| All I Want Is An "UltraBook" - But Which One? | |
| Date Added: January 27, 2012 12:50:11 PM | |
| Author: pds20 | |
| Category: Product Reviews | |
| Having reviewed the first three ultrabook laptops to hit the market place, and spending some hands-on time with HPs version, it is clear that Apple's dominant position in the Super Thin laptop category will face some serious competitive challenges. Acer, Asus, and Lenovo all have impressive systems, all under 18 millimeters thick, and all with second-generation Intel Core i-series processors with solid-state drives - SSDs. The price is key here with 13-inch laptops starting at $799, while the 13-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,299. Stack all these systems together on a table and I would pick the MacBook Air for general everyday use. As yet, no one has matched the multitouch trackpad experience of the MacBook Air, with its excellent keyboard, and sleep/hibernate quick-start. However, if you're looking for value based on system specs, the field is wide open. Toshiba's Portege Z835 has a slower Core i3 processor (which is fine for everyday use), also includes a full 128GB SSD for only $799 in a Best Buy retail-exclusive configuration. HP and Acer both have $899 ultrabooks, both with a Core i5 processor and either a 128GB SSD (HP) or 20GB/320GB hybrid drive (Acer). The Asus Zenbook is the closest in look and feel to the MacBook Air, with a similar 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-2557M processor, a 128GB SSD, all-metal unibody model, and a back-lit keyboard, it starts at only $1,099. Lenovo's IdeaPad U300s is a bit more, $1,199, but it has an excellent sharp design and the best keyboard of the Ultrabooks. Comparisons are easier to make with the 11-inch version of the Asus Zenbook. For $999, you can get the 11-inch MacBook Air, with 2GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD or you can get a similar Zenbook UX21 with double the RAM, 4GB, and double the SSD capacity, to 128GB. What was clear to me is that the MacBook Air, particularly the entry-level $999 11-inch version, looks like it's in need of another update. Apple recently updated their components in the MacBook Pro line of laptops, offering more power and space with the same prices, ditching that 64GB SSD in the least expensive MacBook Air would be a good decision. Even if none of the current slate of ultrabooks is a true MacBook Air killer, more are projected to be on the way at CES 2012. According to PC Pro magazine, The director of research for the Consumer Electronics Association, told a London tech event, "We expect to see 30 to 50 new ultrabooks launched at CES." I feel like the kid in a candy store, I know I want to get something, but should I get my ultrabook today or come back again to see what the latest ultrabook has to offer? youranchortext |
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