So we were looking at different models. Near-irrelevant. The new one has a barely better processor, higher resolution, and is otherwise inferior. For, instead of a $150 difference, a $50 difference. The Mac's Touchpad alone would be worth that for me. Where's this mythical 70%? Or would you like to adjust it to about... let's see.. 5%? 3%?

What is the size of your current computer and what are you carrying it in? I have one with a 15.4" screen and I used to carry it in a case that required using one hand or one shoulder to carry it. I was at one time considering getting a smaller/lighter system, but sometime I decided to try getting a backpack meant for carrying a laptop computer. When I found that I could comfortably carry it around for hours at time, I completely gave up on the idea of getting another computer just to have one that is more portable. (I picked out a backpack that looked like it would be comfortable)

Of course, if yours is much more than 6 pounds (my 15.4" is around that, IIRC), I can understand not wanting to carry it around, even in a backpack.

The backpack I have is the Targus Feren, in case you wanted to know (the color I got is the one they call olive). Besides comfort, the appearance and the price were other considerations. I wanted a backpack that looked like a normal backpack and also at that time that color was on sale for $35 total.

Post has been edited 4 time(s), last time on Sep 30 2011, 8:14 am by ShadowFlare.

I'm sure that will just be temporary. A useful task manager is important for developers.

I don't know why that's a bad thing. You don't actually need to restart the computer itself just to reload the OS (arguably you shouldn't even need to do that nearly as often as Microsoft makes us).

The idea is that W8 can be run on tablets and potentially as a basis for smart phones in the future. People seem to like apps and being able to go to one place to get all the software they need.

I don't see why that's bad. It's for laptops to shut down all the wireless connectivity on them so that you can safely use it without having to worry about stewardesses nagging you to turn it off etc. Could be useful if you want to eke out the last bit of battery, too.

I can't remember exactly right now since I am at work, but I think this is very similar to my current computer: huge link. As you can see, it's a pretty good laptop, but it just weighs a ton (yeah, 7.3 pounds is a lot when you have class all day and have to bike to school).

I looked into the ThinkPad, here's what I came up with:
ThinkPad X220i Laptop vs Apple MacBook Air (cheapest)
Processor: Intel Core i3 (2.1GHz) vs Intel Core i5 (1.6GHz)
Display: 12.5 HD vs 11 HD
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000 vs Intel HD Graphics 3000
Total Memory: 4 GB vs 2 GB (Upgradable to 4)
Camera: No Camera (Upgradable for $30) vs Camera
Hard Drive: 320 GB Hard Disk Drive (Upgradable to 128 GB Solid State Drive for $280) vs 64GB Flash Storage
Weight: ~2.9 vs ~ 2.2 lbs
Price: $809.00 vs $999.00

So, the ThinkPad is slightly bigger, has more memory and comes with a disk drive. However, the MacBook Air comes with a camera, a sleek design, and Flash Storage. Please also note that I would not be using this computer to actually store lots of information, but rather, I would push everything to either my Dropbox or server since I like working on a beefier laptop or computer when I get back to my apartment. This laptop would simply be a "take to class" laptop. For $190 more, I think it's worth getting the MacBook Air since it will also come with a Apple warranty.

I am still open to other suggestions, so, keep up the discussion!

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Sep 30 2011, 5:39 pm by A_of-s_t.

I still like the iPad idea, you can even just jot down notes on it the old fashioned way.

I'm going to agree with Centreri here. The Macbook Air is light, battery life is good, and for it's size it performs very well considering its size. It has one of the best trackpads on a laptop. It runs OS X, which is an asset to some people, and if it isn't, you can just install Windows on it anyway.

And LOL, sorry Aristocrat, but you're delusional if you can't see the benefit of the Air vs that clunky, ugly, "ENGINEER APPROVED" ThinkPad. I like ThinkPads, but that thing is 3.2 centimeters thick, where the Air is .3 centimeters thick at its thinnest, and 1.7 centimeter's thick at it's thickest. Nearly two times thinner. The ThinkPad is 4.85lbs, where the Air is 2.96. This thread is titled lightweight laptop. If the OP really wants a lightweight laptop, then there is really no comparison between these two.

I know you said you can't afford the Macbook Air, but if your new computer is currently working right now, tough it out for a few more weeks and try and save some money. It's better than buying something that only partially solves the problem, and leaves you unhappy because it's still kind of heavy, or it doesn't perform well, or the battery is shit, etc.

This. You could also ask your parents/aunts/whatever to throw some money in as a premature xmas present or something.
In any case you really should buy what will work well for you. Don't go for some lame compromise.

That aside I think something as light as a tablet but with a keyboard like a laptop (and maybe USB mouse if you don't like touchscreens) would work nicely for your case. You don't need a strong CPU, GPU or HDD. Any smart phone can easily run office applications (and some even console emulators) nowadays. I don't understand why something like that doesn't exist (or does it?) because the problem seems to pop up quite often.

There's the Asus transformer Android tablet, designed to work with a keyboard (hence the transformer), and I'm sure there's a way to attach a keyboard to an iPad as well.

The Asus Transformer looks pretty good, but is it for sale in any stores that way I can check it out?

Also, I don't really like the iOS and I much rather prefer Android if I'm going to get something in tablet form.

This is probably the point where you whip out Google.

Thinkpads are gorgeous. De gustibus.
It's $400 at newegg right now with the keyboard for the 16 GB version.

There's not much to check out about it (it's a tablet with poorly designed apps made by other people). You're better than me at using computers by far, and I'm sure you could use it a lot better than I could, but as of right now it's just a portable internet browser for me. I doubt I can get any decent image editing software on it, so my idea of using it to draw is out the window. Eventually I'll get the keyboard, but it's $150...

Personally I'd get the thinkpad x120e:
$400
1.5-3 cm
3 lbs
11" screen
AMD llano dual core
1 year warranty
"3.6" hour battery life. No idea how they can say this is 3.6 and give other thinkpads 23 hour battery life.

Oh and one final thing:
Mouse>>trackpoint>multitouch touchpad>>touchpad. Having to use a touchpad is just stupid annoying, and I hate IBM for not letting more people use the trackpoing, and I hate apple for removing tactile feedback. Everyone I've ever talked to who has used a trackpoint has told me it is infinitely better than a touchpad.

Post has been edited 2 time(s), last time on Oct 3 2011, 4:59 pm by rockz.

My experience is that people are split 50/50 on Trackpoint vs Touchpad. Personally, I like the Apple Trackpad over the Lenovo Trackpoint. Whether the OP feels the same way, I don't know, but I think your anecdotal evidence might be a bit misleading. I would try a Trackpoint out for a little while before you decide on whether you like it or not, OP. As far as the Transformer goes, I personally wouldn't want to use one for anything more than light notetaking and web browsing.

There is no doubt that a multitouch touchpad competes with the trackpoint, but the reality of it is that it's a simple matter of scrolling. I think the side scrolling is stupid and 2 finger is much, much better. With a trackpoint you have a middle button to use to scroll, and you barely have to move your hand. In fact, you don't have to move your hands much at all to switch between typing and moving the mouse. If I could afford the $100 on a mighty mouse for my desktop, I'd probably get it. Although I think my motherboard only has 1 ps2 port...