5 ms·

So basically a fanless, ultraportable, 13" laptop with an IPS HD screen that beats the 2014 Macbook Air on both performance and battery life, has more than one

So basically a fanless, ultraportable, 13" laptop with an IPS HD screen that beats the 2014 Macbook Air on both performance and battery life, has more than one USB port and costs between $700 and a $1000. Seems like a winner to me.

baddox 12y ago
That price gets you the slower 800 MHz CPU and a 1080p display, but apparently they will soon be offering it with a 1.2 GHz CPU and a 3200x1800 display.
- mladenkovacevic 12y ago
  You're right of course. It all depends on how capable Windows is on a 800 MHz machine with 1080p as compared to the new MacBook's 1.1 GHz - 1.3 Ghz CPU. Also how will battery life be affected when upgrading the Asus to a 1.2GHz and higher res screen.
  - baddox 12y ago
    I've seen not-so-good reviews for Windows PCs with the >1 GHz M chips in them (predating the MacBook announcement), so I don't have high hopes for an 800 MHz machine. I'm really wondering how much perceived performance Apple will squeeze out of their MacBook.
drudru11 12y ago
Unless this has great, zero-issues unix support, I'll have to pass. Is there a laptop like this that is supported by linux or any of the BSDs well?
- mladenkovacevic 12y ago
  I don't think you'll get anything officially Linux "supported" unless you got for one of Dell's developer "Sputnik" laptops that comes with Ubuntu installed. But I have had no problems installing Linux on older Acer and Asus laptops (with very minor driver tweaks post-installation). I'm not sure, however, if that has changed for the better or for worse with newer Windows laptops.
  - michaelbuddy 12y ago
    There's always the System76.com laptops and desktops. If I could get away with just Linux, I would get one of those in a minute.
- wyldfire 12y ago
  AFAIK the Pixel is one of the best around this class, but it's a bit more expensive at 1000 USD.
  - bentcorner 12y ago
    The big problem is the 64GB SSD. The difference in retail cost with a 256GB is about $50, in bulk it'd probably be closer to $20-25. I really don't understand Google's logic here. I guess they see people buying the Pixel for non-Googley things to be a problem?
    - joshuapants 12y ago
      I remember reading an article stating that the vast majority of Pixels go to Google's internal developers, with some sold to the small number of enthusiasts who just really want one. I assume that Google developers are not relying on a lot of storage space on these machines, and since it's not really intended to be a consumer machine there's no point in offering more SKUs with different storage.
- tdicola 12y ago
  The 2015 Dell XPS 13 sputnik edition is similar and will have full support for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS out of the box. It's still in the last stages of development & bug fixing from what I understand though: http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/os-applications/f/4613/t/19613910?pi22229=6 http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/os-applications/f/46...
  - wtbob 12y ago
    Yeah, but 'full support for Ubuntu' doesn't necessarily mean 'full support for Linux'; I've learnt that the hard way.
    - icebraining 12y ago
      What do you mean?
      - pwnna 12y ago
        Sometimes vendors will include proprietary kernel modules that's only licensed to Ubuntu or works only on Ubuntu. I think this happened to some broadcom chips.
        icebraining 12y ago
        Can't they just be copied? It's not like other distros use a different kernel (maybe a different version, but that's usually easy to adapt to).
        hobarrera 12y ago
        Copying binary kernel modules isn't guaranteed to work across kernel versions. There's a stable API, but not a stable ABI. Heck, Ubuntu's kernel actually has lots of patches, so unless you carry those along, the modules may even not-work on a same kernel version for some other distro.
- this_user 12y ago
  I have been using the UX31E for some years now and Linux runs just fine. I got the laptop right when it came out and initially had to do some tweaking under Arch (mainly enable some newer features needed by the hardware), but all in all I am perfectly happy with the machine and its quality.
- ams6110 12y ago
  OpenBSDs 5.7 includes "New iwm(4) driver for Intel 7260, 7265, and 3160 wifi cards."
- scrollaway 12y ago
  I've used two UX-line netbooks and they have had excellent Linux support. Of course, YMMV when it comes to touchscreens and hidpi as those are heavily DE/config-dependent.
- Nullabillity 12y ago
  My old ASUS laptop (must have been from 2011/2012) ran nicely on both Ubuntu and Arch out of the box. My only needs to tweak stuff manually were 1) installing Bumblebee (2 lines of bash) and 2) tweaking some PulseAudio settings so my crappy USB headset would work well with Skype. I just got a new ASUS ROG laptop, and so far my experience has been almost the same with Ubuntu. The new issues were that 3) that while the key backlighting works fine, the screen brightness buttons don't work (although the GUI controls do) and 4) touchpad drivers weren't set up with any way to do a MMB click.
- hobarrera 12y ago
  Except for the webcam, the MacBook Air works flawlessly with Linux. As far as BSD goes, I at a loss. :(
dntrkv 12y ago
The 2014 MacBook Air does not have a single USB port, you're confusing it with the new MacBook.
- freehunter 12y ago
  I think there were two thoughts there, one that it beats the Air on battery and performance, and two that it's a fanless ultraportable that has more than one USB port (with an implied "unlike the new Macbook").
- mladenkovacevic 12y ago
  No I realized that, but I am just trying to position this as a great compromise of portability (same size as the new MacBook), versatility (USB ports, HD screen, good battery life, processing power of an Air) and price. This is something that doesn't quite exist in the Mac world right now (maybe when the next gen MacBook replaces the Air?). I haven't tried this laptop's track-pad but I suspect this is one feature where Macs still have an edge especially with force-touch. And of course OSX is an irreplaceable feature in and of itself if you're developing for the Apple ecosystem.
  - millstone 12y ago
    This Asus is the same size as the 13" MacBook Air (324x226mm vs 325x227mm), not the new MacBook (280x196mm).
headShrinker 12y ago
Seems like this is an unnecessary somewhat inaccurate comparison. The 2015 Macbook has retina 12" display, redesigned force touch haptic feedback tracepad, redesigned lit keyboard, and weights 25% less than the Asus. Asus battery life is not spec'd in the writeup. The MBA 2014 battery and performance are most surely more powerful than the Asus. So the 2015 Macbook is more portable and probably has a longer battery life, and the 2015 MBA is way more powerful, and definitely has a longer battery life. I'm at a loss why you chose to highlight the stats the way you did unless you simply have a bias against Apple. I understand not wanting to pay for crazy expensive tech and the packaging Apple is pumping out. It's a good a reason not to buy Apple products. The Macbook lines do serve a purpose and they serve it very well. Frankly, I don't see this Asus completing successfully in any of the three Apple portable computing lines.
- bane 12y ago
  The trackpad and keyboard are not stats, they're marketing that you've just successfully regurgitated like you were meant to. If you want to complain, complain that it took almost a decade before anybody else could put together a competent Air beater, even given manufacturing, pricing and supply chain advantages.
- notsony 12y ago
  The ASUS has a matte screen whereas the 2015 MacBook continues Apple's obsession with a glossy screen. As a programmer, the matte screen is essential. Btw: A different ASUS laptop has a trackpoint and three buttons, directly competing with Thinkpads, but I don't know see any retailers selling it: https://www.asus.com/us/Commercial_Notebook/ASUSPRO_ADVANCED_BU201/ https://www.asus.com/us/Commercial_Notebook/ASUSPRO_ADVANCED...
- mladenkovacevic 12y ago
  Battery life is in the writeup. Also you say the 2015 MBA is "way more" powerful. I don't see evidence of this anywhere especially since this Asus seems comparable to a 2014 Macbook Air. I wasn't even trying to "compare" this Asus to any Apple offerings, but rather just saying if you want a Windows machine with the portability of the new Macbook but without some of the compromises, this seems like a good choice. Also my current laptop is a 2015 Macbook Pro so your anti-Apple bias argument is out of place too.
IkmoIkmo 12y ago
Compared to the air it doesn't get better performance or battery life. On performance the Air performs a bit better in most charts, and on battery the air is better for light stuff and the dell better for heavier stuff (which might be because the Air has a 1.4 ghz processor, versus the 0.8 ghz on the Asus leading to more work being done). As for the port, Air ports are great. Beyond that though the Asus is a great device and for anyone who is OS-agnostic, I'd definitely recommend the Asus over both the Air or without hesitation. It's indeed a real winner. A decade or so of superior Macbooks seems to have ended with this ASUS and the Dell XPS 2015, they're really great. I don't see the new Macbook or the Air competing either on specs, price, build quality. The Macs still ahve great touchpads and the OS is preferred by some, but it's hard for that to be the only thing going for you.
SG- 12y ago
They compared it to last years MBA, not the one released 2-3 weeks ago so I'm not sure how it really compares.
- SCdF 12y ago
  The new MBA is near identical in terms of CPU / general system performance, Broadwell brought the expected 5-10% but nothing startling. The SSD IO is twice as last years though. How much that matters to you is questionable and dependent on your what you're using it for.
ricw 12y ago
Unsure. Two years ago we bought two zenbooks and two MacBooks. Two out of the four are still working, two don't. The broken ones are not made by apple. This also happened to the two Lenovo workstations we bought. Needless to say we've stopped buying non apple products, primarily because fixing them is a hassle.

baddox 12y ago

That price gets you the slower 800 MHz CPU and a 1080p display, but apparently they will soon be offering it with a 1.2 GHz CPU and a 3200x1800 display.

mladenkovacevic 12y ago
You're right of course. It all depends on how capable Windows is on a 800 MHz machine with 1080p as compared to the new MacBook's 1.1 GHz - 1.3 Ghz CPU. Also how will battery life be affected when upgrading the Asus to a 1.2GHz and higher res screen.
- baddox 12y ago
  I've seen not-so-good reviews for Windows PCs with the >1 GHz M chips in them (predating the MacBook announcement), so I don't have high hopes for an 800 MHz machine. I'm really wondering how much perceived performance Apple will squeeze out of their MacBook.

drudru11 12y ago

Unless this has great, zero-issues unix support, I'll have to pass. Is there a laptop like this that is supported by linux or any of the BSDs well?

mladenkovacevic 12y ago
I don't think you'll get anything officially Linux "supported" unless you got for one of Dell's developer "Sputnik" laptops that comes with Ubuntu installed. But I have had no problems installing Linux on older Acer and Asus laptops (with very minor driver tweaks post-installation). I'm not sure, however, if that has changed for the better or for worse with newer Windows laptops.
- michaelbuddy 12y ago
  There's always the System76.com laptops and desktops. If I could get away with just Linux, I would get one of those in a minute.
wyldfire 12y ago
AFAIK the Pixel is one of the best around this class, but it's a bit more expensive at 1000 USD.
- bentcorner 12y ago
  The big problem is the 64GB SSD. The difference in retail cost with a 256GB is about $50, in bulk it'd probably be closer to $20-25. I really don't understand Google's logic here. I guess they see people buying the Pixel for non-Googley things to be a problem?
  - joshuapants 12y ago
    I remember reading an article stating that the vast majority of Pixels go to Google's internal developers, with some sold to the small number of enthusiasts who just really want one. I assume that Google developers are not relying on a lot of storage space on these machines, and since it's not really intended to be a consumer machine there's no point in offering more SKUs with different storage.
tdicola 12y ago
The 2015 Dell XPS 13 sputnik edition is similar and will have full support for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS out of the box. It's still in the last stages of development & bug fixing from what I understand though: http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/os-applications/f/4613/t/19613910?pi22229=6 http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/os-applications/f/46...
- wtbob 12y ago
  Yeah, but 'full support for Ubuntu' doesn't necessarily mean 'full support for Linux'; I've learnt that the hard way.
  - icebraining 12y ago
    What do you mean?
    - pwnna 12y ago
      Sometimes vendors will include proprietary kernel modules that's only licensed to Ubuntu or works only on Ubuntu. I think this happened to some broadcom chips.
      - icebraining 12y ago
        Can't they just be copied? It's not like other distros use a different kernel (maybe a different version, but that's usually easy to adapt to).
        hobarrera 12y ago
        Copying binary kernel modules isn't guaranteed to work across kernel versions. There's a stable API, but not a stable ABI. Heck, Ubuntu's kernel actually has lots of patches, so unless you carry those along, the modules may even not-work on a same kernel version for some other distro.
this_user 12y ago
I have been using the UX31E for some years now and Linux runs just fine. I got the laptop right when it came out and initially had to do some tweaking under Arch (mainly enable some newer features needed by the hardware), but all in all I am perfectly happy with the machine and its quality.
ams6110 12y ago
OpenBSDs 5.7 includes "New iwm(4) driver for Intel 7260, 7265, and 3160 wifi cards."
scrollaway 12y ago
I've used two UX-line netbooks and they have had excellent Linux support. Of course, YMMV when it comes to touchscreens and hidpi as those are heavily DE/config-dependent.
Nullabillity 12y ago
My old ASUS laptop (must have been from 2011/2012) ran nicely on both Ubuntu and Arch out of the box. My only needs to tweak stuff manually were 1) installing Bumblebee (2 lines of bash) and 2) tweaking some PulseAudio settings so my crappy USB headset would work well with Skype. I just got a new ASUS ROG laptop, and so far my experience has been almost the same with Ubuntu. The new issues were that 3) that while the key backlighting works fine, the screen brightness buttons don't work (although the GUI controls do) and 4) touchpad drivers weren't set up with any way to do a MMB click.
hobarrera 12y ago
Except for the webcam, the MacBook Air works flawlessly with Linux. As far as BSD goes, I at a loss. :(

dntrkv 12y ago

The 2014 MacBook Air does not have a single USB port, you're confusing it with the new MacBook.

freehunter 12y ago
I think there were two thoughts there, one that it beats the Air on battery and performance, and two that it's a fanless ultraportable that has more than one USB port (with an implied "unlike the new Macbook").
mladenkovacevic 12y ago
No I realized that, but I am just trying to position this as a great compromise of portability (same size as the new MacBook), versatility (USB ports, HD screen, good battery life, processing power of an Air) and price. This is something that doesn't quite exist in the Mac world right now (maybe when the next gen MacBook replaces the Air?). I haven't tried this laptop's track-pad but I suspect this is one feature where Macs still have an edge especially with force-touch. And of course OSX is an irreplaceable feature in and of itself if you're developing for the Apple ecosystem.
- millstone 12y ago
  This Asus is the same size as the 13" MacBook Air (324x226mm vs 325x227mm), not the new MacBook (280x196mm).

headShrinker 12y ago

Seems like this is an unnecessary somewhat inaccurate comparison. The 2015 Macbook has retina 12" display, redesigned force touch haptic feedback tracepad, redesigned lit keyboard, and weights 25% less than the Asus. Asus battery life is not spec'd in the writeup. The MBA 2014 battery and performance are most surely more powerful than the Asus. So the 2015 Macbook is more portable and probably has a longer battery life, and the 2015 MBA is way more powerful, and definitely has a longer battery life. I'm at a loss why you chose to highlight the stats the way you did unless you simply have a bias against Apple. I understand not wanting to pay for crazy expensive tech and the packaging Apple is pumping out. It's a good a reason not to buy Apple products. The Macbook lines do serve a purpose and they serve it very well. Frankly, I don't see this Asus completing successfully in any of the three Apple portable computing lines.

bane 12y ago
The trackpad and keyboard are not stats, they're marketing that you've just successfully regurgitated like you were meant to. If you want to complain, complain that it took almost a decade before anybody else could put together a competent Air beater, even given manufacturing, pricing and supply chain advantages.
notsony 12y ago
The ASUS has a matte screen whereas the 2015 MacBook continues Apple's obsession with a glossy screen. As a programmer, the matte screen is essential. Btw: A different ASUS laptop has a trackpoint and three buttons, directly competing with Thinkpads, but I don't know see any retailers selling it: https://www.asus.com/us/Commercial_Notebook/ASUSPRO_ADVANCED_BU201/ https://www.asus.com/us/Commercial_Notebook/ASUSPRO_ADVANCED...
mladenkovacevic 12y ago
Battery life is in the writeup. Also you say the 2015 MBA is "way more" powerful. I don't see evidence of this anywhere especially since this Asus seems comparable to a 2014 Macbook Air. I wasn't even trying to "compare" this Asus to any Apple offerings, but rather just saying if you want a Windows machine with the portability of the new Macbook but without some of the compromises, this seems like a good choice. Also my current laptop is a 2015 Macbook Pro so your anti-Apple bias argument is out of place too.

IkmoIkmo 12y ago

Compared to the air it doesn't get better performance or battery life. On performance the Air performs a bit better in most charts, and on battery the air is better for light stuff and the dell better for heavier stuff (which might be because the Air has a 1.4 ghz processor, versus the 0.8 ghz on the Asus leading to more work being done). As for the port, Air ports are great. Beyond that though the Asus is a great device and for anyone who is OS-agnostic, I'd definitely recommend the Asus over both the Air or without hesitation. It's indeed a real winner. A decade or so of superior Macbooks seems to have ended with this ASUS and the Dell XPS 2015, they're really great. I don't see the new Macbook or the Air competing either on specs, price, build quality. The Macs still ahve great touchpads and the OS is preferred by some, but it's hard for that to be the only thing going for you.

SG- 12y ago

They compared it to last years MBA, not the one released 2-3 weeks ago so I'm not sure how it really compares.

SCdF 12y ago
The new MBA is near identical in terms of CPU / general system performance, Broadwell brought the expected 5-10% but nothing startling. The SSD IO is twice as last years though. How much that matters to you is questionable and dependent on your what you're using it for.

ricw 12y ago

Unsure. Two years ago we bought two zenbooks and two MacBooks. Two out of the four are still working, two don't. The broken ones are not made by apple. This also happened to the two Lenovo workstations we bought. Needless to say we've stopped buying non apple products, primarily because fixing them is a hassle.