15 replies to this topic

[pigeonhead]

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?

[scorpian007]

The Surface Pro perhaps?

[humanz.]

Thinkpad X1 Carbon

[+Brando212]

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 ) 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

[LUTZIFER]

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.

[Eddie7]

pigeonhead, on 16 January 2013 - 00:37, said:

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.

[Stetson]

Brando212, on 16 January 2013 - 01:10, said:

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...deapad-yoga-11s

[+Brando212]

Stetson, on 16 January 2013 - 01:22, said:

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

[pigeonhead]

scorpian007, on 16 January 2013 - 00:54, said:

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.

humanz., on 16 January 2013 - 00:55, said:

Thinkpad X1 Carbon

They're priced at more than double the Air! A little out of my price range.

Brando212, on 16 January 2013 - 01:10, said:

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.

[+Brando212]

pigeonhead, on 16 January 2013 - 01:51, said:

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

[.fahim]

LUTZIFER, on 16 January 2013 - 01:16, said:

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!

[pigeonhead]

Brando212, on 16 January 2013 - 01:52, said:

that'd be my guess. and honestly I'm now looking forward to the Yoga 11s too

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.

.fahim, on 16 January 2013 - 13:22, said:

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.

[+Brando212]

pigeonhead, on 17 January 2013 - 04:58, said:

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 8

look at the link that Stetson posted, Levono just showed it off at CES last week. should be available in the coming weeks

[Astra.Xtreme]

The Zenbook is the Windows equivalent of the Air. If you prefer Windows, the Zenbook is the perfect option.

[+Brando212]

Looks like the Levono Yoga 11s comes out in June and be around $799 with some pretty good specs I might add
http://www.mobileint...ml#.UPnHIFe6MZg