Nick Mavron
Cop26 reading. Cooking. Christmas Gift Ideas 2013: 252 brilliant presents and counting. Tiffin - Top cakes for a bake sale. Learning. Learning. Learning. Acer Aspire S3 review. We first clapped eyes on Acer’s Aspire S3 back at the IFA 2011 trade show in Berlin.
Given we’d already seen much of the competition, and been suitably impressed, Acer’s Ultrabook didn’t quite have the wow factor to match. Until, that is, Acer mentioned the price. At £676 inc VAT for the entry-level model here, the Aspire S3 is one of the cheapest Ultrabooks on the market, and since our time with those pre-production models, it looks as if Acer has been busy applying the spit and polish. It isn’t quite as stunning to look at as Asus’ Zenbooks, but the Aspire S3 is still a bit of a looker.
It’s pleasingly understated, with the chassis tapering to a curve around the edges of the brushed-metal lid, and matte silver spreading across the rest of the chassis. A quick scan through the Aspire S3’s specifications reveals exactly how Acer has squeezed so much into such a tiny budget. The lack of a large SSD doesn’t impair performance as much as you might expect. HP Pavilion Ultrabook, C1W55EA#ABU, HP Pavilion Ultrabook 14-b003SA. A new world of computing This HP laptop has the wonderful new Windows 8 operating system.
This ground-breaking system offers new features and functionality so you can enjoy even more from your computer. With a customisable start screen, cloud technology and seamless interaction you can have the benefit of complete user control for effortless work and play. The new system works around applications for a speedier, more reliable and secure user experience and has interactive tiles which update in real-time with what's important to you. Smarter, stronger, faster The stylish HP Pavilion 14" Ultrabook™ runs on a 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i3-3217U processor that promises great performance and stunning visuals.
Search the web, enjoy more entertainment and undertake any work load with a smooth, consistent and prompt performance. Complete connectivity With built-in wireless technology you can instantly connect to the internet and make the most of the superb Windows 8 operating system. Asus Zenbook UX32A 13.3-inch Ultrabook - (Intel Core i5 3317U 1.7GHz Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD No ODD, WLAN, BT, Webcam, Integrated Graphics, Windows 8) (Aluminium):Amazon:Computers. Ultrabooks.
A fancy name for thin but powerful laptops that took their cue from the MacBook Air. Not everyone could have one though as the prices would make most jaws drop. While still not cheap, devices of this price range now make owning an ultrabook more achievable; but to be honest it's perhaps best if such devices are left as millionaire's playthings so as to keep the quality. Though manufacturers obviously want to get the masses to part cash. Though I'm impressed with this Zenbook (a less spec'd version of its original sibling), it's clear that you're not getting a steal.
The documentation refers to an external Ethernet adaptor, but I'm sorry to say that, like with other reviewers, this still isn't in the box. In terms of weight and thinness it's very good. The backlit keyboard is a great idea and there's perfect travel on the keys. Battery life is great. If you really want an ultrabook, and particularly a Zenbook to have a bit of Steve Ballmer cool (is he cool?) Asus VivoBook S400CA 14-inch Touchscreen Laptop - Silver (Intel Core i5 3317U 1.7GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, LAN, WLAN, Webcam, BT, Integrated Graphics, Windows 8):Amazon:Computers.
Beware of the giraffes in your data. Marketers and analysts are always on the lookout for exciting new insights which can translate into action items and provide strategic advantage, but they often miss them.
They can even make the wrong decisions – because they fail to account for the “giraffe effect” in their data. Giraffes are what I call portions of data which dominate the rest of the data – and hide important insights. Sometimes they even lead to wrong conclusions. For example a gaming company client looking for the highest value customers thought the data said it should market to men, when women spent twice as much as those with a Y chromosome.
How could the data lie? The truth is, it didn’t. School timetable.
Find an inspection report. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done. BBC - Homepage.