Earlier this week Apple introduced updates to its complete pocket book lineup, bringing it updated with Ivy Bridge processors and some other goodies. Like them, many other computer producers had been showcasing new and up to date laptops over the past few days and weeks at trade activities like Computex as key companions consisting of Intel, AMD and Nvidia roll out their modern-day and best products.

Ultrabooks specifically obtained pretty a bit of attention, and we’re no longer surprised. Intel is putting lots of weight at the back of the concept and expects it to be the principle driving force of PC marketplace increase inside the short time period. Apple has already skilled a number of this with the MacBook Air, which has rapidly emerge as one of the excellent dealers inside the Mac lineup. Arguably it is the laptop to beat if you are looking into shopping for an ultrabook-styled transportable.

With all that in thoughts, we’re taking a couple of Wintel options to test how well they stack up next to the new 13-inch MacBook Air and possibly settle the antique debate approximately the so-referred to as “Apple Tax” — at least on this class, because there is no way a unmarried contrast may be representative of the complete Apple Tax argument.

Apple MacBook Air Asus Zenbook Prime Samsung Series 5
Price $1199 $1499 $1099 $1499 $800 $a thousand
Display thirteen.3" 1440 x 900 thirteen.3" 1600 x 900 13.three" 1920 x 1080 thirteen.3" 1366 x 768
CPU 1.8GHz Core i5-3427U 1.7GHz Core i5-3317U 1.9GHz Core i7 3517U 1.7GHz Core i5-3317U
Graphics Intel HD 4000 Intel HD 4000 Intel HD 4000
Storage 128GB SSD 256GB SSD 128GB SSD 256GB SSD 500GB HDD 128GB SSD
Memory 4GB 4GB 4GB
Ports Thunderbolt, two USB three.0, SD Two USB 3.zero, microHDMI, miniVGA, SD One USB 3.0, USB 2.zero, HDMI, SD
Dimensions 12.8 x eight.94 x 0.sixty eight 12.79 x 8.77 x 0.70 12.4 x 8.6 x 0.69
Weight ~2.96 pounds ~2.86 kilos ~three.28 kilos

If uncooked hardware specifications are all you care about it shouldn’t be a hard decision; your dollar will pass a bit in addition with Ultrabook alternatives from the likes of Asus and Samsung. For example, a $1,000 Samsung Series 5 will get you the equal amount of memory and storage, along a barely inferior processor than the MacBook Air for $two hundred much less, or pretty a whole lot the identical specs as the Zenbook Prime (minus the 1600 x 900 res) for $one hundred less. If you can accept an Ultrabook with HDD storage rather than SSD the Series 5 is a great deal at $800.

Port choice varies but now not enough to sway you one manner or every other in our opinion. Then if you need 256GB of flash garage the MacBook Air and Zenbook Prime are priced similarly, however Asus throws in an upgraded 1920 x 1080 decision show and a quicker Core i7 3517U chip for an universal higher deal.

Of course, there are some other concerns to preserve in thoughts when you look at the whole picture.

  • Keyboard and touchpad: These are each regions where Apple excels, and at the same time as Asus has stepped forward the typing revel in over its preceding model with a integrated backlight, touchpad gestures work inconsistently — probable a Windows aspect. The glass touchpad on the MacBook Air is clearly 2nd to none.

  • Display first-rate: All 3 options as compared right here are greater or less the equal on the subject of show exceptional on the base model, however the $1,499 Zenbook Prime truly is on every other league. Its screen is significantly brighter and has a pixel density of 165 PPI versus one hundred twenty five PPI on the Air.

  • SSD overall performance: We’ve yet to peer comparisons among the 2012 MacBook Air and the cutting-edge technology of Ultrabooks. That stated, considering the 2011 model was faster than the Zenbook Prime UX31A in document transfer assessments, we count on Apple to keep or boom that lead.

  • Battery existence: Apple quoted the same battery lifestyles spec for its 2012 MacBook Air as it did for the previous version. Going by means of that the Zenbook Prime ought to now be greater or much less on par with Apple’s system, because the latest UX31A version lasts 6 hours and 28 mins with a Core i7 processor in Laptopmag’s checks.

Final thoughts

So, is the “Apple Tax” actual or now not? When it comes to its base fashions Apple is highly in keeping with the opposition — or, instead, the opposition has caught up with some actual options to the MacBook Air.Apple wins in some respects and loses in others, but there isn’t lots of a fee distinction that may’t be justified through the first-rate of the components used. However, as soon as you begin cranking up the specs you spot that upgrades from Apple have a tendency to hold a bigger top rate than maximum of the opposition.

I didn’t contact on software program because that’s greater of a personal choice that will range on a case-with the aid of-case basis. Apple lovers swear by way of OS X and lots of them wouldn’t take into account switching to some thing else any greater than Windows customers would be willing to surrender their platform, despite the fact that that intended paying a bit more.