MacBook Air vs Ultrabooks

Goodie

Goodie

Goodie

Soldato
Joined
5 Dec 2003
Posts
5,019
Hi all,

I'm contemplating purchasing a new MacBook air when they come out late summer. I've always had a desktop computer, but with an impending dissertation I quite like the idea of being able to work where I want rather than being stuck in the back room.

I've had my eye on the MacBook Air's for a long time as they really are georgous pieces of kit. I've never owned note even played with a mac though so I am unsure of the advantages/disadvantages of mac os compared to windows.would it be a good idea to get a mac for little more than web browsing, assignment writing and journal reading? Basically I'm looking for someone to reassure me that getting a mac would be a good idea other than the fact that it's aesthetically pleasing.

I know that Ultrabooks will be coming out around the same time, should these be worth serious consideration or are they merely imitations?

Thanks for any input

Goodie
 
Lets be honest, the Ultrabook is basically Intel ripping off the MacBook Air concept, and bribing the big PC OEMs to make a clone.

I switched over to a Mac for home use 6 years ago and haven't looked back, so you ain't going to get an impartial opinion from me. I prefer Macs for pretty much everything other than gaming.
 
Mac of course, theres a reason they are copying it. Quite frankly after swapping my old laptop for a macbook i would never go back, id sooner go without than go back to any old laptop. Obviously having a desktop at home too for anything not OSX compatible (Which isn't as much as i thought before i got it!)
 
Has to be the air imo. OSX > Windows (other than gaming) and the build quality is faultless. my only problem with airs and pros is the heat but that might be an issue that effects all i7 kit
 
Thing thing is; post in here and we will all say Mac, post in general hardware and they will all say Ultrabook.

You're not going to get an impartial opinion anywhere.

If you've never used a Mac before, it might be worth spending some time in an Apple Store playing with one to see how you get on with OS X (some people just don't click with it).

However, I'm a firm believer that Mac is best, so I say go for it. :)
 
I'd like to think the Apple forum gives a more considered opinion such as those above as the users know the kits sells on the quality of the hardware and the integration with the operating system. GH would most likely generate a lot of borderline illiterate anti-Apple ranting about pricing and attract the trolls.

Bless :)
 
If all you want is something for word processing that is portable, then any laptop would do. For long periods of work, you are going to want a 13" which starts at £945 with HE discount...
 
13.3" Ultrabooks vs 13.3" MBA

Code: 
---------------| Asus UX31        | Samsung 5        | 13.3" MBA
Processor------| 1.6Ghz 3mb cache | 1.6Ghz 3mb cache | 1.7Ghz 3mb cache
Upgrade--------| 1.7ghz 3mb cache | 1.7ghz 3mb cache | 1.8ghz 4mb cache
RAM -----------| 4GB              | 4GB              | 4GB
Upgrade--------| No               | 8GB              | No
GPU------------| HD 3000          | HD 3000          | HD 3000
Backlit KB-----| No               | Yes              | Yes
Screen---------| 1600 x 900 TFT   | 1366 x 768 TFT   | 1440 x 900 LED
Storage--------| 128GB SSD        | 500GB 5400RPM    | 128GB SSD
Upgrade--------| 256GB SSD        | 1TB, 128GB SSD   | 256GB SSD
Battery--------| 6 Hours          | 5 Hours          | 7 Hours
Multi Touch----| Yes              | No               | Yes
Boot time -----| 29 Seconds       | 65 Seconds       | 17 Seconds
Note-----------| Samsung 5 with SSD boots in 25 Seconds
Price----------| £1000            | Est £700-£900    | £1099

Final notes: There's a 14" Samsung also available which has an optical drive, and a dedicated GPU but has worse battery life, weighs more, pricing still un-announced.

Build quality is slightly superior on the MBA, the Asus isn't far behind but the Samsung is lagging quite a bit.

The Asus has tagged lots of extra pointless software on it, which apparently is quite annoying because it randomly pop's up warnings and information, although people like us will just disable it with ease.

All 3 have SD readers, only the MBA has a Thunderbolt port according to official spec sheets but some reviews mention that the Samsung has one so we'l have to see on that front.

----
Personal opinion: both the MBA and the Asus look superior to the Samsung 5, Is the MBA worth approx £100 more? to me yes, but I'm comfortable using OSX.
 
Last edited:
i think you will have more flexibilty with MBA as you can always go boot camp. if it is mainly for writing thesis, i suggest you to try before you buy as you will be typing a lot.
 
MagicBoy said:
Lets be honest, the Ultrabook is basically Intel ripping off the MacBook Air concept, and bribing the big PC OEMs to make a clone.
Click to expand...

PC makers have had tiny thin machines for years. Sony Vaio, Toshiba Portege etc.

However its only now Intel have created usable processors with a meaningful battery life that any of these products are possible at cheaper prices.

Re Ultrabooks, I think the best one due out is the Dell XPS 13. http://www.engadget.com/photos/dell-xps-13-hands-on/#4704588

It fits a 13" screen in a smaller 12" footprint, but only an average resolution though.

I think the carbon fibre base might help with cooling a bit more. Dell machines tend to be cool and very quiet.

I really like the Air, but the spec / price annoys me:

The base 11" with 2GB ram is a joke
So I look at the better 11" good.
But then you think I can get the 13" for only a bit more.
 
Last edited:
I bought an 11" Air back in September for University, I would definitely say it's my best computer purchase to date. The size is perfect for throwing into a bag and lugging around uni, into classes/lectures etc.

I was worried that the 11" form factor would be too small to be used on a regular basis, but the keyboard is full-sized and an absolute joy to use. The trackpad is also massive. The screen, although small, is high resolution matching that on my other 13" and 15" Windows laptops, so I haven't really noticed the smaller size at all.

With respect to Ultrabooks, it depends on what size Air you are looking at. The 13" Air has a lot of competition but I haven't seen many/any Ultrabooks take on the 11" size (apart from a Samsung which I believe was even more expensive than the Air).

Whilst other Ultrabooks may be cheaper and look similar in design to the Air, I believe the Air is a far more polished package. Excellent OS (I too had never used a Mac before buying this one), excellent keyboard, superb build quality and a trackpad that no other manufacturer has come close to matching.
 
A comparison of the XPS 13 vs 13" Air, never realised Dell had one coming out

Code: 
---------------|| Dell XPS 13      | 13.3" MBA
Processor------|| 1.7Ghz 4mb cache | 1.7Ghz 3mb cache
Upgrade--------|| No               | 1.8ghz 4mb cache
RAM -----------|| 4GB              | 4GB
Upgrade--------|| No               | No
GPU------------|| HD 3000          | HD 3000
Backlit KB-----|| Yes               | Yes
Screen---------|| 1366 x 768 TFT   | 1440 x 900 LED
Storage--------|| 1280GB SSD       | 128GB SSD
Upgrade--------|| 256GB SSD        | 256GB SSD
Battery--------|| 8 Hours (claimed)| 7 Hours
Multi Touch----|| Not Specified    | Yes
Boot time -----|| Not Specified    | 17 Seconds
Price----------|| Est £900-£1000   | £1099
Note:----------|| XPS 13 has no SD card slot
Note 2:--------|| XPS 13 is made from Carbon Fibre, not aluminium
Note 3:--------|| Other I5 and I3 offerings available for cheaper cost
 
Last edited:
Your table is slightly wrong:

Dell has :

1366 x 768 screen (not amazing res)
Edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass
Backlit keyboard
USB 3.0

Its half aluminium and half carbon fibre, which according to Dell is much better for the base of the unit for making it cooler to use on a lap.

Plus its smaller then the 13" Air due to not having a large bezel:

Size vs 13" Air:

http://www.pcper.com/image/view/9818?return=node/53246
 
Last edited:
POB said:
Your table is slightly wrong:

Dell has :

1366 x 768 screen (not amazing res)
Edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass
Backlit keyboard
USB 3.0

Its half aluminium and half carbon fibre, which according to Dell is much better for the base of the unit for making it cooler to use on a lap.

Plus its smaller then the 13" Air due to not having a large bezel:

Size vs 13" Air:

http://www.pcper.com/image/view/9818?return=node/53246
Click to expand...

The fact that it has carbon fibre on the base will make it cooler on the lap but will probably make it run hotter inside or require some hardcore fans to move all that heat away. There is a reason metal is a good material to build a case out of.
 
POB said:
Your table is slightly wrong:

Dell has :

1366 x 768 screen (not amazing res)
Edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass
Backlit keyboard
USB 3.0

Its half aluminium and half carbon fibre, which according to Dell is much better for the base of the unit for making it cooler to use on a lap.

Plus its smaller then the 13" Air due to not having a large bezel:

Size vs 13" Air:

http://www.pcper.com/image/view/9818?return=node/53246
Click to expand...

Okay, ill update it in a sec.. got my list from the Engadget CES coverage :)

Regarding the materials, having used a MBA i can't see why anyone would bother unless its cost savings, the MBA never gets hot as it is.
 
Mac make nicer products, but W7 is better than OS X in my opinion. Window management in OS X is horrible!

Having said that, I've probably not given OS X enough time, I used it only for iPhone development.

I am probably doing to get a Mac Book pro / air in summer and if I can't get on with OS X I will just use windows on it
 
Izi said:
Mac make nicer products, but W7 is better than OS X in my opinion. Window management in OS X is horrible!

Having said that, I've probably not given OS X enough time, I used it only for iPhone development.

I am probably doing to get a Mac Book pro / air in summer and if I can't get on with OS X I will just use windows on it
Click to expand...

Try out hyperdock. That fixes many of the issues with window management for me. :) It all depends on your workflow though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom