Originally Posted by
anrkitec
Setting aside the fact that it isn't technically an Ultrabook [Sandy Bridge or better required], the Macbook is really more of a cute fashion accessory than a serious machine. There's a reason they offer the thing in a faux-gold finish.
Not for nothing but the Zenbook UX303LB, for example, absolutely kills the Macbook in every category save for Appletasticness; Core i7, 13" 3200x1800 IPS display, discreet graphics, 4x as many ports, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and 3 lbs. vs. the Macbook with a slow Core M processor, 8GB RAM and a 2300x1440 display with slow integrated graphics.
And, as a nice little bonus, the ASUS is $300 less, which is more than enough with which to buy a gold lamé case to tart it up if one absolutely has to have a bit of bling with their computer.
Again, this is a Travel forum, right? No Windows notebook can be best-in-class powerful and best-in-class slim/light. It's why the savvy Traveler has two notebooks, one for the office, one for the road.
I have a powerful notebook, tons of ports, beefy processor. It sits under my desk in a docking station for when I'm in the office. But on those 12 weeks a year that I'm traveling through international airports and foreign hotels, I need the sleekest and lightest Windows machine available and that's what the new MacBook Retina is for. On the road, I'm not gaming, I'm not constructing videos, I'm not stressing a processor. I'm doing email, web, Slingbox, Skype, Powerpoint, Excel, the typical executive businessman tasks. And for that, the new Mac running Windows 10 is perfecto.
It's half an inch tall (at its peak) and weighs 2 pounds. It passes through airport security as if it's an iPad, doesn't need removing from my backpack. I can carry it around all day on my back and not even notice it's there. I'm getting 14 hours of battery life, I can do a full day of business meetings, note taking, and presentations and leave the power adapter and cord back at the hotel without concern. No other Windows machine offers this feature set. It's not a "cute fashion accessory". It's the best Windows 'ultrabook' on the market for the Traveling executive who already has a primary computer back in the office.
BJ