Laptop Pros, help me choose an ultrabook

[justfive]

On monday I need to buy a laptop. The ones that I had in mind are:

Asus UX31 - http://asia.cnet.com/product/asus-ze...m-45687619.htm

vs

Macbook Air i7 - the i7 version, not the i5. cant find a link atm so this will do http://www.jailbreaknation.com/macbo...and-speed-test

--------------------------------------

any comments? I read that the ux31 has a below-par touchpad, but it is also noticeably cheaper than the macbook. the sound system in the ux31 is very nice, and so is the look, SSD quality, other specs, and screen.

All I use from apple is an iphone, and Im not extremely familiar with the laptops. It will be a business laptop only.

Any input is appreciated

[NasGhost]

Hardware wise, the MBA is better, but if thats a non-issue ( depending on what youre doing with it ), then the most productive questions to ask would be. Do you need/want windows/osx?

[justfive]

Hardware wise, the MBA is better, but if thats a non-issue ( depending on what youre doing with it ), then the most productive questions to ask would be. Do you need/want windows/osx?

The MBA is 1/3 more expensive but I have never used an apple operating system. I am just afraid that Ill have to deal with so much crap trying to make things work, especially if Ill be using specialized software such as arcGIS.

Besides that, the MBA seems better when it comes to battery life, keyboard (back lit) and performance is better in general but not that far ahead of the ux31. The newest version of the ux31 has resolved a lot of the practical issues associated with the touchpad.

It would mainly be used for business/work related tasks.

Guess ill go for the ux31

[NasGhost]

The MBA is 1/3 more expensive but I have never used an apple operating system. I am just afraid that Ill have to deal with so much crap trying to make things work, especially if Ill be using specialized software such as arcGIS.

Besides that, the MBA seems better when it comes to battery life, keyboard (back lit) and performance is better in general but not that far ahead of the ux31. The newest version of the ux31 has resolved a lot of the practical issues associated with the touchpad.

It would mainly be used for business/work related tasks.

Guess ill go for the ux31

Its what $500 more? Like I said, the hardware in it is better; using an i7 over an i5, larger SSD etc. If the increase in performance would be of value to you then the MBA would be the better choice, though obv its quite expensive. If your just using this for a portable computer, then the ASUS is much better.

Regarding OS. My stance has usually been, unless you need OSX, get Windows. Reason being is that Windows is much more supported overall due to its much larger user base. If you really wanted to, you could use Bootcamp on the MBA to run Windows, however that would cost you another $100 for a Windows License. The battery life on the Asus is something like 6 hours? I would hope thats sufficient for the most part assuming youd be using it for 6 hours straight without an outlet in sight.

Good choice IMO.

[justfive]

Its what $500 more? Like I said, the hardware in it is better; using an i7 over an i5, larger SSD etc. If the increase in performance would be of value to you then the MBA would be the better choice, though obv its quite expensive. If your just using this for a portable computer, then the ASUS is much better.

Regarding OS. My stance has usually been, unless you need OSX, get Windows. Reason being is that Windows is much more supported overall due to its much larger user base. If you really wanted to, you could use Bootcamp on the MBA to run Windows, however that would cost you another $100 for a Windows License. The battery life on the Asus is something like 6 hours? I would hope thats sufficient for the most part assuming youd be using it for 6 hours straight without an outlet in sight.

Good choice IMO.

I dont operate in USD but after conversion the price is ~1300$ vs ~1900$. The prices of the Air here are blown out of proportion. battery life is around 6 hours (probably just under 6) while the air is closer to 7. 7 hours would have been IDEAL for me, especially since theres no chance of buying another battery, but its not a deal breaker.

BTW, both are i7. I might have accidentally linked to the worse ux31 model. These should be the specs:
UX31E-DH52 & UX31E-4DH53: Intel Core i5-2557 processor
UX31E-DH72: Intel Core i7-2677 processor
13.3-inch 1600×900 resolution screen
4GB RAM
128GB / 256GB SATA III SSD
0.3-megapixel webcam
Bang & and Olfusen ICEpower and ASUS SonicMaster Technology HD Audio
1x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0
mini HDMI / mini VGA ports
SD card slot
50Whrs battery (7 hrs) and 10 day standby
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit

[TrainingACU]

Those prices are quite high for something used for business use. Generally the graphics cards are the most expensive aspect in laptops, and both of those have terrible ones (not that it should matter too much to you).

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ Is an incredibly helpful site/forum that should be able to find you something similarly spec'd for under $1000USD. They're got a "What Notebook Should I Buy?" which is incredibly helpful. I focus almost exclusively on gaming laptops/desktop replacements, but there are tons of knowledgable people over there that should be able to give you some better ideas than the two you posted.

[powercage]

Id look into an Acer

[dbone1026]

also keep in mind that a core i7 is overkill unless you plan on doing CPU intensive tasks (encoding, video editing, etc...). You mention business use, just not sure what business.

[justfive]

Those prices are quite high for something used for business use. Generally the graphics cards are the most expensive aspect in laptops, and both of those have terrible ones (not that it should matter too much to you).

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ Is an incredibly helpful site/forum that should be able to find you something similarly spec'd for under $1000USD. They're got a "What Notebook Should I Buy?" which is incredibly helpful. I focus almost exclusively on gaming laptops/desktop replacements, but there are tons of knowledgable people over there that should be able to give you some better ideas than the two you posted.

This is europe. What you get for under 1000, we get for over 1500. Thats how the cookie crumbles around here...

I will take a look at the website, thanks for that.

[DASBUNKER]

wouldnt go with mac unless you wanna show it off... better stuff out there for the price brah... macs are the muscletech of computers.

[justfive]

Id look into an Acer

Any particular model you had in mind? I need something uber portable and slick + quality

also keep in mind that a core i7 is overkill unless you plan on doing CPU intensive tasks (encoding, video editing, etc...). You mention business use, just not sure what business.

theres a small price difference between the i5 and i7 models (surprisingly) and it will prove to be useful so Im set for an i7 model. The i5 mac price is significantly lower than the i7, but Im still afraid of macs ;[

wouldnt go with mac unless you wanna show it off... better stuff out there for the price brah... macs are the muscletech of computers.

And this tendency is magnified over here. Its as if the apple tag adds an extra 20% over here.

[powercage]

wouldnt go with mac unless you wanna show it off... better stuff out there for the price brah... macs are the muscletech of computers.

This is true.

[allieninja]

wouldnt go with mac unless you wanna show it off... better stuff out there for the price brah... macs are the muscletech of computers.

Best comparison ever.

Go with the Asus or an Alienware.

[NeverGonnaStop]

I like OSX way better than Windows.
Plus Apple has top customer service and very good warranty, plus their products are top quality.
Yes you pay a bit more, but you get what you pay for

[EGutierrez91]

If you're looking for an ultrabook, the HP Folio 13 has gotten the best reviews so far for any sort of Ultrabook.

It's in the $900 range over here in the US.

[dbone1026]

If you're looking for an ultrabook, the HP Folio 13 has gotten the best reviews so far for any sort of Ultrabook.

It's in the $900 range over here in the US.

Here is a good review of the Folio 13:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/01/hp-folio-13-review/

[justfive]

If you're looking for an ultrabook, the HP Folio 13 has gotten the best reviews so far for any sort of Ultrabook.

It's in the $900 range over here in the US.

I think the review dbone posted is what I concluded after doing some research. Its better in the keyboard and battery department (although not much better with ~30min more) but elsewhere it falls short.
The price is theoretically better but just because its lower. I dont feel like its better when it comes to the "cost x whatyouget x whatIneed x whatIwant" formula.


Besides, theres no way of me getting it here so its out of the question I found one store which has UX31's, and multiple with the Macbook and Lenovo,Samsungs etc. No Toshiba either

[allieninja]

For what it's worth, one of my laptops is an Asus and it's lasted a really long time. (F9SG) They make a great machine for the money. I will definitely buy Asus or Alienware first for all future purposes if they have what I need at that time.

[justfive]

For what it's worth, one of my laptops is an Asus and it's lasted a really long time. (F9SG) They make a great machine for the money. I will definitely buy Asus or Alienware first for all future purposes if they have what I need at that time.

When I was younger I always wanted an Alienware PC, but couldnt get them here. The laptops are all quite bulky besides the 11" one. Id love to have the higher end ones (the 18" for example) as a PC substitute to keep at home. Other than that, I should probably refrain from showing up in a meeting and whip out an alien faced laptop with an orange and red backlit keyboard although that would be pretty baller.

Will play around with the configurations on the alienware website to see what they have to offer.

[JH34PG]

I switched to a Mac and never looked back. Nomore problems with viruses and what not...don't know too much about laptops but
My old one would crash every month. Also Apple's customer service is amazing.

[NasGhost]

For what it's worth, one of my laptops is an Asus and it's lasted a really long time. (F9SG) They make a great machine for the money. I will definitely buy Asus or Alienware first for all future purposes if they have what I need at that time.

Asus's build quality is top notch, and when that fails the free warranty included ( unless you buy from somewhere like best buy ) will have you covered. Free 1 year accidental and 2 parts/labor is tough to beat. For the dollar, Alienware is becoming more competitive but I cant comment on their customer service, at least, not yet. My M17x has been great thus far though.

Also, to those that are Pro OSX this doesnt need to degenerate into another Windows vs OS X thread, trust me when I say NBR ( the site posted above ) has more than enough of them.

[justfive]

Asus's build quality is top notch, and when that fails the free warranty included ( unless you buy from somewhere like best buy ) will have you covered. Free 1 year accidental and 2 parts/labor is tough to beat. For the dollar, Alienware is becoming more competitive but I cant comment on their customer service, at least, not yet. My M17x has been great thus far though.

Also, to those that are Pro OSX this doesnt need to degenerate into another Windows vs OS X thread, trust me when I say NBR ( the site posted above ) has more than enough of them.

I concluded that I cant go the apple route because the restraint on software usage is just too costly. Nevermind the price itself, but if I wont be able to use it becuase software doesnt come OSX compatible, then it sort of defeats the purpose :P

The Asus will have 1 year warranty from what I remember. When did you buy the M17x? I flipped through the PC configurations and it would end up being 4k.

Thanks everyone for your opinions.

[NasGhost]

I concluded that I cant go the apple route because the restraint on software usage is just too costly. Nevermind the price itself, but if I wont be able to use it becuase software doesnt come OSX compatible, then it sort of defeats the purpose :P

The Asus will have 1 year warranty from what I remember. When did you buy the M17x? I flipped through the PC configurations and it would end up being 4k.

Thanks everyone for your opinions.

Really? It should have 1 year accidental, 2 years parts/labor, though that might just be a North America thing. You should check that out. Also, I bought my M17x last May with a fairly high end configuration; not completely maxed out but close enough. That said, like many things, its probably cheaper here in the states, and at the time I bought it, I got a 22% discount so it only came out to about $1600.

[justfive]

Really? It should have 1 year accidental, 2 years parts/labor, though that might just be a North America thing. You should check that out. Also, I bought my M17x last May with a fairly high end configuration; not completely maxed out but close enough. That said, like many things, its probably cheaper here in the states, and at the time I bought it, I got a 22% discount so it only came out to about $1600.

actually I take it back. its 24 months guarantee. 1600 seems like a great deal. I wasnt able to come to the US this winter or else I would have bought the stuff I need there.

[TrainingACU]

I was able to pickup a great deal on my M18x. I got it for just over $1800 after shipping and tax. The m18x is definitely overkill for your needs though. If you decide on getting a new Alienware let me know; there's a rep that works in the UK/Europe that has gotten a lot of people about 30% off the sticker price over the phone, so that could save you a huge chunk of cash and make the price comparable to the U.S. price.

Also the M14x is quite portable and reasonably priced. My buddy has one and it's pretty damn powerful too for being in such a small form factor.

[justfive]

I was able to pickup a great deal on my M18x. I got it for just over $1800 after shipping and tax. The m18x is definitely overkill for your needs though. If you decide on getting a new Alienware let me know; there's a rep that works in the UK/Europe that has gotten a lot of people about 30% off the sticker price over the phone, so that could save you a huge chunk of cash and make the price comparable to the U.S. price.

Also the M14x is quite portable and reasonably priced. My buddy has one and it's pretty damn powerful too for being in such a small form factor.

I definitely would not be getting an alienware laptop for work, but that would be an awesome contact to have for the future sa I regularly upgrade my PC. Is it only for laptops or the PC also? The top spec PC for 30% less is a pretty sweet deal.

[TrainingACU]

I definitely would not be getting an alienware laptop for work, but that would be an awesome contact to have for the future. Is it only for laptops or the PC also? The top spec PC for 30% less is a pretty sweet deal.

Hmmm...I'm pretty sure it's only for laptops, but I can't be completely sure as I don't actually know anyone who's bought an Alienware Desktop (at least in the last 5 years) and especially not over in the UK.

[justfive]

Hmmm...I'm pretty sure it's only for laptops, but I can't be completely sure as I don't actually know anyone who's bought an Alienware Desktop (at least in the last 5 years) and especially not over in the UK.

Either way Ill keep this in mind. Thanks a lot

[AlecGaspari]

are you price sensitive? My dell laptop is a BEAST, and cost me $750 shipped (although got a discount from my workplace)

i5 sandybridge
750gb HD
8gb ram
upgraded nvidia graphics
8 cell battery

its not a thin ultrabook, but its portable, and the 15 inch screen has an amazing keyboard with a numpad -- the I5 with 8gb ram is flawless when running excel 2010 with reports that run in the 100s of MBs in filesize... opens a 100mb file in about 30 seconds, 50mb almost instantly

[SwolenONE]

I switched to a Mac and never looked back. Nomore problems with viruses and what not...don't know too much about laptops but
My old one would crash every month. Also Apple's customer service is amazing.

This.