The Air is going to run laps around the X1, in literally every benchmark you can come up with besides "its not open source". I have that same processor in a much bulkier thinkpad and it thermal throttles instantly doing basic office multi-tasking, with the fan running constantly.
Also its made out of metal.
The X1 Carbon is getting updated to Panther Lake, and Panther Lake is getting competitive with the M5.
> in literally every benchmark you can come up
Nope, Panther Lake will win most gaming benchmarks. The M5 will win most others but not by "running laps around" levels.
At what power envelope? Intel chips can compete with M series chips, but usually at way higher power, which means fans running like a jet engine.
Similar power envelope. It depends on the laptop of course, but many Panther Lake laptops score comparably on battery life tests in reviews.
> score comparably on battery life tests
Until Windows leaves it in S0 state while its in your backpack :)
My Lenovo does this every week, such a joy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_and_Bill%27s_law
Thinkpads have track points, macs don't.
That benchmark is really important to me due to RSI. Track points save me a buttload of hand pain.
I had the opposite issue. Trackpoints stated hurting my hand because it requires significantly more force than the Mac's touchpad.
interesting, I had to stop using my trackpoint because it was giving me rsi in my index finger. the track pad hasn't given me any issues.
Same here, had to stop using the trackpoint (after maybe 10-15 years of heavy usage). And macbook trackpads are awesome.
It's all about not doing the same thing, whatever that same thing may be. I switch between trackball and mouse as each one gets a bit uncomfortable.
I'm also convinced that trackpoints themselves are stiffer and less comfortable to use than they used to be in the older thinkpads
Ever since the T450 the trackpoint has been awful.
Can't replace the nob anymore either, as the convex knob was arguably the best
What do you mean when you say you can't replace the knob?
It comes off on my T14s Gen 1 and the T14s Gen 5 that replaced it.
What basic office tasks are that?
The last time I was excited about the performance of local computers was in the 90s I think.
Modern laptops are so insanely fast. Not sure if they are 2x, 10x or 100x faster than I need them to be. But I never hear fans. I never have to wait for the machine these days.
Have you used a MacBook as a daily driver since the M chips came out?
No. I'm looking to get one with 64GB memory for local AI models. The worry is the keyboard experience on the MBA isn't as good as the MacBook Pro.
The keyboard and touchpad experience are nearly identical between the two... not nearly as good as old IBM Thinkpads used to be, but that's a trade with IMO the much better touchpad experience on Mac.
That said, I just don't think I can keep buying Apple hardware, just not a fan of the company... I only begrudgingly use Android as there isn't a reasonable, more open option.
I'll probably stick with my M1 air for personal use a couple more years then pass it on. My daughter is still using my now 13yo rMBP with 16gb/512gb. I wish the ram and storage upgrades on mac weren't so overpriced.
At current rates they aren’t overpriced at all. Frankly I’m surprised we didn’t see a big increase in cost with this generation.
Apple has their supply lines locked in a few years ahead of time... they likely won't see downward pressure for a couple years still. Not that they might not still take advantage... though downward sales pressure is a trade off too.
I’ve used both extensively and there’s very little difference in the keyboards between an Air and a Pro.
The difference in displays (Pro much brighter) and size/weight (Air much lighter) are much more significant considerations, IMO.