Windows alternative to the MacBook Air? (i.e. best ultrabook?)

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sofakng

Senior member
Jul 19, 2004
212
0
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What's the best Windows alternative to the 13.3" MacBook Air?

I can run Windows using Bootcamp, but the trackpad drivers aren't that great and I've been told if I'm going to primarily use Windows then to get an ultrabook instead. I plan to use the laptop 75% on the couch with the trackpad/touchscreen or using a game controller resting the laptop on my lap. The other time will be using the laptop on my front porch, etc.

Here's my ideal laptop:

12" - 13"
1440x900 (because Windows DPI scaling isn't great)
IPS screen
Glass trackpad
Geforce GPU (for extremely light gaming or NVidia GameStream)
Tablet-mode (i.e. folding or twisting the laptop to make using it as a tablet easier)

The Lenovo Y410 seems nice but 14" is a bit too big, it's heavy, and I've heard the trackpad is terrible.

The Yoga 2 13" seems nice. I've never used the trackpad though and the GPU is a tiny bit lacking. (I wish it was at least the HD 5000)

The Dell XPS 12 seems interesting but I don't know much about it.

The Dell XPS 13 looks really good but I think it has a rubber trackpad?

Anybody have any advice for me? As much as I'd like to use a MacBook Air, I really want something with Windows.
 
G

ggadrian

Senior member
May 23, 2013
270
0
76
I think that for Windows the Macbook Air is the best ultra book, and you get OS X for free; you might eve like it if you give it a go.

It's competitively priced for it's hardware and, although I can say anything about the BootCamp trackpad drivers, windows ultra books trackpads aren't that great either (at least the ones I've tried) so it might not be worse than other options.
 
Imaginer

Imaginer

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
8,076
1
0
If you are looking at the touch screen ultrabooks (the Yoga 2 13" and Dell XPS 12 and 13 models), consider this for trackpads.

http://www.lovesummertrue.com/touchmousepointer/en-us/index.html

This, in my opinion, with a multi touch monitor screen that you can casually use the desktop with ease (and directly touch for Modern areas) would pretty much in my opinion trumph the Air's limited, disconnected trackpad.

Since you are looking at the Yoga 2 and the XPS, both have a bit better resolution than the Air, pixel count wise to screen size. That would also factor in my decision.

The Air, Yoga 2, and XPS all sport similar if not same Core i5 and memory configurations. For gaming - that i5 generally translates to medium/low settings at 1080p/720p resolutions of roughly from 30FPS to 60FPS, game engine and settings varying (I say this out of using my Surface Pro 2 as a baseline, given some of the options sporting something similar if not same to the i5 4200U).

Given the known touchscreen trackpad, and that up to this point that many like the Air's trackpad (still small, still a trackpad, and my personal opinion towards not liking them) I would choose the Yoga 2 for the versatility in handling - and can keep to a laptop handling as well due to the balanced screen to keyboard base weight.
 
S

sofakng

Senior member
Jul 19, 2004
212
0
71
Hmmm, I'm just looking at my local Best Buy and they have an open box (in "Excellent" condition) of a Yoga 2 for $629.99.

It's the haswell model with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB HDD.

Is that a killer deal or just so-so?

EDIT: Bummer, it doesn't have 802.11ac. :( (would be useful for Steam In-Home Streaming...)
EDIT2: It looks like you can purchase a replacement wifi board for the Yoga 2 that supports 802.11ac.
 
Last edited:
J

jaydee

Diamond Member
May 6, 2000
4,500
4
81
sofakng said:
Hmmm, I'm just looking at my local Best Buy and they have an open box (in "Excellent" condition) of a Yoga 2 for $629.99.

It's the haswell model with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB HDD.

Is that a killer deal or just so-so?

EDIT: Bummer, it doesn't have 802.11ac. :( (would be useful for Steam In-Home Streaming...)
EDIT2: It looks like you can purchase a replacement wifi board for the Yoga 2 that supports 802.11ac.
Click to expand...

Microsoft store has the Dell XPS 13 Haswell i7-4500U 8GB/256GB 1080p touchscreen for $1,300. No discrete graphics, not sure if the screen is IPS, but it's probably the best you're going to do.
 
crashtestdummy

crashtestdummy

Platinum Member
Feb 18, 2010
2,893
0
0
While DPI scaling isn't perfect yet, a Yoga 2 Pro will do fine at 1600x900 (even 1/4 resolution) if you're willing to go that low. I have to say though, that after having a high DPI screen for a while, it's really hard to go back, warts and all.

The new Surface Pro 3 is also interesting, especially since you seem to primarily want the device for the touch screen.
 
S

screwd01

Senior member
Oct 9, 2004
311
2
81
The XPS 13 is very appealing right now, $899 on MS Store (promo code GRADUATION). I know Apple are actually well priced but I'm trying to stay away from Apple, I've owned 2 Macbooks, 4 iPhones, 2 iPads and I've been off of Apple for two years now.

XPS 13 has a glass trackpad as well, the newest haswell revision.
 
N

Noo

Senior member
Oct 11, 2013
389
10
81
sofakng said:
What's the best Windows alternative to the 13.3" MacBook Air?

I can run Windows using Bootcamp, but the trackpad drivers aren't that great and I've been told if I'm going to primarily use Windows then to get an ultrabook instead. I plan to use the laptop 75% on the couch with the trackpad/touchscreen or using a game controller resting the laptop on my lap. The other time will be using the laptop on my front porch, etc.

Here's my ideal laptop:

12" - 13"
1440x900 (because Windows DPI scaling isn't great)
IPS screen
Glass trackpad
Geforce GPU (for extremely light gaming or NVidia GameStream)
Tablet-mode (i.e. folding or twisting the laptop to make using it as a tablet easier)

The Lenovo Y410 seems nice but 14" is a bit too big, it's heavy, and I've heard the trackpad is terrible.

The Yoga 2 13" seems nice. I've never used the trackpad though and the GPU is a tiny bit lacking. (I wish it was at least the HD 5000)

The Dell XPS 12 seems interesting but I don't know much about it.

The Dell XPS 13 looks really good but I think it has a rubber trackpad?

Anybody have any advice for me? As much as I'd like to use a MacBook Air, I really want something with Windows.
Click to expand...
Nothing is comparable. Seriously. Apple have a stranglehold on the laptop segment with the design and quality. Also, good luck finding something running windows for 12 hours without having to recharge the battery.
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
This is a case where the Surface Pro 3 merits a look.
 
P

piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
60
91
I like using a tablet for some things. I am typing this with an Asus memo pad 7HD. Not for everyone!
 
I

ImDonly1

Platinum Member
Dec 17, 2004
2,357
0
76
s44 said:
That's a sick deal. Is it still live?
Click to expand...

Pick a store near you in the drop down box at the top. It will tell if you the store has any in stock.

Deal is 1-2 months old. There were many of them at my local stores, but it seems they are all gone now.
 
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