Help me choose a work laptop - MacBook Air or Lenovo X1 Carbon
May 21, 2015 12:23 PM Subscribe
At work they are giving us new laptops to replace battered ancient ones. There are two choices: MacBook Air or Lenovo X1 Carbon. Which should I choose?
Work is an almost-all PC/Windows environment, but they are implementing a "Virtual Desktop" system for all users so they say that you can use a Mac seamlessly to log into the Windows environment and work from there. All of the applications and stuff that I need to use for work are on Windows. I use all Apple at home.
Both laptops come with 256G SSD and 8G of RAM.
For me, the "pros" of the Apple are longer battery life and better non-work applications. The "cons" are that if I am somewhere where I can't get into the Virtual Desktop system and need to work natively, I will need to use MacOS applications, which would be a little painful in terms of going back and forth between MacOS and Win apps.
The "pros" of the Lenovo are no native/non-native problem, slightly bigger screen, kind of looks more "professional" than an Air in my line of work (this last point is very subjective of course).
The "cons" are probably that the non-work apps are not as good/fun as the MacOS apps.
Anything else I should be thinking about? Thanks
Work is an almost-all PC/Windows environment, but they are implementing a "Virtual Desktop" system for all users so they say that you can use a Mac seamlessly to log into the Windows environment and work from there. All of the applications and stuff that I need to use for work are on Windows. I use all Apple at home.
Both laptops come with 256G SSD and 8G of RAM.
For me, the "pros" of the Apple are longer battery life and better non-work applications. The "cons" are that if I am somewhere where I can't get into the Virtual Desktop system and need to work natively, I will need to use MacOS applications, which would be a little painful in terms of going back and forth between MacOS and Win apps.
The "pros" of the Lenovo are no native/non-native problem, slightly bigger screen, kind of looks more "professional" than an Air in my line of work (this last point is very subjective of course).
The "cons" are probably that the non-work apps are not as good/fun as the MacOS apps.
Anything else I should be thinking about? Thanks
I have the last model of the X1 and love it, it's really an impressive piece, there are 2-3 annoyances on it and apparently those are exactly the things that were changed on the current model.
posted by Cosine at 12:26 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by Cosine at 12:26 PM on May 21, 2015
Yeah, my personal at-home computer is a MacBook Air, but all my work is 100% Windows-based and I hate those virtual desktop thingys. I suspect the Carbon is a better computer than this Yoga (it's fine, it's just not fantastic) and would strongly urge you to stick with a Windows machine.
posted by Lyn Never at 12:30 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by Lyn Never at 12:30 PM on May 21, 2015
Yeah, I'm about to buy a MacBook air for personal use, but in your situation, I'd go with the Lenovo.
BTW, they said here, pick between a MacBook Air and a Carbon? You guys hiring?
posted by Naberius at 12:35 PM on May 21, 2015
BTW, they said here, pick between a MacBook Air and a Carbon? You guys hiring?
posted by Naberius at 12:35 PM on May 21, 2015
Virtual desktop is a LAZY (job preserving) it solution that SUCKS.
I use it to service computers remotely but the resolution / speed and other annoyances make it an emergency rather than a permanent solution...
As much as it pains me to say pick the windows machine and hand it back at the end the of the job.
If you buy the laptop privately you and want to use a Mac outside the job. You can put Windows under Bootcamp on your MB Air. This will turn your Mac in a PC. When you are done with the day job you can restart and hold the Option key to return to the comfort and reliability of OSX :-)
posted by Mac-Expert at 12:38 PM on May 21, 2015
I use it to service computers remotely but the resolution / speed and other annoyances make it an emergency rather than a permanent solution...
As much as it pains me to say pick the windows machine and hand it back at the end the of the job.
If you buy the laptop privately you and want to use a Mac outside the job. You can put Windows under Bootcamp on your MB Air. This will turn your Mac in a PC. When you are done with the day job you can restart and hold the Option key to return to the comfort and reliability of OSX :-)
posted by Mac-Expert at 12:38 PM on May 21, 2015
Look into Parellels or installing Windows using boot camp - either would take care of your work applications and negate the cons of the Macbook Air
posted by 6ATR at 12:38 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by 6ATR at 12:38 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
the x1 carbon is what I get from work, and it's an excellent computer. I have a mac book pro for personal use, as does my gf, but we both prefer my work laptop for work.
posted by slide at 1:19 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by slide at 1:19 PM on May 21, 2015
We get MacBook Airs running Windows at our office, and the portability and sturdiness of the build are what really make it, also the amazing trackpad and keyboard. If you're used to a MacBook keyboard, you may want to go that way.
posted by General Malaise at 1:31 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by General Malaise at 1:31 PM on May 21, 2015
I picked the Lenovo in this situation. I'd probably do the same again, but the short battery life is a serious frustration (I have the 2014 model). 90% of the time I'm using it at a location where I can keep a spare charging cord so it's workable for me, but if I traveled more often it would be a dealbreaker.
posted by veery at 1:51 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by veery at 1:51 PM on May 21, 2015
I'm well embedded in the Apple ecosystem -- iPhone, iMac, I'm typing this on a Macbook Air. I'm an Apple lifer. In your situation I'd still go with the Lenovo. It does the work stuff much, much better, and the non-work apps should be kept to your personal devices anyhow. If you're really worried about battery life, can you get an external battery for when you're traveling?
posted by Andrhia at 1:58 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by Andrhia at 1:58 PM on May 21, 2015
I wouldn't underestimate the effect switching operating systems will have on your work flow. I did my current job in a Windows environment for years and moving to a new job on a Mac was extremely frustrating. The shortcuts and menus I used to use in Microsoft Word and other commonplace programs were not the same or did not exist for Macs. You would think the software will be the same, but it won't, and it was very disruptive to me. Even if you have that virtual desktop thing, who knows how well that is going to work? And what about when it is down? If I were you, I would go with the Lenovo.
If you think there aren't any fun or quality apps to use for a Windows machine, I don't think you've looked around -- that seems like a silly reason to get a Mac. If you still really believe that, then play with the "fun" apps on your home Mac. After all, this is your work computer and you make it clear that you already have a personal computer that is a Mac. Why not give yourself the option of having both types of machines available to you for both work and pleasure?
posted by AppleTurnover at 2:05 PM on May 21, 2015
If you think there aren't any fun or quality apps to use for a Windows machine, I don't think you've looked around -- that seems like a silly reason to get a Mac. If you still really believe that, then play with the "fun" apps on your home Mac. After all, this is your work computer and you make it clear that you already have a personal computer that is a Mac. Why not give yourself the option of having both types of machines available to you for both work and pleasure?
posted by AppleTurnover at 2:05 PM on May 21, 2015
It may vary by model, but the trackpad on my recently acquired work Lenovo (a T440p) is simply the worst trackpad I've used in years. It is simultaneously too sensitive (the dreaded palm issue while typing) and not sensitive enough when I'm actually trying to use it. I have spent hours tweaking it, and still it's just barely acceptable. Apple trackpads are a thing of beauty, and don't underestimate how nice it is to have hardware that just works.
posted by hydropsyche at 2:15 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by hydropsyche at 2:15 PM on May 21, 2015
I use a Retina MacBook Pro to do remote desktop to work (half way across the country no less). The Mac works pretty good for this sort of thing. I usually use a mix of native and remote apps, and I love that I can swipe into a local app space to hit Safari and Tweetbot, swipe over to the RDP space for remote apps, and then over to a space for Mail. It's a very efficient way to give everything the space it needs.
But if you don't think the decision is a no brainer, and you don't since you asked us, then get the X1. Microsoft is currently treating the Mac as (more or less) a first class platform, but that's the sort of recent development that I wouldn't count on continuing. Other vendors that you may need to count on are unlikely to be so generous - I've lost days over the last few years trying to get my VPN software working after this upgrade or that reinstall. Sure your IT staff is supporting you (which would have helped me a lot), but the odds of having to make some ugly compromises are high. Being different can be a big PITA.
posted by wotsac at 2:18 PM on May 21, 2015
But if you don't think the decision is a no brainer, and you don't since you asked us, then get the X1. Microsoft is currently treating the Mac as (more or less) a first class platform, but that's the sort of recent development that I wouldn't count on continuing. Other vendors that you may need to count on are unlikely to be so generous - I've lost days over the last few years trying to get my VPN software working after this upgrade or that reinstall. Sure your IT staff is supporting you (which would have helped me a lot), but the odds of having to make some ugly compromises are high. Being different can be a big PITA.
posted by wotsac at 2:18 PM on May 21, 2015
My husband has always been jealous of my macs but he hates the OS. So I bought him a Macbook Air and installed Windows on it using Bootcamp. It was not a huge deal (2-3 hours) and it's been running perfectly ever since, no driver issues etc.
posted by rada at 2:19 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by rada at 2:19 PM on May 21, 2015
they are implementing a "Virtual Desktop" system for all users so they say that you can use a Mac seamlessly to log into the Windows environment and work from there
AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Yeah, no.
Windows shop? Use a Windows workstation.
posted by flabdablet at 2:30 PM on May 21, 2015
AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Yeah, no.
Windows shop? Use a Windows workstation.
posted by flabdablet at 2:30 PM on May 21, 2015
Look into Parellels or installing Windows using boot camp - either would take care of your work applications and negate the cons of the Macbook Air
The Mac's keyboard layout is different from the IBM layout, and is missing several keys that I use frequently (Home and End being the ones I miss most often). Yes, I am aware of the Fn-key workarounds. Personally, I find the difference to be a constant irritant that never really lets up, and would never buy a Mac for that reason alone. If you've never worked with a Mac keyboard for a whole day, I recommend trying to do so before making a purchasing decision.
posted by flabdablet at 2:35 PM on May 21, 2015
The Mac's keyboard layout is different from the IBM layout, and is missing several keys that I use frequently (Home and End being the ones I miss most often). Yes, I am aware of the Fn-key workarounds. Personally, I find the difference to be a constant irritant that never really lets up, and would never buy a Mac for that reason alone. If you've never worked with a Mac keyboard for a whole day, I recommend trying to do so before making a purchasing decision.
posted by flabdablet at 2:35 PM on May 21, 2015
the trackpad on my recently acquired work Lenovo (a T440p) is simply the worst trackpad I've used
My last non X1 laptop was a T440p, I agree about the trackpad, the X1's pad is a big improvement but not Apple level, seems no other trackpad is.
they are implementing a "Virtual Desktop" system for all users so they say that you can use a Mac seamlessly to log into the Windows environment and work from there
AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Yeah, no.
Windows shop? Use a Windows workstation.
Yup, +1 from me. The choice where I work is also X1 or Mac and watching Mac users tear their hair out trying to do Windows things is a daily amusement.
posted by Cosine at 2:54 PM on May 21, 2015
My last non X1 laptop was a T440p, I agree about the trackpad, the X1's pad is a big improvement but not Apple level, seems no other trackpad is.
they are implementing a "Virtual Desktop" system for all users so they say that you can use a Mac seamlessly to log into the Windows environment and work from there
AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Yeah, no.
Windows shop? Use a Windows workstation.
Yup, +1 from me. The choice where I work is also X1 or Mac and watching Mac users tear their hair out trying to do Windows things is a daily amusement.
posted by Cosine at 2:54 PM on May 21, 2015
I came in here to rep the macbook just for the trackpad, but i got as far as they are implementing a "Virtual Desktop" system eww ewww eww i bet this is some kind of citrix BS eww eww eww eww eww
As much as i like the macs for their superior input devices(honestly even the keyboards are pretty damn good) and battery life. NO.
If they were willing to just go "yes, you can use the mac apps all the time, you'll be using a mac" this would be worth it. The sometimes-remote-desktop-sometimes-not thing is awful. And using remote desktop full time like that will also be awful.
I would disappointedly choose the X1 in this situation, but i'd choose it every time.
posted by emptythought at 2:59 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
As much as i like the macs for their superior input devices(honestly even the keyboards are pretty damn good) and battery life. NO.
If they were willing to just go "yes, you can use the mac apps all the time, you'll be using a mac" this would be worth it. The sometimes-remote-desktop-sometimes-not thing is awful. And using remote desktop full time like that will also be awful.
I would disappointedly choose the X1 in this situation, but i'd choose it every time.
posted by emptythought at 2:59 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Get the X1 Carbon. I have one of the new ones and it is a hell of an awesome machine.
My last non X1 laptop was a T440p, I agree about the trackpad, the X1's pad is a big improvement but not Apple level, seems no other trackpad is.
The trackpad is not where the Thinkpads shine. I would recommend against getting one unless you can learn to love the rednipple isometric joystick, which is God's Own pointing device once you get used to it -- and for me, one of the major reasons I can never own a non-Thinkpad laptop.
posted by killdevil at 5:59 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
My last non X1 laptop was a T440p, I agree about the trackpad, the X1's pad is a big improvement but not Apple level, seems no other trackpad is.
The trackpad is not where the Thinkpads shine. I would recommend against getting one unless you can learn to love the red
posted by killdevil at 5:59 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
I just made this choice and chose the Carbon. If I had known how insanely annoying the swiping function keys are I would have chosen the Mac. But if you need to use excel at all you must have a Windows machine.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:12 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:12 PM on May 21, 2015
Potomac Avenue, they went back to physical function keys and trackpad buttons in the newest iteration of the X1. Big improvement.
posted by killdevil at 6:14 PM on May 21, 2015
posted by killdevil at 6:14 PM on May 21, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'd go with the Lenovo, because the cons are irrelevant to your work.
And this is coming from a die hard Mac fan typing this on a MacBook AIR.
They are wonderful machines, but this is about work, not play.
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 12:25 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]