Thinkpads Forum

I was absolutely dead set on the X300 until I saw the LG P300.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4296

I realize that the LG's pain scheme is horrid looking, but according to people on another forum, a piano black and glossy brown version is already released overseas.

Looking at the LG, the main disadvantage vs the X300 is the lack of SSD and the lower screen resolution. While the LG doesn't have an optical drive built in, it does come with a really nice external one.

However, it's processor is over 300% faster, it's graphics card is over 600% faster, it does have a 250gb hard drive, and it gets the same battery life. Weight is nearly the same (3.6lbs) as is thickness. It also includes an expresscard slot and a SD card reader, in addition to a free external optical drive.

I don't understand how the battery life could possibly be the same, but it appears to be.

What is your opinion on the thinkpad vs the LG?

computerpro3 wrote: What is your opinion on the thinkpad vs the LG?

Well, I think they're filling different needs. The reason to go with the LG (assuming you can get one in the US) would be for gaming---it seems to be a more powerful version of the current Dell XPS 1330 (which I looked at it in stores; I wasn't impessed by the construction.)

The X300 won't run any recent 3d-games adequately (though I was actually able to play WoW at its lowest settings on my old Thinkpad X41, with integrated GMA950 graphics, even if it did get a little, or a lot, choppy in town...) but it's better for productivity and connectivity stuff. I haven't seen the LG P300, but I'm sure the X300 is better built, tougher, and has a much better keyboard (crucial for me) than the LG P300, not to mention its higher screen resolution. (Low screen resolution and lack of an integrated DVD were the two things I disliked about the X41, so the X300 is perfect for me.)

I'd also worry about the reliability of the LG P300 -- they're putting a lot of hot, high-powered stuff in a small space, and I wouldn't want to be the guinea pig for that.

As to battery life, it really puzzles me too how the LG P300 (or the Dell 1330 with a discrete video card, for that matter) and the X300 can be so similar. I'd expect the X300 with the six cell to get closer to 5 hrs under normal use than the sub-4 hours that's reported in most reviews.

Anyway, I'd definitely like a (preferably thinner, lighter ) version of the X300 with the processing power and discrete graphics of the LG P300, but I suspect there are always compromises in one direction or another.

computerpro3 wrote:Weight is nearly the same (3.6lbs)

The X300 without an optical drive weighs 2.93 lb, which is definitely not "nearly the same" as 3.6 lb. Several months ago, I bought a 3.84-lb X61 tablet thinking that it would be a nice replacement for my 3.16-lb HP nc2400. But the tablet felt so much heavier that I decided to keep the HP. The weight difference is exactly the same as that between the X300 and the LG.

I saw it in person at the store, it was nice, little and powerful machine but not a thinkpad i.e. no breathtaking factors were involved.

computerpro3 wrote:What is your opinion on the thinkpad vs the LG?

A business ultraportable Vs. a consumer portable.

What was your take on the build quality and durability vs the x300?

I'd any day go for a X300, if not for the features, just for the killer looks. That LG ultraportable has no internal drive and still weighs more than the X300 ... and lesser screen resolution as well. As rye said, the main difference between these laptops is tat one is business class ultraportable and the other is consumer class portable.

Gee, I just learned that the LG P300 costs $1,700 or more. That makes it a no-brainer: get the X300! $1,700 is way over-priced for such an ordinary consumer-grade laptop.

pianowizard wrote:Gee, I just learned that the LG P300 costs $1,700 or more. That makes it a no-brainer: get the X300! $1,700 is way over-priced for such an ordinary consumer-grade laptop.

While I realize the differences between the X300 and the P300, the P300 is most definetely NOT an ordinary consumer grade latop.

To point - find me a laptop that weighs 3.5lbs (or even under 4lbs) and had a 2.4ghz penryn (socketed not soldered!), uses a 2.5in hd for easy upgrades, and a Nvidia 8600GS, and 3GB memory stock.

As you'll find out, it is the ONLY laptop in it's class.

I think the thinkpad looks 999999999x better though, and I really want that nice screen on the X300.

I just can't get over a 3x raw processing power difference and a 6x raw graphics speed difference for the same battery life. Not only that, but the price of the LG would be the same as the X300 if I added a 64gb SSD, which I would do if I buy it.

I don't understand why Lenovo had to use such a slow processor. Obviously, it's not because of battery life, as the LG, XPS 1330m, etc all point out. I can get over the integrated graphics - it's an ultraportable. But not a cpu that is maybe four times faster than my cell phone on a good day...

If lenovo put a 2ghz chip in the X300 it would be mine in a second.

I hate decisions like this...

computerpro3 wrote:I don't understand why Lenovo had to use such a slow processor.

it's most likely because this is geared toward business users who don't need raw processing power.   it doesn't take much to run word and excel while syncing a blackberry with outlook.   heck, my pIII-667-powered thinkpad s30 is fast enough to run office 2003 without a single hiccup.

computerpro3 wrote:What was your take on the build quality and durability vs the x300?

The build quality was quite durable, I think LG is going to make good name in the industry with this machine.

computerpro3 wrote:snip...the P300 is most definetely NOT an ordinary consumer grade latop.....snip

I agree.

computerpro3 wrote:snip....I hate decisions like this...

What are you looking for? a business road warrior or a gaming machine with zebra touch? If you're a business user then I don't think you would feel comfortable carrying the latter machine in a meeting room.

computerpro3 wrote:snip...I don't understand why Lenovo had to use such a slow processor....snip

It was done to make thinkpad X300 super thin in addition to aiming for the increased battery life, rumour has it that lenovo will offer X300 with faster processors once Intel makes them available, keep in mind Moore's Law also.

I think thinkpad X300 is a hallmark; a pure engineering marvel that deserves walk of fame among other thinkpads however it isn't perfect, perhaps no computer can be, that’s the reason computer companies divide their products into various series; targeting assorted users from different walks of life and X-series has always been mainly targeted for people looking for ultimate mobility in a versatile ultraportable small box with a powerful or at least good battery life so comparing it with a machine without non interchangeable bay devices, no wireless expandability options of WWAN, UWB or Wi-Max etc. etc. is not fair and keeping lenovo’s trends in mind I believe you would probably never see an X-series thinkpad with socketed processor.

You should also look into lenovo's consumer and SO-HO line of notebooks i.e. Ideapads and lenovo 3000 series respectively for future developments, perhaps you can find Penryn or later processors there with your quoted requirements in the coming years.

ryengineer wrote:... however it isn't perfect, perhaps no computer can be, that’s the reason computer companies divide their products into various series..

Precisely. Very well stated.
Also, the demand and allure for the next version
of a product must be created in the mind of the
prospective purchaser well in advance.

Andrew