The one advantage that these computers have is speed.  Except that about any mainstream laptop can be upgraded to a SSD, and put that SSD with the hardware those laptops have, it completely blows these ultrabooks out of the water. Plus, a lot can be upgraded to 512GB, which is DOUBLE the capacity of any ultrabook out there.  And if you have enough money, some can be upgraded to 1024GB (a sony 13 inch laptop can be upgraded to that much storage SSD).

Matter of fact, this particular laptop can be upgraded to a 2.8GHz i7, 8GB memory, 1GB graphics memory, Blu-ray burner, 1024GB SSD storage capacity, 1600×900 (maybe no 1080p display?), has between 6 to 8 hour battery life.  And this all comes in a laptop that weighs 3.8 lbs.

Yes, slightly heavier and thicker than an Ultrabook (and MBA) but completely slaughters all of them.  Yes, it costs an arm and a leg, but thats the maxed out one.  But they start at $1000 and you can build it however you like.

Oh, 15 inch version (has 1920x1080p display) comes in at 4.4 pounds with exact same specs.

It comes down to: There is no point.  Especially when you can get a laptop that is just a little bit heavier and thicker that can completely slaughter the device.  And depending on how you have it configured, can be (a lot) cheaper than your ultrabook.

Nothing to do with portability, the instant on of flash storage, the fact that no-one really needs the processing power of a desktop, or the cutting edge design.

Somehow Apple have managed to convince a large chunk of the world that they need to buy a whole new class of computer just so they can quickly scoot off down to Starbucks for all to see…

And they’ve been so successful at doing it that there’s now a whole bunch of people rushing to build copycat computers so that others can run round the coffee houses too.

Maybe they should hold regular coffee shop catwalks. But if the MBA is the resident supermodel does that make all the others the dumpy friend that no-one likes?

Equally though, 

The fact that there are still some who try to laboriously convince everyone how its only the
supposedly ‘clever’ people who buy cheap fugly low-spec dog machines, because the only people buying the better spec’d, stylish, and class leading macs are ones that  have all somehow been conned. 

An analysis that is both amusing yet inherently depressing.

While being thinner does give a little more room to fit other things in your bag.  Small 11.6″ models like the smaller MBA have even been carried in large jacket pockets like some SCOTTEVEST jackets provides.This of course doesn’t apply to everyone but does indicate there is a market for it even if it doesn’t fit your needs.While the price trade off will diminish over time.  Many of these companies have never made a Ultra Thin & Light laptop before and it takes time to set up the manufacturing, which means there is a initial investment and R&D costs but once that is covered then they can be more competitive with the pricing.

The idea of performance being compromised though is not accurate.  A SATA 6Gbps SSD is far faster than any hard drive and is a valid trade off for capacity.  While even a regular laptop will cost more with components like that being used.The ULV processors used in Ultrabooks are also still decent performers and you can still do things like video editing, running photoshop, etc.  They’re just not that good for gaming but that can change as discrete graphic options become available to Ultrabooks and Intel starts to introduce technology that allows higher performance when systems are plugged into AC power.

2013 is likely to be when things get interesting for Ultrabooks though, as that’s when Intel updates Ivy Bridge to Haswell.

Another problem is, people are more and more picking devices on flash and bang that practical or usability.  (And that’s where apple excels)

2GB memory/64GB storage capacity is way too little.  But I have known plenty of people who picked one up (mainly MBA’s) because it was cute.  About a month later they put it onto their shelf and it has been gathering dust since then.  It was because it was far to impractical (hardware) wise.

4GB memory/128GB storage capacity is better.  But you WILL have to watch your storage.  4GB memory/256GB storage capacity is probably the bare minium you want to go with.  except you’re looking at computers that would be no less than $1500.

Another thing is, battery life takes a hit and you will have to replace this computer far sooner than any other regular laptop.

The only reason why people around me bought a MBA was because it was “cute”, thin, light (compared to normal laptops, not the thin and light versions), sexy, and such.  Basically a flashy product to impress their friends.

And this is where the (other) ultrabook manufactures will struggle.  Nobody is buying a Dell, HP, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo to impress their friends.  They buy those to 1) get work done or 2) great value.  they are NOT buying those laptops to impress people.  But an Apple? completely the opposite.

What NEEDS to happen is, companies need to start making Lenovo Ideabook style computers. (no wedge shape laptops).  But allow for 1) regular CPU’s (including quad core and No ULV crap), 2) 8/16GB of memory (maybe even 32GB)  3) graphic cards (1/2GB would be nice) 4) regular harddrives (so 512SSD, 1TB platter)  5) useful ports galore and 6) 6 to 10 hour battery life.  DVD drive?  That can be dropped.  (maybe offer one with)

but I guess they know that …