I've used the XPS 13 (the Windows 8 version, with a 1440x900 screen) as well as the X1 Carbon (touch and non-touch). The X1 is a better machine overall, though most users find the XPS to be better looking.
My biggest complaints with the XPS 13 are the screen (terrible viewing angles) which won't be the same in this developer edition, and the trackpad, which has abysmal palm rejection and multi-touch gestures.
In a never-ending quest to find the MacBook Air equivalent for users who refuse to use a Mac, the X1 Carbon is the closest I've found.
thanks for your comment, I'm also trying to find an equivalent of a MacBook air which does not involve giving my money to Apple, even if it costs me more. the x1 is very tempting, but since I don't have a urgent need, I guess I'm going to wait for its successor!
Thank you! Since the screen seems to be your biggest peeve that makes it a tough decision. I do like the build quality of Lenovo. I've just found their service on hardware to be abysmal for replacement or fix. I had a T430 that I spent over 1 month trying to RMA the box.
> I've just found their service on hardware to be abysmal for replacement or fix. I had a T430 that I spent over 1 month trying to RMA the box.
I've owned a number of thinkpads (t41p,t61p,x220) and all have been depo repaired under warranty at one time or another. Turn around has NEVER exceeded 4 business days from time of calling the support center. Replacements include the logic board, screen, or just them sending me a replacement hard drive.
There are a few reasons I prefer my T430s to my MBP, and would probably also prefer an X1 Carbon to a MBA:
* Trackpoint!
* Keyboard feel. Even the chiclet ThinkPad keypads still have "IT" for me.
* No more fn-key chording needed for Home, End, Delete, Page Up, Page Down.
Plus a non-technical, possibly silly, reason of "it's not what everyone else and their mum has." I also like the looks more (black is the new black!), though on that I realize I'm in a minority (I did love the rounded original MBAs, however).
On the other hand, my MBP's screen has much better colors than the T430s's. :(
BTW I have moved from t420 to x220 (smaller display, but IPS) and, having quickly adapted to a bit less real estate, could not be happier. x220 IPS screen blows away everything save for retina.
And yes, no proper laptop should ever be sold without a trackpoint and a proper keyboard! :)
> * Keyboard feel. Even the chiclet ThinkPad keypads still have "IT" for me.
Having both a standalone, "classic" Thinkpad keyboard and a Thinkpad with the chiclet keyboard, I find the resistance on the chiclet much more satisfying. Best keyboard I have used so far.
If [your favorite OS] is Linux, the fact that doing so roughly halves your battery life (or, more precisely, nearly doubles the idle power draw) is certainly a factor — it's a lot of why I'm not running Linux on my (4,2 — 2011 13") Air. I have no data as to how battery life fares under Windows of any version.
EDIT: For clarification on power consumption, the best idle draw I've seen anyone get in my moderately extensive research into running Linux on this machine is 7W; under OSX, it's fairly easy to get down to 4W.
Windows battery life tends to be really good because the manufacturer/vendor has put a lot of effort into optimizing the drivers. Which is also the only reason Linux has more power draw.
But Windows is a terrible environment for developing almost anything other than Windows-only stuff like .NET and PowerShell
Oh, I love the MacBook Air (typing this on one). I'm a sysadmin and we have users (mostly devs) who prefer Linux or otherwise don't like Apple products but desire a similar form factor.
My biggest complaints with the XPS 13 are the screen (terrible viewing angles) which won't be the same in this developer edition, and the trackpad, which has abysmal palm rejection and multi-touch gestures.
In a never-ending quest to find the MacBook Air equivalent for users who refuse to use a Mac, the X1 Carbon is the closest I've found.