Recommendations for ultrabook

[relaxcatdog]

Intend to get an ultrabook soon. Normal usage of surfing internet, watching videos (quite often), casual gaming etc. Budget is $1500. Any suggestions of brand and model? Should i get one with QHD screen or FHD screen is sufficient? I read that QHD resolution uses more power and thus drains battery faster. Any other disadvantage?
Tks.

 

[amazingone]

Lenovo Ideapad 710S and Asus Zenbook UX330 are possible choices~

Sent from an Xperia using GAGT

 

[BirdbrainZ]

Should i get one with QHD screen or FHD screen is sufficient?

If you are eyeing 13"ers, I recommend going for FHD.

I read that QHD resolution uses more power and thus drains battery faster.

Yes, that is true. A FHD is more energy efficient compared to a QHD.

Any other disadvantage?

Wasted on 14"ers and smaller. I'm not entirely sure about 15"ers and above.

 

[jeffrey745]

Lenovo Ideapad 710S and Asus Zenbook UX330 are possible choices~

Sent from an Xperia using GAGT

Is lenovo reliability gd??

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

Is lenovo reliability gd??

really depends. if thinkpad model still ok. but their value model, just hope nothing happens

anyway i did still think if can google for reviews on the model.

 

[relaxcatdog]

I was told that the text for some applications can be small if using a QHD screen. Can anyone confirm this and share your experience? Is it very uncomfortable and can it be rectified by changing the screen setting? My IT knowledge is not very good. I went to check the asus ux 330 with FHD but this model does not hve the colour I want. Might be forced to take the QHD model. But I want to know the pros and cons of QHD screen first as i hve not owned one before.

 

[watzup_ken]

For screen size vs resolution, it is best to go down and check it out yourself. You need to be comfortable with it. Font wise is not a problem because Windows can allow you to scale it bigger, i.e. increase the scaling to 150%. For watching movie, I actually don't see much benefit getting QHD since most streaming sites or videos playback at 1080p. Gaming wise, the integrated graphics may not keep up with the extra pixels to render.

 

[blurnard]

I was told that the text for some applications can be small if using a QHD screen. Can anyone confirm this and share your experience? Is it very uncomfortable and can it be rectified by changing the screen setting? My IT knowledge is not very good. I went to check the asus ux 330 with FHD but this model does not hve the colour I want. Might be forced to take the QHD model. But I want to know the pros and cons of QHD screen first as i hve not owned one before.

Only certain pop ups..the text is barely legible....otherwise..office applications and regular web surfing not an issue.

 

[Intrinion]

This.
You can scale it up. Though price wise, a QHD display is definitely much more expensive than say a FHD (1920 x 1080) so here's some food for thought

For screen size vs resolution, it is best to go down and check it out yourself. You need to be comfortable with it. Font wise is not a problem because Windows can allow you to scale it bigger, i.e. increase the scaling to 150%. For watching movie, I actually don't see much benefit getting QHD since most streaming sites or videos playback at 1080p. Gaming wise, the integrated graphics may not keep up with the extra pixels to render.

 

[relaxcatdog]

Tks for all the feedback given. I hve finally bought asus ux330.

 

[yusoffb01]

you shouldnt have bought Asus. their laptop qc quite bad. Most people who bought the ux 303 (earlier model) complain it dies within 1 year.

For those that died within the year, good luck dealing with the repair centre. Hope you didnt spend too much

 

[relaxcatdog]

Tks for your concern. This is my 3rd asus laptop and I have been using the first 2 asus laptops for a few yrs now. Just hope that my asus ux 330 zenbook is not a lemon. I chose it bcos the reviews from various sources seem to be good and it is within my budget. I actually prefer dell xps 13 but i did not want to spend beyond my budget.

 

[relaxcatdog]

I hve bought 2 zenbooks in the past and am quite satisfied with the quality. Am buying this asus ux 330 zenbook for my overseas relative who wants an ultrabook. This zenbook is rated as one of the best value ultrabooks and thus i chose it since the specs are good and it is within my budget. Just hope that it can last for a few yrs. Bought it at an electronic store which is having a promotion with asus notebooks.

 

[qifatt]

I have confidence on asus product and service center. My zenbook last me four years. Only repaired once. Only thing I feel I was wrong is I bought from the so called flagship shop in sim lim sq. Don't know want lemon set they give me, send to service center after one month. They changed the display panel and motherboard. Then it last till now without any problem.

 

[MoneyHoney]

you shouldnt have bought Asus. their laptop qc quite bad. Most people who bought the ux 303 (earlier model) complain it dies within 1 year.

For those that died within the year, good luck dealing with the repair centre. Hope you didnt spend too much

well... Dell XPS 13/15 all cost a bomb compared to Lenovo/Asus/HP.

How's HP Envy series? its price is comparable to Asus...

 

[relaxcatdog]

I did consider hp spectre which is an ultrabook but did not choose it bcos battery life is not as good as asus zenbook according to reviews. Did not check on the price as a result. Not sure abt hp envy. Yeah, entry level dell xps 13 is already abt $1700 excluding the cost to buy anti-virus and ms office software.

 

[az________]

how about the swift 7 which i saw the "thinnest" notebook. not worth??

 

[xXxJavierxXx]

you shouldnt have bought Asus. their laptop qc quite bad. Most people who bought the ux 303 (earlier model) complain it dies within 1 year.

For those that died within the year, good luck dealing with the repair centre. Hope you didnt spend too much

I bought a zenbook ux21 back in 2012. It's going strong up till now. Occasion lag while surfing new due to the limited storage. I'm quite amazed that asus laptop is that durable.

 

[natas]

I bought a zenbook ux21 back in 2012. It's going strong up till now. Occasion lag while surfing new due to the limited storage. I'm quite amazed that asus laptop is that durable.

Bought this UX21 when it first launched... other than the battery having problem, the rest still working fine. Just got another new laptop and took out the UX21 SSD for external storage.