I was shocked at how stunningly terrible the Computer World article was. They attempted to make the review a usability test, not taking into account the OS. To do this they setup a series of tests with mulitple users trying all the laptops. Unfortunately, they must have gotten absolute idiots to try and use these computers, b/c I wanted to punch them all in the face by the time I finished wasting my time on the article.

They didn’t know how to shut down a windows machine? They reinserted the flash drive b/c they didn’t get a popup saying it was disconnected? Years on a desktop support desk still couldn’t keep my blood pressure from going through the roof. I’m surprised they didn’t just come right out and say that their testers spent several minutes searching for the “any” key.

Maximum PC uses a much more balanced testing process, and as a result, you don’t want to gouge your eyes out while reading it. Check that one and don’t waste your time with Computer World unless you’re looking to start trouble with that a-hole 2 cubes down and you need to get yourself riled up.

Having had a chance to try all three of the laptops Maximum PC reviewed, the Lenovo personally stands out as my clear favorite (as long as I’m not the one buying).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big Mac fan, but I was NOT impressed with the Air. First off, no ethernet jack. Seriously? I couldn’t believe it…that immediately places it as a 2nd computer only….imagine your frustration at being unable to manage your Linksys router b/c you can’t just plug it in. Or if you’re in a hotel that doesn’t have WiFi. Oopsie! Not even a modem for pure desperation or the ability to use an EVDO card. Got your iPod plugged in? Swell, you’re not gonna be able to plug in your external mouse or your USB key drive. Having one USB is totally unacceptable. Don’t even get me started on Apple’s refusual to include a delete key on the keyboard (or a 2nd mouse button for that matter). Oh, and it has no mic jack, so if you’re at the airport and doing video, people on the call will hear everything going on around you. Aesthetically, the black keys look TERRIBLE, and the sharp edges are uncomfortable when you’re on your back or slouching in bed at night with it in your lap.

It’s like Apple didn’t even try on this one.

The Sony is nice and light, but it felt like it was going to break in half as soon as I picked it up. I also found the trackpad to be incredibly inaccurate and frustrating. The mouse buttons felt like I was going to shatter the base every time I clicked. Sure, it’s light, but I hated every second of using it.

The ThinkPad x300 has it all tho. Plenty of USB ports, built in camera (which works with both enterprise desktop video conferencing applications I’ve been working on), my beloved TrackPoint as well as a trackpad….even an optical drive, although I find it pretty useless 99% of the time. Nobody has a better keyboard than Lenovo….full size and fully functional, unlike Macs. The Thinkpad is built like a tank too, which the other two most certainly are not. I’ve seen ThinkPads dropped down a flight of stairs multiple times and still run like a champ. Of couse, the $3,600 price tag is staggering, and it would be difficult to rationalize that for a personal home laptop (get your company to pay for it). Outside of the price, however, I find it utterly shocking that someone could pick the Air over the x300, unless you factor in the OS.

Give me Mac OSX on the ThinkPad and I’d be in hog heaven.

[Note to Kayne West: YOU CAN WHACK THE KEYS MUCH HARDER ON A THINKPAD THAN ON YOUR MACBOOK AIR, SQUID BRAINS!!11!1!]