Okay, so I’ve been messing around with laptops lately, trying to figure out what my next daily driver should be. I’ve narrowed it down to two pretty different machines: the ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 3 and the MacBook Air (I’m assuming the M2 version, since that’s the current one). Here’s how my little experiment went down.
The Initial Look-See
First, I just got my hands on both laptops. You know, the basic stuff. The ThinkPad, as usual, feels super solid. That matte black finish, the red TrackPoint… it’s classic ThinkPad. The MacBook Air, on the other hand, is just sleek and thin. It’s almost too light, if that makes sense. But it definitely looks and feels premium.
Flipping and Typing
The big thing with the X13 Yoga is, obviously, that it’s a 2-in-1. I flipped it around into tablet mode, tent mode, all that jazz. It’s pretty cool for watching videos or maybe sketching something (though I’m no artist). The hinge feels really sturdy, which is important. The MacBook Air, well, it’s just a laptop. A very nice laptop, but it doesn’t do any of those fancy tricks.
Then I started typing. The ThinkPad keyboard is legendary for a reason. It’s got that deep travel, it’s responsive… it’s just a joy to type on. The MacBook Air’s keyboard is… fine. It’s gotten better over the years, for sure, but it’s still pretty shallow. I definitely prefer the ThinkPad for long writing sessions.
Screen Time
Both laptops have decent screens. The MacBook Air’s is probably a bit brighter and more color-accurate, which is great for watching movies or editing photos. The ThinkPad’s screen is perfectly fine, though. And, since it’s a touchscreen, you can tap and swipe on it, which is handy sometimes. I found it to be the best touch-screen laptop I’ve used.
Putting Them Through Their Paces
I installed my usual apps on both machines – you know, web browser, some coding tools, a few games (don’t judge). The MacBook Air, with that M2 chip, is just blazing fast. Everything opens instantly, and it handles multitasking like a champ. The ThinkPad, with its Intel processor, is no slouch either. It’s definitely powerful enough for most everyday tasks.
I did run it a little warm doing heavier things on the Thinkpad. I had less of a worry when it came to the MacBook Air’s performance.
The Battery Life Test
I charged both laptops to 100%, then just used them throughout the day – browsing the web, watching videos, writing emails, the usual stuff. The MacBook Air definitely lasted longer. I could easily get through a full workday without needing to plug it in. The ThinkPad’s battery life is decent, but it’s not quite as impressive. You’d probably need to top it up at some point during a long day.
The Verdict (For Me, Anyway)
So, after all that, which one would I pick? Honestly, it’s tough. The MacBook Air is a fantastic all-around laptop – it’s fast, light, and has great battery life. But the ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 3 has that amazing keyboard and the versatility of a 2-in-1. It really is fantastic to type with.
For my needs, I think I’m leaning towards the ThinkPad. I do a lot of writing, so the keyboard is a big deal for me. And the 2-in-1 functionality is a nice bonus. But if you prioritize speed and battery life above all else, the MacBook Air is probably the better choice. Both solid devices, but my personal choice is ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 3.