OK - crituque taken
I agree, and - after some reflections - disagree with myself in the previous post.
Sorry!
I agree, and - after some reflections - disagree with myself in the previous post.
Sorry!
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ASUS UX21 Ultrabook- serious MBA competition?
- Thread starter 3dflyboy1
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No stress. If the previous poster had used childish terms like winblows and sp forth, I would have been tempted to agree with you. Anyway, it's just an operating system. There is no need to get upset about it. Just because I like brunettes does not mean my mate isn't allowed to like blondes.
I don't think this will fail. There are tons of Windows users that have been waiting for something like the Sony Vaio Z, only cheaper. This may be it.
1. Who cares? If you're perfectly happy with your MBA, then why does the competition even matter? The best laptop config that ever existed could come out in a 0.2" thick Adamantium shell, and while I'd be curious enough to read reviews about it, I still think my current 11" MBA does everything I need, and everything I want, without question.
2. You're a Mac user, and so you don't see this as a serious MBA competitor. Of course not. However, Windows users may have been looking for an MBA-like product with a more Windows-centric keyboard, and now they have a product that can deliver.
I don't know everything, but I know that Windows users co-exist with us, and the world isn't all about catering to Mac users. I don't see the problem. You're happy with your MBA, and Windows users can be equally happy with their Asus UX21s. It costs me nothing to see other people happy with their purchase. The release of the Asus UX21 really shouldn't affect your outlook on what you have as a Mac user.
2. You're a Mac user, and so you don't see this as a serious MBA competitor. Of course not. However, Windows users may have been looking for an MBA-like product with a more Windows-centric keyboard, and now they have a product that can deliver.
I don't know everything, but I know that Windows users co-exist with us, and the world isn't all about catering to Mac users. I don't see the problem. You're happy with your MBA, and Windows users can be equally happy with their Asus UX21s. It costs me nothing to see other people happy with their purchase. The release of the Asus UX21 really shouldn't affect your outlook on what you have as a Mac user.
I remember commenting on this being a rip off of the Air and got slated.
I still stand by my comments and its still pretty sad to see a replica.
I still stand by my comments and its still pretty sad to see a replica.
I really haven't seen any true Macbook Air competitor. For iPad 2, there is Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 which seems to be a lot better than any other Android tablets, and is a true competitor if the iPad 2.
This time with the new Macbook Airs, Apple just nailed down the PC ultraportable/netbook market. It still amazes me how Apple was able to produce such a great laptop with low cost (remember, other ultraportables from Sony and Samsung costs way more than the Macbook Airs.)
This time with the new Macbook Airs, Apple just nailed down the PC ultraportable/netbook market. It still amazes me how Apple was able to produce such a great laptop with low cost (remember, other ultraportables from Sony and Samsung costs way more than the Macbook Airs.)
It does look nice. Very rich aluminium all round. Not bad at all.
As far as it being a serious MBA competition... This machine belongs to those "others", the people who would never buy Apple because it is Apple, for whatever reason. It gives them a chance to show that they don't have to carry f&#%ing ugly plastic 1990ies looking laptops...
People who want to buy Apple (a growing number) will buy it, regardless of what Asus, Dell etc. have to offer (usually something that looks very, very similar to what Apple did - first).
In any case, this machine won't be that much cheaper than Air, it is not Apple, and it does not run OS X.
I don't see it as competition to Air...
Plus... Asus? Seriously.. I bet one can't send that word through a corporate email filter without raising an Alarm... (Joke).
As far as it being a serious MBA competition... This machine belongs to those "others", the people who would never buy Apple because it is Apple, for whatever reason. It gives them a chance to show that they don't have to carry f&#%ing ugly plastic 1990ies looking laptops...
People who want to buy Apple (a growing number) will buy it, regardless of what Asus, Dell etc. have to offer (usually something that looks very, very similar to what Apple did - first).
In any case, this machine won't be that much cheaper than Air, it is not Apple, and it does not run OS X.
I don't see it as competition to Air...
Plus... Asus? Seriously.. I bet one can't send that word through a corporate email filter without raising an Alarm... (Joke).
It's a nice laptop, and it's good to see PC manufactures quality mobile powerhouses that compete with MBA, such as this Asus or Vaio Z series.
That being said, I just cant go back to Windows. Apple's OSX is simply superior and that tilts my customership towards Apple once again.
That being said, I just cant go back to Windows. Apple's OSX is simply superior and that tilts my customership towards Apple once again.
So why don't everyone just choose the $500 PCs then? That is what 13" MBP is really worth, comparable PCs cost half of 13" MBP. I would say there is definitely a market for ultabooks, even if they were a bit more expensive than regular laptops.
You are thinking this from an angle where the user is somehow mystically tied to OS X. Every buyer of MBA has had the option of a slightly thicker $500 PC as well, yet they decided to fork out at least $500 more for MBA. I would claim that most of the sold MBAs have been bought by users who weren't into Macs before. That is because as of today, it seems to be the most affordable, yet the best ultraportable out there.
Not everyone is a brand or OS-whore. In the end, OSs are designed to run tasks and both, Windows and OS X, are able to do this just fine. The fact that Windows has roughly 90% marketshare shows that there is definitely market for ultrabooks running Windows. Oh, and it's not only the footprint, weight is very important too.
Not everyone here or in the Mac community is as devoted to the Mac platform as you seem to point out. In fact, outside of the true hard core Mac users, most Mac users don't really care about the OS, they want a computer to perform tasks. Tasks that can be accomplished just as easily under any OS out there.
If this doesn't interest you, don't click on the thread. Some of us here like seeing news about our options.
I do like Asus products, and always have. However, here is my issue. First of all the name won't be so popular to the public. Apple is well known, and is getting more well known, to the student/college population, and it's a huge fad, and thus, most of the buying customers of which are in that age range will never even know of it's existence, yet EVERYONE, even haters KNOW of Apple.
I also fail to see how they will get windows to run the same battery life on a machine as mac os.
I also fail to see how they will get windows to run the same battery life on a machine as mac os.
The air can run Windows, full speed, natively via Boot Camp.
The Asus cannot run Mac OS X, at any speed.
For the times that people want or need to use Windows, the MBA is perfectly capable and ready for the task. Unfortunately, none of the PC laptops can run Mac OS X if/when the user desires/needs. This versatility seems to be a major trump card for the MBA and all Mac products for that matter.
This is no judgment of Windows one way or the other-just a simple fact.
Undeniably, other manufacturers pushing comparable hardware out the door will give Apple a little bit of incentive to keep the specs up to date (great! I'm all for it), but lets face it....The difference is software.
The Asus cannot run Mac OS X, at any speed.
For the times that people want or need to use Windows, the MBA is perfectly capable and ready for the task. Unfortunately, none of the PC laptops can run Mac OS X if/when the user desires/needs. This versatility seems to be a major trump card for the MBA and all Mac products for that matter.
This is no judgment of Windows one way or the other-just a simple fact.
Undeniably, other manufacturers pushing comparable hardware out the door will give Apple a little bit of incentive to keep the specs up to date (great! I'm all for it), but lets face it....The difference is software.
Those were some serious designers working there, they totally came up with a totally different design to the Macbook Air
Wont be long before apple files a lawsuit because it looks identical to the Air.
If I were the designer id feel absolutely stupid presenting the design to the board if it looks like another existing product from another company.
Wont be long before apple files a lawsuit because it looks identical to the Air.
If I were the designer id feel absolutely stupid presenting the design to the board if it looks like another existing product from another company.
Windows performs well in terms of battery life. Perhaps it's the drivers Apple uses under Boot Camp that is the cause for the discrepancy on Macs. But when comparing battery life between and Ubuntu and Windows on a PC, Windows blows it out of the water.
I have no doubt that these ultrabooks will achieve similar battery life as the MacBook Air. It's shortcuts (e.g. screen quality, clickpad) that these manufacturers may take in order to be price-competitive that I'm worried about.
Amen to that !
The only one competitor for 11" MBA is Samsung 900X1B, which is actually a bit more expensive, and it got only a low Core i3.
This looks like a good laptop. I really hope that they can keep the price below $1000.
Competition is good. It will hopefully keep Apple on its toes and at the same time raise the bar for Windows ultra portables. Right now the best ultra portable would be the Sony Z, but that's too expensive for most people. Next up would probably be Samsung, but it's pretty much at the same price point as the MBA. Most people would choose a MBA. The Asus comes in at about a 20% discount. I just got the latest MBA, but that is my first Mac ever. If this Asus was out at $900, I would give it a lot of thought. I'm already used to Windows 7 and truthfully it wasn't for bootcamp I would have never have bought a Mac. I don't think I could quit Windows cold turkey. I'm very used to it and there are many applications that I use that are Windows based only.
Competition is good. It will hopefully keep Apple on its toes and at the same time raise the bar for Windows ultra portables. Right now the best ultra portable would be the Sony Z, but that's too expensive for most people. Next up would probably be Samsung, but it's pretty much at the same price point as the MBA. Most people would choose a MBA. The Asus comes in at about a 20% discount. I just got the latest MBA, but that is my first Mac ever. If this Asus was out at $900, I would give it a lot of thought. I'm already used to Windows 7 and truthfully it wasn't for bootcamp I would have never have bought a Mac. I don't think I could quit Windows cold turkey. I'm very used to it and there are many applications that I use that are Windows based only.
Most reliability ratings I've seen over the last few years have shown Asus to be at the top of the heap; equal or even a little better than Apple.
So if Asus pulls off this product as spec'd out, it will be great competition for the Air. This biggest decision for many will be which OS to go with.
http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/11/17/reliability.study.has.apple.4th.place/
So if Asus pulls off this product as spec'd out, it will be great competition for the Air. This biggest decision for many will be which OS to go with.
http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/11/17/reliability.study.has.apple.4th.place/
Exactly. ASUS is not Acer (who is also putting out an "Ultrabook" soon). For someone who will use Windows 100%, I'd recommend the ASUS. For most others, I'd recommend the MacBook Air.
When did I indicate that this doesn't interest me.
I said a new Asus is more than welcome on the market. People will have another option on the market, more people will get the product they want (or at the price they want it at), and if what you want isn't an MBA, then so be it. It costs me nothing to see someone happy with their purchase, even if it's not something that I'd purchase. I'm happy this product is being released, and I don't mind at all that it's similar/slightly worse/slightly better than my MBA, because I'm happy with what I have.
And yes, my comment applies because Apple users had the market's highest customer retention rate, although this was ~6 years ago. People who buy Macs and plan on sticking with OS X really shouldn't dislike something just because their ego may get bruised.
So I'll ask you again: Did you actually read my first post?
I basically just re-wrote what I originally posted, hoping that you wouldn't walk away confused.Generally, your attitude is crap, and usually unnecessary.
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Though the article is old...
I find the Asus to be absolutely striking. Literally gorgeous in appearance. It makes the Air look quite dull. I know some don't like the shiny precious, but I wouldn't mind it. At least then I would have something with some pizazz.
That said I hate the metal keyboard, and the battery life is a make-or-break spec that I feel should be mandatory disclosure these days with any portable device. If it doesn't pull AT LEAST 6 hours of battery life under moderate (i.e. Windows) usage, it's dead in the water.
When did I indicate that this doesn't interest me.
I said a new Asus is more than welcome on the market. People will have another option on the market, more people will get the product they want (or at the price they want it at), and if what you want isn't an MBA, then so be it. It costs me nothing to see someone happy with their purchase, even if it's not something that I'd purchase. I'm happy this product is being released, and I don't mind at all that it's similar/slightly worse/slightly better than my MBA, because I'm happy with what I have.
And yes, my comment applies because Apple users had the market's highest customer retention rate, although this was ~6 years ago. People who buy Macs and plan on sticking with OS X really shouldn't dislike something just because their ego may get bruised.
So I'll ask you again: Did you actually read my first post?
+1,
-1...not necessary.