Dell launches Ultrabook for $999

Post by rhizome » Tue, Feb 28, 2012, 7:50 PM UTC

JoshTriplett wrote: post #25

eropple wrote: post #8

So I clicked through this article, expecting something that totally misses the point (like their Adamo a few years ago). It doesn't match my immediate expectations. Which is good! The machine looks solid. I don't know if I like it more than my Air, but it looks promising. I keep clicking through. In a machine like this, two things really matter: keyboard and display. As allwein says in another comment thread, they do…

Most manufacturers seem to do that these days, hiding display resolution somewhere obscure, while it represents one of the most important details that I need to know. Personally, I'd like an Ultrabook with the 13" 1080p screen from the Sony Z series. (But not made by Sony, since I need something with decent quality, a decent warranty, and a decent company.)

Post by aswanson » Tue, Feb 28, 2012, 7:55 PM UTC

fady wrote: post #27

no matter how pretty they make their laptops, they still run crappy software, IMO. i would buy this, wipe it out and load ubuntu, vs using windows. i find the ubuntu experience on dell laptops to be pretty good. i'm still rocking a e1405 with ubuntu 10.4

Post by bunderbunder » Tue, Feb 28, 2012, 7:57 PM UTC

spot wrote: post #28

rsynnott wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It was one of the innovators in _affordable_ thin and light, though. While there were very light and thin laptops prior to the Air, they were usually either netbooks, or terribly expensive. Of course, so was the first-gen Air; the second one was really the interesting one.

nope, there were plenty of options like the Dell X1 (2.5lbs, 2005) and Sony VAIO Z (3.3lbs, 2000). these were mainstream and affordable and functional. the first air came in 2008.

Post by Mavrik » Tue, Feb 28, 2012, 8:01 PM UTC

martingordon wrote: post #35

eropple wrote: post #8

So I clicked through this article, expecting something that totally misses the point (like their Adamo a few years ago). It doesn't match my immediate expectations. Which is good! The machine looks solid. I don't know if I like it more than my Air, but it looks promising. I keep clicking through. In a machine like this, two things really matter: keyboard and display. As allwein says in another comment thread, they do…

Seems like putting in a crappy display is what allowed them to hit the $999 price point. Screen aside, it is reasonably close to the MacBook Air (real world keyboard/trackpad usability and battery life notwithstanding) that it could get some people to get one over the MBA, except that Dell completely blows it with their presentation. The site is completely Flash and tries to do one of those fancy scrolling sites, exc…

Post by freehunter » Tue, Feb 28, 2012, 8:03 PM UTC

herge wrote: post #33

krschultz wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aluminum is easily machinable, lightweight, has great heat transfer, can be annodized so that it has a nice surface finish, and is not that expensive. Titanium would be a good choice as well, but it is far more expensive. Steel isn't a good choice for a variety of reasons, but #1 in my mind is surface finish. Typically you have to paint or plate steel. A high end plastic or composite can be made nice, but people are…

So nothing would have stopped them from using a high end plastic or a nice composite? Something that would tell their product apart from a MacBook Air? It is a pity they did not try.