I have been in the market for a new laptop for a little while. Between delays and the holidays, it came to be 2012 with no new laptop. Then I wanted to wait for the CES so I could see what be coming onto the market and now I wonder if it is worth it to wait until mid-2012 to get a new laptop that comes with Windows 8 and an Intel IvyBridge processor. From all the CES coverage out there, these are the devices that caught my eye.
Lenovo T430u
Ultrabooks are thin, have long battery life, and are light weight. Getting a laptop with this form factor and the ThinkPad name on it is pretty enticing. The ports offered and access to the hardware (many ultrabooks are riveted closed) also allows the T430u to be more versatile. I would go with a solid state drive and I think this would be a great work laptop.
Lenovo Yoga
Lenovo’s Yoga model is very impressive in the flexible and versatile category. This will definitely be interesting to see when it is released. The multitouch monitor when you flip it around to tablet mode seems like it will be a great experience with Windows 8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz2R9y9ZvkA
HP Spectre
HP tried to leak a video of the Spectre to try to build hype but I don’t think it worked. The leak video didn’t show anything and there was so much coming out ahead of CES, it was masked by the rest of the noise. Basically, the Spectre is a heavier ultrabook that is decked out with a ridiculous amount of Cornell’s GorillaGlass.
HP Folio 13
HP has another ultrabook in the Folio 13. It seems a bit more attractive than the Spectre though I am disappointed that it only offers a Core i5 processor for both its personal and business version of the laptop.
Dell XPS 13
If you’re a Dell fan, they too have an ultrabook available. I’m not, but it’s good to see that Dell can keep up the standards.
To be honest, only the Lenovo Yoga and T430u really caught my eye as something I might buy. If I decide I can’t wait I might buy the Lenovo U300s, Lenovo’s IdeaPad ultrabook though it comes at a higher price than others. I am thinking I will wait for the T430u and Windows 8 until I make my next purchase but that it 7 months away assuming there are no delays.