Windows on the Macbook Air

Quote from redmaxx : Whoops, I missed the 230. Either way, I'd look into seeing if you can add the SSD after the fact, yourself. Upgrades like that usually cost an arm and a leg from Lenovo.

I wasn't sure if the HDD was user replaceable, or what form factor it used. Initial research also turned up the X230 as well. That being said, I find now that I need to get the thin (7mm) HDDs for an X230. I'm also impressed with the user replaceable memory.

Quote from brbubba : The review doesn't look that promising...

I was reading the article and, unfortunately, they don't quantify how the Macbook Air is more powerful (actually most of the comments complained about how Wired's article was trash). It seems that most reviews on the X230 are positive.

However, it seems to me that the processors are clocked faster in the X230 than in the Macbook Air (and similar ultrabooks). Namely, all of the Ivy Bridge processors in the X230 are clocked to go faster than 3 ghz (except the i3), whereas only the fastest MBA processor can get past 3ghz. I'm not sure how well the u series and m series ivy bridge processors correspond to each other, but I get the impression that the larger chassis with greater air flow allows the processors to run faster.

However, one of the best features of the X230 over the MBA is the IPS display. I'm still on the fence as to what I'll get, but the X230's IPS display and user replaceable hardware make me lean toward the X230.

All things considered, the X230 would be a bit more expensive than a similar specced MBA 11.6", but less money then a similarly specced MBA 13.3". It would have smaller width/depth than a MBA 13.3, but would be about a 3/10" thicker than either MBA.