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I'm getting past due for a new laptop. My needs aren't too demanding, but I do seek the following:

good screen resolution - must be greater than the 1280x800 of my current lappy
must be Ivy Bridge with HD 4000 graphics, but discrete GPU is not necessary
128 GB SSD
at least 4 GB RAM
chassis design matters
decent keyboard
centered track pad
no number pad

So, in other words, I'm essentially looking for the PC equiv of a Mac Air. And I'd not be opposed to putting Windows on a Mac Air provided that doesn't involve any significant issues.

Asus seems to be the only ones doing* what you want in teh Zenbooks: http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-Prime-UX3 ... B00863L2PK

Ivy bridge i5/i7, 128GB or 256GB SSD, 1080p display, centered track pad. No comment on display quality because I haven't seen one in person, but otherwise looks like exactly what you want.

Also, it's easy to install Windows on a Mac assuming you have created a USB drive using MS's utility on another PC. Hold the Option key as you press power and then boot from it the first time. Installs just like a PC otherwise. Then after that, install the Boot Camp drivers and stuff which should be on the flash drive Apple provides with Lion.

*edit: Samsung Series 5 and a whole host of others are close, but only have 1366x768 displays, which is completely stupid.

A Dell XPS 14z seems close.

But due to resolution, maybe just an XPS 14. Like that other thread where the guy was looking at that model.

That Zenbook Prime just might have me at hello.

The Samsung Series 9 is supposed to be similar in build quality, but it takes a lot of money to upgrade it to parity with even the $999 ZBP. When I got to play with one for a while, I thought the Dell XPS 13 was also very nice, but it's limited to 1366*768. When I upgrade my laptop, the Zenbook Prime is on the top of my list.

I liked the display quite well. It's probably worth swinging by Microcenter to check it out for yourself.

+1 for the Zenbook Prime. It checks all the right boxes. (review)

Vizio has there version of an Ultrabook out but it's a 14" screen with a 1600 × 900. They also don't come with any bloat ware.

derFunkenstein wrote:

No comment on display quality because I haven't seen one in person.

My Asus Zenbook UX32VD has a gorgeous 1920x1080 IPS LCD display.

http://www.newegg.com/ultrabooks

The X1 Carbon will be out by the end of the month. I'm not sure if you want an Air clone, but this has an excellent keyboard and touchpad, and very good build quality. It's pricier, though, and NBR reports that it gets quite warm. The T430u will be out around the same time, at a lower price point.

Read about the Zenbook Prime's keyboard before you bite on that one.