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The extensive reviews for the new "ultrabooks" would seem to disagree, at least if you want something that's equally enjoyable to use: http://arstechnica.com

The extensive reviews for the new "ultrabooks" would seem to disagree, at least if you want something that's equally enjoyable to use: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/reviews/2011/12/hitting-all-the-right-marks-acer-aspire-s3-ultrabook-review.ars That's just one of many, short version: * ultrabooks often seem cartoonish and feel cheap * not much cheaper than Apple's offerings * included software not equivalent * battery life not as great Of course you could argue that some of these things are because Apple is in the unique position of creating the hardware and software, but so what? That's part of the point...

jwoah12 14y ago
I wasn't trying to get into a Mac vs. PC argument here. I was strictly pointing out that saying Apple was the only one making thin and light laptops is just plain wrong. That being said, your oversimplified "short version" of the reviews of all ultrabooks reeks of Apple bias, and my own experience with the Asus Zenbook contradicts all of your bullet points (except the included software not equivalent...I'm not sure what the Air comes with).
ajross 14y ago
Um... I'm never one to shy away from a good platform flame, but your linked article doesn't say anything like the bullet list you provide. It's not even close; it's actually a very positive review on the whole. What you just posted amounts to pure distortion; you're basically lying your face off. Stop it.
- kbutler 14y ago
  From the article: * "Body is cartoonish and feels cheap: * "$300 less than the comparable model at $1,299" (from me: compared to the "Apple Tax" on the MacBook Pro, 25% seems almost reasonable) * Bad: "Pre-installed software is abundant, in-your-face" The article mentions battery life is 6 hours (comparable Air rated at 7 hours), which could be read as "similar" or "not as great". And the description of the S3 touchpad is more "finally, it's bearable" than "enjoyable to use." Gonna have to agree with the grandparent on this one. Though it IS a positive review on the whole, that's partly because previous-generation windows thin & lights have been pretty bad. (Recall that the previous-generation Air had its problems as well...)
  - ajross 14y ago
    You're right, I should probably retract the "lying your face off" bit. The points are ... supportable. Still, cherry picking virtually all the bad points out of what is clearly a very positive review[1] to support a decidedly negative "short version" for an online argument is just terribly dishonest. Please. You two should be ashamed of ourselves. Either make points of your own or stay silent, don't claim that Ars Technica said something they quite clearly didn't. [1] It amuses me greatly that you try to spin even that. Oh, they're only saying positive things because you know (somehow, from facts not apparent in the article) that they really mean them in a negative context by comparison with a piece of hardware they aren't reviewing. You should consider going into politics.
patrickaljord 14y ago
> Of course you could argue that some of these things are because Apple is in the unique position of creating the hardware and software, but so what? That's part of the point... Linus uses Linux on his macbook air so that doesn't really matter.
- akulbe 14y ago
  Did he say that? I don't remember reading that, and he didn't mention it in the article. Maybe he's just using the Mac to access his Linux machine remotely? :)

jwoah12 14y ago

I wasn't trying to get into a Mac vs. PC argument here. I was strictly pointing out that saying Apple was the only one making thin and light laptops is just plain wrong. That being said, your oversimplified "short version" of the reviews of all ultrabooks reeks of Apple bias, and my own experience with the Asus Zenbook contradicts all of your bullet points (except the included software not equivalent...I'm not sure what the Air comes with).

ajross 14y ago

Um... I'm never one to shy away from a good platform flame, but your linked article doesn't say anything like the bullet list you provide. It's not even close; it's actually a very positive review on the whole. What you just posted amounts to pure distortion; you're basically lying your face off. Stop it.

kbutler 14y ago
From the article: * "Body is cartoonish and feels cheap: * "$300 less than the comparable model at $1,299" (from me: compared to the "Apple Tax" on the MacBook Pro, 25% seems almost reasonable) * Bad: "Pre-installed software is abundant, in-your-face" The article mentions battery life is 6 hours (comparable Air rated at 7 hours), which could be read as "similar" or "not as great". And the description of the S3 touchpad is more "finally, it's bearable" than "enjoyable to use." Gonna have to agree with the grandparent on this one. Though it IS a positive review on the whole, that's partly because previous-generation windows thin & lights have been pretty bad. (Recall that the previous-generation Air had its problems as well...)
- ajross 14y ago
  You're right, I should probably retract the "lying your face off" bit. The points are ... supportable. Still, cherry picking virtually all the bad points out of what is clearly a very positive review[1] to support a decidedly negative "short version" for an online argument is just terribly dishonest. Please. You two should be ashamed of ourselves. Either make points of your own or stay silent, don't claim that Ars Technica said something they quite clearly didn't. [1] It amuses me greatly that you try to spin even that. Oh, they're only saying positive things because you know (somehow, from facts not apparent in the article) that they really mean them in a negative context by comparison with a piece of hardware they aren't reviewing. You should consider going into politics.

patrickaljord 14y ago

> Of course you could argue that some of these things are because Apple is in the unique position of creating the hardware and software, but so what? That's part of the point... Linus uses Linux on his macbook air so that doesn't really matter.

akulbe 14y ago
Did he say that? I don't remember reading that, and he didn't mention it in the article. Maybe he's just using the Mac to access his Linux machine remotely? :)