Apple good value in Ultrabook Market?

LNueLogic on 23/05/2014 - 14:51
Last edited 23/05/2014 - 15:30

So annoyingly today was the day my old Toshiba satellite decided it didn't need a back light any more. Unfortunately due to the fact I'm studying IT at Uni I really need a laptop to complete my course work. I've spent the whole day looking online to find something with good value for money in the 13" size and I can not find anything that beats ~$1200 for Apple's 13" Non retina MBP's at dick smith. Am I not looking in the right places or is there really just a lack of decent laptops in the ~$1100 price range in Australia.

Ps. I'm not really after a hybrid.

Computing

Comments

  • Riczter on 23/05/2014 - 15:10
    +5

    I've been having the same problem… There plenty of cheap atom convertibles and plenty of high end ultrabooks but very little in between making Macs appear to be quite good value..

    However I'd go with the 13" Macbook air unless you particularly need the faster processor.. The Non-Retina MBP are going to be phased out pretty soon I believe,

    • NueLogic on 23/05/2014 - 15:23

      It really is a problem. I personally can't understand why a company hasn't ceased the opportunity to fill this gap in the market. The main reason I would go for MBP over the Air is my need to use The Adobe Suite as well as an IDE such as eclipse. The faster processor will keep it running smooth improving work efficiency.

      • theStinge on 24/05/2014 - 18:15

        …seized the opportunity…

        • NueLogic on 25/05/2014 - 00:29

          Wow I really have been skipping too much sleep.

  • Jam0864 on 23/05/2014 - 15:12

    You can try and replace the LCD panel if you're game. Just order another on ebay (~$75 for my Lenovo). Make sure it's the exact same panel, as it's not a whole monitor, just the panel, so the supporting hardware must match.

    • NueLogic on 23/05/2014 - 15:18

      The laptop is over 6 years old and is on its last legs, been debating upgrading already for awhile, mainly due to the fact it is over heating my room with the temperature it runs at.

      • Jam0864 on 23/05/2014 - 16:18

        Damn, yeah that's fair enough then.

  • issh on 23/05/2014 - 15:20

    Seeing you're in Brisbane
    What about this?

    http://www.computeralliance.com.au/asus-tx300ca-c4030p-13.3-…

    • NueLogic on 23/05/2014 - 15:27

      Thanks for the tip, however the lack of an optical drive and the transformer is quite off putting for me personally. I'm after a laptop not a hybrid (I already have a Nexus 7 and if I wanted a hybrid I would get a Surface Pro 3).

      • Gina Rinehart on 26/05/2014 - 18:43

        You can buy a $20 USB optical drive. Hardly any (pretty much 0) ultrabooks have an optical drive, as they are bulky and unnecessary. You can write stuff to boot from almost any USB drive, or just get a usb optical drive if you really need it.

    • NueLogic on 23/05/2014 - 15:29

      Not after a hybrid, sorry I should have specified in the OP.

  • noyesmaybeok on 23/05/2014 - 15:32
    +1

    Macbook Air is great. It's more than fast enough for every day use, especially with the SSD. You only need more processing + graphics if you're doing intensive work such as gaming or video rendering (which MBA does fine, it's just not that fast). Battery life is awesome too which is a HUGE problem for a lot of laptops. Just compare battery life tests to see. You don't want to get a laptop for Uni that dies within 2-3 hrs unless you can be near a charger constantly.

    There are lots of MBA competitors, they all just cost the same if not more :)

  • scrimshaw on 23/05/2014 - 15:39

    $1249 alternative?

    http://shopap.lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/thinkpad/t-series/t44…

    • Intel® Core™ i3-4010U Processor (3M Cache, 1.70 GHz)
    • 14.0" HD (1366x768), anti-glare
    • Intel HD Graphics 4400 with docking connector
    • 4GB DDR3 1600MHz (1 DIMM)
    • 500GB 7200 RPM, with SSD caching - 16GB M.2 SSD,
    • 1.81kg and with a 21 mm profile
    • WWAN for 3G/4G (Optional)

    Note — it's an ultrabook, no DVD drive.

    Or how about a Dell Latitude, only costs you $900 and it's also an ultrabook-class laptop with Core i7 CPU. The drawback is that it was specced with a 32 bit Win7 — I would suggest upgrading to Windows 8 (costs $60 via Microsoft), but as an IT student you may not have to pay for Windows software as it's provided free via MSDNAA.

    Latitude E7240

    • 4th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4600U Processor (2.1 GHz)
    • 4GB RAM Single DIMM
    • 128GB Full Mini-Card Mobility Solid State Drive
    • Windows(R) 7 Professional 32-bit
    • Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 802.11ac/a/b/g/n 2x2 + Bluetooth 4.0 LE Half Mini Card
    • 3-cell (31Wh) Battery 65W AC Adapter, 3-pin
    • 12.5" HD (1366x768) LED-backlit LCD non-Touch Panel, WiGig and WWAN Capable

    No OS media included. Unit has minor scratches
    $ 899

    • Riczter on 23/05/2014 - 16:04

      You got a link to that Dell?

      • scrimshaw on 23/05/2014 - 16:09

        It's a refurbed item, so obviously it would be at the Outlet.
        DFO-2552104LT

        • Riczter on 23/05/2014 - 16:12

          Thanks, i dont have the outlet in my favourites, do now :)

      • NueLogic on 23/05/2014 - 16:10

        I'm currently researching this Gigabyte P34g on Amazon. - $1329.00 (Does ship to Australia)
        http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-P34G-CF1-14-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0…

        Screen Size 14 inches
        Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080
        Processor 3.4 GHz Core i7-4700HQ
        RAM 8 GB DDR3
        Hard Drive 1024 GB // 128 GB SDD
        Graphics Card Ram Size 2048 MB
        Operating System Windows 8
        Item Weight 3.6 pounds
        Item Dimensions L x W x H 9.17 x 13.39 x 0.83 inches

        Ps. Yes Warranty is an issue.

        • scrimshaw on 23/05/2014 - 16:12

          The total cost is USD 1,387.96 or 1501.96 Australian Dollar according to Google.

          And as you said… no warranty. That's a big minus.

          Sure you want that?… I think there are better options locally. Go to Affordable Laptops or Logical Blue One and have a look at the Clevo and Horize Ultrabooks.

          Lets see:
          http://www.logicalblueone.com.au/store/561-horize-w840sut-ul…
          Intel® Core™ i5-4200u
          8GB RAM
          128GB Plextor M5M mSATA / 2nd HDD Kit
          14-inch FULL-HD TOUCH SCREEN LED BACKLIT (1920x1080)
          No Operating System
          2x USB 3.0, 1x HDMI,
          4 Cell Battery [9 Hour Battery]
          1 YEAR RETURN TO BASE WARRANTY INCLUDING FULL PARTS AND LABOUR

          Price $1099 + add extra to delivery postage.

        • scotty on 23/05/2014 - 17:06
          +2

          I have also been looking at P34G myself. Affordable Laptops in Perth have the base model at $1549

          http://www.affordablelaptops.com.au/contents/en-us/d448_giga…

          That's without the 128GB SSD from Amazon though, but with Amazon you need to also pay GST + custom.

          Another one to consider is the cheaper Gigabyte U24F — previous gen gfx (GT 750M), Win8 Pro, i7-4500U, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, 14" 900P screen at 1.7kg. $1,199 also from MSY.

        • NueLogic on 25/05/2014 - 23:43

          I just got a quote from Umart online for the Gigabyte P34G v2:

          Hi James,

          Gigabyte P34G V2
          I7-4710HQ,14"FHD
          GTX860M 4GB
          8GDDR3
          1X1TBHDD (SSD+HDD SLOT)
          WIN7PRO+WIN8.1PRO CD)
          2 Year Manufacture Warranty
          Price $1639
          ETA 4 working days.

          Please reply or call us if you like to go ahead.

  • Woodyg22 on 23/05/2014 - 20:37

    MSY seem to do some good laptop deals, regularly get emails about them. Have a look around at their offers

  • conan2000 on 24/05/2014 - 09:01
    +1

    Have a look at Adorama and B&H Photo. They both ship to AU and at least Asus provide an International warranty. Not sure about other brands. My girlfriend ordered her laptop from there and saved several hundred dollars, even after having to pay $200 tax to customs. (It was about $1500-1600AU).

  • Squeezy on 24/05/2014 - 13:16

    Macbook Air has exceptional battery life compared to most other notebooks/ultrabooks

  • anna10 on 25/05/2014 - 21:17

    Is it a good idea to buy say a macbook in the US?

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