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Asus Ultrathin Laptop - Good Competition?
- Thread starter KylePowers
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Yeah, you're right. Forget the competition. Let's hope they all shrivel up and die, leaving Apple as the sole supplier of beautiful ultraportable laptops with no competition at all. That way they get to dictate the looks, the feature set, and they get to charge whatever the heck they want, and people will pay because there are NO other choices! Apple for everybody! What a wonderful world that would be!
It is pretty comical how identical it looks to the MBA. At least the Samsung Series 9 only copied the *old* MBA. 
That being said, this is probably good news for anyone looking at a Sandy Bridge MBA.
Re: Specs - yeah, of course they're better than the MBA, as KnightWRX pointed out - this lappy's gonna come out almost a YEAR after the MacBook Air.
Besides, Apple's never really been one to compete on specs - the iPad isn't he "fastest" tablet by far, but outsells everyone else based on the experience.
Plus, the MBA already has it beat on some of the things that make the overall "experience" better - this ASUS hibernates for "up to a week". The MBA hibernates for 30 days. And I bet Apple's battery life will be the same or better.
Bottom line - it's not always about specs. Only us internet/computer/forum junkies care so much about specs. Regular Joe consumers couldn't tell you what a SATA III vs. a SATA II is.
That being said, this is probably good news for anyone looking at a Sandy Bridge MBA.
Re: Specs - yeah, of course they're better than the MBA, as KnightWRX pointed out - this lappy's gonna come out almost a YEAR after the MacBook Air.
Besides, Apple's never really been one to compete on specs - the iPad isn't he "fastest" tablet by far, but outsells everyone else based on the experience.
Plus, the MBA already has it beat on some of the things that make the overall "experience" better - this ASUS hibernates for "up to a week". The MBA hibernates for 30 days. And I bet Apple's battery life will be the same or better.
Bottom line - it's not always about specs. Only us internet/computer/forum junkies care so much about specs. Regular Joe consumers couldn't tell you what a SATA III vs. a SATA II is.
displaying a Apple product is like displaying a Merc in the driveway its nothing else any more then a status symbol , nobody knows about the price tag of a xxx phone or a xxx tablet , or a xx all in one computer or about its cpu speed or GPU or other features , but everyone knows iPhone , iPad, MacBook...iMac are from Apple and expensive , so if you want to show what you can spend on your phone or computer or laptop you have to get a Apple product
and OSX has become just a gadet too even cheaper then windows..only linux can beat the price of OSX snow leopard
and OSX has become just a gadet too even cheaper then windows..only linux can beat the price of OSX snow leopard
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and OSX has become just a gadet too even cheaper then windows..only linux can beat the price of OSX snow leopard
The 29$ version is an upgrade version, meant for people who already own Leopard. If you don't own Leopard, then you should buy the Mac Box Set for 149$ if you want to play according to the rules. Previous OS X version have been 129$, which makes them similarly priced with Windows. In the end, Snow Leopard added so little that charging over 29$ would have been a robbery.
Agreed. Mac Rumors is slowly becoming Engadget.
I have to disagree with this. Many of us have workflows specific to one OS. The best thing I ever did was switching my workflow from Windows to Mac. It was expensive but its great to be able to do things like handle very large amounts of data without worrying about crashes. I won't ever go back to Windows (even though I work with it daily since I'm in IT).
If I wasn't on Mac my workflow would be on Linux since thats where most of the programs I use come out for first. Windows would be a last resort.
You completely missed what I was saying. MRoogle "Competition is good" and you will see tons of threads where people for some reason think its a clever thing to say. There is even a thread making fun of the people who after everytime a product is released they say "Yay competition!" or "Competition is good for us" as if they are adding something useful to the conversation.
What's funny, though, is that the MBA was released in October 2010. Almost 8 months ago. 8 months later and other manufacturers are just beginning to achieve what Apple has already done 8 months ago. Kind of sad if you think about it.
Wow! This is the real deal.
With Apples massive appetite for tax dodging whilst the disabled and vets are left out in the cold and inhumanely regimented workers earning next to nothing through Foxconn, this changes the game.
With Apples massive appetite for tax dodging whilst the disabled and vets are left out in the cold and inhumanely regimented workers earning next to nothing through Foxconn, this changes the game.
I agree with this 100%.
However, since windows has the majority market share, there are a lot more software packages available to do any task on it compared to Linux or OS X.
This is the reason why I use Windows exclusively on my MBP.
This is a very nice laptop (and I own a MBA 11).
What I would like to know is, how is the battery life? What processor gives up to 7 hours? How did they optimise it/what battery tech are they using? Is this a 'real' number?
Would be nice if my MBA had 7 hours^^
What I would like to know is, how is the battery life? What processor gives up to 7 hours? How did they optimise it/what battery tech are they using? Is this a 'real' number?
Would be nice if my MBA had 7 hours^^
Sheeeeeeesh, people are rude. It's just a thread on some server you don't even own or don't even pay for. It's not like it's sucking up the oxygen in your room and if any more of them show up, you'll die.
I thought it was worth posting because it does seem to be in direct competition with Apple's MBA. Think about it, if the only viable competition are other computers that only run OSX, then there is no competition. That means Apple would dictate their own rate of innovation (which sometimes it seems as if they do, I'll admit) and never take into account the general direction of the computing industry. Do these Apple fanatics honestly think Apple doesn't look at other computers, see their CPUs, see their standard RAM configurations, see their standard hard drive configurations, screen, design, etc etc. and compare to what they're developing? Do people think it's just a coincidence that all laptops in relative standard price ranges from well-known companies all have similar specifications, Apple included? I mean, look at the thing! It's an ultrathin, aluminum unibody, instant-on, SB/SSD/7-hour-battery/mini-displayport-totin' notebook. Would that not accurately describe the next MBA?
I mean, would people have been happier if I changed the title to " - Good Competition [hardware wise]"? Would that have made such a dramatic difference despite how truly arbitrary changing it would have been?
Anywho, I think this gives us a lot of insight into the future MBA. I, for one, think the metal keys are a pretty cool feature. They probably act as an extra way to dissipate heat, which I imagine is pretty important with a laptop that size carrying an i5/i7. I also think it's a little peculiar for them to include a mini-HDMI and a mini displayport (assuming the Engadget video guy was correct). I can't wait to hear more about this (benchmarks, how hot it gets, screen resolution, etc)... but still eagerly awaiting this darn refreshed MBA
I thought it was worth posting because it does seem to be in direct competition with Apple's MBA. Think about it, if the only viable competition are other computers that only run OSX, then there is no competition. That means Apple would dictate their own rate of innovation (which sometimes it seems as if they do, I'll admit) and never take into account the general direction of the computing industry. Do these Apple fanatics honestly think Apple doesn't look at other computers, see their CPUs, see their standard RAM configurations, see their standard hard drive configurations, screen, design, etc etc. and compare to what they're developing? Do people think it's just a coincidence that all laptops in relative standard price ranges from well-known companies all have similar specifications, Apple included? I mean, look at the thing! It's an ultrathin, aluminum unibody, instant-on, SB/SSD/7-hour-battery/mini-displayport-totin' notebook. Would that not accurately describe the next MBA?
I mean, would people have been happier if I changed the title to " - Good Competition [hardware wise]"? Would that have made such a dramatic difference despite how truly arbitrary changing it would have been?
Anywho, I think this gives us a lot of insight into the future MBA. I, for one, think the metal keys are a pretty cool feature. They probably act as an extra way to dissipate heat, which I imagine is pretty important with a laptop that size carrying an i5/i7. I also think it's a little peculiar for them to include a mini-HDMI and a mini displayport (assuming the Engadget video guy was correct). I can't wait to hear more about this (benchmarks, how hot it gets, screen resolution, etc)... but still eagerly awaiting this darn refreshed MBA
I'm all over this....the only reason I want an MBA is for its ultraportable aesthetically pleasing style. But if this comes out and costs less, I'm a convert
Btw I am currently a Windows user and I don't find any problems with it at all. The OS is not my main deciding factor for which computer I chose since all my computing needs are pretty basic, and any junky OS can handle it without frustrating me. Therefore, I am all for competition: whoever can offer me the most inexpensive and feature-packed ultraportable has my love.
Btw I am currently a Windows user and I don't find any problems with it at all. The OS is not my main deciding factor for which computer I chose since all my computing needs are pretty basic, and any junky OS can handle it without frustrating me. Therefore, I am all for competition: whoever can offer me the most inexpensive and feature-packed ultraportable has my love.
Disagree all you want, most computer users don't have a "workflow", they have a browser. They want facebook, the web, e-mail. They want to write documents in an Office suite. They want to do their budget.
You not wanting to accept it doesn't make it less true. No one buys a computer to use an OS. Computers are tools and tools are used to get tasks accomplished.
They aren't like us. My "workflow" is highly dependant on Unix tools. Linux and OS X are basically interchangeable for me.
And seriously, setting aside all my hate for Microsoft and their unethical behavior, the stories of "Windows crashing" are just bunk. NT is a solid release and has been since its inception when David Cutler of VMS fame originally designed and made it.
I'm in IT. I'm in the big-iron Unix business. I've seen HP-UX kernel panic on boxes that weren't being pushed. I've discovered serious crash bugs for HP-UX that led to patches being released (I have the case numbers to prove it in a folder somewhere).
I've seen Linux have kernel memory leaks leading to system freezes. I've seen Linux systems stuck in I/O wait, with a climbing load and no process able to get it's input from FC cards. I've seen 10 GE drivers bring the box down with a load of 15,000 after 5 minutes of uptime.
Windows isn't worse than anything else out there. The "Windows IT" folks for the most part just haven't dealt with the kind of stuff we in the Unix camp deal with it. And we like to preserve the stability myth just out of spite.
Asus does, Lenovo does, all the PC laptop makers do.
Apple will not because it reduces their profit margin. At Apple it's all about squeezing ever last penny of profit out for themselves. It's all about money for Apple.
That's why they were so far behind & still using C2D processors for so long in many of their laptops.
The more money Apple makes the more their fanboys can brag. And for those living their lives vicariously via Apple that's crucial to their well being.
You missed my point, my point is that many people have their work built around certain programs and often those programs are unique to one OS, hence why an OS isn't interchangeable for many people, at least without significant cost involved.
No, they aren't bunk I deal with it daily at work. (Granted I am exposed to far more problems than an average user sees because of the nature of my job). Yes, 7 has made things better but its far from perfect. All it takes is to start working with very large files and its not particularly difficult to get windows to freeze or crash. Windows is fine for most people since as you stated most people want internet, email, and office programs but if you are working with production level media generally Mac and Linux machines are preferred.
Sheeeeeeesh, people are rude. It's just a thread on some server you don't even own or don't even pay for. It's not like it's sucking up the oxygen in your room and if any more of them show up, you'll die.
I thought it was worth posting because it does seem to be in direct competition with Apple's MBA. Think about it, if the only viable competition are other computers that only run OSX, then there is no competition. That means Apple would dictate their own rate of innovation (which sometimes it seems as if they do, I'll admit) and never take into account the general direction of the computing industry. Do these Apple fanatics honestly think Apple doesn't look at other computers, see their CPUs, see their standard RAM configurations, see their standard hard drive configurations, screen, design, etc etc. and compare to what they're developing? Do people think it's just a coincidence that all laptops in relative standard price ranges from well-known companies all have similar specifications, Apple included? I mean, look at the thing! It's an ultrathin, aluminum unibody, instant-on, SB/SSD/7-hour-battery/mini-displayport-totin' notebook. Would that not accurately describe the next MBA?
I mean, would people have been happier if I changed the title to " - Good Competition [hardware wise]"? Would that have made such a dramatic difference despite how truly arbitrary changing it would have been?
Anywho, I think this gives us a lot of insight into the future MBA. I, for one, think the metal keys are a pretty cool feature. They probably act as an extra way to dissipate heat, which I imagine is pretty important with a laptop that size carrying an i5/i7. I also think it's a little peculiar for them to include a mini-HDMI and a mini displayport (assuming the Engadget video guy was correct). I can't wait to hear more about this (benchmarks, how hot it gets, screen resolution, etc)... but still eagerly awaiting this darn refreshed MBA
I agree with the OP. We've got to be more open in our views and be ready to accept changes, just like Apple should, embrace new changes too. Their sloth in upgrading to new hardware is disappointing to some Apple fans even, but I guess at the end of the day, it's what serves them best, and we'll have to live with it. In this case, we'll also have to keep our eyes peeled for new stuff, and I appreciate the OP for sharing this piece of insightful information with all of us.
Looking at the ASUS, I can't help but notice a remarkable similarity with the MBAs. Pricing wise, no one can be sure whether it will be priced similarly with the MBAs, but if it were, then I think it'd be severe competition. Of course, the reviews and benchmark data aren't out yet, and we can't make much of a judgement here, but judging by looks and the specs, it certainly looks promising.
Cheers guys!
Your point is flawed. Many people don't have those precise needs. Those are mostly niche needs. And even those niches are shrinking as more and more vendors are going multi-platform (especially Mac only vendors embracing Windows).
Again, your point is also flawed because it relies on a particular tasks not being accomplishable on other platforms, basically proving my point. These people are not running OS X because it's OS X. They are running OS X because it lets them get a task accomplished, something they can't do on another platform.
Yes, yes yes, I did the Windows support gig for 4 years at an ISP and then 2 years as a Citrix/Terminal Server/AD admin for Small businesses. Windows doesn't crash or freeze more than Linux or HP-UX. That's pure bunk. NT has proper userspace and kernel space seperation (aside from the graphical stack since NT 4.0 *shakefist*) just like all those cool Unix operating systems. It has proper multi-user setups.
Look, at my work right now, we have over 1.5k server images (since we went to VMware, OS images have multiplied, because hey, let's make a VM for this single task instead of consolidating services). Half of those are Linux, half are windows, and a couple of big boxes have HP-UX (around 50 OS images for the latter). Number of incidents is mostly the same per capita on those. The incidents differ, but in the end, the stability isn't better or worse on either.
Same when I was doing the SMB thing. We had Windows boxes with 50 users running remote sessions over Terminal Server. This is back in 2003 on a Xeon 1.2 ghz with roughly 3 GB of RAM. Uptime was pretty darn good for that many users hitting the box at the same time, running things like MS Office, accounting packages, financial packages and other diverse applications related to the fields their businesses were in. The only reboots we did was basically for registry hives that got stuck and that regedt32 couldn't force unload because pkill from Sys Internals couldn't kill the processes that held them open.
Windows 8 is still 1.5+ years away, not really what Most would call around the corner.
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Me too. Amazing. I hope the reviews for it are good.
However, no company out there can beat either physics, or the limitations on current/existing technology. The battery life will be rubbish. Even if used only as a stylish typewriter, it won't make it past the 4 hour mark. The 11" MBA can last over 6 hours. Not only do laptops that run Windows last 20-30% shorter in battery life (all else being equal), but it uses more power.