DerkPY Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I've been looking at the Macbook Air 11" with some interest lately. I'm not a MacOS guy, I've always used Windows and have felt that Macs tend to be a little over priced for what you get. However, for my next purchase I want a small laptop that I can "dock" into a large monitor for home use and that is small enough to sit on the sofa with, or on a bus, plane, whatever. The air appeals because it is so small and thin. When looking for Win based alternatives I'm looking at ultrabooks to get a comparable size and they're significantly more expensive and to be honest some look hideous. Are there any viable alternatives? 've looked at Chromebooks and I just need that little bit more. Is the Macbook Air actually value for money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpian007 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 The Surface Pro perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motoko. Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Thinkpad X1 Carbon goretsky 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted January 16, 2013 Supervisor Share Posted January 16, 2013 if you want some bang for your buck why not look at the Lenovo Yoga at 13.3" it's about the same price as the 11" air but can also fold back into a tablet I'll agree with you that a lot of first gen ultrabooks aren't that great looking and are way over priced. the new ones that are just coming out look pretty good though. still a little over priced in some cases IMO but not as bad as the previous gen ultrabooks IMHO the air is the best option for the price (and honestly apples only fairly priced product :D) the battery life the air gives you is phenomenal. i personally don't know of any ultrabooks that can compete with the specs and battery life of the airs at a comparable price yet. though a few like the Yoga come pretty close :) goretsky 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUTZIFER Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 AUSUS Zenbook is the closest thing to a MacBook Air. Come in 11 and 13 inch, just like the Air do. Layout and ports are exact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royalty Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I've always used Windows and have felt that Macs tend to be a little over priced for what you get. I AGREE WITH YOU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stetson Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 if you want some bang for your buck why not look at the Lenovo Yoga at 13.3" it's about the same price as the 11" air but can also fold back into a tablet There's an 11" version of the Yoga now too: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6581/lenovo-announces-ideapad-yoga-11s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted January 16, 2013 Supervisor Share Posted January 16, 2013 There's an 11" version of the Yoga now too: http://www.anandtech...deapad-yoga-11s it looks like the 11s isn't out yet, the normal yoga 11 that is out currently seems to be Windows RT only Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerkPY Posted January 16, 2013 Author Share Posted January 16, 2013 The Surface Pro perhaps? The surface is something I'll look at if its released before I make a decision. I'm not entirely sure about the final price though as with the RT version I'd have to buy the keyboard separately and its not exactly cheap. Wondering if in the end the price will be more than the 11" Air. But, it would keep me on Windows which I am familiar with... another thing that is in the back of my mind is having to buy Office for the Mac when I already have a licence for the Win version and I use it regularly. Thinkpad X1 Carbon They're priced at more than double the Air! A little out of my price range. if you want some bang for your buck why not look at the Lenovo Yoga at 13.3" it's about the same price as the 11" air but can also fold back into a tablet Looks nice, and with the upcoming 11" model others have mentioned it may be an option if the price is right. I'd guess Lenovo putting out an 11" Yoga is to directly compete with the 11" Air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted January 16, 2013 Supervisor Share Posted January 16, 2013 Looks nice, and with the upcoming 11" model others have mentioned it may be an option if the price is right. I'd guess Lenovo putting out an 11" Yoga is to directly compete with the 11" Air. that'd be my guess. and honestly I'm now looking forward to the Yoga 11s too :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Fahim S. MVC Posted January 16, 2013 MVC Share Posted January 16, 2013 AUSUS Zenbook is the closest thing to a MacBook Air. Come in 11 and 13 inch, just like the Air do. Layout and ports are exact. This! Slightly cheaper than the MacBook Air from what I can tell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerkPY Posted January 17, 2013 Author Share Posted January 17, 2013 that'd be my guess. and honestly I'm now looking forward to the Yoga 11s too :) Found a review here: http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-ideapad-yoga-11-1123468/review Didn't realise it will be running RT. I don't know if I can survive without the desktop environment. I feel that if I disconnect from the desktop I could get a chromebook instead and save a lot of cash. This! Slightly cheaper than the MacBook Air from what I can tell! Looks nice. I need to find it in store to have a play around with it. Possible option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted January 17, 2013 Supervisor Share Posted January 17, 2013 Found a review here: http://www.techradar...-1123468/review Didn't realise it will be running RT. I don't know if I can survive without the desktop environment. I feel that if I disconnect from the desktop I could get a chromebook instead and save a lot of cash. no, the current Yoga 11 that is out currently runs RT but the Yoga 11s that will be coming out soon will be full Windows 8look at the link that Stetson posted, Levono just showed it off at CES last week. should be available in the coming weeks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astra.Xtreme Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 The Zenbook is the Windows equivalent of the Air. If you prefer Windows, the Zenbook is the perfect option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted January 18, 2013 Supervisor Share Posted January 18, 2013 Looks like the Levono Yoga 11s comes out in June and be around $799 with some pretty good specs I might add :) http://www.mobileinterview.org/2013/01/lenovo-ideapad-yoga-11s-release-date.html#.UPnHIFe6MZg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerkPY Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 That comes in cheaper than the Air, possibly by then there will be some other competition within this space. It is a bit of a wait though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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