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.
@ Horsemen.
Zune Tang is satire and humor. Not real.
Just sayin.
The best part of this website is the “MacDailyNews Take”. I read this site every day just for that. Sometimes you make me laugh so hard my co-workers stare at me!
Don’t ever change your style, your humor, or your point of view. You are so on target! I can’t say enough good things about your site. I just love it and your “take” on the news is the best of the best of the BEST!
Keep up the good work. THIS IS MY FAVORITE SITE! COMPLIMENTS, COMPLIMENTS, COMPLIMENTS!
Note that in the Mac Air ad, the Air is pulled out of the envelope with one hand, while the x300 has to be pulled out by holding the envelope because of the snug fit…
Its like that envelope is a stuffed sausage!
“KingMel;
The Air can run Windows, the X300 cannot run OS X.”
What a stupid comment. Of course it “could”…any computer “could” run OS X, but it’s proprietary and can only be purchased with an Apple computer. If OS X is a PC requirement for you, then you have to buy a MAC. I’m surprised that no one has mentioned the lack of Wireless broadband, ethernet, removeable battery, RAM limit of 2GB, only one USB port, and the lower res screen on the AIR…lack of DVD drive has been covered.
Where the X300 is lacking is processor speed and the hard drive option is limited to the SSD, which drives the price up but is really a better option for the intended use of AIR & X300. SSD prices will come down dramatically over the next 12 months making both systems more affordable. Comparing both systems with an SSD, the X300 is several hundred dollars less than the AIR but doesn’t have the look that many MAColytes prefer. Many do like the Thinkpad look…one of the reasons Apple offers the Macbook in black.
” . . . then you have to buy a MAC.”
You lost me right there.
Maybe Anderson Cooper will famously break his pretty face while diving to save his X300 from hitting the ground.
Or maybe not.
That looks like a really tight fit. More like a girdle than an envelope.
The envelope is so full it looks like its pregnant compared to the Macbook Air commercials.
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I thought CompUSA was bankrupt. They closed down in our area.
They always had bankrupt policies. The Mac software shelves were always covered up by large stepladders etc.. So that you couldn’t see the products.
They should call that a Milli Vanilli envelope….
and Nooorm, I don’t want to nitpick, but the Air does have ‘Wireless broadband’, an ethernet adapter, a somewhat removable battery, and two gigs of RAM on a MAC(?) is close to 4 on Vista….kinda.
If you are Zune Tanging, then I am sorry for missing the punch line.
@ TT
“They should call that a Milli Vanilli envelope….”
Nice. =)
It’s Vista capable which is good enough for me, MAC dorks. Besides, XP looks and works just like a MAC for a lot less money.
That is so cool it fits in an inter-office envelope. What a great way to demonstrate the small size of Lenovo’s revolutionary and one of a kind engineering accomplishment. The ball is in your court, Apple.
Your potential. Our passion.™
Thanks, C1.
Speaking of Anderson, I hear reporting is in his jeans, and that he has a big Hummer that he calls “my glorious van, Der Built Meister” that women just love to ride……
While certainly no match for a Mac with respect to the elegance of deisgn, from a hardware perspective Thinkpads have always been among the most desirable notebooks available. Great keyboards, good solid construction and feel, and in my experience excellent reliability. They look ok too.
The X300 is definitely an attractive choice for its target market. Having a DVD is nice. But let’s not call it thin. It’s basically 1″ thick and as such is essentially the same size as a Macbook or Pro. Cutting a little bevel on one end of the machine shoul not really allow Lenovo to claim a minimum thickness of 0.73″.
At the end of the day, of course, the real problem with the X300 isn’t any of the hardware design choices that were made but the INABILITY TO RUN OS X. Until and unless Apple decides to license its OS to companies such as Lenovo, no other computer will be even half as good.
I don’t know enough to know whether or not that would be a good business decision, but I do know that I’d seriously consider a Thinkpad for at least one of my computers if it ran OS X.
Poor Nooorm;
Stupid is as stupid says, and while “coulda woulda shoulda” might be YOUR mantra, it does not change the FACT that the X300 cannot run OS X.
Care to embarrass yourself again? You did a bang up job with your last post.
Ahahahaha… The Macbook Air commercial is so engraved with viewers that when they see this ad, most will probably laugh their heads of. Instead of pulling out a work of art, you get a piece of crap!
Yes, Jubei. It could even be described as a German video, “Birth of a Turd”.
it’s there new protective sleeve!
@ TT
I don’t think Anderson Cooper takes many women for rides, but I see the point.
@ King Mel
Actually, .73″ is the mininum thickness of the X300, it’s maximum is .96″, so at its thinnest point, it’s about the same thickness as the Air at its thickest point
The MacBookAir is beautiful and limited. The X300 is ugly and full featured. Jobs needs to add an optical drive, at aleast one more USB port, pc card slot for wirless (cell phone card) networking (or build one in) to make the MacBook Air perfect.
Why are we continuing to get these Products from Apple where you have to comprise on basic features – i.e. optical drive and pc card slot in Mac BookAir; Adobe flash, cut & paste, and MMS in iPhone; no PC Card Slot or Memory card slots in MacBooks…
Apple used to be the company that thought of every thing, but too often lately it seems to be introducing products are Excellent, yet incompelete at the same time.
Its frustrating not having MMS or Camcorder features on my iPhone when I know the device has the capability to do those things… Why would the engineers at Apple leave those features out?
Oh my God where did they get that guy talking about that laptop? From QVC? What a complete idiot – Maybe it is ZuneTang®
Watch it for a good laugh while you do some spreadsheets and stuff.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1454928927/bclid1457130048/bctid1456354755
It looks like the X300 is going to rip that manila folder.
Nooorm:
“… the Thinkpad look…one of the reasons Apple offers the Macbook in black.”
Anyone know where I can buy white paint for laptops?
@ron,
Believe it or not, CompUSA is alive and well and starting to reopen retail stores in parts of the country. Systemax owns them, and they are the parent of both Tiger Direct and CompUSA now. All Tiger Direct retail stores will be converted to CompUSA stores within the coming months.
Don’t expect things to be the the same old CompUSA – they will focus mainly on cheap PCs, peripherals and components. Very little Apple stuff.
You know, it’s really interesting. Usually, with new Apple products, I’ll wait a few days, then ask my non-Mac-geek friends if they’ve heard about them yet, and usually, it’s a no, what is it, blah blah blah blah blah.
With the Air, two days after it was announced, I had several people at work, in just general conversation, not even anything to do with Apple or computers, people would start bringing up the Air. “Have you seen the new MacBook Air? They are so cool, can you believe how thin they are?”
I don’t think people really understand the potential of the Air, just in the fact that it is such a breakthrough that average, ordinary, non-Mac-geek, non-computer-geek people will notice it, and be astounded by it.
The Lenovo on the other hand…
It’s probably a good computer, my dad had an old IBM ThinkPad, which he had for a few years, then handed down to my sister, who then handed it down to me (this was before I discovered the amazing world that is OS X), and the computer still runs, and works pretty well, although it sits on the shelf in a closet somewhere.
The problem is, it’s ugly. I really don’t know if there truly is anyone who likes that style, because it doesn’t have a style, really. It’s blocky, it has horrible color choices on the sides (with the ports, stupid PC people need the colors to tell what’s what). It’s just…ugly.
Not even in the same league as the Air. No average, everyday person is going to come up to you and say, “Have you heard of the new Lenovo X300? It’s so cool!” Because they don’t know what it is, and they probably never will.
“Jobs needs to add an optical drive, at aleast one more USB port, pc card slot for wirless (cell phone card) networking (or build one in) to make the MacBook Air perfect.”
Or you could get a MacBook Pro. It travels well, too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_differentiation
“I don’t think Anderson Cooper takes many women for rides”
Are you saying A.C. is D.C.?
Hey, just think if his show were live from Washington..
“AC/DC-360″…now for tonights head lines….
I thought Anderson Cooper was more of a wolf blitzer.
But they’ll only succeed in selling ever more MacBook Airs… fools.
Here’s a lesson in gaydar –
Picture Anderson Cooper with a woman. His wife.
Can you do it? Didn’t think so.
That, and Out magazine gave him second place as one of “The Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America.” So that’s a a bit of a clue.
“lesson in gaydar”
Absolutely funniest post on this thread.
It would be much safer to remove it by caesarian section.
At least the Lenovo ThinkPad X300 comes with a built-in DVD burner. Despite what Jobs & Company want us to believe, disks will be with us for many years to come. Also, I don’t think that MDN has any basis for mocking the naming scheme of the X300. Do MDN’s writers remember some of the names that came out of Apple in the 1990s? All of that having been said, I’ve never been a huge fan of Lenovos and probably won’t buy this one either.
“At least the Lenovo ThinkPad X300 comes with a built-in DVD burner. Despite what Jobs & Company want us to believe, disks will be with us for many years to come.”
Apple discontinued the MacBook and MacBook Pro? </sarcasm>
You make it sound like Apple doesn’t give you a choice. That’s dishonest.
Once again:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_differentiation
I agree on the naming. Performa 6116CD is just as bad as MacBook Pro 17″ Core™2 Duo, 2.33 GHz.
“
Stupid is as stupid says, and while “coulda woulda shoulda” might be YOUR mantra, it does not change the FACT that the X300 cannot run OS X.
Care to embarrass yourself again? You did a bang up job with your last post.”
Who’s embarrassing whom? Have a handful of ThinkPad T61s here that run OSX just fine, thank you very much. X300 will be no different.
News flash for the choir here; OSx86 Project works.
@TT
LOL. Geburt einer Kacke
Richtig. Und lachter ist gesund.
“Geburt einer Kacke”
The soundtrack to the movie is nothing but scat singing.
Did anyone else notice that it doesn’t fit in that envelope very well, kinda has to be stuffed in there… lol
It fits easily into a Hefty bag.
If you go the link and click the reviewer video it makes a pretty good point at the end–the X300 is actually quite a bit chunkier than the Air and in dimensions matches closely to the MacBook.
It is a very good bit lighter than the MacBook, but that’s about it.
It has some neat technology in it, but is basically a lighter MacBook saddled with Windows and 2 1/2 times the price tag.
THE ENVELOPE WON’T CLOSE !!!! ,
and in the Tiger TV video it was clearly ripped at the other end.
Sixvodkas, I thought KingMel’s post was stupid…but you’ve eclipsed him. Saying it doesn’t run OS X is ridiculous. And I made it perfectly clear that if OS X is your primary PC requirement…MAC is your only choice. I couldn’t have been more clear and you couldn’t have been more inane.
I’m not all that surprised by all the comments about “looks” since this is a MAC site. The look of my laptop (T60p) was never even a consideration. The components, capabilities, feel of the keyboard, quality of the build, and reputation of the product was. And while I think the X300 is a better laptop for most users than an AIR…it’s not even a consideration for me…the same way most MacBook & MacBook Pro’s buyer won’t consider the AIR because it just doesn’t meet their PC tech requirements.
And BTW, if you really need your laptop to stand out, you can “skin” it and make it unique looking.
http://www.skinit.com/
“Windows XP works just like MAC [sic] for less?”
Windows home edition… $199! Mac OS 10.5 w/everything… $129! I’ve lost faith in humanity every since Zune Tang hit the forums.
Since noone mentioned it, but the story of the X300’s development was written up, I think in Time Magazine as the perfect device. In it, they mention when the MBA was announced, the product manager overseeing the X300, ran over to their prototype and stuffed it in an envelope and gave a sigh of relief to find that it fit.
If Systemax gets hammered for copying Apple’s schtick, it’s even lamer, when the Thinkpad’s product manager does the same thing! Didn’t anyone else read that article?
Okay, not Time Mag, but BusinessWeek. Here’s the link:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_08/b4072042350389.htm?chan=rss_topStories_ssi_5
@ Nooorm
Ok, here’s the thing: It’s Mac. Not MAC. Ok? It’s not an acronym for anything, it just isn’t. It’s short for Macintosh. I’m sorry, but I find it impossible to read someone’s comment without thinking they are completely ignorant when they say MAC. Unless it’s from Zune Tang, because he does it to satirise the stupidity of PC fanboys, such as you seem to be.
Beyond that, I’ve been perusing the net for some comparisons between the two computers, and it is absolutely ridiculous how biased most of the reviews I read are. They leave out huge benefits of the Air, like its ability to run any operating system, its multitouch trackpad, its faster processor, its (stock) better battery life, and its backlit keyboard.
Comically enough, Enderle, that’s right, Enderle, wrote perhaps the least biased review I could find. Now that just has to tell you something’s messed up.
Also, I really am getting sick of people badmouthing the lack of a DVD drive on the Air. It’s a statement. Even Enderle noticed that. Yeah, that’s right, Enderle. It’s ridiculous. Plus, the moron in the video on the TigerDirect site pulls out some crap like, “If you wanna watch a movie on the X300, you’re good to, on the Air, there’s no DVD drive, so you can’t.” BS. iTunes. And a lot of people rip their movies to their computers. You keep a couple on the computer at a time, and you have movies.
Really though, I wonder why people can’t understand when someone is making a statement, rather than just cutting something out. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.
“Jobs needs to add an optical drive, at aleast one more USB port, pc card slot for wirless (cell phone card) networking (or build one in) to make the MacBook Air perfect. “
STILL the top seller at the Apple store. still.
maybe, just maybe, the folks at Apple know more about what computers need to sell well than you do? nah! we all know you are “teh bomb.”
i am curious, i wonder if the Macbook will fit in that envelope about as well as the lackofthinking pad?
hey Nooorm, good to see someone giving Zune Tang some competition……
Forget photos. I wanna see a video of this.
Wonder if they’ll knock off “New Soul” for the soundtrack.
Are there any good songs about wannabe’s? How about Weird Al’s “Fat”?
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If the Mac Air actually added the missing features the X300 has (like Steve Jobs forbid a removable battery) then it would have to be thicker. And let’s not forget how fragile the Mac Air is because it is so thin. A textbook would quash it. The X300 on the other hand, like all recent Thinkpads, has a magnesium “roll cage.” Macbooks have fake screws, go ahead look it up. Either way it’s just a computer simply pick one that suits your needs.
OMG. That Lenovo thing took my breath away. Breathtakingly crapilicious.
“Don’t think Anderson Cooper takes many girls for a ride”? Isn’t that like saying “Don’t think Hugh Hefner takes many guys for a ride?” (Although Hef admits to having done that a few times).
I’m loving this ZuneTang guy. He has to be the most delusional character I’ve ever witnessed online.
Have no a lot of cash to buy a car? Worry no more, just because it’s real to receive the personal loans to solve such problems. Thence get a credit loan to buy everything you want.