The Verge - The ultrabooks of CES 2012https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52801/VER_Logomark_32x32..png2012-01-13T15:30:42-05:00http://www.theverge.com/rss/stream/24572312012-01-13T15:30:42-05:002012-01-13T15:30:42-05:00Toshiba Portege M930: a Windows 7 tablet with a keyboard and rotating screen (hands-on)
<figure>
<img alt="Gallery Photo: Toshiba Portege M930 hands-on pictures " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Vk5kt0DsJAygfrHLsZS_mSeb0oY=/0x0:1020x680/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/878481/Toshiba22.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gallery Photo: Toshiba Portege M930 hands-on pictures </figcaption>
</figure>
<p>You've been dying for an<a href="http://www.theverge.com/2011/10/1/2461061/asus-eee-pad-slider-review"> Asus Eee Pad Slider</a> running Windows 7, right? Hiding amongst the hoards of ultrabooks on display at the Microsoft booth at CES 2012, is your answer: the Toshiba Portege M930. Oddly, Toshiba hasn't announced this tablet / laptop hybrid and doesn't even have it on display at its booth, but the rotating tablet seems pretty far along, considering it has a real name and the unit on display was working quite well.</p>
<p>You'll want to check the video below for how the screen mechanism works, but it's one of the more well-designed hinges I've seen. You don't have to slide the screen over the keyboard which has been a worrisome feature of the Eee Pad Slider and even the Samsung Series 7 Slider (which actually never came out)....</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/13/2705350/toshiba-portege-m930-a-windows-7-tablet-with-a-keyboard-and-rotating">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/13/2705350/toshiba-portege-m930-a-windows-7-tablet-with-a-keyboard-and-rotatingJoanna Stern2012-01-12T17:55:23-05:002012-01-12T17:55:23-05:00The best ultrabooks of CES 2012
<figure>
<img alt="Best ultrabooks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YOKetbGYx-Af3TMhzwW1au_s2bg=/11x0:1009x665/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/875463/ultrabooks.jpg" />
<figcaption>Best ultrabooks</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>By my count, there have been more than 20 ultrabooks announced here at CES 2012. That's <i>a lot</i> of laptops, especially when you consider that most of them have the same attributes: thin cases, Core i5 processors, solid-state drives, chiclet keyboards and single-button touchpads. But one has to be the best right? One would think, but choosing just one ultrabook amongst all of them isn't really fair. Some are cheaper than others, some aren't coming until the end of the year, and some have put a strong focus on higher end features. Picking four of the best, on the other hand, is the way to go, and that's exactly what you will find below. Without further ado, the best ultrabooks of CES 2012:</p>
<p>
<br id="1326412722313"></p>
<h3>
<a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/9/2693067/samsung-series-9-pricing-release-date-pictures-video">Samsung Series 9</a>
</h3>
<p>The new 13-inch Series 9...</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/12/2702325/the-best-ultrabooks-of-ces-2012">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/12/2702325/the-best-ultrabooks-of-ces-2012Joanna Stern2012-01-11T13:59:40-05:002012-01-11T13:59:40-05:00LG Z330 and Z430 'Super Ultrabooks' (hands-on)
<figure>
<img alt="Gallery Photo: " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hVjEaheJynwfVJml9nusVK7fICY=/3x0:1017x676/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/871083/lg_ultrabooks2_1020.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gallery Photo: </figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We've just taken a look at LG's first ultrabooks, the <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/4/2683503/lg-super-ultrabook-x-note-z330-z430">recently-announced</a> 13.3-inch <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.theverge.com/products/z330/4283">Z330</a> and 14-inch <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.theverge.com/products/z430/4531">Z430</a>. LG is calling them "Super Ultrabooks" because they go "above and beyond" Intel's requirements. The two laptops are extremely similar — they're both made of aluminium, have (non-backlit) chiclet keyboards, and have thin bezels that let the company squeeze more screen real estate into a smaller frame.</p>
<p>The Z330 has a single USB 3.0 port on the left edge (alongside the power plug), and a USB 2.0 port, HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, and MicroSD card slot on the right edge. We weren't crazy about the particular aluminum finish on this ultrabook — it has a texture that makes it feel a bit like plastic and it makes the touchpad too "sticky."...</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/11/2699823/lg-z330-and-z430-super-ultrabooks-hands-on">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/11/2699823/lg-z330-and-z430-super-ultrabooks-hands-onDante D'Orazio2012-01-10T16:31:39-05:002012-01-10T16:31:39-05:00XPS 13: Dell launches its first ultrabook for $999 (hands-on pictures)
<figure>
<img alt="Gallery Photo: Dell XPS 13 ultrabook hands-on pictures " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SdOeKwYdEafQkrj39lJgaTrNLzY=/0x0:1020x680/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/852351/DellXPS13_7.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gallery Photo: Dell XPS 13 ultrabook hands-on pictures </figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Dell told us "thin and powerful is where it's at" when it <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/15/2639138/dell-quits-netbooks">threw its netbooks in the grave</a>, and it's living up to its word here at CES. It's no <a href="http://www.theverge.com/products/xps-adamo/487">Adamo XPS</a> in terms of design or thinness, but the XPS 13 ultrabook is definitely looking to fill that void in the company's line up. It might live along the other XPS models, but it's a much thinner and lighter option; similar to the <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2011/9/29/2458369/dell-xps-14z-coming-this-fall-to-the-us-with-core-2011-processors">XPS 14z</a>, Dell's using a thin-bezeled display that allows the 13-inch display to fit in more of a typical 12-inch laptop case. At 2.9 pounds, the laptop is .71 inches at its thickest point and .24 inches at its thinnest, making room for USB 3.0, USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone, and MiniDisplay ports. The biggest oversight of this system may be the missing SD card slot.</p>
<p>H...</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/10/2690272/dell-xps-13-ultrabook-pricing-release-date">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/10/2690272/dell-xps-13-ultrabook-pricing-release-dateJoanna Stern2012-01-10T02:41:59-05:002012-01-10T02:41:59-05:00Sony VAIO ultrabook prototype shown behind glass
<figure>
<img alt="Gallery Photo: Sony sliding tablet with keyboard photos " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Cr9t1jA4qjT5BAIxt4NPiIm2sgU=/0x0:1020x680/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/863546/Sonyprototype25.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gallery Photo: Sony sliding tablet with keyboard photos </figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sony doesn't technically have an ultrabook — the VAIO Z or VAIO SB doesn't <em>really</em> count — but it seems Sony's planning to look at the category sometime in the future. Labeled as a "future ultrabook concept," Sony's displaying a laptop that looks a lot like its <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2011/10/24/2510531/sony-vaio-series-review">current VAIO Z</a>. Unfortunately, it's behind glass, but from what I can tell it has a different touchpad than the current VAIO Z and is a bit thicker. That's all I could really glean from the chassis trapped behind glass, but it seems very likely that Sony will join the race at some point this year. Now, let's just hope that <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2011/10/24/2510531/sony-vaio-series-review">external GPU and docking station</a> comes along for the ride.</p>
<p></p>
<div><div data-anthem-component="gallery:1530435"></div></div>
<p><br id="1326179173049"></p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/10/2696098/sony-shows-off-vaio-ultrabook-prototype-behind-glass">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/10/2696098/sony-shows-off-vaio-ultrabook-prototype-behind-glassJoanna Stern2012-01-09T22:35:16-05:002012-01-09T22:35:16-05:00Dell Windows 7 Ultrabook announcement due tomorrow
<figure>
<img alt="via <a href="http://images.scribblelive.com/2012/1/9/33c26614-2bec-4735-8f5a-dd8096448ba6.jpg">images.scribblelive.com</a>" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0kFIzL86KBxpRHvM5bZfOkN4Fw=/0x0:599x399/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/945362/33c26614-2bec-4735-8f5a-dd8096448ba6.jpg" />
<figcaption>via <a href="http://images.scribblelive.com/2012/1/9/33c26614-2bec-4735-8f5a-dd8096448ba6.jpg">images.scribblelive.com</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Microsoft just revealed that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.theverge.com/products/brands/dell/25">Dell</a> is planning to announce a new Windows 7 Ultrabook tomorrow at CES 2012. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.theverge.com/products/brands/microsoft/52">Microsoft's</a> chief marketing officer, Tami Reller revealed the announcement on stage during Microsoft's final CES keynote. "Dell is planning an announcement tomorrow about another amazing ultrabook so please watch for that and check it out," said Reller. Ultrabooks looks set to be one of the most popular buzzwords of CES 2012 this year, keep an eye on the latest ones in our <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/9/2693190/the-ultrabooks-of-ces-2012#">Ultrabooks of CES 2012</a> stream.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/ces/2012/1/9/2695701/dell-windows-7-ultrabook-ces-2012">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.theverge.com/ces/2012/1/9/2695701/dell-windows-7-ultrabook-ces-2012Tom Warren2012-01-09T20:00:40-05:002012-01-09T20:00:40-05:00Envy 14 Spectre: HP's Gorilla Glass covered, $1,399 ultrabook (hands-on video / pictures)
<figure>
<img alt="Gallery Photo: HP Envy 14 Spectre hands-on pictures " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PcCmgQIMjN-t8UIRHdqpb0ZSrbU=/0x0:1020x680/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/852600/HPEnvySpectre_20.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gallery Photo: HP Envy 14 Spectre hands-on pictures </figcaption>
</figure>
<p>HP let our imaginations run wild with its <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/2/2677937/hp-spectre-video-leak-ultrabook">Spectre teaser video last week</a>, but it's time to put all those dreams of it being a flying, self-opening laptop to rest. The company is officially releasing its Envy 14 Spectre today, and while it may not be what you imagined, it's one heck of a machine. Termed a "premium ultrabook" the laptop takes <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/16/2564695/hp-envy-15-and-17-new-designs-and-radiance-displays-start-at-1100-on">everything we've liked about the Envy line</a> and brought it to a .78-inch / 3.9 pound laptop. There's a lot to talk about inside and out of the Spectre — a scratch-proof glass lid and palmrest, a bright and high resolution display, and NFC integration. Below is a breakdown of everything you need to know about HP's new ultrabook.</p>
<h3>Hardware / design</h3>
<p>No, it's not as thin and light as others like the new...</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/9/2690506/hp-envy-14-spectre-a-gorilla-glass-covered-ultrabook-with-nfc-and-a">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/9/2690506/hp-envy-14-spectre-a-gorilla-glass-covered-ultrabook-with-nfc-and-aJoanna Stern2012-01-09T19:30:10-05:002012-01-09T19:30:10-05:00Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga: a Windows 8 laptop that bends backwards into a tablet (hands-on video)
<figure>
<img alt="Gallery Photo: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga hands-on pictures" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Uum6bvTng-m3eLJcvEUtQYTRzK4=/0x0:1020x680/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/859320/LenovoYoga_20.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gallery Photo: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga hands-on pictures</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Lenovo has indeed saved the best for last here at CES 2012. After days of<a href="http://www.theverge.com/ces/2012/1/8/2692519/lenovo-ces-2012-ideapad-ideatab-y-g-z-series"> interminable laptop announcements</a>, the company has one more to share: the 13.3-inch IdeaPad Yoga, which opens like a normal laptop but can then flip backwards to become a tablet. Yes, it's as crazy as it sounds, and even better it's <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/1/2528988/windows-8-features-screenshots-tablets-and-everything-you-need-to-know">running Windows 8</a>. This is the sort of thing that is really best seen in video, so I suggest you scroll on down as soon as possible, but what I can tell you is that the .6-inch thick laptop looks and feels a lot like the IdeaPad U300s (or the <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/8/2691038/lenovo-ideapad-u310-u410-ultrabooks-next-gen-intel-processors-in">new U310 / U410</a>) until you realize you can push the screen back completely and morph it into a Windows 8 tablet.</p>
<p>While the Yoga isn't going to be coming out until Windows 8 is release — likely in...</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/9/2693650/lenovo-ideapad-yoga-a-windows-8-laptop-that-bends-backwards-into-a">Continue reading…</a>
</p>
https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/9/2693650/lenovo-ideapad-yoga-a-windows-8-laptop-that-bends-backwards-into-aJoanna Stern