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Edited March 26, 2021
at 01:59 PM
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https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/lapt...2TP2X1X1N1
Lenovo has resumed its deals on the X1 Nano. In this case, the 8GB, 256GB storage core i5 model could be had for $950.00, and their 16GB, 1TB model could be had for $1200.00.
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1) A lot of engineering applications simply aren't available for Macs. It's dominated by Windows, then Linux.
2) Too many engineers I know live and die by Excel. Add 1) to the equation and you know where they run their spreadsheets.
3) Most engineers wouldn't tolerate Apple's 'my way or the highway' mentality. Not for work and certainly not for personal use.
Fact is, Macs simply aren't taken seriously outside of coding and Starbucks. As someone else here said, I guess it could complement your iPhone, but then that shows how seriously you use your computer.
Is Apple making good computers? Definitely. Would I buy or recommend one? Hell no. Integrated SSDs, glued batteries and crappy keyboards is why I stay away from them from a hardware perspective. And why I love Lenovos. Also, I just don't like MacOS, but others may differ or be indifferent.
Different strokes for different folks. I personally work with virtualized machines and can't use the new M1, so I stick to Windows. But for folks with a Final Cut Pro or Logic workflow, or for Xcode devs, there's a place for them. Even as a lifestyle machine, if you've got an iPhone, having a MacBook to go with it is a nice seamless experience.
Fanboyism in tech needs to go extinct. We can have preferences but being all cutthroat about a product's use seems pointless.
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ThinkPads like this use user-replaceable hard drives, and you can buy enough parts to replace your whole notebook on eBay (I always wonder where the parts come from).
BTW, for those looking at the Apple products at $999 - price buying a bigger HDD or adding memory.
That said, I think most users are probably non-techies who appreciate the more appliance-like approach and would prefer just being able to bring it to the Apple Store if there are issues. It's usually just the pricing that most don't like.
Mind, RAM is soldered-only on X1 Nano, too. SSD is replaceable but since it's M.2 2242, I think the only half-way decent option is Sabrent unless you buy pulled parts on eBay (which seem to cost just as much as the upgrade options on Lenovo's site).
ThinkPads like this use user-replaceable hard drives, and you can buy enough parts to replace your whole notebook on eBay (I always wonder where the parts come from).
I liked using a Mac. When Windows version 1 came out - but since 1988, I've been using Windows. I want to have a more open environment - I laugh when I think of Apple running the 1984 ad - because over time, they have become big brother. Someone needs to throw a hammer at 1 Infinite Loop to see if it frees things up.
BTW, for those looking at the Apple products at $999 - price buying a bigger HDD or adding memory. I bought a P14s (AMD version) in February at a President's Day sale for just over $700, including R7 (8 core), 16GB soldered memory, touchscreen, IR camera, and 256GB drive. I bought a 16GB SoDIMM separately, popped in a 512GB WD black drive, and reinstalled windows (wrote down the serial number first). So with 5 minutes of surgery, have a box with R7, 32GB of RAM, FHD touchscreen, and 512GB drive for about $800. How much will it cost those Fanbois to get those features?
Also, keep in mind that once Apple switches to their own architecture, no more Hackintoshes
Taken directly from Lenovo's website for the X1 Nano:
"Memory Slots
Memory soldered to systemboard, no slots, dual-channel capable
Max Memory
• 8GB soldered memory, not upgradable
• 16GB soldered memory, not upgradable"
Which part of "not upgradable" means "replaceable" to the poster above?
T-series used to have only external batteries which took three seconds to replace, then they went to an internal battery/external hybrid (my T460), now they have only integrated batteries which can be difficult to replace for the average person unless you know what you are doing taking apart the case of your machine. The previous thinkpad slim power connectors used an internal wired connection with their own small daughterboard so it was a simple unplug and replace the port with a new one for a few bucks online. For the last four generations since the T480, T-series have soldered to the motherboard USB-C connections, which means that once your power connector inevitably gets loose with the fragile USB-C physical connector, instead of replacing the power connector by itself, you will be forced to either taken on a risky and time consuming soldering job on the motherboard, replace the entire motherboard with a used/new motherboard that will inevitably have the same problem, or junk the entire machine. In order to prevent wear due to this design many thinkpad users buy magnetic USB-C power connectors in an attempt to reduce wear.
Note that whatever is described above is mostly for the T-series. The x1 line is even worse than the above. You would really struggle to argue with someone which parts of an X1 Carbon/nano are any more repairable or upgradable physically than a Mac Pro/Air. Software wise you do have your choice of dual booting Windows/Linux on Windows machines, which you can't easily do on the Mac though, which is nice.
With that said, Thinkpads aren't close to what they once were, but due to their keyboards and chassis durability are still one of the best options for Windows even with the above downsides.
Taken directly from Lenovo's website for the X1 Nano:
"Memory Slots
Memory soldered to systemboard, no slots, dual-channel capable
Max Memory
• 8GB soldered memory, not upgradable
• 16GB soldered memory, not upgradable"
Which part of "not upgradable" means "replaceable" to the poster above?
T-series used to have only external batteries which took three seconds to replace, then they went to an internal battery/external hybrid (my T460), now they have only integrated batteries which can be difficult to replace for the average person unless you know what you are doing taking apart the case of your machine. The previous thinkpad slim power connectors used an internal wired connection with their own small daughterboard so it was a simple unplug and replace the port with a new one for a few bucks online. For the last four generations since the T480, T-series have soldered to the motherboard USB-C connections, which means that once your power connector inevitably gets loose with the fragile USB-C physical connector, instead of replacing the power connector by itself, you will be forced to either taken on a risky and time consuming soldering job on the motherboard, replace the entire motherboard with a used/new motherboard that will inevitably have the same problem, or junk the entire machine. In order to prevent wear due to this design many thinkpad users buy magnetic USB-C power connectors in an attempt to reduce wear.
Note that whatever is described above is mostly for the T-series. The x1 line is even worse than the above. You would really struggle to argue with someone which parts of an X1 Carbon/nano are any more repairable or upgradable physically than a Mac Pro/Air. Software wise you do have your choice of dual booting Windows/Linux on Windows machines, which you can't easily do on the Mac though, which is nice.
With that said, Thinkpads aren't close to what they once were, but due to their keyboards and chassis durability are still one of the best options for Windows even with the above downsides.
I would say both Macbook Air and X1 nano are both good options depending on your needs.