Ultrabooks, the thin-and-light laptop class, from convertibles to clamshells.
In this final part of my Dell XPS 12 review, after covering unboxing, design, features, and functionality earlier, I share my experience actually using it. The big question is ultrabook versus tablet: given the choice, I had no clear favourite.
In this second part of my Dell XPS 12 review, after unboxing and design earlier, I cover its features and functionality. Starting with the ports, all sit on the right side, save for the headphone and microphone combo jack.
Having been seeded the Dell XPS 12 for a three-part review, I begin with unboxing and design. The XPS 12 was announced on 30th August 2012 at IFA, with the base model now retailing for S$1,828.
On 30th October 2012, Lenovo announced a new range of convertible devices designed for Windows 8. It calls them convertibles, not laptops, because they're more than ordinary notebooks. The IdeaPad Yoga 13 and Yoga 11 rotate their screens 360 degrees.
Before this HP Envy 4 review, note there are two quite different models. I'm reviewing the HP Envy 4 (1035TX), an Ultrabook, while the entry-level 1026TU is what HP calls a Sleekbook. The Envy 4 Ultrabook retails for S$1,299.
Last week, Dell announced the XPS 14 Ultrabook, a new member of the XPS Ultrabook family. It's already available in Singapore, starting at S$1,399. The XPS 14 is built from machined aluminium in silver, with a silicone base.
If you're shopping for a laptop this year, you've likely encountered the buzzword Intel Ultrabook. Though not new, having been announced at Computex 2011, it's gone mainstream as OEMs like Dell, HP, Samsung, Asus, and Acer churn out more models.