The best affordable 13"Ultrabook with an i5-3210m and NVIDIA (GT 630+) graphics?

runswithascript

On recently surveying the form factor of a Lenovo laptop @ €632 delivered with great specifications and a 15.6" display and deciding it is just too clunky and cumbersome I am now looking for an affordable Ultrabook with an Intel Core i5-3210m and dedicated NVIDIA graphics (GT 630+).

My current budget is around €800 but I will go as high as €900 if it is cost effective.

The best I have found so far @ €802 from Amazon is the Asus Zenbook U32VJ 13.3-inch Ultrabook (Aluminium) - (Intel Core i5 3210M 2.5GHz Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, No ODD, WLAN, BT, Webcam, Nvidia GT 635M, Windows 8)

It has a HDD which will make it slightly heavier than some other Ultrabooks, but I could always swap it out for an SSD for under €100 if it ends up bothering me.

Do you know of any better 13" Ultrabooks with a minimum Intel Core i5-3210m and minimum dedicated NVIDIA GT 630 graphics under €900?

Is there any sign of a new better Ultrabooks just around the corner that would suit my price range and needs that I should wait for, and where is a good place to check this?

I know Asus are to release a new line Zenbooks Touch, but they do not seem to come with dedicated graphics.

freestyla

There you got a winner.

Of course you can always wait few months and there will be better one :eek:

Torqay

dusf wrote: »

Do you know of any better 13" Ultrabooks with a minimum Intel Core i5-3210m and minimum dedicated NVIDIA GT 630 graphics under €900?

Even the entry level Core i7 Ultrabook CPU (3517U) is slower than the Core i5 3210M.





You want better, you'll need at least a Core i7 3667U. Not a snowball's chance in hell to get one for 900 yoyos.

Torqay

Gigaybte made a nice Ultrabook with a Core i5 3210M, an even better graphics card (GT 640M) and backlit keyboard, Amazon is selling it for $1,149 or €887 (the Core i7 ULV version costs 100 dollar more). Of course by the time it arrives in Europe, it will be way beyond your budget target and it's got a 14" display.

runswithascript

freestyla wrote: »

There you got a winner.

Of course you can always wait few months and there will be better one :eek:

Nice

I think I've waited quite long enough, and I think it was Torqay that told me, and I'm paraphrasing here; 'if you are waiting for better technology to come out before you buy you will be forever waiting'.

Torqay wrote: »

Even the entry level Core i7 Ultrabook CPU (3517U) is slower than the Core i5 3210M.





You want better, you'll need at least a Core i7 3667U. Not a snowball's chance in hell to get one for 900 yoyos.

Thanks, that will make the purchase all the sweeter!

Are you employed selling laptops? You seem to know a lot about them!

Torqay wrote: »

Gigaybte made a nice Ultrabook with a Core i5 3210M, an even better graphics card (GT 640M) and backlit keyboard, Amazon is selling it for $1,149 or €887 (the Core i7 ULV version costs 100 dollar more). Of course by the time it arrives in Europe, it will be way beyond your budget target and it's got a 14" display.

Cool, but even if it was the same price, since I'm paying a premium for the laptop to be subnotebook size I want it what I see as the perfect subnotebook size, 13.x"

I won't be ordering til next Friday so if anyone else would like to comment please do. I just hope there are some left!

Some questions people have been pondering on Notebookreview:

Does it uses the Zenbook chassis series? (as it appears on photos) or it is the bulky plastic as can be found on U32u or U32vd?

It looks like all the Zenbooks I have ever seen, and I doubt they would show misleading pictures.

Regarding the panel... I think only the high end Zenbooks with a resolution above HD, are treated with IPS panel. I think the UX32VD with the low HD panel, is not an IPS...

I am not sure exactly what the difference between IPS and TN is, I will get on the Google machine later, but apparently the former is better and Amazon do list it as such.

"Keep the fun going - in addition to the full HD wide-view and anti-glare IPS panel, Zenbook upgrades your video chats with an HD camera, and boosts sound enjoyment through Bang & Olufsen ICEpower speakers" - Amazon.

But one thing that is strange to me is that the price of asus zenbook ux32a(windows 7 and does not have Nvidia GeForce) is £699.99 on amazon as compared ASUS U32VJ (£646.61) which runs windows 8 and has Nvidia GeForce GTX635M. Features are added to asus U32VJ and price is reduced.??

PC World had a Zenbook in there store at the weekend of r €1200 if not €1299 that did not have a dedicated graphics card, though I think it had an i7-3xxxu which Torqay has clarified is slower than the i5-3210m.

The one on Amazon for that cheaper price dispatches in 1-3 months. I don't know if it's the reason for that cheap price. But I'm unsure why it would take 1-3 months either.

He's referring to the same Zenbook I want and that was posted October 29. Amazon now list delivery at a few days. Would this suggested this has just been released? I'd rest easier knowing that as it would indicate they will still be in stock next Friday!

I'm doubting more and more as each day goes that it's FHD and IPS (IPS btw is to do with viewing angles for Samukami)

It says in the same thread it's not 1920 × 1080

Some have already ordered and are going to confirm if it has a backlit keyboard or not.

Full specs in a mail someone received after querying Amazon:

Processor: Intel Core i5 3210M 2.5 GHz
OS: Windows 8 64 bit
Display: 13.3 inch LED-backlit slim TFT LCD 1366x768
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 635M
Graphics Memory: 2 Gb DDR3 VRAM
HDD: 500 Gb HDD
Memory: 4 Gb DDR3 1600 MHz
Wireless: 802.11 BGN (WIDI)
Webcam: HD web camera
Bluetooth: Bluetooth v4.0
Battery: 8 Cell, Li-Ion
Warranty: 2 year global
Interface: Headphone-out/Audio-in combo, 3x USB 3.0, HDMI, Mini VGA, SD card reader
Audio: Built-in speaker, built-in microphone, Bang & Olufsen ICEpower, Sonic Master
LED Status Indicator: HDD, Power-on/Suspend, Capital Lock, Wireless status, Bluetooth status
Software: Asus SmartLogon, Asus Life Frame III, Virtual Camera, Asus Live Update, Power4Gear Hybrid, GamePark Console (JPN image not installed), Asus WebStorage, Asus Wireless Console, Windows Live (package and toolbar), eManual, E-Driver, Asus Super Hybrid Engine, Asus Video Magic, Asus Secure Delete, Asus Vibe, Asus AIRecovery, Asus Color Enhancement (Asus Splendid), Instant on, USB Charger+, Power Wiz, PWR Option/Power Key
Dimensions (WxDxH): 326 x 223 x 18-55 mm
Weight: 1.45 Kg

- Main Memory:

Standard 2G, 4G 1600 MHz DDRIII SDRAM; 2 x SODIMM slots support
Maximum Upgradeable to 8G maximum
1600-2G 03A02-00030200 DDR3 1600 SO-DIM 2GB 204P HYNIX/HMT325S6CFR8C-PB
03A02-00030400 DDRIII 1600 SO-DIM 2GB 204P ASINT/SSZ302G08-GGNED
1600-4G 03A02-00020400 DDR3 1600 SO-DIM 4GB 204P HYNIX/HMT351S6CFR8C-PB
03A02-00020500 DDR3 1600 SO-DIMM 4GB 204P ELPIDA/EBJ40UG8BBU0-GN-F

Torqay

dusf wrote: »

Thanks, that will make the purchase all the sweeter!

Remember, the 3210M is no ULV processor... but then, since it has a GT 635M, the battery life is down the cr@pper anyway.

dusf wrote: »

Are you employed selling laptops? You seem to know a lot about them!

No.

dusf wrote: »

since I'm paying a premium for the laptop to be subnotebook size

Since you're so obsessed with processing and graphics power in a subnotebook, why not get the "real deal"? The " rel="nofollow">Inferno with a quad Core i7 3632, GT 650M, 8 GB RAM, 120 GB SSD could be yours for 875 yoyos (£701).

The GT 650M is ~ 40% faster than the GT 635M (3DMark Vantage) and the CPU is in a very different league.

aperture_nuig

Ive just bought that Asus, so I'll let you know in a few days if you can wait

runswithascript

Torqay wrote: »

Since you're so obsessed with processing and graphics power in a subnotebook, why not get the "real deal"? The " rel="nofollow">Inferno with a quad Core i7 3632, GT 650M, 8 GB RAM, 120 GB SSD could be yours for 875 yoyos (£701).

The GT 650M is ~ 40% faster than the GT 635M (3DMark Vantage) and the CPU is in a very different league.

I'm not obsessed my processing and graphics power, I would just like to get the best I can for my money and in a form factor I like - and from a reputable manufacturer.

11.6" is too small.

aperture_nuig wrote: »

Ive just bought that Asus, so I'll let you know in a few days if you can wait

I'm sorry to have to tell you this but someone has just received their order of that laptop from Amazon on another forum and it is not the one in the pictures and they allege it's 2kg in weight at least!

Looks like U32VM but with Windows 8 and different Graphics Card...

ASUS - Notebooks- ASUS U32VM

Alanstrainor

That make a lot of sense. I couldn't believe that laptop when I saw it. It looked exactly like the UX32a I just bought, but with a pretty heavy duty gpu. The battery life on the ux32 is poor as is, so that'd just be ridiculous. Cancel the order I reckon/.

aperture_nuig

heh way ahead of ye lads, I was following that thread too and cancelled the order straight away,knew it was too good. gonna go for the ux32a @ £700 I reckon.

runswithascript

aperture_nuig wrote: »

heh way ahead of ye lads, I was following that thread too and cancelled the order straight away,knew it was too good. gonna go for the ux32a @ £700 I reckon.

Glad to hear you read about it so you could make up your mind. Let me know what you go with instead please.

That said, I'd be interested to learn how much the UX32VJ delivered from Amazon weighs all the same.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

That make a lot of sense. I couldn't believe that laptop when I saw it. It looked exactly like the UX32a I just bought, but with a pretty heavy duty gpu. The battery life on the ux32 is poor as is, so that'd just be ridiculous. Cancel the order I reckon/.

I was thinking of maybe the Asus UX32A Zenbook 13.3-inch Laptop (Silver) - (Intel Core i5 3317 2.6GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, WLAN, Webcam, BT, Integrated Graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit).

Do you regret buying it?

Alanstrainor

I don't regret buying it, no. It's a lovely machine, but the battery life leaves a lot to be desired being honest, bank on 5 hours I reckon, which although not too bad, is not all that great for an ultra portable machine.

It's a nice machine, quick, responsive, touchpad is lovely, screen is average but fine. And it looks cool.:D

7/10 is what it gets from me, losing points for the battery life, lack of proper SSD and the damn thing scratches easy! I suppose that's a trade off with Metal/Alu cases.

runswithascript

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I don't regret buying it, no. It's a lovely machine, but the battery life leaves a lot to be desired being honest, bank on 5 hours I reckon, which although not too bad, is not all that great for an ultra portable machine.

It's a nice machine, quick, responsive, touchpad is lovely, screen is average but fine. And it looks cool.:D

7/10 is what it gets from me, losing points for the battery life, lack of proper SSD and the damn thing scratches easy! I suppose that's a trade off with Metal/Alu cases.

Thanks for the information and it's certainly a beautiful machine.

If I am going to opt for Intel HD 4000 graphics, which may be the more sensible option considering the form factor, this is nice:

Toshiba Satellite Z930 - 13N 13.3-inch Ultrabook (Intel Core i5 - 3317U 1.7/2.6GHz, 6GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Windows 8, Bluetooth)

It's not as good looking as the Zenbook, but it looks great all the same and I wouldn't have to manually install an SSD. I held it and a Zenbook with a HDD and the difference really is noticeable when you get to something this small.

That said, the price of having either with an SSD is the same so far as I am waiting for an Amazon Price.

runswithascript

Toshiba unboxing, skip to about 2 minutes in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOUNblbPL04

1.1kg.

Alanstrainor

My Dad actually has the Z830 which is a very similar ultrabook to the 930, and I prefer the Asus, the case on the toshiba seems flmisy. That being said, it has better ports than the Asus, as the Asus lacks an ethernet port.

Both definitely good machines however.

geecee

Keyboard on the Toshiba Z830/930 is awful

The machine is so thin that there is no travel on the key presses at all or any sort of tactile feedback....

When i use my work Z830 every 4-5th character is missing!!

runswithascript

Alanstrainor wrote: »

That being said, it has better ports than the Asus, as the Asus lacks an ethernet port.

And an SSD! Though like I said, for the money saved on the Zenbook one could install an SSD manually.

geecee wrote: »

Keyboard on the Toshiba Z830/930 is awful

The machine is so thin that there is no travel on the key presses at all or any sort of tactile feedback....

When i use my work Z830 every 4-5th character is missing!!

It being thin is a plus for me, but not if it causes problems typing; so I will have to try it at PC World!

Overheal

Lenovo is king of keyboards.

runswithascript

Overheal wrote: »

Lenovo is king of keyboards.

Lenovo's cheapest third generation i5 offering.

Lenovo Ideapad U310 13.3 inch Ultrabook - Cherry (Intel Core i5 3317U 2.6Ghz, 4Gb RAM, 500Gb HDD + 32Gb SSD, LAN, WLAN, BT, Webcam, Integrated Graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit) 1.7kg @ €786.

Alanstrainor

dusf wrote: »

Lenovo's cheapest third generation i5 offering.

Lenovo Ideapad U310 13.3 inch Ultrabook - Cherry (Intel Core i5 3317U 2.6Ghz, 4Gb RAM, 500Gb HDD + 32Gb SSD, LAN, WLAN, BT, Webcam, Integrated Graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit) 1.7kg @ €786.

You forgot the URL

runswithascript

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You forgot the URL

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lenovo-Ideapad-U310-13-3-Ultrabook/dp/B008AVCANQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1352056560&sr=1-4

My bad

Though at this price I want to like how the machine looks and I wouldn't be too big on cherry.

Lighter

I bought a toshiba r705 from the states about 2 years ago but unfortunately left it on a night bus. Did months of researching before I bought the thing and was extremely happy with it. Although the fan was loud and the keyboard and screen were below par.

So I had to buy a new laptop and rushed the decision a bit. Got a lenovo u410, its a decent laptop but the battery life is terrible and people are having great difficulties with installing windows 8. Also I have to say the keyboard is a bit flaky. But its handling everything I throw at it with relative ease.