Ultra book for business ...which one

[vspin134]

My requirement

1. Thin and light

2. Long lasting battery (6 hrs+)

3. Best screen for email (don't watch movie on notebook)

4. Touch screen is not required (use tablet for that task)

5. DVD slot is not required.

6. Price is not main concern...just looking for durable and light.

Been using Dell and not too happy about it. Been happy with Thinkpad line.

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[ubonjoe]

Moved to computers forum

[jcisco]

I can give you the recommendation to look at Toshiba units, there are generally some good highend unibody units that may suit you.

But since you mention this is for business but not any warranty, service requirements let alone any infrastructure specific needs for your organization I will assume those things are a non issue for yourself. If they were, I would recommend a Dell unit again, simply for the service.

Also can you tell me what you consider a screen for email, as this is a totally subjective spec. For example my laptop screen is 3200 x 1800 in 15inch form factor so for some people it is illegible, dam_n even 1920 x 1200 is a no go for some people.

Note however that despite the resolution, you are not going to be stuck squinting unless you leave everything nice and tiny.

Anyways... go look at the Toshiba lines sounds like what may be looking for unless anything else i said was relevant.

Edit: I retract my Toshiba suggestion I just looked at the new line and they are not that attractive at all now. Go have a look at http://blog.laptopmag.com/best-worst-notebook-brands-2013 That seems to say the same thing too.

Also for the record Ultrabook is a spec for subnotes and if I recall SharkBay was the last spec and unit you buy will have to make the minimum 6 hours you specified and that is during media playback so should last a few hours longer if using something less intense. The new haswell units are all touchscreens from

what I have seen so you are going to get that by default.

Edited January 4, 2014 by jcisco

[MKAsok]

MacBook Air.

[vspin134]

Haswell would be an ideal. Isn't it they say the higher resolution the smaller fonts will be on screen.

I am in my 40s now but still constantly on emails and many of them sometimes. I am not looking for super Huge screen like 15 or 17. I need good balance form factor with clear screen for fonts with long battery life.

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[vspin134]

MacBook Air.

I am not yet moving to Mac platform thanks for good advise...Mcbook air would be an ideal but again not going there yet.

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[Gulfsailor]

MacBook Air.

I am not yet moving to Mac platform thanks for good advise...Mcbook air would be an ideal but again not going there yet.

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I was also always against using a Mac. Then purchased an older MacBook Pro last year to work on an iOS app (can only do on Mac). Didn't use it for much else. Then recently my older Windows laptop was getting slow due to HDD getting full and too expensive to find a replacement tiny HDD which with considerably larger capacity.

So, thought about buying a new laptop, when someone suggested running Windows on the Mac. I still occasionally use MacOS, so used BootCamp to install Windows 7 next to it. Runs absolutely awesome! My mid 2011 MacBook shows better performance than many Windows laptops from the past 1 or 2 years. Great advantage is that you can have a clean Windiws install without all the extra software crap a manufacturer will add.

In your case you can just run a MacBook fully Windows. Seriously also now considering a MacBook Air as sole Windows laptop.

[h90]

Not Acer...we bought some in the past and all are troublesome

[Loptr]

MacBook Air.

Depends if a person is an Apple fan or not. I've got both the Mac Air and a HP Ultrabook. I like them both, but for different reasons.

[Shurup]

There was a topic not so long ago - which laptop not to buy. Search for it, there are some good suggestions.

The laptop that I've got for my GF as a birthday present few years ago, was Acer Aspire S3. It is the closest thing to macbook air I've ever seen.a Aluminum body, amazing battery life (8+ hrs) and super light. I'm sure they have an updated version of it now as the S3 is a few years old now. Generally Acer doesn't get good reviews, but this model is on the high end and everything is of a very good quality. GF had zero problems with it in over 2 years.

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[vspin134]

I understand s3 has very good rating but what we want to invest is a notebook with good track record. Another thing is s3 is just too feminine to me...I don't know I am also looking for design as well.

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[jcisco]

Yes it is true that things can be smaller, windows is pixel independent for the most part it does not seem to be a problem. There are options inside windows to increase the size of the text, and I find the screen is better for the eyes. There is also scaling you can change now all the way up to 200%, which going to make anyone happy. And I do not think you are going to end up with a screen of say anything more than 1920 x 1080 which is HD.

One pluis though you can fit a whole lot more on screen, and with windows 8.1 at that resolution you can split it 2 to 4 ways which is handy for me and that is a boon I enjoy with that sort of resolution on the lappy.

Dare I say it, reduces my multi-monitor needs, but I doubt I would drop another panel even if under utilized, perhaps until my next reality check.

But 1366 x768 resolution screens are the bottom of the scale these days for laptop panels, and in any size 13-15 inch its woefully too small.

All the above total fluff, as I think you looking for a 13inch form factor. That narrows it down pretty nicely, are you buying online, Thailand or from somewhere else?

Edited January 4, 2014 by jcisco

[vspin134]

Yes it is true that things can be smaller, windows is pixel independent for the most part it does not seem to be a problem. There are options inside windows to increase the size of the text, and I find the screen is better for the eyes. There is also scaling you can change now all the way up to 200%, which going to make anyone happy. And I do not think you are going to end up with a screen of say anything more than 1920 x 1080 which is HD.

One pluis though you can fit a whole lot more on screen, and with windows 8.1 at that resolution you can split it 2 to 4 ways which is handy for me and that is a boon I enjoy with that sort of resolution on the lappy.

Dare I say it, reduces my multi-monitor needs, but I doubt I would drop another panel even if under utilized, perhaps until my next reality check.

But 1366 x768 resolution screens are the bottom of the scale these days for laptop panels, and in any size 13-15 inch its woefully too small.

All the above total fluff, as I think you looking for a 13inch form factor. That narrows it down pretty nicely, are you buying online, Thailand or from somewhere else?

In the US is better price but with shipping and everything can be challenging. May need a Thai / Eng keyboard too and that narrows down to get one locally.

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[dddave]

In making ULTRA-BOOKS so much thinner and lighter there have been a lot of compromises in the materials used to build them.

I have read many reports over the last 2 years as Ultra Books have become popular that the display screens seem to be much more vulnerable to damage than they used to be.

Units packed in suitcases can easily find their display crushed by something heavy, like another bag falling on top in the cargo hold or on the baggage carousel.

While the modern carbon fibers used in lids today have a lot of tinsel strength, they have little rigidity thus not much protection from Impact.

I'm not suggesting you do not buy an Ultra-Book but you will need to think about how you will carry it and protect it.

The Samsung ATIV BOOK-9 series have had a lot of praise in the press. The higher end one in the series has an aluminium body.

[vspin134]

In making ULTRA-BOOKS so much thinner and lighter there have been a lot of compromises in the materials used to build them.

I have read many reports over the last 2 years as Ultra Books have become popular that the display screens seem to be much more vulnerable to damage than they used to be.

Units packed in suitcases can easily find their display crushed by something heavy, like another bag falling on top in the cargo hold or on the baggage carousel.

While the modern carbon fibers used in lids today have a lot of tinsel strength, they have little rigidity thus not much protection from Impact.

I'm not suggesting you do not buy an Ultra-Book but you will need to think about how you will carry it and protect it.

The Samsung ATIV BOOK-9 series have had a lot of praise in the press. The higher end one in the series has an aluminium body.

With samsung review I agree the ativ book 9 has well respected rating but how long will they keep making laptop...what about after sale services. Remember a few years back Samsung pulled out from notebook game and now they are back again then I ask...how long this time...?

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[wgdanson]

I've had two Lenovos, Z480 and 580. Use regularly for music production and no problems at all with either. Changed the hard disk for a 256Gig SSD....it flies !

[Shurup]

In making ULTRA-BOOKS so much thinner and lighter there have been a lot of compromises in the materials used to build them.

I have read many reports over the last 2 years as Ultra Books have become popular that the display screens seem to be much more vulnerable to damage than they used to be.

Units packed in suitcases can easily find their display crushed by something heavy, like another bag falling on top in the cargo hold or on the baggage carousel.

While the modern carbon fibers used in lids today have a lot of tinsel strength, they have little rigidity thus not much protection from Impact.

I'm not suggesting you do not buy an Ultra-Book but you will need to think about how you will carry it and protect it.

The Samsung ATIV BOOK-9 series have had a lot of praise in the press. The higher end one in the series has an aluminium body.

Dave, your argument regarding displays is invalid - laptop lids have always been thin comparing to the main body, they hold not much else but the display panel so they don't need to be thicker.

[vspin134]

Between think pad x240 (33,900) and Sony pro 13 (38,900)...which one should I go for. Both will last more than 6 hours on one single charge. Think pad x240 with 1366x760 screen matte 12.5" and Sony with 1920x1028 screen glossy 13.3". I would have to pay extra 5,000 baht for OEM windows 8 (Sony came with window 8 for that price)

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[Shurup]

Factory pre-installed licensed OS would be a deal breaker for me.

Sony comes with Win 8 pre-installed FHD larger screen - a no brainer for me.

[dddave]

In making ULTRA-BOOKS so much thinner and lighter there have been a lot of compromises in the materials used to build them.

I have read many reports over the last 2 years as Ultra Books have become popular that the display screens seem to be much more vulnerable to damage than they used to be.

Units packed in suitcases can easily find their display crushed by something heavy, like another bag falling on top in the cargo hold or on the baggage carousel.

While the modern carbon fibers used in lids today have a lot of tinsel strength, they have little rigidity thus not much protection from Impact.

I'm not suggesting you do not buy an Ultra-Book but you will need to think about how you will carry it and protect it.

The Samsung ATIV BOOK-9 series have had a lot of praise in the press. The higher end one in the series has an aluminium body.

With samsung review I agree the ativ book 9 has well respected rating but how long will they keep making laptop...what about after sale services. Remember a few years back Samsung pulled out from notebook game and now they are back again then I ask...how long this time...?

If the Samsung Service Center in Fortune Tower, Bangkok is any indication then you are correct in questioning Samsung service. In my own experience there, the queue's are usually more than an hour and the quality of service, repairs and the general attitude are well below par.

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[vspin134]

Factory pre-installed licensed OS would be a deal breaker for me.

Sony comes with Win 8 pre-installed FHD larger screen - a no brainer for me.

Thanks. Thinkpad x240 has 3 years warrantee unfortunately the one with Pre-install window 8 and a bit higher spec is almost 55k.

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[vspin134]

With Samsung service centre at fortune I believe it is the same place where you share the same queue with those with problem samsung hero phone!

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[Shurup]

Factory pre-installed licensed OS would be a deal breaker for me.

Sony comes with Win 8 pre-installed FHD larger screen - a no brainer for me.

Thanks. Thinkpad x240 has 3 years warrantee unfortunately the one with Pre-install window 8 and a bit higher spec is almost 55k.

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I didn't look at the specs of the mentioned laptops, but from your earlier post I got the Sony was 38,900???

Between think pad x240 (33,900) and Sony pro 13 (38,900)...which one should I go for

Which one is a 55K then?

[Shurup]

By the way, how can a laptop have a legitimate warranty if it comes with a bogus pirated OS?

[CPT]

Between think pad x240 (33,900) and Sony pro 13 (38,900)...which one should I go for. Both will last more than 6 hours on one single charge. Think pad x240 with 1366x760 screen matte 12.5" and Sony with 1920x1028 screen glossy 13.3". I would have to pay extra 5,000 baht for OEM windows 8 (Sony came with window 8 for that price) Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The thinkpad would definetely be my choice. Durrable plus the matte screen is essential for me. I don't understand how people can stare at glossy screens all day. I am on my second x series laptop and love them. They are much cheaper if you can buy them in the US or pretty much anywhere else but Thailand where they typically cost 50% more than the US. If you have friends / family in the US order on line and have someone ship it onward. I don't know how pricing compares in the EU. The Lenovo online store also frequently runs promotions for Amex and Visa Signature card holders which can result in a significant savings.

[vspin134]

By the way, how can a laptop have a legitimate warranty if it comes with a bogus pirated OS?

Not pirated it just has DOS pre installed.

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[vspin134]

Between think pad x240 (33,900) and Sony pro 13 (38,900)...which one should I go for. Both will last more than 6 hours on one single charge. Think pad x240 with 1366x760 screen matte 12.5" and Sony with 1920x1028 screen glossy 13.3". I would have to pay extra 5,000 baht for OEM windows 8 (Sony came with window 8 for that price) Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The thinkpad would definetely be my choice. Durrable plus the matte screen is essential for me. I don't understand how people can stare at glossy screens all day. I am on my second x series laptop and love them. They are much cheaper if you can buy them in the US or pretty much anywhere else but Thailand where they typically cost 50% more than the US. If you have friends / family in the US order on line and have someone ship it onward. I don't know how pricing compares in the EU. The Lenovo online store also frequently runs promotions for Amex and Visa Signature card holders which can result in a significant savings.

I hope I can make it just in time while new year saving coupon still around in us Lenovo website. By the way I have used thinkpad since the butterfly keyboard in 90.

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[templedog]

I had a Toshiba....built like a tank, coudn't kill it.

Now, I have the HP Probook 4431s....just as solid.

I spilled a FULL beer Singha yai onto the keypad while drunk,

then ran it under the tap at full blast to rinse off sticky beer residue....dried it with a hair dryer....as I said, I was drunk.

I couldn't believe it. I only lost the number "5" digit key. I now use a small Logitech external wireless keyboard,

which I prefer anyway as it allows me to sit away from the computer a bit more.

[Shurup]

I have a HP - the worst piece of junk ever, my first and my last HT product.

[vspin134]

I have a HP - the worst piece of junk ever, my first and my last HT product.

Well thanks it is good to know.

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