Quote:
Originally Posted by
BizzareRide 
With the Asus Zenbook, you get a 1600x900 resolution display, IPS, better performance, longer battery life, and USB 3.0 all for $100 less than a Macbook Air.
First of all, with the MBA, you get the
same performance (same CPU, same RAM), and
better battery life (both claim 7hrs, but overall OS X is much better at handling multi-tasking and sleep on battery) and all real life tests by reviewers show the MBA lasting
~30 more mins. There is a student discount that comes with the Air, and you also can get $100 worth of free programs if you buy it with back to school. Not to mention that OS X comes with superior stock programs; iLife + others > Windows Live Essentials.
You also get a better trackpad, capable of many more motions and actions. Also, you get a Thunderbolt which is far more versatile than a USB 3. Plus, I've seen a zenbook; its keyboard and trackpad are incredibly flimsy and unaware of motion. While the MBA's trackpad are much more fluid.
And finally, the display of the zenbook has a higher resolution but it's quality is worse (horrible contrast, white and black levels, viewing angle) and it is
too glossy.
And here is some proof for my statements, if you want more, don't hesitate to ask. Just know that MBA buyers are not all blind sheep. I bought my MBA for great reasons, and it is a very well priced and extremely competitive device.
Battery Life:
PC Mag - MBA:
6 hours and 20 minutes
PC Mag - ASUS UX31:
5 hours and 58 minutes
LCD Quality:
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Riou
The Air uses a slower CPU than Pro but has an unknown 64GB, 128GB SSD by default instead of a 500GB 5400rpm hard drive. Do Macs still have that ridiculous firmware SSD restriction that limits aftermarket SSD installation options?
The Air uses a Samsung SSD (246 MB/s write - 264 MB/s read). I believe you can install your own SSD if you want to.
Edited by born2bwild - 2/25/12 at 9:58am
