CompUSA, now “The All-New CompUSA,” and TigerDirect (both are “Systemax” companies) are running promotional photos on their Lenovo ThinkPad X300 (see, the “X” in “X300” makes it cool, get it?) sales pages (US$2,799.99) that show the machine in an, uh… interesting sleeve:
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Andy The Firedog” for the heads up.]
MacDailyNews Take: Copying Apple is no substitute for innovation. This goes for hardware, software, and even advertising. Obviously, CompUSA and TigerDirect are employing a rather unique sales tactic: “We think our customers are idiots.” CompUSA and TigerDirect got that right, at least.
To cleanse the palate, here’s Apple’s MacBook Air TV Commercial:
Direct link via YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLb7EVF6-Jc
That’s a sorting bag for the landfill.
One could describe that as either giving birth, or dumping a large brick in the local public toilets.
The macbook air, is like pleasure going in and out… the biological way.
I had to watch 3 times the Macbook Air ad to get rid of the nausea I got after looking at these sickening photos.
hm. they’ve really squashed that in their tightly haven’t they.
Unreal. Are there no original ideas out there?
Poor marketing judgement, no doubt. With genius like that, is it any wonder they closed all their stores?
That said, the X300 is indeed pretty damn sweet.
It’s evidence being mailed to the bankruptcy court.
It’s like watching a hippo in a bikini…
Then there’s the aspect that the joke has already been done…
So that makes this unoriginal and grossly perverse.
I think there are grounds there for false advertising. That Thinkpad never fit completely in that envelope. They are implying that it does.
What CompUSA didn’t show was the first picture, which was of someone pulling a manilla envelope out of the trash….
Looks like kind of a snug fit! Note how the envelope strains when trying to insert/remove the Lenovo.
There used to be this brick-and-mortar store called CompUSA. You could actually buy Macs there…
Now, there is this ‘All-New CompUSA!’, which is nothing but TigerDirect with another logo. If you look for the same Lenovo computer on TigerDirect, you’ll find identical product page, including pictures!
“It’s like watching a hippo in a bikini…”
So, you’ve seen the Ballmer summer vacation slideshow. Now there’s a good reason for PowerPoint to crash.
HA, comes with XP. Boy, Vista is really flying off the shelves……
The guy in the video seems so slimy.
He refers to the MacBook Air a few times but is stuck in the past exhorting us that the optical drive is so important… and the plug in one for the Air needs some separate power! It’s powered by the USB!
To me, the X300 is an underpowered (1.2GHz) machine with Windows… ugh.
I wanted to compare the specs on the Lenovo ThinkPad X300 to the Air. The X300 falls short on in terms of CPU (Intel Core 2 Duo SL7100 1.2GHz), but does include DVDRW capability which is an external option for the Air. The prices are comparable because the X300 includes a 64GB SSD, which is optional for the Air. The X300 claims a lower maximum battery life, but those specs are often misleading, so a comparison is fairly meaningless. The maximum thickness and weight of the two units are nearly identical – the X300 claims a maximum thickness of 0.73″ and a weight of 3.13 lb. The Air’s thickness varies between 0.16″ and 0.76″ and weighs 3.0 lb. The Air runs MacOS X and includes a multitouch trackpad, both advantages over the X300. The X300 offers a fingerprint reader for security.
I would personally much prefer an Air over the X300. But the X300 is a competitive device for those who like Windows and desire a built-in DVDRW.
You may bring attention to this copy cat selling ploy, but as I opened this website there is an add on the right that directs you to this product. This seems very ironic.
“the X300 claims a maximum thickness of 0.73”
Look again. I pulled up the data sheet (which was 5.97 MB, a crime in itself) and it says the X330 dimensions are 12.5″ x 9.1″ x 0.73-0.92″.
The MBA is 12.8″ x 8.94″ x 0.16-0.76″.
The Air bests the x300 on every front: http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-x300/4505-3121_7-32864938.html
I suspect that Apple will continue to drive up performance while keeping the price constant(or lower) at a rapid pace. They have used this strategy against other competitors in the past and this formula seems to have put Apple back on the map. I suspect that they will not allow the x300 or others to keep up with their advances.
“and it says the X330 dimensions”
Sorry. My typo. I meant the X300.
You’ll notice that it’s not all the way in.
As the art mistress said to the gardener.
ouch, overbloated design, a new low in engineering.
KingMel;
The Air can run Windows, the X300 cannot run OS X.
Hey, Zune Tang… how come this thing doesn’t ship with Windows Vista? Huh? Can you shed some light on this for us? Please? I mean… I thought Windows Vista was IT… so how come this thing ships with XP? Is this a mistake? Please, tell us! We’re waiting!
Hmmmm, the all new Comp USA. Why would a company want to buy that piece of crap excuse for a retail brand. Oh, I see, it’s the kings of bait and switch, TigerDirect! G A K ! ! ! !
I have not bought from them in over 10 years. They and MacMall need to be flushed down the toilet, never to be seen again. Send the new CompUSA along with them.