Ultrabook

[TeaLeaf]

I'm on the lookout for an ultrabook for business use only.  I've got a list of models I am considering, but I wanted to get opinions from dMw to see if there is anything else I should have on the list and be considering.

I'm looking for
-light (approx 3lbs or less)
-13"-14" screen (ie not too big but not too small)
-5+hr battery life (I'll mostly be plugged in but unplugged sessions will usually be <3 hours. occasionally 5 hours)
-Windows
-fast startup time or wake facility
-decent screen resolution for spreadsheets or powerpoint
-good wireless/bluetooth
-4GB min RAM, preferrably 8GB
-Haswell or similar CPU for power reasons

I'm not too bothered with
-touch screen (but a bonus if it is)
-massive storage (I reckon any SSD from 256GB+ would suffice)


The shortlist I came up with was this:

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (the new 2014 model, not Gen One)

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch (less sure on this one as it would be Gen One not Gen Two)

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus

Sony Vaio Pro 13

Acer Aspire S7-392

Asus Zenbook UX32A (this model seems a little long in the tooth, unless I'm missing a newer model somewhere)


Anything else I should be looking at?

[smilodon]

You might want to shove the Dell XPS 12 onto that list. I've used one recently and it's a stunning machine. It's also currently PC Worlds A list ultrabook.

[Jamoe]

XPS 13 is a pretty nice bit of kit. I've got the Developer Edition (Ubuntu) before they stuck a touch screen on it.

4th Generation Intel® Coreâ,,¢ i7-4500U processor (4M Cache, up to 3.0 GHz)
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600Mhz (On Board)
]256GB Solid State Drive
34cm (13.3”) LED Backlit Touch Display with Truelife and FHD resolution (1920 x 1080)

[TeaLeaf]

XPS 13 is a pretty nice bit of kit. I've got the Developer Edition (Ubuntu) before they stuck a touch screen on it.

4th Generation Intel® Coreâ,,¢ i7-4500U processor (4M Cache, up to 3.0 GHz)
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600Mhz (On Board)
]256GB Solid State Drive
34cm (13.3”) LED Backlit Touch Display with Truelife and FHD resolution (1920 x 1080)

Hmm, I ruled that out as I thought the XP13 had an 11" screen!    Looking at the Dell website it says:

XPS 13 Ultrabookâ,,¢ is slim and stylish, with touch Full HD display packed into an 11" frame

But if you then go to look at the system details it confirms a 13.3" screen, bizarre!    Added to the list, I prefer the look of that to the XPS12 tbh.

[Jamoe]

..., I prefer the look of that to the XPS12 tbh.

They are pretty similar machines, but the "twizzly" screen is pretty cool.

[kregoron]

i got a sony vaio pro, tho ive hardly used it since i got my Surface 2 pro, best buy ive ever done, tho the screen on the surface might be a tad small for some

[TeaLeaf]

I think the screen size would be the killer for me, I regularly need to be entering and working with spreadsheets and 10" at that resolution would just not let me see enough of what I was doing.   I do like the look of them though, particularly the pen aspect, but they also seem to be heading towards ultrabook prices once you spec it to 256GB.