My old ThinkPad T43 is dead and I have been shopping for a new laptop. I value three things above all: portability, durability, and performance. I take my laptops everywhere, so they need to be thin and light. That means they also take a lot of abuse. And I like to keep my laptops for three to five years, so I prefer high performance components that will not slow me down over that time.
I have narrowed the field to three: the Apple Macbook, Lenovo ThinkPad, and Dell Precision. Two are business-class Windows PCs. The other is a Mac. I am having trouble deciding, so I decided to put together a detailed comparison. This is going to be a long post. Tune in, true believers, for a head-to-head comparison on the features I consider most important.
(Spoiler: I got the ThinkPad.)
Overview
So why these three? The Lenovo ThinkPad was an automatic contender. My old ThinkPad T43 was an awesome laptop. Not attractive, but thin, light, and tough as nails. I have always kind of wanted a Macbook, and the new aluminum ones add some serious durability to an already-nice package. The Dell Precision is more of a dark horse. The Precision line got some good press when it released, and it has some impressive features that make it a real contender.
Although I have not used any of these laptops, I have some experience with each brand, and I have been poring over their specs for a few days now. With that in mind, I wanted to compare them head-to-head.
Form factor
The Apple Macbook is clearly the best-looking of the three, and the aluminum shell bodes well for its long-term durability. The Precision is not bad-looking for a business-class laptop, but the Lenovo ThinkPad is an ugly brick. When it comes to size and weight, however, all three are pretty comparable. As measured by the manufacturers, the Apple Macbook is the thinnest (.95″) and lightest (4.5 lbs.). The Precision (1″ and 4.77 lbs.) and the Lenovo ThinkPad (1.1″ and 4.7 lbs.) are just a bit chunkier with their bigger screens.
Advantage: Apple Macbook.
Screen
Mac does not offer a 14″ screen, so the Apple Macbook is smaller right off the bat. The extra size of the Dell Precision and Lenovo ThinkPad is nice for working with documents, though, especially since the widescreen format robs the user of vertical space for editing documents as it is. An LED screen is important to me, both because they are more environmentally-friendly and because they use less power to create a brighter picture.
The Lenovo falls behind here. While it does have LED screens, they are available only in the lower-resolution WXGA. The Precision has a WXGA+ LED screen, and while it is not as bright and impressive as the Macbook, it is also available in a matte finish, which means less glare.
Advantage: Dell Precision and Apple Macbook.
Keyboard & trackpad
I hate the Apple Macbook keyboard. Typing on a Macbook is like running with my shoelaces tied together. Even basic commands like copy and paste require awkward finger contortions, and the absence of the Delete, Home, and End keys makes me feel like I am typing with only nine fingers. The Macbook trackpad, on the other hand, is big and very useful, although the button (even on the button-less aluminum Macbook) is too hard to press, and the travel is too short.
ThinkPads are famous for their amazing keyboards, and amazing they are. The key travel is perfect, and they are so good, I would rather type on a ThinkPad than on any other keyboard. The trackpad is okay, if a bit small. The buttons work well, but in my last ThinkPad, they wore down over time and I replaced that piece once (it would have needed to be replaced again if I had kept it).
I have never used the Precision, so I have to rely on anecdotal evidence. The keyboard on my Dell Inspiron was perfectly good, just not as good as the ThinkPad’s. According to NotebookReview, however, the Precision’s trackpad is ridiculously small. I believe it, but it does not look much smaller than the ThinkPad’s.
Advantage: Lenovo ThinkPad.
Battery
Battery life is important for portability, whether I want to work in the backyard or in a coffee shop with too few power outlets. While the Precision and ThinkPad are available with larger batteries, I am not interested in adding weight. 5 lbs. is enough.
Lenovo claims 4.3 hours from the 4-cell battery in the ThinkPad T400. Even allowing for some manufacturer inflation, that is impressive. Dell does not have any numbers on its website that I can find, and it seems to have sent out test units with only the larger, 9-cell battery, so I am guessing at the battery life. Let’s assume it is close to the ThinkPad, since it does have a larger battery.
Neither of the Windows PCs compares to the Macbook, however. Apple claims up to five hours, and Notebook Review found that was about right, getting 4.75 hours with average use.
FYI, the Lenovo figures on battery life are seriously inflated. My T400 shipped with the bigger, 6-cell battery, and I get less than 4 hours with regular usage.
Advantage: Apple Macbook.
Operating system
OS X is pretty nice. It has its quirks (the Dock is pretty useless, for example), but it blows Vista out of the water.
Vista is pretty awful and annoying, but since I will want to run Ubuntu Linux on my laptop, and Lenovo and Dell have an advantage. I would expect some real frustrations getting the Macbook running smoothly.
The upcoming Windows 7 is pretty sweet, too. While OS X gives the Macbook the advantage over Vista at the moment, Windows 7 will erase that advantage in the near future.
Advantage: Dell Precision and Lenovo ThinkPad.
Price
Here’s the biggie, right? Configured as closely as I can get them, here are the prices of each laptop:
- Apple Macbook: $1,599
- Dell Precision M2400: $1,547
- Lenovo ThinkPad T400: $1,482
Lenovo is having a big sale at the moment (they always are), so that price is probably a bit lower than usual. Of course, the Dell Precision and the ThinkPad have a few higher-end options not available on the Macbook, like faster processors and up to 8 GB of RAM on the ThinkPad.
More importantly, if I bought the Macbook, I would have to buy a new scanner ($446) for use at home. Plus, since using GIMP on a Mac is incredibly painful, I would need to buy Photoshop, a $700 piece of software (or $300 with my teacher’s discount). And I am sure there are a couple of other things I am missing.
Advantage: Dell Precision and Lenovo ThinkPad.
Conclusion
So the final, unweighted score is:
- Apple Macbook: 3
- Dell Precision M2400: 3
- Lenovo ThinkPad T400: 3
Not very helpful. Which leaves me where I started: unsure about which laptop I should buy. But in the end, I bought the Lenovo ThinkPad for a few reasons.
Mainly, it came down to price. When I added up the real cost of switching, the Apple Macbook was way too much. With necessary hardware and software purchases, it would have been nearly $1,000 more.
While the Dell Precision is not much more expensive than the ThinkPad, I was able to get an IBM Friends and Family discount on the ThinkPad, which allowed me to load it up with options, including a faster processor, bigger hard drive, and a four-year service plan, and still come in under $1,600 before taxes.
And I feel good about my decision when I consider the keyboard. Writing is what I do, so I need a keyboard I can write with. The Dell Precision’s keyboard would have been fine, I am sure, but the Apple Macbook’s keyboard is simply inadequate for me.
So those factors pushed the ThinkPad into the lead, and I am eagerly awaiting my ship date. The last few days of mooching computer time from my wife in the evenings have been awful!
Sam Glover is a business and consumer rights lawyer and the creator of Lawyerist.
Lawyerist is the #1 law practice blog. We write about marketing, practice management, career development, and more.
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I would have made the exact same choice, Sam. Personally, I feel that for computer-savvy folks, the operating system is just not that important. I spend 99% of my time on the computer online, so for me, my web browser pulls more weight than what OS I use. Sure, Mac OS X looks pretty and is easy to use, but there’s nothing I can’t do with Ubuntu that OS X can do. As far as software support, Windows wins hands down. The real reason I would not buy a Mac is the inability/impossibility to self-repair/upgrade. For a computer geek, that is instant disqualification. Besides, if you really want OS X, just install OS X on another laptop. There are plenty of guides online on how to build a Hackintosh.
I did forget one important category: customer service.
Lenovo’s customer service is solid. They use American employees, as far as I can tell, and the turnaround time with their “depot” service has always been about 1 day for me. I have not felt the need for on-site service.
Dell was once famous for customer service. Unfortunately, by the time my Inspiron was reaching the end of its life, I would have rather yanked out my fingernails than deal with Dell. Although I have heard that Dell has made strides in the right direction, I think I may have loudly sworn never to buy another Dell at some point.
Apple’s customer service gets mixed reviews. I have dealt with it only once, and my experience was excellent. With that being all I have to go on, I will have to say:
Advantage: ThinkPad and Macbook.
Just when I thought you were going to join the good guys. Funny you rag on the Mac keyboard, because I cannot stand the Thinkpad keyboard. Writing my exams on those loaners is a tedious exercise for me.
But, I suppose, given your other costs (scanner + pshop) you were doomed (I mean destined) to buy another IBM.
I suppose you get used to what you use.
Every time I need a new laptop (well, that’s twice now), I try to convince myself to get a Mac. Every time, it ends up being a better idea in theory than in practice.
Odd contortions for copy and paste…wow. There is now way any PC can hang with a mac period. If the 14″ is too small step up to the Macbook Pro, it’s a beast of a machine that can run anything you need.
I regularly run my OCR software, Photoshop, browsers and more with no prob.
If OS is your concern Parallels is fantastic for that. You can create a folder and instantly transfer between the 2 OSs.
I’m a mac and I get ill thinking of a PC. Just had to chime in
The Macbook is nice. I thought I made my feelings clear on that point. But it just isn’t for me.
You are dead wrong on speed, though. I will put Linux up against OS X for speed any day. And Windows 7 may be faster than both. It sure felt like it when I was testing all three (although OS X was running on faster hardware, it was still slower).
“Odd contortions for copy and paste”
I’ve no trouble using CCP on my aluminum macbook.
My fingers never leave the trackpad.
Easier and faster than Windows.
That is another thing I don’t like about Macbooks: the emphasis on the trackpad. I would much rather use the keyboard than keep switching from keys to trackpad.
Using the trackpad is never faster than doing the same things with the keyboard alone.
Good decision on the T400! I have been making a similar decision to replace my T43. If you can get the Lenovo Affinity discount I don’t think there is another comparable laptop on the market. Especially if you have already made an investment in Windows software/hardware. Buying all the accessories for a mac pushed that dream away. If price wasn’t an option I’d buy a Macbook Pro and run Windows…
I decided on the T500 instead of the T400 as I wanted the extra screen real estate and the extra 0.5kg doesn’t bother me. I’m now waiting for the right discount to appear on their site and I’ll snap one up:)
Before you get the T500, try to find one. They are huge. It isn’t just a half kilo. They are enormous, clunky, and heavy.
I will report back on the T400′s size and weight tomorrow. I am hoping it stays close to my T43, which was just about perfect in those categories.
Granted – it looks huge compared to the T43, but compared to the T400 it’s not much of a consolation. I want the flexibility of displayport as well as the bigger screen. I’d probably go the T400 if I knew that I wasn’t going to regret not having displayport over the next 3 years… I’m considering a netbook for my wife to fill the ultra-portable space
T400 Dimensions: 13.2″x10.6″x1.1-1.3″ (WxDxH)
Weight: 4.7lb (4 cell) 5.0lb (6 cell) 5.4lb (9 cell)
T500 Dimensions: 14.1″x10.0″x1.2-1.3″ (WxDxH)
Weight: 5.8lb (6 cell) 6.2lb (9 cell)
T43 Dimensions: 12.2″x10.0″x1.0-1.2″
Weight: 4.9lb (6 cell)
However, I will take your advice and go to my nearest store before I submit my order… Its not quite the same trying to simulate the weight
Yeah, you really need to touch and feel them. I just got my T400, and while I am happy with it, it feels much thicker than my T43. Technically, it is only .1″ thicker, but it feels like much more than that. And it is at least a quarter inch thicker than my wife’s white Macbook.
I own both a unibody MacBook Pro and a ThinkPad T400, so I’d like to comment on your comparison and on the two machines.
First off, the cut/copy/paste issue is pure bunk. What is the difference between Control-C and Command-C from a workflow standpoint? You don’t need the touchpad in OS X any more than you need the TrackPoint in Windows.
Windows 7 speed, well, Windows 7 is still beta (release candidate). It is faster than Vista, but not by huge leaps and bounds. I have 7 installed on my MacBook Pro using bootcamp and have compared its speed to OS X ON THE SAME MACHINE, and it is a mixed bag. OS X takes longer to boot, but shuts down, sleeps and resumes much faster. Network shares open faster in Windows 7, but file transfers are faster in OS X. In the end, the speed differences are minor. Also, don’t forget that at about the same time Microsoft releases Windows 7 Apple will release Snow Leopard, which also promises significant speed gains. Call it a draw.
Hardware wise, both are premium systems. Both are very well built, light weight for their size and both have EXCELLENT, though different-feeling keyboards. The MacBooks are much thinner because of the unibody case, but that thinness compromises versatility. You cannot swap out an optical drive for a second battery on a MacBook and there is no docking connector. The ThinkPads are thicker than the old ones because they have a magnesium rollcage under the motherboard and behind the LCD. Both are very strong, but I would probably give the edge to the ThinkPad for rough use.
Finally, you mention battery life, and again I’d like to clarify. The MacBook or MacBook Pro will get better life from its standard battery than the ThinkPad, but the Apple machines have larger, 6 cell batteries. I get 5 hours on my MacBook Pro while my daughter gets 5.5 hours on her aluminum MacBook. On the T400, I get 4 hours on the standard battery. Of course, that standard battery is a 4 cell, smaller, lighter and with less juice than the 6 cell in the MacBooks. When I use my 9 cell I get 9 hours, which the MacBook Pro cannot touch. Add the ultrabay battery and it runs for about 13 hours.
Both are outstanding machines, and anyone should be very happy with either of them.
I went thru the exact same exercise about 8 weeks ago, agonizing all the way, except I had a Sony in the lineup instead of the Dell (I’m a long-time sony laptop buyer). I have never owned a ThinkPad but read the reviews of the T43 and others. After nearly a month I finally heard my wife shout “oh, just make up your mind” and I ordered the ThinkPad T400. It arrived in about 10 days and I’ve been happy ever since. Everything you said about it is absolutely right. I did get the bigger SSD drive and more memory and an extra battery that is swappable with the dvd drive and which boosts the battery life considerably. It runs like a charm and the built-in keyboard light makes working at night easier without disturbing my wife in the evening. Now that I’ve had it a month or so, I wouldn’t go back to another brand and am totally satisfied.
Don’t forget that OSX runs on Unix and is inherently more secure and more versatile than any iteration of Windows.
Back when the new MacBook was released late 2008, I was the first on my block to buy one. Simply stated it was the most amazing laptop I have ever used. I ran Windows XP in boot camp. It was perfect. On April 10 I spilled some coffee on my desk and it washed over the keyboard. The screen sputtered out. I took it to my local Apple Store. They sent it in for repair. Within two days they called to say it was DOA and they would not repair it. $1,700.00 down the drain for 6 months use. One would think Apple would build a computer a little more resistant to liquid since it is marketed to a younger segment that spends lots of time in coffee shops online.
This computer is just too delicate for use in a work environment. It was really cool. I replaced it with a new Compaq Presario I bought at a discount club for $379.00. This one has a rubber membrane under the keyboard.
Odd contortions to copy and paste on a Mac?
Let’s compare:
Windows Machine- Control + C and Control + V
Mac – Command + C and Command + V
Useless dock? Granted, I rarely use my dock, but only because I use Quicksilver. With a simple keystroke, I can open up any program on my computer.
Software: There are hundreds of free open-source software programs for Macs. Example: Like word? NeoOffice does most of the same things, for free. Also, you can save anything as a word file.
Of course, Macs are a bit pricey, but I think, overall, you end up with a superior product in terms of usability.
I used to be a PC person as well, but I am glad I made the switch.
Yes, copy and paste require only two keys on both computers. But they require different keys. Cmd is a thumb key, unless I move my hand or use both hands. Either disrupts my typing far more than hitting Ctrl with my pinky on a Windows or Linux layout.
It is a small matter, but an annoyance.
I also use a keystroke launcher. Quicksilver is nice, but Launchy (Win) and Gnome-Do (Ubuntu/Linux) do the job just as well. In fact, I believe keystroke launchers originated with Katapult on KDE/Linux, for the record.
In any case, I am happy with my choice. My ThinkPad is rock solid. The 6-cell battery gives me a good 3.5 hours. I also am happy I got the 14.1″ screen. Just a bit bigger than a MacBook, but not too big, like the 15.4″ MacBook Pro.
Vista isn’t so bad. I have been forcing myself to live with it, and since I have ample storage and processing power, I actually like it. I will definitely upgrade to Win7, though. Based on my extensive use of the beta, Win7 suits me better than OS X. And maybe even better than Ubuntu.
As I said numerous times in the office, just because you are too rigid in your old age to learn to use a different keyboard shouldn’t be a strike against Mac. Also, I don’t know what or how you cut and paste things, but when I cut and paste things, I have to move my hands off their keypad orientation in order to highlight what ever it is I am going to cut and then move the curser to where ever it is I intend to paste, so the pinky versus thumb thing is your own. If you are actually doing this from the laptops trackpad rather than a mouse, I would rate the new Mac Multi Touch track pad very highly.
Ultimately a lot of this comes down to your own subjective feel of things.
As to Windows 7, my feeling is how many strikes does Microsoft get?
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