“Slow” and “clunky” –– two words that typically come to mind when I think of a PC. The last time I used a non-Mac laptop I was living in a backwoods Texas town, and I was subjected to painfully slow dial-up Internet. Unjustly, I still associate that pesky dial-up Internet sound with PCs.
So when Intel knocked at my door to unveil its latest tech innovation, I swept my MacBook under my couch and skeptically let them in.
As you can see in our video, I was shocked the moment I realized that the big, black faux laptop held the Intel-inspired Ultrabook inside. Clearly, this new laptop is more MacBook Air than recycled parts. The Ultrabook’s sexy frame stands less than an inch thick. And after moments of tinkering around, I discovered its Intel guts are speedy; its overall performance, sound. Without a doubt, this breakthrough is a win for PCs.
The Ultrabook offers everything you’d need to file it under the legit category. With probable four-hour battery life, you can stray far from any power hub. The laptop’s screen resolution looks shockingly clear. (I find myself browsing photos slightly longer.) It also loads pages super fast and turns itself on and off quicker than most devices you’ll find.
Yet the Ultrabook’s real competitiveness lies in its smaller details. The laptop provides a two-finger scrolling option, so you don’t have to click incessantly to move down a page. You can put it to “sleep” by closing its screen. And it comes equipped with a video camera for Skyping, Chat-Rouletting, or publishing self-made cat films. While Mac users may be familiar with these options, this is new stuff for PCs.
I should mention that the track pad takes getting used to. I would liken its sensitivity to test-driving a sports car after you trade in a diesel truck. If you scroll too quick, you might find yourself jumping across a page. Though I got over this after my second day as an Ultrabook owner. Other points of interest: it weighs next to nothing, makes little or no noise, and is small enough to fit in a weekend travel bag or oversized purse.
Personally, I use the Ultrabook for recreational reasons. It’s so light, I prefer it to my MacBook for beanbag-inspired laptop lounging or typing in bed. Its volume level is also louder than my Mac, so I like it better for iTunes and Spotify listening. Honestly, my time with the Ultrabook has genuinely changed my perception of PCs.
Will my new love for the Ultrabook prompt me to sell my MacBook? No. (I paid good money for it, and the resale would be tragic.) Yet I do find myself reaching more for the Ultrabook over Mac when it comes to tucking a laptop under my arm en route for Starbucks. I am not joking when I say this may be the best PC laptop ever made. Now, if Microsoft can just do something about that Internet Explorer. (Thank god for Google Chrome.)