Any good ultrabooks?

Im going back to school this fall, and my laptop is in need of replacement. I'm not totally opposed to a mac book air, but I have Microsoft office for windows, and I have almost no experience with OSX. Any ultrabooks that come close to an Air, or should I just go with the Air even though I prefer windows?

COME ON COHAAGHEN, GET A MACBOOK EHYAAAIR!!!

Seriously, saying "I want an ultrabook but am opposed to a Macbook Air" is insanity. All you're gonna find is cheap knockoff's that don't have tha Air's durability due to its single-piece aircraft-grade Aluminum body. if you hate OS X that much, just Bootcamp Win 7.

@Keavy_Rain said:

COME ON COHAAGHEN, GET A MACBOOK EHYAAAIR!!!

Seriously, saying "I want an ultrabook but am opposed to a Macbook Air" is insanity. All you're gonna find is cheap knockoff's that don't have tha Air's durability due to its single-piece aircraft-grade Aluminum body. if you hate OS X that much, just Bootcamp Win 7.

Didnt say I was opposed to a Macbook Air or that I hate OSX, I just dont have any experience with it, and dont feel like paying over $100 for office again if there is a comparable ultrabook

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is supposed to be pretty good, though a bit pricey. ASUS just updated their ultrabook, the Zenbook Prime, and the updates to it are appreciated (1920x1080 screen, backlit keyboard)

ASUS Zenbook Prime Reviews

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/08/a-good-ultrabook-a-great-screen-the-asus-zenbook-prime-ux31a-review/

http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/5/3135319/asus-zenbook-prime-ux31a-review

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Reviews

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/08/a-worthy-ultrabook-appears-the-thinkpad-x1-carbon-reviewed/

http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/13/3232132/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-review

I'm waiting a bit to upgrade mine to either a Lenovo Yoga or a Surface Pro, depending on the reviews and price.

Running Windows on a Macbook will make the battery life take a big hit. Also, the biggest plus to owning a Mac laptop is the track pad. That too, does not work as well in Windows.

If you're going to get a laptop just for Windows, and want an Ultrabook, take a look at the Samsung Series 7/9. I had a change to use one for an extended period of time and liked it quite a bit.

The new Asus Zenbook reviewed very well. I haven't seen one in person, though. The circular aluminum pattern might be a bit distracting. But otherwise, I hear this revision is nice.

@Keavy_Rain said:

COME ON COHAAGHEN, GET A MACBOOK EHYAAAIR!!!

Seriously, saying "I want an ultrabook but am opposed to a Macbook Air" is insanity. All you're gonna find is cheap knockoff's that don't have tha Air's durability due to its single-piece aircraft-grade Aluminum body. if you hate OS X that much, just Bootcamp Win 7.

I'm using Win7 in Bootcamp right now. It feels like I'm on a $300 laptop I found in a bargain bin. The track pad in bootcamp'ed 7 is pure rubbish. My laptop is hot enough to cook lunch on it, and if I were to unplug the laptop from the wall, I'd get 2-3 hours of light use. Win7 in Parallels runs great, but once again, the battery takes a huge hit.

My Macbook reports 6-7 hours with the same usage, as does the Samsung that's in the office. The driver support just isn't where it should be and there's no real reason for Apple to fix it.

@Butano said:

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is supposed to be pretty good, though a bit pricey. ASUS just updated their ultrabook, the Zenbook Prime, and the updates to it are appreciated (1920x1080 screen, backlit keyboard)

ASUS Zenbook Prime Reviews

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/08/a-good-ultrabook-a-great-screen-the-asus-zenbook-prime-ux31a-review/

http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/5/3135319/asus-zenbook-prime-ux31a-review

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Reviews

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/08/a-worthy-ultrabook-appears-the-thinkpad-x1-carbon-reviewed/

http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/13/3232132/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-review

I'm waiting a bit to upgrade mine to either a Lenovo Yoga or a Surface Pro, depending on the reviews and price.

Thanks for the reviews. I've done some research, and I think its probably just best to go with the Air. Looking at the 13 inch, although its $200 more. Anyone know if its worth the difference for the higher battery life, extra screen space, slightly better processor, and bigger storage?

@acrimsonbullet: If you don't mind me asking, what do you need an ultra book for?

@Jams: School mostly. I just have an old crappy laptop, and really like the slim size of the ultrabooks/macbook air

@acrimsonbullet said:

@Keavy_Rain said:

COME ON COHAAGHEN, GET A MACBOOK EHYAAAIR!!!

Seriously, saying "I want an ultrabook but am opposed to a Macbook Air" is insanity. All you're gonna find is cheap knockoff's that don't have tha Air's durability due to its single-piece aircraft-grade Aluminum body. if you hate OS X that much, just Bootcamp Win 7.

Didnt say I was opposed to a Macbook Air or that I hate OSX, I just dont have any experience with it, and dont feel like paying over $100 for office again if there is a comparable ultrabook

There's no ultrabook comprable to the Macbook Air. Steve Jobs birthed that perfection from his mind and IT COST HIM HIS LIFE, SON!