Are Ultrabooks a Smart Buy?

Is the Ultrabook Ready for Prime Time?

Competition is always a good thing when it comes to technology. Without it, I'm positive that today's computers would be slower, more cumbersome and less functional. The evolving lineup of Ultrabooks is a case in point. They're thinner, lighter, and less power-hungry than the previous generation of laptop or notebook computers. The result is a cornucopia of choices for consumers, but not much (yet) in the way of lower prices.

In order to qualify as an Ultrabook, a laptop must be less than 21 mm (0.8 inches) thick, have 5 to 8 hour battery life, and fast resume from hibernation, on the order of 2-7 seconds. Oh, and an Intel CPU, of course. So how do the currently available Ultrabooks compare to the MacBook Air? Let's take a look at screen resolution, total weight, connectivity and configuration options.

If you want a display that’s better than the Macbook Air’s, you can get it in an Ultrabook. The Air’s resolutions are 1366 x 768 for the 11-inch model and 1440 x 900 for the 13-incher. The 13-inch ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A ($1100) and 11.6-inch UX21a ($900) have a 1920 x 1080. Acer’s Aspire 7 Ultrabooks will feature 1920 x 1080 resolutions and capacitive touch input, something you won’t find on a Macbook Air.

At just 2.38 pounds for the 11.6-inch MacBook Air and 2.96 pounds for the 13-inch version, the Air set the standard for light weight. But even lighter Ultrabooks are available, such as the Gigabyte X11 ($999) which weighs only 2.2 pounds. The 13-inch Air weighs 2.96 pounds, while the upcoming Acer Aspire S7 weighs 2.6 pounds.

Conspicuously absent from the Macbook Air are Ethernet and HDMI ports. Why does that matter? Without an Ethernet port, your only option for Internet connectivity is wifi. Lacking an HDMI port, you can't connect the Air to a big-screen TV. The Toshiba Portege Z835 and Z935 Ultrabooks have them, along with an SD card slot and three USB slots. Yes, you can get adapters for the Air that add Ethernet or HDMI, but then you have more parts and weight to carry around.

Is a 13-inch notebook too small for your big hands? Tough, that’s the maximum size Macbook Air you can get. But Ultrabooks come in a variety of sizes, from little 11-inchers to the 3.8 pound, 15-inch Samsung Series 9 ($1399).

Windows 8 Ultrabooks will have a number of innovative touchscreen designs. The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga and Samsung Series 5 Ultra Convertible will have screens that fold back 360 degrees to form a tablet or bend a bit less for the “tent” form. The ASUS Transformer Book has a screen that pops off to become a tablet and the MSI Slider S20 has a keyboard that pops out of a compartment.

Maybe none of these features is a compelling reason to buy an Ultrabook, especially at today’s high prices. Although a few Ultrabooks are cracking the sub-$1000 barrier, the best bet may be to wait until next year, after the release of Windows 8 and a slew of Ultrabooks designed for it. Prices will come down, inevitably. And of course there are other options to consider. Check out my related article Should I Buy a Netbook, Ultrabook or a Tablet?

If you own an Ultrabook, tell me about it! Post your comment or question below...