He has a desktop computer with a bunch of monitors, so I guess his laptop is mostly for email, entertainment and web browsing. Of course a tablet can do that just fine. If you're using a laptop as your main machine, you have different needs.
Personally I am planning to retire my desktop computer and buy an ultrabook, probably a Samsung 900X3C. The Samsung is tinner and lighter, and I read it's a bit more solid in the build than the Asus.
Anyone tried both the 900X3C and a UX31A? Anyone tried Linux on them?
I've been considering both the 900X3C and 900X4C myself, but Linux support isn't quite there yet. The most annoying outstanding issue (maybe the only one when Ubuntu 12.10 hits) is a nasty ACPI bug that causes Linux to fail to recognize when certain events take place, like lid close/open and battery charge/discharge, both pretty much show stoppers for a laptop IMHO. It seems to affect lots of Samsung laptops, not just the series 9. Here are a few useful links if you want to keep track of the overall issues:
If they ever get the ACPI bug worked out, I probably wouldn't go for the X3C. Even though it has a better display (IPS) and is slightly thinner the RAM isn't upgradeable at 4 GB, unlike the X4C which comes with 8 GB and is upgradeable to 16 GB.
Edit: Forgot to mention that you need Windows installed in order to upgrade the BIOS.
I have the original series 9 (900x3a), and I don't have all those problems (although I did have to do some manual fixes, which all should now be included in the latest kernel and udev). I admit I've never tried to upgrade the BIOS, probably been quite a while since I've checked for an update. Not having windows, it might be an issue if I needed to update, but it works fine as it is. The other advantage of the 900X3A is interchangeable ram, I've currently got 16GB in there.
Interesting, I had no idea the original 13'' series 9 had upgradeable RAM.
I also almost never upgrade the BIOS unless I run into problems which are fixed in a more recent revision, and most manufacturers don't even provide updates past the first year or so anyway, it's just the general attitude of having to have an OS installed as a requirement to update something as low-level as the BIOS that rubs me the wrong way.
Lots of other manufacturers get it right. Live CDs (Lenovo) or in-BIOS upgrades (Intel and possibly ASUS if I remember correctly) are a much cleaner way of handling these upgrades.
Personally I am planning to retire my desktop computer and buy an ultrabook, probably a Samsung 900X3C. The Samsung is tinner and lighter, and I read it's a bit more solid in the build than the Asus.
Anyone tried both the 900X3C and a UX31A? Anyone tried Linux on them?