6 outstanding advantages of Ultrabook compared to MacBook Air 2012

Apple's latest MacBook Air is far from the upcoming series of ultrabooks in screen quality, thinness, support for connectivity ports and graphics performance.

While introducing the latest MacBook Air, Apple's General Manager Tim Cook said 'everyone is trying to imitate it (MacBook Air). They will realize that it is not easy to do so. '

Until recently, Mr. Cook's statement was still proven true because the first generation ultrabooks, from the ASUS Zenbook UX31 launched in October 2011 until Samsung Series 9 launched early in 2012, are still unable to beat. MacBook Air.

However, ultrabooks using Ivy Bridge processors that are expected to hit shelves in the next few months have obvious advantages over the MacBook Air 2012.

1. Screen quality

A few months ago, the MacBook Air could win the screen competition with ultrabook, but at the moment, their screens seem to have become obsolete. The MacBook Air 2012 still only has a resolution of 1366 x 768 for the 11-inch version and 1440 x 900 for the 13-inch version. Meanwhile, the best ultrabooks have been upgraded to full HD screens: the newly released ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A has a 1920 x 1080 screen, 11.6-inch Zenbook Prime UX21A also has the same resolution.

Just by making a small calculation, you will find that the Zenbook ultrabook has a pixel density of 189.91 and 165.63 PPI (pixels-per-inch) compared to two MacBook Air models with a pixel density of 135.09 and 127.68 PPI.

Zenbook Prime UX21A

Even by LaptopMag magazine, the ZenBook UX31A has an IPS screen of 423 lux, compared to the 13-inch MacBook Air's 2011 brightness of 285 lux. There is currently no data on the brightness of the MacBook Air 2012, but Apple claims there is no improvement on the screen, so the latest MacBook Air model probably only has similar parameters.

ASUS is not the only company that offers more outstanding ultrabook screens than the MacBook Air. Acer also recently introduced Aspire 7 ultrabook with 1920 x 1080 resolution with 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch sizes (two products have a roadmap to launch this fall). The screen of the Aspire 7 also supports capacitive touch input, a feature not found in any Mac. ASUS and Samsung will also support touch on upcoming Windows 8 notebooks including the ASUS Zenbook Prime UX21A With Touch and Samsung Series 5 Ultra Touch.

2. Weight and thinness

Weighing 1.08 kg for the 11.6-inch model and 1.34 kg for the 13-inch model, the MacBook Air is one of the lightest notebooks on the market. However, the new Gigabyte X11 0.97 kg is the lightest 11-inch notebook in the world, thanks to the body made of carbon fiber. Aspire S7 11.6 inches also weighs only 1 kg.

Regarding the 13-inch version, both the Toshiba Portege Z935 is coming and the previous Toshiba Portege Z835 weighs only 1.1 kg. According to Acer ads, the Acer Aspire S7 13 inch will weigh about 1.18 kg, 0.17 kg lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air.

The 13-inch and 11-inch MacBook Air have a measurement of the thinnest point of 17.27mm. Meanwhile, the Portege Z935 has the thinnest point of only 15.24mm, the ZenBook UX31A has the thinnest point of 16.76mm.

Gigabyte X11

3. Support ports

With the new MacBook Air, Apple upgraded from two USB 2.0 ports to USB 3.0 - the standard we saw on many notebooks more than a year ago. In addition to USB ports, the MacBook Air has a Thunderbolt port and a 13-inch model has an SD card slot, but no Ethernet, HDMI or VGA ports.

Some types of ultrabooks are not equipped with more ports than the MacBook Air, for example, the Dell XPS 13 is even 13 inches less than the MacBook Air in that there is no SD card slot. However, if you choose wisely, you can still own ultrabooks with all the ports you need. For example, Toshiba Portege Z835 and Z935 have Ethernet ports, HDMI and VGA, SD and USB card slots; Acer Aspire S5 is coming with HDMI, Ethernet and two USB ports.

Toshiba Portege Z835

Ethernet ports are still an important component, because in many locations, wired Internet is faster and more stable than wireless networks. In addition, you also need a VGA port to connect an external monitor and projector. HDMI ports are also important because most TVs and some types of projectors and monitors support this kind of high quality connection. Some people use adapters to add Ethernet or even HDMI connectivity to a Mac, but this type of accessory is quite small and easily forgotten or lost.

4. Graphic performance

The MacBook Air 2012 is equipped with Intel's HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor. Meanwhile, some types of ultrabook have chosen the super fast Nvidia GT600 Series graphics chip, such as the ASUS ZenBook Prime UX32 13 inches, the Gigabyte U2442N 14 inches and the M5-481TG.

Like all notebooks running Nvidia's graphics chips, all of these ultrabooks use Optimus technology, which allows the system to automatically switch between discrete graphics and integrated graphics chips so that it can take advantage of high performance as well as extend battery life.

5. Price

The starting price of the 11-inch MacBook Air is still high at $ 999, the 13-inch version is $ 1,199. While this price is quite reasonable compared to what users get, they are still nearly double the price of popular notebooks.

If you're willing to buy a 14-inch ultrabook with an HDD instead of an SSD, you can choose the Dell Inspiron 14z for $ 599. The ultra-thin 13-inch Portege Z935 starts at $ 899, $ 200 less than the MacBook Air of the same size. You can even buy Samsung ultrabook 5 Series for only 799 USD.

14 inch Gigabyte U2442N

6. Design

The MacBook Air has two options, 11.6 inches and 13.3 inches. If you want to own a larger screen, you must look to the MacBook Pro 15 inch or the latest MacBook Pro with a heavy Retina screen, 2 kg, 1.8 cm thick and cost up to $ 2,199.

With ultrabook, you can buy 14-inch machines like the upcoming ThinkPad X1 Carbon weighing 1.36 kg, HP Envy Specter 14 is 2.3 cm thick and weighing 1.81kg. You can even buy 15 inch ultrabook like Samsung Series 9 weighing 1.72kg, 1.47cm thick. At only $ 1,499, this notebook is not only thinner, lighter, but also cheaper than the new MacBook Pro.

If you really want a difference, a few upcoming Windows 8 ultrabooks provide the mechanism to turn ultrabook into a tablet. For example, the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13.3 inch and Samsung Series 5 Ultra Convertible have 14-inch screens that rotate 360 ​​degrees into tablet or tent mode.