Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air

All three models weigh only about 1.3 kg and have a maximum thickness of 17 mm.

Defining the new ultraportable laptop initiated by Intel called Ultrabook is the product line to compete with Apple's MacBook Air. This series currently has many major companies involved like Acer with Aspire S3, Asus with Zenbook UX, Toshiba with Portégé Z830 or Lenovo.

The common point of all ultrabooks is similarly light and slimmer than that of the MacBook Air but the more powerful configuration and price are also promised to be more attractive.

The 13-inch MacBook Air has a thickness of 17 mm (the thickest point) and weighs 1.32 kg while Asus's UX31 is 17 mm and 1.3 kg respectively and Aspire S3 is 13 mm and 1.3 kg.

Here are some pictures comparing these three ultraportable models:

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 1
Both Aspire S3, UX31 and MacBook Air have an aluminum alloy shell.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 2
The latest rumors suggest that ultrabook may be inadequate due to the lack of aluminum supply.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 3
All three models have a thin front edge of 3 mm. The top-down order includes MacBook Air, Aspire S3 and UX31.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 4
Left edge of all three machines. The MacBook Air and UX31 both have USB ports, while the Aspire only has a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 5
UX31 is the only model equipped with USB 3.0 port on the right side.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 6
Unlike the two competitors, the Aspire S3 is equipped with USB 3.0, 2.0 and HDMI ports on the back. HDMI is also an adversary's advantage from Acer.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 7
Aspire S3 and MacBook Air are all rounded at the edges while the UX31 is more square (bottom).

>> See more comparative details

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 8
The trio all have 13-inch screens.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 9
Chiclet-style keyboard.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 10
The Aspire S3 on the left has a slightly smaller touchpad than the UX31.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 11
S3 keyboard with plastic while UX31 is metal.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 12
The underside of UX31 (upper) and S3 below.

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 13
S3 compared with UX3 (below).

Asus Ultrabook, Acer vs.. MacBook Air Picture 14
the underside of all three models.