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Am I seriously being forced to buy a Macbook air?!

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The Vaio Z battery according to my research has about the same capacity as the one of the T420s. T420s has very low battery life. around 3 hr max 4 hrs with normal usage and just enough for a regular movie.
Specs are similar, the slower i5 in the Vaio might use a little less but I doubt it. Even with some fancy tricks, I would say 5 hrs tops.

I think I will wait a few weeks and see if any windows laptops with the new ULV chips appear but my guess is they will all have the same crappy low res super glossy screen.
 
For a light laptop, the Samsung Series 9 are very lightweight at 2.88 lbs with the standard battery but it does run about $1650.

Since I'm ever waiting for the perfect light laptop at an affordable price, I went to the Dell Outlet and picked up the 11z - 1121 model with the Core i3-330UM processor for around $350. It's hyperthreaded and faster than the original 11z and better than the AMD E-350 in processor intensive applications. The AMD E-350 blows it away graphic wise since it still uses the old Intel HD integrated graphics but I can still run Torchlight okay.
 
richough3 said:
For a light laptop, the Samsung Series 9 are very lightweight at 2.88 lbs with the standard battery but it does run about $1650.
Click to expand...

As already stated the Samsung has a crappy 1366 x 768 screen and costs more with half the ssd space.
Well, anyway. we now have a good review up. a little more windows battery testing would have been nice.
 
I know this has already been mentioned, but the X220 really sounds like what you are looking for, minus screen rez. And to be honest I understand what you mean with the resolution. I myself prefer much higher resolutions, even though most people say you can't really use it on such a small screen. Still the having the x220t myself, I can say the rez is really kind of at it's sweet spot. Since you are saying you must buy a macbook air, the x220 is really a good solution. It is more powerful, and has a replaceable battery, which lasts up to 9+ hours. If you need more than that you can get the slice battery which gives you 24+ hours.

It's lenovo so the build quality is top, even better than apple. And for what you get price wise I'd say it's a better value than the MBA on every ground except for size.

2d
 
You know what OP? I don't think anyone is forcing you to buy a Macbook Air.

I think you want one and have this twisted thing about trying to get people to talk you out of one, but you buy one anyway "because it was your best considered opinion".

As I said, I've used everything up to the latest Core 2's on a daily basis and they are the crappiest machines in my possession by far in terms of actual utility, reliability and durability, given that the other ultralights I use are Thinkpad X2-series and VAIO Z's.

I thought I was shot of them, but a recent strengthening of my OS X dependency means that I'll be knee-deep in 11's and 13's soon - (although I'll probably be carrying the 11's). I've recently replaced all of my X201's with X220's (although I'm hanging onto the X201T's), and I'm in the process of replacing all of my Z's with the new Z's - and I don't really doubt that the same story will continue. And you respond to my actual-experience posts with assumptions about this and that.

So go get a Macbook Air. It may be not the best decision given an actually valid frame of reference (or affliction by JRDF in the case of Anand for example), but you needn't be ashamed for wanting something shiny. I'm sure you will be very happy with it - it is hardly an entry-level machine and it does basically work.

It's just not a great choice for a Windows-using professional (or it could be argued, professional, period) who knows what he's buying, is all.


As I said, if you have a closeted want for an Air but need Windows all the time, then the Samsung 9 is a better buy - because it'll last longer on a charge in Windows in most real-life situations (as opposed to e.g. encrapget or Anandtech Mac-biased reviews) and just plain work better in Windows, and if you consider that you get the 3-year warranty in the price, then the resulting total cost is similar. And yes, I know you'll say it hasn't got the 1440 screen - but practically speaking 1440 v 1366 is not that much - we certainly aren't talking Sony vs everyone else.
 
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I've been an avid user of Thinkpad X series machines for about a decade. The X201s is my most recent Thinkpad. It weighed 2.4lbs with the slim battery. Built like a tank.

Then for one time I tried a Sony Vaio X. It was the most amazingly small and light computer I have ever used. But Atom + Windows gets really slow. Not even suitable for light browsing at a comfortable rate. An iPad would be faster. You could regularly reinstall windows which seems to bring it back up to speed.

Disappointed with the lack of an X220s model and the fact that it is heavier and bigger than X series has traditionally been, I picked up a MacBook Air 1.6 4GB.

Let me preface this by saying that I no longer use a computer for work. I use one only for leisure. If I regularly had to type out documents or manipulate Excel files I would take a Thinkpad and that sweet trackpoint any day of the week. With that out of the way, for my uses, this MacBook Air has redefined the entire concept of personal computing for me.

I leave it on the couch and if I need it, I open it and it's always up instantly. Take it to work and I have frequent interruptions, I close it, take care of my business and when I come back I open it and it's always ready. I know some of you are thinking well Windows sleeps. Yes but not like this. It could be in this state for almost 30 days and it would just wake up. No more "resuming" for an exasperating minute.

This machine is also plenty quick. I have never felt it is slow and the OS does not slow down over time, at least not as quickly as Windows tends to do.

And I know I'm going to get some hate for saying this, but MacOS is just headache free. Consistent behavior, no interruptions from updates, no slowdowns, no issues.


With the new MacBook Airs out that are fast and with the 256GB option, you can comfortably run Mac and Windows in boot camp.

Sure I miss some Thinkpad things like the trackpoint and fingerprint reader. But overall I've never been happier with a computer. If Lenovo would make a 2.3lb Thinkpad I would consider it for a dedicated Windows laptop, but now I think the Vaio Z has beaten both Lenovo's and Samsung's efforts. I wish they would make a 11.6" or 12" version that drops the weight to 2.2lbs or lower. Maybe a new Vaio X but with a "real" CPU.
 
I bought an 11" MBA, mostly because I was so impressed with the reviews.

Just bundled it up and shipped it to my daughter to replace her near 4 year old MB that died after being taught to swim it seems.

Will be replacing it with a 13" current gen MBA/MBP and using it as my primary computer after decades of being a Windows only user, they're that good.

From what I'm reading, the ultrabooks are having difficulty with prices, they're having problems building them for the price Apple retails the Airs at.

Plus, the trackpad on Macs has ruined me for laptop trackpads, am typing this on a Dell 1720, and cringing every time I have to use the trackpad, how in the hell can manufacturers keep putting in these crap trackpads?
 
Looking for PC replacement for MacBook Air

I love the form factor of my 1st Gen (1,1) MBA, but the HDD has died yet again and it's time for an upgrade. I'm looking at what is out there in PC ultra mobile - I'm particularly interested in something significantly more powerful, but coming in at similar size and weight to MBA.

The usual trade-off here is Cost, Power, Size - pick any two. I'd like to go for something powerful, that is small, but PC-based and thus 60-70% of the cost of an Apple. I'd prefer higher spec components from the previous generation (e.g. decent HDD seek/throughput etc) rather than cheaper newer stuff.

OS: I don't like MacOS - run Win7 on MBA. Happy to run Ubuntu with VMs for Windows stuff - any Linux fine as primary OS if there is good hardware support.

CPU/GPU: At least one of the more powerful i5's or perhaps an i7. I will be doing some video rendering - not a lot - but nice if the setup can handle that while I'm on the road - mobile GeForce nice but an integrated intel could be fine

RAM: I do development and love multi-tab browsing, so something that can handle 50-150 concurrent Firefox tabs would be nice to have, so 6GB, even 8GB RAM preferable.

HDD: I don't mind having to do housekeeping, so I'd trade disk space for speed - a 128GB SSD preferable to a 300GB SATA.

VDU: I'd prefer 1440x900 but willing to trade if other factors good.

Weight/Size: light as possible but not the deciding factor. Thinness would definitely be more important for me - easier to transport.

Here's the list of machines I've had a short look at, with approximate prices.

Sony Vaio Z ~ $2,000
Asus UX31 ~ $???
Asus UX21 ~ $???
MacBook Air ~ $1,600
Samsung Series 9 ~ $1,500
lenovo ThinkPad X1 ~ $1,300
Asus U36JC ~ $1,000
Dell XPS 15z ~ $1,000

I'd like to keep my budget to $1300 if possible, but if the Vaio Z was $500 cheaper I'd buy it in a second. How much will the UX31 be, and when available?

Any suggestions based on my post?


PS I was going to post this as a new thread but figured it goes here - happy if mods want to split it out to new.
 
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outofbandii said:
I'm particularly interested in something significantly more powerful, but coming in at similar size and weight to MBA.

The usual trade-off here is Cost, Power, Size - pick any two. I'd like to go for something powerful, that is small, but PC-based and thus 60-70% of the cost of an Apple.
Click to expand...


What you are asking for doesn't exist.
 
Phynaz said:
What you are asking for doesn't exist.
Click to expand...

I think he is referring to his OG Air. Which was an underclocked Core 2 Duo. So in that case, the new Z, the X1, the new Air, and the Series 7 all fit the bill.

For the resolution, he would be limited to the Z and the Air. The Series 7 and the X1 both top out at 1366*768.
 
vbuggy said:
You know what OP? I don't think anyone is forcing you to buy a Macbook Air.

I think you want one and have this twisted thing about trying to get people to talk you out of one, but you buy one anyway "because it was your best considered opinion".

As I said, I've used everything up to the latest Core 2's on a daily basis and they are the crappiest machines in my possession by far in terms of actual utility, reliability and durability, given that the other ultralights I use are Thinkpad X2-series and VAIO Z's.

I thought I was shot of them, but a recent strengthening of my OS X dependency means that I'll be knee-deep in 11's and 13's soon - (although I'll probably be carrying the 11's). I've recently replaced all of my X201's with X220's (although I'm hanging onto the X201T's), and I'm in the process of replacing all of my Z's with the new Z's - and I don't really doubt that the same story will continue. And you respond to my actual-experience posts with assumptions about this and that.

So go get a Macbook Air. It may be not the best decision given an actually valid frame of reference (or affliction by JRDF in the case of Anand for example), but you needn't be ashamed for wanting something shiny. I'm sure you will be very happy with it - it is hardly an entry-level machine and it does basically work.

It's just not a great choice for a Windows-using professional (or it could be argued, professional, period) who knows what he's buying, is all.


As I said, if you have a closeted want for an Air but need Windows all the time, then the Samsung 9 is a better buy - because it'll last longer on a charge in Windows in most real-life situations (as opposed to e.g. encrapget or Anandtech Mac-biased reviews) and just plain work better in Windows, and if you consider that you get the 3-year warranty in the price, then the resulting total cost is similar. And yes, I know you'll say it hasn't got the 1440 screen - but practically speaking 1440 v 1366 is not that much - we certainly aren't talking Sony vs everyone else.
Click to expand...

Note that Beginner99 - who I'm assuming your post is addressed to - is not the OP, I am. I do appreciate your experience, and I'm definitely still holding off specifically because it does seem rediculous to run windows on the thing.

Also, note that I don't care about the horizontal rez, I (and beginner99, I believe) care about the vertical rez, which in the MBA is 900 vs 768 for many of the Win7 machines - that's a significant difference.

Anyway, I continue to be frusterated that there isn't a 1-to-1 windows counterpart to the 13" MBA. Samsung 9 is out - resolution is insufficient. Same with x220. sony Z is a possibility, but $$ -1500 feels like my reasonable limit.

I'm just going to wait until my machine fails - hopefully there will be a real win7 competitor by then. As for shiney, I honest-to-god prefer the lenovos, but they don't have what I'm looking for... too bad!
 
The reason I ask is because I'm looking for other peoples suggestions and opinions, i.e. the whole point of discussion forums.

Maybe someone will have a suggestion that I haven't found before, or question one of my assumptions, like the resolution - maybe I shouldn't be so particular about 1440 minimum - as TheStu mention that cuts out a couple of other options that would be a good fit otherwise.
 
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snuuggles said:
Anyway, I continue to be frusterated that there isn't a 1-to-1 windows counterpart to the 13" MBA. Samsung 9 is out - resolution is insufficient. Same with x220. sony Z is a possibility, but $$ -1500 feels like my reasonable limit.
Click to expand...

+1 that's pretty much where I'm at too.
 
I bit the bullet and went for a MacBook too this time, after being a Windows user for decades--they just can't be beat for portability-to-features ratio. My sentiments exactly that the MacBook trackpad has spoiled me, I just can't imagine not shifting desktops or scrolling without swiping various amounts of fingers - it's so cool! And hey, you can VM Windows on a Mac and have the best of both worlds! Just bite the bullet, the 1440x900 screens are sweeeet on the 13" Airs! And, it never hurts to try--you may learn a bunch of cool new things along the way and be quite impressed yourself--what have you got to lose? They were literally flying off the shelves everywhere this past weekend when I got mine!
 
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snuuggles said:
Also, note that I don't care about the horizontal rez, I (and beginner99, I believe) care about the vertical rez, which in the MBA is 900 vs 768 for many of the Win7 machines - that's a significant difference.
Click to expand...

exactly

and with 1366x768 if you put the windows Task bar vertical on the right side (which is a workaround to gain a bit of vertical pixels) then the horizontal pixel count starts to get pretty small.
I mean new browsers are actually getting optimized to use as little vertical space as possible for anything other than the actual web page. Best would be to have a vertical menu bar...

All this due to the retarded 16:9 hype.

Of course 16:9 is "more natural" but it is easier to move your eyes up and down than scrolling. IMHO that is the logical flaw. 16:9 is better to see all of the screen at once like when watching a movie but on a computer screen you do not need to see the whole screen at once.
(+ webpages usually have more like a 1:5 AR...so it's obviously a very bad fit)
 
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Got a look at the Samsung 900X3A in a shop however it was not running. Compared to normal laptops it sure is light and small but not that extreme. Bigger than I expected. Anyway I think the T420s I was considering is too big and heavy.

Read some reviews and it has a good screen (beside resolution). Important is that it's very bright and matte. It would be perfect with a 1440X900...
 
Another option is to wait until April 2012 and buy an Intel Ivy Bridge powered Ultrabook. Those will be light, thin, and affordable.
 
Bolas said:
Another option is to wait until April 2012 and buy an Intel Ivy Bridge powered Ultrabook. Those will be light, thin, and affordable.
Click to expand...

In my case I'm considering buying one because I will have to do my Master Thesis next semester which will start soon. Then I can work on it much more often like in public transport, library,somewhere outside,...I dont' have to sit at home at my pc to get anything done.

Anyway, right now I will wait because a university here has a cheap-laptop program at the beginning of each semester. I will just wait and see what they offer (not known yet).
 
You missed one thing. The MBA comes with a glossy screen. If you buy Lenovo you will get a matt screen.

I understand the desire for higher resolution than 1366x768, but if that is your priority your choices are seriously limited. Unless you can justify buying a Vaio Z at 2x/3x the price of an otherwise similarly spec'ed laptop, you are pretty much out of luck for the small form factor.

If resolution is your priority:
The T420 will get you to 1600x900 if you can handle lugging around 4.4 lbs. Remove the optical drive and you will be down to 4 lbs and the T420 has plenty of battery life to leave the charger at home.
Dell Latitude might be considered as an alternative for 1600x900 resolution.
If resolution truly is king you could get a W500 and get to staggering 1920x1200 at the price of a backbreaking 5.7 lbs.

If the form factor is the priority:
Forget about resolution, the price of entry to go higher is too high. Just settle for the mediocre 1366x768 and get whatever laptop seems the lightest, sexiest to you. Personally I like the ASUS U-series as they are quite affordable and seem to get great battery life. A smaller Lenovo or the new Samsung series 9 could also be considered.
Remember it is a matter of price vs. weight reductions and diminishing returns.

To round things off, here is a completely different idea: If you happy with your current MSI, how about looking into the possibility of replacing the LCD with one of higher resolution?
 
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