Lenovo's ThinkPad X300 challenges Apple's MacBook Air

Lenovo has just released a new ultra-thin laptop, ThinkPad X300. Some observers say the device may be the biggest competitor to Apple's MacBook Air.

Wall Street magazine journalist Walter Mossberg, in a press release released on Wednesday, said the ThinkPad X300 has a 13-inch widescreen display, a full-function keyboard, and a 64GB semiconductor hard drive ( SSD). Meanwhile, Apple touts a 13.3-inch screen laptop, and a full-function keyboard, which are some of the many outstanding features of the MacBook Air.

But the MacBook Air, released last month at Macworld, was criticized by critics as missing some important features. For example, it lacks an attached DVD drive and instead provides a wireless connection to an external hard drive. Users also cannot disassemble the computer battery, and this machine only provides 1 USB port.

Lenovo's ThinkPad X300 challenges Apple's MacBook Air Picture 1
ThinkPad X300 laptop from Lenovo

Meanwhile, the X300 has an attached DVD drive, removable battery, 3 USB ports and an Ethernet network transmission. It can also be adjusted according to the modem of a mobile phone or GPS. Another advantage is that the X300 can run both Windows XP and Vista.

Unlike the MacBook Air that weighs only 1.36kg, the X300 is a bit heavier (1.5 kg) with a standard battery and a DVD drive.

While Mossberg and other magazines are comparing the X300 with the Air, IDC's Doug Bell says it's not a direct competitor because Lenovo is targeting the business market, while Apple while is conducting an intrusion into businesses, the main customers are still consumers.

But Bell also said the price of each X300, estimated at $ 2,500 to $ 2,800, was a drawback. He said, this is a higher than average price for this type of device, which is probably because the X300 uses semiconductor hard drives (SSD) instead of cheaper hard drives. According to the announcement, the X300 will only have 64GB SSD. Meanwhile, the Air with many categories: 80GB hard drive for $ 1,800, while 64GB SSD with faster processing speed costs $ 3,000. At the same time, the Air also provides a multi-touch interface like the famous iPhone phone from Apple.

Bell believes that despite the different characteristics of thickness, weight, screen size, and keyboard, in the near future, we will get the best decision from customers.