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
@ 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.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
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?