I've decided to purchase a new laptop as a gift for myself for the coming holidays. The probem is I'm having a lot of trouble deciding between getting an MBA with Bootcamp get a comparable Ultrabook
Here's some additional info:
Price is not an issue (so the argument saying the ultrabooks are cheaper isn't really an argument)
I absolutely need to use Windows. I've tried an experiment at work and used OSX for a month, and though I've gotten pretty used to it, I still work faster and better on Windows.
If I do go with an ultrabook, which one can you recommend? I've seen the UX21a Zenbook Prime, and it looks like it's the most comparable one to the MBA
The only reason I wanted to buy an MBA in the first place is that it's just so damn beautiful. I've yet to see any other ultrabook come close to the hardware design the MBA has.
My background: I don't personally own a Mac, but my wife has a 2011 MBA and she loves it. I am an iPhone and iPad user, but use a Lenovo X220 as a work laptop. I haven't bought a "personal" laptop since buying my 2007 Toshiba Satellite and I use it every once in a while for torrenting and backing up my iPhone.
It's good that you're looking past price. Mainly since a laptop is a device that you have to look at as either a 2 year machine or a 4-5 year machine. My Windows laptop ceased being useful everyday after about 2 years. My freshman year laptop from 2004 died in 2007 and has since been donated.
Every Mac owner I knew of in college bought their laptop freshman year and it lasted all four years. I'm planning on buying a Mac mini to be used in conjunction with my iPad.
All this background comes to this point: Do you want to use the same machine for the next 4-5 years and pay piecemeal for software or do you not mind paying for something now, from a lesser company like Asus and knowing that the machine will deteriorate much faster? I like the look of the new ultrabooks. I think the YOGA is a great design and is very necessary for both students and professionals.
I do like the shortcuts of Windows and sure enough using my wife's MBA has me frustrated from time to time. If you're not willing to suffer the learning curve compared to purchasing the inferior product, knowing that you'll have to upgrade sooner may be the best decision for now.
The only ultrabook I know much about is the YOGA so I can't really help you much there. Remember that consolidating your devices is a good thing so don't get sucked into buying a cheap windows laptop and an iPad or a MBA and a Kindle Fire.
I'd highly recommend the 11" MBA. It is the best Windows laptop I have ever owned, that just so happens to also run Ubuntu, OS X, and any other operating system I choose. I like the flexibility and speed a lot.
The zenbooks do not match the build quality of the MBA, but they come close. The display and trackpad on the MBA are really fantastic. The battery life on the MBA is also better than any other laptop I have ever used.
Thank you! Your answer is very helpful, specially since you are an MBA-Windows user. Compared to the Samsung Series 9 11.5" one, what do you think? gdgt.com/samsung/series-9/np900x1a/
Seems decent, but can you get it with Ivy Bridge processor? I would not recommend the samsung over the MBA with Ivy Bridge unless you can get the samsung in Ivy Bridge as well. The graphics are significantly improved with Ivy Bridge processors, as well as performance and battery life.
Ah yeah, I JUST saw that it only has Sandy Bridge and HD3000, which I think isn't as good as Ivy Bridge/HD4000.
If I can find a Series 9 11" with Ivy Bridge, that would definitely make it a harder decision. But the way things are, I'll probably go with an MBA.
If you don't mind me asking, how is the performance on using Windows? I have Windows on Bootcamp here on my work MBP, and it's pretty good, though I do suffer some hiccups from time to time.
Windows is very solid, I've had no issues at all. I even do some gaming on my 11" MBA under Windows as well. The Ivy Bridge graphics are not great for hardcore gaming stuff, but they do a good job with many games, but that is true of all ultrabooks.
The SSD in the MBA is really great, makes all the difference.
Yeah, that's the plan. I'm gonna get the one with the best processor and RAM. Unfortunately, I can't afford the HDD upgrades - it's just too much money for something I don't really need.
Look at the ASUS Zenbook UX32VD. Presuming you're somewhat tech-savvy, you'd want to upgrade the RAM with a 8GB stick (2GB on-board already with either another 2GB or 4GB of removable RAM standard) and an SSD drive. The UX32VD is the superior Zenbook due to the N-Vidia graphics.
Money is no object ultrabook? Lenovo X1 Carbon. I might suggest waiting a month for the touchscreen version, but it's a nice computer. 14" screen in a 13" body.
MBA is once classy looking device, but feels a little dated in aesthetic (to me anyway). I never really took the plunge so my opinion on MBA versus Ultrabook maynot be useful.
I am currently using a HP Elitebook with capacitive touch screen with Windows 8 on it. It works like a charm. My experience is not without quibbles however: it gets hot, fan is sometimes noisy and battery life is pathetic. I am also looking for the sexy factor in my next device. Hence researching Ultrabooks for purchase this holiday. Here are the top three I am considering, may help if you decide to go with an Ultrabook.
(1) Samsung Series 9 (2012 refresh): I used this device briefly and it ranks among my favorite. It's got beautiful lines, a gorgeous matte screen & a spacious trackpad. However no touch panel. A deal breaker for me. I know it sounds silly to fail a laptop for this, but after using Windows 8 on a touch capable laptop for a few months, I instinctively reach out to touch every laptop/ desktop screen and it takes me a second to realize that it doesn't support touch. However, if touch screen is not a big deal for you, you should consider it.
(2) Acer Aspire S7: This is one stunning looking device with a beautiful high resolution screen. I was sold on this as my next laptop but recently heard a few complaints on fan noise when doing intensive work. Worried about battery life as well. Will wait for a few more user reviews before making a call.
(3) Lenovo Yoga: This device looks great on marketing material, but I haven't had the chance to play with one yet. Will likely find some time this weekend and try it out in stores. If it is as good as it sounds I'll probably buy it.
I have ordered a Sony VAIO T 13, Core i7, 256 GB SSD with Touchscreen. I did not find any other potent combination that has Core i7+256 GB SSD+Touch. The best I think would be Sony VAIO Z series, which has the form factor of ultrabook with the powerful mobile processors.
