Im very much into light and small notebooks and I love the Lenovo X301. The big advantage over the air is that it has a matte screen. I run linux on it which works perfectly.
scarmig 15y ago
X220, replacing the stock HDD with a SDD. Clean install of Arch. Points to note: when it first came out, I had to come up with a patch of tp smapi to get it to work. Not sure if that's still the case. You'll get inferior battery life in Linux, even worse than in Windows 7. I'm typically getting 5-6 hours on wireless doing not particularly intense stuff. Also some oddities with the special ThinkPad keys that's simply a matter of not caring enough to fix. Touchpad a bit funky. It's a solid alternative, though I think I mostly chose it for a superior GUI, not the system itself.
ConceitedCode 15y ago
Anyone try a lenovo x1? Seems like a good alternative, but haven't heard much about it.
- sandeepshetty 15y ago
  Its pretty good except for the battery. If you need decent time on it then you need to get an additional battery slice which makes it more expensive and bulkier but it also gives you a great keyboard angle.
htilford 15y ago
For the time being Apple has a near monopoly on the CNC lathes used to make slick uni-body ultra portables. http://www.tuaw.com/2011/08/04/apples-hold-on-metal-chassis-supply-chain-hinders-competition/ http://www.tuaw.com/2011/08/04/apples-hold-on-metal-chassis-...
- blackguardx 15y ago
  I think that article meant "milling machines." Lathes are for parts that have a generally cylindrical shape. 10,000 is a lot. I really can't comprehend the amount of space that would require. These things are the size of a large bathroom. Also, the production of Apple's laptop cases have to be a drop in the bucket compared to how many other CNC items are produced. I am skeptical of the article's claims.
natch 15y ago
Macbook Pro 13" for $999, then add whatever SSD you're willing to spring for. This way you get * the unibody * the magsafe * the battery of the MBP * the flexibility to easily use OSX if you ever need to (without doing the sketchy hackintosh approach) * the resale value of the MBP And you get a lot more machine for the money than the MBA. The one cost you have to accept is the weight. But that's giving you a very sturdy machine, something you might value. The video performance on this generation of 13" MBP is the one weak spot, but it will suffice if you don't need to be on the bleeding edge.
- gtufano 15y ago
  The Air screen is WAY less reflective than the one on MBP 13", to the point of being usable. If you, like me, cannot bear to see your reflection in the LCD :) then the Air is the only alternative to the WAY more expensive (and weighty) MBP 15" (with the BTO opaque LCD).
- mahyarm 15y ago
  The i5 Macbook Pro 13" has the same performance as the i7 Macbook Air. (5910 vs 5830 on geekbench).
zobzu 15y ago
I have a Sony Vaio Z21. So alright alright, it's not, cheap. It's not in the same ball park as the MBA on the performance side (it annihilates it) But! - it's slightly lighter than the MBA - its just as thin and compact - it has a gorgeous screen that also doesnt reflects everything instead of showing you content - it runs linux just fine - you can plug a lightpeak graphic card if you like - the SSD's are extremely, extremely fast (750mbyte/s sequential writes, and over the gigbyte/s sequential reads. And no, its not mbit/s) - standard voltage i7 - bunch of options if you like that sort of stuff (fingerprint reader, 3G card, fullhd screen, etc) - battery sheet if you like 10-12H battery life for a slightly heavier lappy (long courier flights anyone?) -actual HDMI out, VGA out, ethernet port, no need to carry adapters. -it still looks pretty cool
- sorenbs 15y ago
  what kind of battery life (with the build in battery) and fan noise do you experience under normal working conditions?
- catch23 15y ago
  that thing is 3x the cost of a macbook air... and I thought apple products were expensive.
- phamilton 15y ago
  BS on the SSD speeds. 6 gbps SATA with 8/10 encoding (standard SATA) means the bus is saturated at 600MB/s.
  - plantain 15y ago
    Depending on his configuration they come in 2way and 4way RAID-0, so those numbers are potentially feasible.
natch 15y ago
It's not obvious from your question which aspects of the MBA are unsatisfactory, and which ones you would like the alternative to have. Can you say more about your needs?
genki 15y ago
I've been on the lookout for the LG P220, but it doesn't seem like it's going to be released in North America... unfortunate. No word on pricing either, though that wasn't mentioned as a concern. http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/lg-p220-ultraportable-specs-and-shipping-date-revealed-still-no/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/lg-p220-ultraportable-spe...
nordsieck 15y ago
IMO, the most important feature in a laptop is resolution. The presence of an ssd is a distant second. Sony Vaios are ridiculously expensive; that being said, they offer 1920x1080 in a 13.1" form factor. This completely destroys everyone else, in my mind.
- dvdhsu 15y ago
  When the pixel density is that high though, the text starts to strain your eyes.
  - mansr 15y ago
    Then use a larger font and get better-looking text at the same size as the competition.
  - nordsieck 15y ago
    For equal sized characters (measured in in/cm), higher resolution should result in more readable font. Perhaps I'm biased because I spend all my time in terminals and browsers, but font scaling seems to work quite well for me.
  - FireBeyond 15y ago
    Apple releases "Retina Display", with ultra-high resolution: "Amazing! So much better than anything else! So crisp! So beautiful!" Someone else releases lower pixel density display for laptop, but far better than what Apple deigns to offer: "Ugh! No! How can you read that? That just gives you eye strain..." (Exaggerated for emphasis)
    - dvdhsu 15y ago
      Right, but most icons do not exist in a high resolution format yet (as far as I know, I would appreciate if somebody to correct me on this, if I am wrong). Apple's retina display works because they have graphics that are the same physical size on screen. When I switch from my MacBook Pro display to an external Samsung display, the icon and text both get smaller.
davidf18 15y ago
X201s, a previous model to the X220 (along with the non "s" X201) has a higher resolution display (1440x900 same res as Mac Air 13) than the X220 (1366x766) and weighs about 1/2 lb less than the X220. Loaded with SSD and 8 GB RAM it is my preference over the X220. If a 12.5" screen vs. the Mac Air 13.3" screen works for needs then you might consider this machine. The Thinkpad Trackpoint is great once you get used to it (probably a few hours/days at most). For long trips the replaceable batteries of the Thinkpad have an advantage over the Air. The X201s , X220 are extremely durable machines (I've had Thinkpads since 1999) and have like Apple (and unlike Sony and some others) outstanding warranty service. Thinkpads (on certain models) and Apple both have international warranty. If you want the larger screen of the Mac Air over the X201s or X220 then I don't see an alternative to the "Air" today.
- mahyarm 15y ago
  Vaio Z with it's 13" 1080p screen for 2 kilobucks.
  - davidf18 15y ago
    ...perhaps but Sony service is for the dogs (by reputation). Both Lenovo/Thinkpad and Apple service is outstanding - both in American English. If you depend on your machine and you travel consider service.
- fgumo 15y ago
  Lenovo Thinkpad X1 has 13,3" and a full powered processor. If you want even bigger you can go with a T420 (14"), which is more similar to the X220 but with a media unit.
  - davidf18 15y ago
    Alas the X1 at 13.3" has only the low resolution 1366x768 display and weighs 3.7 lbs and has less battery life than the Mac Air 13.3" which as the higher res 1440x900, weighs 3 lbs and has longer battery life. Lenovo did not update their "Mac Air" which was the X301. Sadly, like early (pre-2010) versions of the Mac Air it is underpowered (1.4 GHz ULV processor) but it did have the 1440x900 13.3" display. Pity Lenovo did not come out with the update to the X301 using the same processor, screen as the Mac Air.
andrewcooke 15y ago
if you're looking for a good-specced ultralight, the main contenders are the lenovo x220, hp 2560p, panasonic s10, and sony z something-or-other (i don't think anyone else has mentioned the s10 which is why i am adding this post - see http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/panasonic-outs-toughbook-s10-with-sandy-bridge-usb-3-0-and-12/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/panasonic-outs-toughbook-... for example). if you're considering a macbook air then i suspect the s10 or sony are closest to what you want. personally, i'd go for one of the other two...
skyshaper 15y ago
What about a Asus U36? See e.g. the U36SD-RX145V model or the U36SD-RX117X model. The display is not as good and the touchpad is probably inferior, otherwise it looks like a good fit for $$$ when compared to the Macbook Air.

85 points by puredemo 15y ago

drKarl 15y ago

You can look at the excellent Sony Vaio Z Series

cema 15y ago
However one needs to keep in mind that Vaio Z is a Windows machine which is a poor platform for Ubuntu or a linux in general.
- mansr 15y ago
  I have a Vaio Z, and the only thing that doesn't work smoothly is dynamic GPU switching. This is not a problem specific to the Vaio, it is simply not supported by Xorg (yet?). All other important hardware is Intel so driver support is excellent. The only thing not to like about this machine is the price.
  - genieyclo 15y ago
    I haven't tried Linux on any Sony devices yet, how is the driver support? I tend to buy Lenovo only since I'm always confident that full driver and wireless support will be there always. The Vaio Z is very enticing, but with similar offerings from Lenovo like the X220, I'm tending towards the familiar.
    - mansr 15y ago
      All the important hardware is, as I said, Intel and thus has good driver support. My Vaio Z additionally has an nvidia GPU, Ricoh SD/MS controller, Broadcom Bluetooth, and Ricoh camera. I'm using only the Intel GPU so I can't comment on the nvidia one, but I imagine it would work with their binary drivers. The SD reader works, MS does not (there is a driver for another Ricoh MS controller, might be similar; simply adding the PCI ID doesn't seem to be sufficient). Camera works with UVC driver. No idea about Bluetooth. The machine can be configured with fingerprint reader, 3G modem, and maybe something else. I don't have any of the extras so I don't know the level of support for these. When I got it last year, there were a few minor issues with suspend, but these have since been fixed.
profquail 15y ago
I'll second this. If you're looking for a cheap, light notebook with mid-range features, look elsewhere; however, if you want a fast, portable machine for development/design, I don't know of anything better. I've had one for about a year (typing on it now), and it's probably the best development laptop I've ever used (maybe even best development machine, period). The only drawbacks I've seen are the price (it's quite expensive) and Sony isn't very good about keeping their drivers up-to-date, so anything custom/customized in the machine (like the graphics card) is kind of annoying to get new drivers for.
- hnhg 15y ago
  The point about the drivers is a big one. I've had a few Sony laptops and I'll never buy one again because support is non-existent after a couple of years.
CamperBob 15y ago
If the answer involves giving money to Sony, then you asked the wrong question.
lannydayinhull 15y ago
Disagree. Everyone in my office got VAIO Z's. They were great machines for about 9 months, then started having SSD, overheating, and graphics problems. I used to be a huge fan of the VAIO, but not any more.

frzn 15y ago

Or the Samsung 9 series -> http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Samsung-900X3A-Subnotebook.50378.0.html http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Samsung-900X3A-Subnotebo...

ArchD 15y ago
I have one of these. If you plan to run Windows on it, it's fine. Linux (Ubuntu) is ok and fairly usable, but not 100% working. For example, some of the special Fn keys don't work, and it forgets my dual-monitor configuration when I disconnect and connect my external monitor.
clebio 15y ago
I have been using a Series 9 since the week it was released. It is an awesome computer. I run Windows 7 on it and use Ubuntu in VirtualBox for *nix development work. My only reservation is the SSD is only 128GB, but there's apparently a newer iteration that has 256GB: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-NP900X3A-B02-13-3-Inch-Notebook-Black/dp/B0056EY91Q http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-NP900X3A-B02-13-3-Inch-Noteboo... That said, I find the OP a bit unclear. If you need a computer that runs Mac OSX, your choices are clear, though fairly limited. The discussion in that case is about what form-factor you prefer (ultra-mobile, portable, desktop). If you don't care about operating system, but are looking for a computer with a similar design aesthetic and form factor, there are several choices. The Samsung Series 9 is the closest match, in my opinion, for being metal, thin, light, and lacking a optical drive. With an optical drive, I would suggest the Toshiba Portege (R835) or so, which runs Ubuntu well.
vii 15y ago
I've this laptop. I quite like it, the screen can go very bright so you can use it outdoors. The downsides: super sharp edges make it uncomfortable to rest on oneself, the power socket is flimsy and the charger easily damaged, awful drivers for the Broadcom WiFi chip. I tend to give laptops a rough treatment lugging them around (my ThinkPad was continually damaged and had bits shattered off it on a regular basis). My last laptop was a Toughbook which bravely survived years though a few screws came out of it. The Samsung has done very well and the only damage is to the charger and the screen getting bright patches from being squashed in transit. The SSD is very fast, maybe faster than the Intel X25M I had before, and I'm generally pleased with it. I use Ubuntu without major issues.

realize 15y ago

No. The other macbooks are too big, and all other notebooks are too windowsey.

sid0 15y ago
Too windowsey? What does that even mean? Does it mean you don't actually have to choose between working AHCI and working sleep in Windows?
- mcritz 15y ago
  It means they're commodity hardware. They're made of plastic. They're poorly designed, cheaply made, and the general goal is to be almost as good as a MacBook Air. Sometimes second place isn't good enough.
  - sid0 15y ago
    It means they're commodity hardware. They're made of plastic. They're poorly designed, cheaply made And yet they're much better to run anything that isn't Mac OS X. They allow you to boot Linux or Windows from USB. They don't disable AHCI just because and force you to apply a sleep-breaking MBR hack if you wanted to use it. An Apple laptop is the worst possible laptop you could get if you wanted to run Windows. Trust me, I have one and I really hate it. This is the last Apple laptop I'm ever going to own. If all other laptops are too Windowsey, then give me a Windowsey laptop over an Apple one any day. edit: awww, seems like I hurt the delicate sentiments of a poor widdle Apple fanboy.
rbanffy 15y ago
> all other notebooks are too windowsey. Some are very Linuxey. My Acer netbook is fast enough for me and, for the price of an MBA, I could buy 4 of them. It's been reported Toshibas and Sony's have some issues. The i5-based Dell I got issued at work also works very well and seems to be built like a tank. If you want Windows, well... There are small computers, some of them well built that can run Windows at Windows functionality levels.

f1shrman 15y ago

In my experience the Macbook Air is the best bang for your buck in terms of weight, battery life and speed. The Samsung Series 9 is really the only one that comes close in those 3 areas, and it's more expensive. Full disclosure: I own the new i5 13" MBA and think it's the best purchase I've made in a long time.

sushi 15y ago
I am planning to purchase the same MBA that you have. Would you say it's good enough for someone who wants to do Django, python dev, Photoshop, Illustrator and some basic video editing?
- rograndom 15y ago
  Seeing as how I've done most if not all of those things on a secession of laptops from a Powerbook G3, G4, plastic Macbook and a MBA, it's more than enough.
- f1shrman 15y ago
  Good question, I don't run a lot of those apps but I do Ruby/JavaScript development on it and it feels faster than my i7 MBP (probably because the MBP has a 5400rpm hard drive). My guess is that you'd be fine, the only thing I can think of is that the Intel video card might slow you down in graphics intensive work in Photoshop.
- cmurphycode 15y ago
  Yup, without question. The only thing I'd warn you is that when you're doing heavy work (video encoding or lots of heavy compilation/running) or heavy play (lots of flash), the battery life will probably be just under 5. Not at all like the 7 they claim, which is really only for casual surfing where the processor is bored out of its mind. (I have the same i5 13", it's been great)

lowkey 15y ago

Check out the Asus UX21 http://gizmodo.com/5807015/asus-ux21-matches-macbook-airs-sizes-and-scorches-its-specs http://gizmodo.com/5807015/asus-ux21-matches-macbook-airs-si...

puredemo 15y ago
Comes out next month then?
edtechdev 15y ago
Yeah the Asus UL20FT-B1 is out already and has more features than the air, and it's only around $400 at some places. Weighs 3.3 pounds.

deleted 15y ago

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SandB0x 15y ago

Lenovo ThinkPad X1, T420s and X220

g-garron 15y ago
In May I was thinking about the X220, finally I've decided for a MacBook Pro (No new Airs at that moment). My decision was mainly because I prefer the Mac OS to Windows. Of course I was going to install Linux on the Levono and Wipe Windows, but now I have OS X with my Laptop and Linux with my Desktop.

2muchcoffeeman 15y ago

I just looked at the link to Samsung 9 series and the googled for the Sony Viao Z series. The Samsung 9 in the link is 1600EUR. I checked the German Apple site. The top end Air is 1499EUR. The low end 13" with a 128GB SSD like in the link is 1249EUR. I looked up the Viao Z series on the Sony German site and this is a bit confusing. It says that it starts at 1754EUR which seems like a really good deal. But at the bottom where there are preconfigured models with more detailed specs that you can compare, it really starts at 2299EUR (so what are you getting for 1754EUR?). The Air is the cheapest option???

zobzu 15y ago
Dunno how you got your prices but the MBA starts at around 1000E and ends at around 2000+EUR The Z starts at around 1700 and ends at around 4500EUR Not sure about the samsung. Of course, you don't get the same between a MBA and a Z. The MBA is a pretty nice machine in fact, if you're an OSX user and don't need the best-of-the-best (aka the Z, so far, its so much faster than the MBA it's not even funny)
- 2muchcoffeeman 15y ago
  The Samsung prices are in the link in tis topic. I got the MBA prices from the German Apple site. I got the Z prices from the German Sony site. I only looked at preconfigured 13" systems. I was only looking at the basics too. CPU, RAM, SSD capacity. The Z is faster for sure, but I am not convinced it's worth the premium that they are selling it for.

ssgrfk 15y ago

MacBook Pro

blinkingled 15y ago

I actually switched from 2010 Air to X220 after the 2011 Airs came out. Needed a Windows machine and did not like where Lion was going - with 2011 MBA I would have no choice but to run Lion and Windows with half baked support (AHCI, other minor annoyances) The X220 fits the bill - 1) Display is good - it's IPS panel with good viewing angles and great brightness (Make sure you opt for Premium HD display) 2) Battery life is great - 6-7 hrs for regular use is no big deal at all with the normal battery. Go with 9 cell for little extra thickness and you are talking 9 hrs. 3) It is fast even with the 7200RPM HDD - resume from sleep is fastest I've seen for a Windows laptop with regular HDD and pre desktop fingerprint authentication saves you more time. 4) Legendary Thinkpad keyboard - love it! 5) Fast regular voltage i5/i7 CPUs - not undervolted ones. 6) Does not get noisy or hot even under full load - the i7 models throttle a bit more but are still great. 7) Can have 8GB RAM - big deal for me as I run VMs. Not an option with the Air. The only issue really is the tiny trackpad. It gets the job done but is nowhere near the nice big glassy one on the Air. If you were into Linux X220 runs Ubuntu 11.04 great out of box - added benefit.

deleted 15y ago
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sgt 15y ago
I did a search for X220 and found this: http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-x220.aspx http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-x220... Are you serious? This doesn't look like anything that may compete with Macbook Air in my book. Not to seem too negative, but the overall design is reminiscent of old laptops from the year 2001. (Typical for PC laptop designers).
- blinkingled 15y ago
  Of course in the form/looks department nothing beats the Air so far. But for me if I can get function with form I will go with it. Sacrificing function for form is not a luxury I can afford at the moment :) But the point is - Thinkpads are well built, the x220 is thin if not as thin, and it offers lot of functionality over the Air and even if it doesn't look as flashy it doesn't look that bad - people are used to seeing Thinkpads :) [ I noticed you deleted the running OS X part - if anyone else was wondering - x220 can make a great hackintosh if you swapped the WiFi card - it has an empty mSATA connection if I remember correctly. Apart from that the hardware should be OS X friendly.]

nickpp 15y ago

I own a Lenovo X220, bought before the Air refresh. Similar weight as the Air but much thicker. Little more powerful CPU to which I added 8GB ram and a 240GB OCZ Vertex 3 SSD. 12-13" IPS display, is the crappiest IPS I ever saw, still better than a TN though. Battery life is around 5h, OK I guess. Keyboard is great but touchpad is horrible. Mac os x is not an option, but Win 7 runs pretty great on it.

mrud 15y ago
JFTR the X220 does not have a 13.3" (that would be the X1 or X301 iirc) but 12.5"
- nickpp 15y ago
  You are correct, sorry I was thinking about the Air.

cageface 15y ago

I haven't found any non-Apple laptop with a trackpad that's even close. Everything I've tried on the Windows/Linux side has been bad enough to be a deal-breaker.

eitland 15y ago
True. However on Linux and Windows I don't need to use the touchpad as often.
- hexley 15y ago
  Or OS X if you learn the shortcuts.
- sjs 15y ago
  When I use Windows I feel like everything is inside a damn context menu that's difficult to access with the keyboard. (imo of course) OS X beats Linux for keyboard shortcuts because they are more consistent. My ranking is: 1. OS X, 2. Linux, 3. Windows. I'm a keyboard junkie, to a fault sometimes, but I find that I use the trackpad on my MacBook quite a bit because it's so useful with all the gestures and such.
  - ToastOpt 15y ago
    > context menu that's difficult to access with the keyboard Hmm, I guess you're right. Without the dedicated context menu key, you have to use SHIFT+F10. That's a pain.
    - sjs 15y ago
      Yes cumbersome would have been a better word than difficult. Once open it's pretty straightforward to navigate, though I really wish you could type the name of any menu item and jump to it like you can on OS X. If there's no alt shortcut on Windows you have to use the arrow keys which are off the home row, which still disrupts me every so slightly.
haecib 15y ago

Goladus 15y ago

This isn't a recommendation, as I am not a customer, but System76 offers a "Lemur Ultrathin" model: http://www.system76.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=106 http://www.system76.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&produc... Here's a review: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1610568 http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1610568

hogu 15y ago
battery life seems pretty bad
- japhyr 15y ago
  I use a system76 pangolin, and battery life is my only complaint. I got mine when they offered a 1680x1050 screen.
diziet 15y ago
The specs and prices of upgrades for things like ram/cpu are really impressive!

blackiron 15y ago

Samsung QX411 actually looks a lot like the macbook air. It costs around 800$ with i5 and 6gb of RAM. Its very light for a 14' laptop and battery is pretty good too. I own one and just love it, at first I installed Ubuntu but video and clickpad drivers didnt map well.. then found out I could just run Ubuntu inside VirtualBox with seamless performance .

jedbrown 15y ago
It's a lot heavier than an Air, really more of a competitor to the 13" MBP. The Asus U46E is also in that category (slightly lighter and narrower, I preferred the screen).

rkalla 15y ago

I have asked this question and done this research a number of times and all the links here are the paths you want to look down. The Asus lowkey links, the Samsung 9 series (you can get this at Costco), the Sony Vaio Z series and the small end Lenovo ThinkPad's (which some friends have told me are a bit too small cause of the higher res screen). When I looked the Samsung 9 had some serious touch-pad sensitivity issues. The Sony Vaio Z series is packed and quite expensive if you really load it out. I would point out that the scrolling/zooming/multi-touch experience in Windows 7 on these other devices is no where near as fluid as the MBA; I don't know how important that is to you, but once I realized how herky-jerky it was going to be that was a turn off for me and how I was using my laptop. Also the hardware loadout in the MBA compared to some of these other devices actually ends up making the MBA really competitively priced, especially when you add the SSD to the likes of the Sony Vaio Z which got quite expensive. As always it depends what you want to do with the laptop (gaming? programming? web?) but just know that if OS X/Win isn't an issue the hardware on all these high end ultra lights is within the same ballpark and not night/day different.

petervandijck 15y ago

I believe Intel is coming out with a new motherboard spec soon (or already did?) to build Windows computers that basically imitate the Air. So wait 6 months and you should have some good choices. Couldn't find link, sorry.

dstein64 15y ago
Here is a link that has some information on the Ultrabook: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20067411-64.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20067411-64.html

keidian 15y ago

I personally have an Acer 3820tg that I've had for about a year now. i5-430, 4gigs of ram, 500gb drive. I upgraded the memory to 6gb (had some lying around) and switched the 5400rpm drive for a 7200rpm. When I have the cash to spare, I'll put in 8gb and a SSD which should speed it up more. I run CrunchbangLinux (debian + xfce) upgraded to Sid repos instead of Squeeze. The only problems I have with it are the video switching can be a pain (solved with a bios mod that lets you disable the ati card, which I don't really use much at all) & the usual annoying broadcom wireless that means you need to connect wired to get the driver the first time or have the .debs downloaded first. The model is a bit older now but the specs are good and you can probably find them quite cheap now. There is also a second gen version (3830 i think is model?) that has most of the same specs except second gen i5, usb 3 & i think nvidia instead of ati video.

starwed 15y ago
That is almost twice the weight of the smaller Air, with larger dimensions. Since those are pretty much the defining characteristics of the Air, not really an "alternative".

clvv 15y ago

I've been using HP dm1z for half a year now. It's a pretty good portable laptop with good battery life. Although in terms of computing power it won't compare to the airs. But at $400 it is a pretty good MacBook air alternative.

thigbee 15y ago

I know you're asking about Air alternatives... But I bought the top-of-the-line MacBook Air (i7 1.8ghz, 4gb ram, 256gb sdd) right after it came out, and it's one of the best purchases I've ever made. It's my first Mac and won't be the last. Definitely the best computer I've ever owned. I run Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign on it, and do minor video editing. The thing's blazing fast.

intenex 15y ago
Have you ever had an SSD before?

zeit_geist 15y ago

An iPad.

some 15y ago

Im very much into light and small notebooks and I love the Lenovo X301. The big advantage over the air is that it has a matte screen. I run linux on it which works perfectly.

scarmig 15y ago

X220, replacing the stock HDD with a SDD. Clean install of Arch. Points to note: when it first came out, I had to come up with a patch of tp smapi to get it to work. Not sure if that's still the case. You'll get inferior battery life in Linux, even worse than in Windows 7. I'm typically getting 5-6 hours on wireless doing not particularly intense stuff. Also some oddities with the special ThinkPad keys that's simply a matter of not caring enough to fix. Touchpad a bit funky. It's a solid alternative, though I think I mostly chose it for a superior GUI, not the system itself.

ConceitedCode 15y ago

Anyone try a lenovo x1? Seems like a good alternative, but haven't heard much about it.

sandeepshetty 15y ago
Its pretty good except for the battery. If you need decent time on it then you need to get an additional battery slice which makes it more expensive and bulkier but it also gives you a great keyboard angle.

htilford 15y ago

For the time being Apple has a near monopoly on the CNC lathes used to make slick uni-body ultra portables. http://www.tuaw.com/2011/08/04/apples-hold-on-metal-chassis-supply-chain-hinders-competition/ http://www.tuaw.com/2011/08/04/apples-hold-on-metal-chassis-...

blackguardx 15y ago
I think that article meant "milling machines." Lathes are for parts that have a generally cylindrical shape. 10,000 is a lot. I really can't comprehend the amount of space that would require. These things are the size of a large bathroom. Also, the production of Apple's laptop cases have to be a drop in the bucket compared to how many other CNC items are produced. I am skeptical of the article's claims.

natch 15y ago

Macbook Pro 13" for $999, then add whatever SSD you're willing to spring for. This way you get * the unibody * the magsafe * the battery of the MBP * the flexibility to easily use OSX if you ever need to (without doing the sketchy hackintosh approach) * the resale value of the MBP And you get a lot more machine for the money than the MBA. The one cost you have to accept is the weight. But that's giving you a very sturdy machine, something you might value. The video performance on this generation of 13" MBP is the one weak spot, but it will suffice if you don't need to be on the bleeding edge.

gtufano 15y ago
The Air screen is WAY less reflective than the one on MBP 13", to the point of being usable. If you, like me, cannot bear to see your reflection in the LCD :) then the Air is the only alternative to the WAY more expensive (and weighty) MBP 15" (with the BTO opaque LCD).
mahyarm 15y ago
The i5 Macbook Pro 13" has the same performance as the i7 Macbook Air. (5910 vs 5830 on geekbench).

zobzu 15y ago

I have a Sony Vaio Z21. So alright alright, it's not, cheap. It's not in the same ball park as the MBA on the performance side (it annihilates it) But! - it's slightly lighter than the MBA - its just as thin and compact - it has a gorgeous screen that also doesnt reflects everything instead of showing you content - it runs linux just fine - you can plug a lightpeak graphic card if you like - the SSD's are extremely, extremely fast (750mbyte/s sequential writes, and over the gigbyte/s sequential reads. And no, its not mbit/s) - standard voltage i7 - bunch of options if you like that sort of stuff (fingerprint reader, 3G card, fullhd screen, etc) - battery sheet if you like 10-12H battery life for a slightly heavier lappy (long courier flights anyone?) -actual HDMI out, VGA out, ethernet port, no need to carry adapters. -it still looks pretty cool

sorenbs 15y ago
what kind of battery life (with the build in battery) and fan noise do you experience under normal working conditions?
catch23 15y ago
that thing is 3x the cost of a macbook air... and I thought apple products were expensive.
phamilton 15y ago
BS on the SSD speeds. 6 gbps SATA with 8/10 encoding (standard SATA) means the bus is saturated at 600MB/s.
- plantain 15y ago
  Depending on his configuration they come in 2way and 4way RAID-0, so those numbers are potentially feasible.

natch 15y ago

It's not obvious from your question which aspects of the MBA are unsatisfactory, and which ones you would like the alternative to have. Can you say more about your needs?

genki 15y ago

I've been on the lookout for the LG P220, but it doesn't seem like it's going to be released in North America... unfortunate. No word on pricing either, though that wasn't mentioned as a concern. http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/lg-p220-ultraportable-specs-and-shipping-date-revealed-still-no/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/lg-p220-ultraportable-spe...

nordsieck 15y ago

IMO, the most important feature in a laptop is resolution. The presence of an ssd is a distant second. Sony Vaios are ridiculously expensive; that being said, they offer 1920x1080 in a 13.1" form factor. This completely destroys everyone else, in my mind.

dvdhsu 15y ago
When the pixel density is that high though, the text starts to strain your eyes.
- mansr 15y ago
  Then use a larger font and get better-looking text at the same size as the competition.
- nordsieck 15y ago
  For equal sized characters (measured in in/cm), higher resolution should result in more readable font. Perhaps I'm biased because I spend all my time in terminals and browsers, but font scaling seems to work quite well for me.
- FireBeyond 15y ago
  Apple releases "Retina Display", with ultra-high resolution: "Amazing! So much better than anything else! So crisp! So beautiful!" Someone else releases lower pixel density display for laptop, but far better than what Apple deigns to offer: "Ugh! No! How can you read that? That just gives you eye strain..." (Exaggerated for emphasis)
  - dvdhsu 15y ago
    Right, but most icons do not exist in a high resolution format yet (as far as I know, I would appreciate if somebody to correct me on this, if I am wrong). Apple's retina display works because they have graphics that are the same physical size on screen. When I switch from my MacBook Pro display to an external Samsung display, the icon and text both get smaller.

davidf18 15y ago

X201s, a previous model to the X220 (along with the non "s" X201) has a higher resolution display (1440x900 same res as Mac Air 13) than the X220 (1366x766) and weighs about 1/2 lb less than the X220. Loaded with SSD and 8 GB RAM it is my preference over the X220. If a 12.5" screen vs. the Mac Air 13.3" screen works for needs then you might consider this machine. The Thinkpad Trackpoint is great once you get used to it (probably a few hours/days at most). For long trips the replaceable batteries of the Thinkpad have an advantage over the Air. The X201s , X220 are extremely durable machines (I've had Thinkpads since 1999) and have like Apple (and unlike Sony and some others) outstanding warranty service. Thinkpads (on certain models) and Apple both have international warranty. If you want the larger screen of the Mac Air over the X201s or X220 then I don't see an alternative to the "Air" today.

mahyarm 15y ago
Vaio Z with it's 13" 1080p screen for 2 kilobucks.
- davidf18 15y ago
  ...perhaps but Sony service is for the dogs (by reputation). Both Lenovo/Thinkpad and Apple service is outstanding - both in American English. If you depend on your machine and you travel consider service.
fgumo 15y ago
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 has 13,3" and a full powered processor. If you want even bigger you can go with a T420 (14"), which is more similar to the X220 but with a media unit.
- davidf18 15y ago
  Alas the X1 at 13.3" has only the low resolution 1366x768 display and weighs 3.7 lbs and has less battery life than the Mac Air 13.3" which as the higher res 1440x900, weighs 3 lbs and has longer battery life. Lenovo did not update their "Mac Air" which was the X301. Sadly, like early (pre-2010) versions of the Mac Air it is underpowered (1.4 GHz ULV processor) but it did have the 1440x900 13.3" display. Pity Lenovo did not come out with the update to the X301 using the same processor, screen as the Mac Air.

andrewcooke 15y ago

if you're looking for a good-specced ultralight, the main contenders are the lenovo x220, hp 2560p, panasonic s10, and sony z something-or-other (i don't think anyone else has mentioned the s10 which is why i am adding this post - see http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/panasonic-outs-toughbook-s10-with-sandy-bridge-usb-3-0-and-12/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/panasonic-outs-toughbook-... for example). if you're considering a macbook air then i suspect the s10 or sony are closest to what you want. personally, i'd go for one of the other two...

skyshaper 15y ago

What about a Asus U36? See e.g. the U36SD-RX145V model or the U36SD-RX117X model. The display is not as good and the touchpad is probably inferior, otherwise it looks like a good fit for $$$ when compared to the Macbook Air.