Help! MBA 11" / Asus ZenBook Prime 11" / Lenovo X230
 

I will be returning to school early next year for my graduate studies. As such, I will be buying my first replacement laptop in a very VERY long time. I've used my Acer Timeline 13.3" (that I bought at Bestbuy for $399) 3 years ago, and I think it's time to get something better. It's been supremely reliable, and my battery still holds 6-8 hours with Wi-Fi on, with my Crucial M4 256gb installed. I'll keep this guy as a backup computer.

Anyways, I am leaning towards the X230 because it is upgradable, and the fact that it offers an IPS + low-glare screen. I love the Zenbook Prime design, but the 4gb memory restriction and 'worst' battery life out of all ultrabooks puts it to the 'not sure if want' category. The MBA is probably the benchmark for ultrabooks design but it gets stupid pricey if you just want to upgrade the HDD to 256gb SSD and 8gb RAM.

Anyone have experiences with the Lenovo X230s or it's predecessor in general?

FYI, I also own a W510 with a 1080p touchscreen + color sensor, but it weighs about the same as two business law textbooks. It also runs hot enough to heat up my entire desk, so it rarely leaves the house.

going to law school?

The X230 is ugly and thick. The battery hump kills it for me and it also explains why it has a long battery life. Technically it's not considered an ultrabook as the thickness it out of spec.

For me I'd got with the Zenbook myself.

Doing my CA (career change) in another part of the world.. LOL

I was originally debating between the 12" HP Elitebook as well, but it's not using the latest Ivy Bridge/ Intel 4000 video, and it costs more than the Lenovo. I'm not TOO concerned about the aesthetics, much more concerned about durability and keyboard quality. I actually don't like the keyboard on the original Zenbook, so I'm hoping to try a Zenbook Prime when it comes out.

What about Samsung series 9?

what about the Dell ultrabook

This. The 2012 models of the Samsung Series 9 seem amazing.

Dell Ultrabook. While physically awesome it has the crappy battery life as well its based on the older sandy bridge.

I'm in a similar boat as you. I have an older thinkpad X60 (5 years), the quality is awesome so I'm seriously considering the X230! To me the X230 looks timeless, the Zenbook looks nice, but I'm afraid I would end up with a scratched up cover. :P The major disadvantage of the X230 vs the Prime is the screen resolution. 1366x768 vs 1920 x 1080. In case you didn't know, the Zenbook also has an IPS Screen, also an SSD is an expensive option (I'd probably install my own). That being said, there's a nice sale going on at Lenovo right now & a nicely optioned X230 can be purchased for $750 + tax! or $950 for an i7! I may wait until the end of summer to see what other new Ultrabooks are introduced before purchasing though.

Why an 11" and not a 13" Ultrabook?

i expect to get my X230T (mmm windows 8 tabletly goodness) in a few days and will report back on findings.

(Tablet option is more of a, hey work is coughing up the dough so why not try it)

But thinkpads are rock solid machines with years and years of support/improvements.

hard to go wrong with a thinkpad

I ruled out the Dell/Samsung because the models available in Canada is still using the old Intel 3000 video/ dual core CPU, not to mention their ram+HD combinations simply 'suck.'

I know this applies to the Zenbook too. I'm only intrigued by it and the MBA because of the form/coolness factor. I might have to cross the Zenbook Prime off as well because the memory is restricted to only 4gb.

Yeah I realized the new Zenbook has a 1080p IPS screen, but I think I'll be blind reading text at such a high-res.

I saw the RFD posting on the Lenovo books as well. I think the deal expires tonight. I kind of want to get the X230t with Windows 8 when it comes out.. Argh, decisions!

(Posting from my 'welfare' Acer laptop with a CPU windows experience score of 3.6 and a hdd score of 7.9.. LOL)

Oh and I really dislike the keyboard on the Dell, Samsung, and the 1G Prime Book.
The Toshiba has a nice keyboard, but omfg the screen is so flimsy!!!

The new Samsung 9 series is Ivy Bridge with the new higher res 1600x900 screen and much improved battery life of 7hours. It's a 13.3" but the thin bezel makes it smaller. Weighs even less than the equivalent zenbook prime or macbook air. I'm seriously considering this option as well but it's pretty pricey.

I think the deal expires Aug 1st, so a couple more days. :P

saw it at bestbuy today. HOLY shit!!!! i want

^I'll be honest, I have some negative bias towards Samsung, but I did see their 15" Series 9 @ Staples and it was drop dead gorgeous. A rMBP looks like a brick in comparison.
It's been awhile since I've gone hunting for coupons @ Staples on RFD, can you still stack the coupons like crazy nowadays? It would be sweet if you can grab one with a $150 discount

Does staples have the 13"? I think I still have a coupon.

Out of those 3, I'd get the Asus. However, I also think you should check out the Samsung ultrabooks. The new Samsung store at Metrotown has about every model on display there so I would check it out. I personally thought they were pretty nice when I checked them out yesterday.

Sorry for the thread jack but didn't think it was necessary to start a new thread. I'm going into finance, potentially switching into CISA and I'm having a hard time deciding between the zenbook prime, samsung series 9, and the mba.

The zenbook is currently 1099, MBA is 1179, and the samsung is 1199. Aesthetics wise the samsung is the nicest looking one out of the three, however I'm not sold on samsung quality.

I will be using this notebook for the next 3/4 years so any input would be greatly appreciated.

The Samsung competes with the Macbook Air. Not the MBP

^Fair enough. I only mentioned the MBP because the only 9-series I have seen in person is the 15" model found @ Staples. I didn't realize they offer a 13" model as well. I tried to check one out @ Metrotown but they didn't have one on demo at that time.

I crossed off the Zenbook Prime because of its 4gb ram limitation.

I'm still debating between the X230 and the MBA. :(

The future shop at metro has a demo of the i5 abs i7 13" model when I went. And I'm cutting our the zenvook as well. 1080p on 013" screen seems too much, and the fact that it's not a full matte screen.

The MBA can also run Windows when needed so you are technically getting the best of both world. Also, the flash drive storage in the MBA is quick. I'm assuming you looking at the 13" and not the 11"?

PS: BB is having an online promotion on the Samsung Series 9 15" right now at 1299

Build quality is top notch on MacBooks.