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Thread ID: 136360 2014-02-20 20:28:00 Portable Laptop Cicero (40) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1368264 2014-02-20 23:42:00 Thanks lads.
I have to ask what is wrong with plastic.
Ya, I would like a lighter unit, the one I have is quite a handful.
This just arrived from PB, seems a good buy?
www.pbtech.co.nz
A plastic laptop is not as rigid as an aluminium one.

The plastic laptops are also made up of a collection of components where as the MacBook Air has them all laser etched in to the body.

But if you find a PC Ultrabook that fits your requirements then go for it.
Webdevguy (17166)
1368265 2014-02-20 23:46:00 This combo looks good too.
I want browse, watch films via usb and email,oh and as light as poss.

www.engadget.com

The reason its so cheap is because Asus is struggling to sell them, as are a lot of laptop manufacturers.
Webdevguy (17166)
1368266 2014-02-20 23:49:00 I think every other PC maker just uses plastic for their laptops.That's funny. Mine's aluminium. Greg (193)
1368267 2014-02-20 23:51:00 That's funny. Mine's aluminium.

How much does it weigh?
Webdevguy (17166)
1368268 2014-02-20 23:52:00 The reason its so cheap is because Asus is struggling to sell them, as are a lot of laptop manufacturers.



Nothing wrong with taking advantage of that is there?

I see both mac air and the asus only have 128 SSD, not much is it?
Cicero (40)
1368269 2014-02-21 00:06:00 Nothing wrong with taking advantage of that is there?

I see both mac air and the asus only have 128 SSD, not much is it?


They are not "taking advantage" of anything with regards to cheaper selling prices, it's still costing them the same amount to assemble and ship the laptops as it was 5 years ago. Companies are losing money selling cheap laptops. That's why so many companies are trying to transition from laptops to tablets.

As to the storage, you are correct, its not as much as your traditional 500GB and 750GB drives but that is because you are expected to store your stuff in the cloud.. where ever that may be.

The upside of SSD drives is that you have instant access to your files, rather than the seek time associated with a needle reading a spinning disk.
Webdevguy (17166)
1368270 2014-02-21 00:11:00 Nothing wrong with taking advantage of that is there?

I see both mac air and the asus only have 128 SSD, not much is it?

Big SSD's add cost quickly. I find 128GB fine, and keep my movies etc on an external drive.

Not disagreeing about the Mac Air at all (It would be my choice), but there are other options if you want to pay the money or are just too busy being an Apple hater to see it really is a good option.
Alex B (15479)
1368271 2014-02-21 00:11:00 When you buy the Mac Book you get the OS for free. Windows has to charge you for the OS because they don't sell PC Laptops.

Also with an Mac there is no set up time, you just turn it on, fill in some basic details about yourself including location and security details like "Find my Mac" which is really useful should someone steal it, connect to your existing iTunes account or iCloud and you are good to go.
Then you instantly have access to the Mac App store.

With Windows there is a whole bunch of set up functions, a serial number to enter, updates etc before you can actually start using it.

Tech specs for the Mac Book Air

Intel HD Graphics 5000
Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both in millions of colours
Thunderbolt digital video output
Native Mini DisplayPort output
DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (sold separately)
VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (sold separately)
Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (sold separately)
HDMI audio and video output using third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (sold separately)
Two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps)
Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps)
MagSafe 2 power port

More here www.apple.com

For now, the 256GB SSD is the biggest option, until technology allows prices to come down
Webdevguy (17166)
1368272 2014-02-21 00:18:00 If you're keeping movies on an external drive then you really have very little need for drive space. In fact Cicero mate, I'd suggest you look at something like this:
www.pbtech.co.nz

Weighs the same as the Zenbook and the Macbook Air. Zero OS management. Granted there's less space for storage onboard, but that's likely not a big issue given what you've said you wanna do with it. Only difference is you could by 3 for the price of a Macbook Air ;)

- Browse the internet? Check
- Send emails? Check
- Watch movies from USB? Check
- Light? Check
- Cost effecitve? Check

Sounds like the go to me :D
Chilling_Silence (9)
1368273 2014-02-21 00:22:00 If you're keeping movies on an external drive then you really have very little need for drive space. In fact Cicero mate, I'd suggest you look at something like this:
www.pbtech.co.nz

Weighs the same as the Zenbook and the Macbook Air. Zero OS management. Granted there's less space for storage onboard, but that's likely not a big issue given what you've said you wanna do with it. Only difference is you could by 3 for the price of a Macbook Air ;)

- Browse the internet? Check
- Send emails? Check
- Watch movies from USB? Check
- Light? Check
- Cost effecitve? Check

Sounds like the go to me :D

Ah the Google OS.. that works too, provided you have constant internet access as none of your Google apps reside on your laptop;)

Plenty of choice there Cicero.
Webdevguy (17166)
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