Arriving at the electronics store, the buyer can get confused in a wide variety of laptop computers, of which there are a huge number of varieties. In addition to all well-known laptops, sellers offer to purchase netbooks and ultrabooks. The latter are less popular due to the relative unknown among users. Before buying a laptop computer, it is better to understand what a laptop and an ultrabook are similar to, and what is the difference between them.
A bit about the history of the appearance of ultrabooks
As a separate class of personal computers, ultrabooks appeared on the market in 2011. The first company to introduce a thin, lightweight, mobile laptop is Intel. In addition, the manufacturer immediately patented this name, which allows the use of the term "ultrabook" only by Intel. Many experts note that a similar mobile personal computer was announced by Apple back in 2008.
Ultrabooks can be called Zenbook, ultra-PC, thin laptop
The debate about whose invention is this class of technology has not subsided for several years. This niche has a wide range of products from various manufacturers. Devices from different companies have the names: “notebook”, “Zenbook”, of course, “Ultrabook” and so on.
What is the difference between an ultrabook and a laptop - what is the main difference
Ultrabooks have a lot of differences from standard portable computers, although it seems that they look similar. Ultrabooks have a number of significant features:
- Small dimensions, small thickness and minimal weight.
- Small amount of RAM and weaker specifications.
- Built-in battery with enough power.
- All hardware components are built-in.
- An SSD or hybrid drive is used.
- Higher price.
- Design, combination with various functionalities - for example, a touch screen.
It is the dimensions and design that manufacturers emphasize in the production of ultrabooks, to the detriment of productivity. But in travel and at various business meetings, these devices are unrivaled. All differences are compensated by the price - if you can buy an ultrabook with powerful characteristics, then it will not have any shortcomings in front of the laptop.
Dimensions
Ultrabook thinner than netbook and laptop
The main feature of ultrabooks is the dimensions of this computer. Regardless of the manufacturers, the thickness of these devices is small - 15 mm.
A laptop, in turn, cannot exceed a value of 25 mm.
Attention! The standard diagonal of ultrabooks is considered to be a screen up to 14 inches (in rare cases, 17-19).
Weight
Due to its small size and less impressive hardware filling, ultrabooks are several times lighter than laptops - up to 1.5 kg. Many decide to choose this ultralight device precisely for this characteristic - an ultrabook can easily be carried in a handbag or school bag.
Hardware stuffing
Due to the small size, the manufacturer cannot install a functional cooling system inside the ultrabook, so installing a powerful processor and video card in it is impossible. But many modern models bypass the characteristics of inexpensive laptops and netbooks, using special chips and innovative technologies.
The personal computer must have the characteristics according to user requests
Usually, ultrabooks do not have more than 4Gb of RAM, SSD drives are more often used up to 320Gb, processors from Intel. Despite the low hardware characteristics, the filling is quite impressive - only high-quality components are used in these devices.
Accumulator battery
Since the ultrabook device uses modern chips and weaker graphics cards, processors and other components, its power consumption is much lower. For this reason, the device does not need a powerful battery. Despite the low battery capacity, the duration of these laptop computers is of similar importance.
Important! The main advantage and difference between a laptop and an ultrabook is a removable battery.
Cost
Due to the differences, the price of these devices has different meanings: a laptop with similar characteristics will cost half as much as an ultrabook. This is due to the features of the device of a thin computer, its internal hardware structure and the cost of light and small components. The high cost of an ultrabook is formed due to the following factors:
- The SSD used is more expensive than a standard laptop hard drive.
- Unlike a conventional laptop computer, whose case is made of plastic, ultrabooks use high-strength and lightweight aluminum, which costs more than plastic.
- There is no way to install a standard cooling system, as it is massive and requires more space, therefore, innovative cooling systems are mounted.
- Image and style - an ultra-thin aluminum computer is more beautiful than usual, on which manufacturers also make a separate emphasis.
But some companies set the price for their ultrabooks less than for laptops, for example, Intel, whose computers belong to the business category.
If market values are given, ultrabooks have a price of 15 to 200 thousand rubles, the average in stores is about 60 thousand rubles. The cheapest - Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 2 Pro (13 thousand rubles). And the most expensive is ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 UX580GD (200 thousand rubles).
Laptops have an average cost of 25,000 rubles, the minimum value is 9 thousand (Irbis Atom x5). The maximum is 400 thousand (laptops of the MSI WT75 8SM line). There are differences, but rather in the spread of value.
Advantages of a laptop and ultrabooks
The main thing is weight and thickness. But they also highlight the very high efficiency of ultrabooks. Despite the low hardware characteristics, high-speed components and innovative technologies allow these devices to work faster than ordinary laptops.
Dimensions - weapons in the struggle of two competitors
This device is suitable for travelers, freelancers and businessmen. The laptop is suitable exclusively for home use. This is due to the massiveness of the latter and their great weight.
Of the advantages, unique design solutions are also distinguished, which manufacturers perfectly embody in their ultrabooks. This allows them to compete with a giant like Apple. In addition, the latest devices are equipped with touch screens - which gives additional functionality to this type of computer.
Disadvantages of laptops and ultrabooks
Everyone has their drawbacks and advantages, because for different purposes, different devices
The disadvantage is the high price. An ultrabook will cost 2-4 times more than a laptop with the same hardware specifications!
This is due to factors in which these devices differ. Of the minuses, you can also highlight the impossibility of replacing components - they are all built-in.
If the buyer is not confused by the price and it is possible to take an ultrabook with good characteristics - it is better to buy it. It looks more attractive, has efficient and fast hardware components, has high-speed performance and uses innovative technologies. And, most importantly, it is thin and light, which means it is convenient to use.
