[fundad]

This seems to be key. People must want Windows or Linux so badly they will pay 25-30% for a thinkpad with a track pad that is almost as good. Don't these manufacturers sell more machines than Apple and could benefit from better economies of scale. Maybe the scale is just at the low end and the iPhone subsidizes premium Mac hardware.

I have yet to read about someone who priced out something "as good" as the MacBook Air in terms of component quality and efficiency. What would the price premium be... over 50%?

Either way it costs money to avoid macOS at the higher end but not much when you’re spending thousands of US dollars.

[stodor89]

> People must want Windows or Linux so badly they will pay 25-30% for a thinkpad

Yup, I got Thinkpad X9, the idea being "Air 15 but with Windows". It does the job. I still think Air 15 is better (and cheaper), but the software compatibility and not needing to switch platforms outweighs that.

[fundad]

I love my 15 Air (M2). I’m curious how the Air 15 is better in a way that may or may not be available as an upgrade in the X9 or some other option.

[stodor89]

Better SoC, no spinning fans. Also the screen won't die after 2 years of light mode usage.

The remaining stuff... I'd say Lenovo has caught up for the most part.