No, it's considerably thicker than the 15-inch Samsung Series 9 (12.7 mm), although I wouldn't consider them to fit the same category.
Considering it has a quad-core 35W TDP i7 and discrete graphics, it would be more fair to compare it with the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, which is also thinner (18 mm).
Not sure why you care about the naming scheme of Intels marketing department. It is small, powerful and has a potentially great display. Whether or not they can name it Ultrabook as per Intel is rather irrelevant to a purchase decision I would think.
The requirement is actually that it be an Intel processor i3 or greater. Intel doesn't want companies that choose to give them much more money to be left out.
Love the 2x2.5" drive bays and IPS screen. This is what many have been clamoring for for a long time! I just hope they use a synaptics pad instead of elantech AND the 650M configurations have Optimus enabled.
Yes the screen is not 1800p, but 1080p is still pretty nice.
That or you can compare it to the sony s 15 inch models which also have i7s and ips. Now the sony s 15 inch have optical drives which asus traded for a second drive bay, but the sony s do not have ssd or hybrid drives. That and they are .2 inches thicker.
Can you please update the article with the starting price when it becomes available.
It's not likely though. The Zenbooks are not much cheaper than the Macbook Airs, and this is basically a Windows Retina Macbook Pro in terms of specs, with a somewhat worse screen. I'm guessing $1700 with a 256GB SSD.
Also, I wonder how good battery life is, considering the two 2.5" bays and the thin design couldn't have left much spare space.
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Thorburn - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
If it's got a quad-core i7 then it doesn't meet the Ultrabook requirements surely?Chaitanya - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
even HDD as an option, highly doubt its an ultrabook but it certainly will be the most portable 15incher.p_giguere1 - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
No, it's considerably thicker than the 15-inch Samsung Series 9 (12.7 mm), although I wouldn't consider them to fit the same category.Considering it has a quad-core 35W TDP i7 and discrete graphics, it would be more fair to compare it with the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, which is also thinner (18 mm).
Flunk - Thursday, August 30, 2012 - link
That discrete graphics is where a lot of us want to be 650M with GDDR5? Sign me up please.Death666Angel - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
Not sure why you care about the naming scheme of Intels marketing department. It is small, powerful and has a potentially great display. Whether or not they can name it Ultrabook as per Intel is rather irrelevant to a purchase decision I would think.Flunk - Thursday, August 30, 2012 - link
The requirement is actually that it be an Intel processor i3 or greater. Intel doesn't want companies that choose to give them much more money to be left out.Pneumothorax - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
Love the 2x2.5" drive bays and IPS screen. This is what many have been clamoring for for a long time! I just hope they use a synaptics pad instead of elantech AND the 650M configurations have Optimus enabled.nerd1 - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
I think the article is wrong. as it is utter silly to have TWO 2.5" bays.I bet it has one mSATA and one 2.5" bay.
pixelstuff - Thursday, August 30, 2012 - link
There's nothing silly about having two 2.5" drive bays. It is silly to think otherwise.Roland00Address - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
Yes the screen is not 1800p, but 1080p is still pretty nice.That or you can compare it to the sony s 15 inch models which also have i7s and ips. Now the sony s 15 inch have optical drives which asus traded for a second drive bay, but the sony s do not have ssd or hybrid drives. That and they are .2 inches thicker.
Can you please update the article with the starting price when it becomes available.
Flunk - Thursday, August 30, 2012 - link
No Notebook is 1800p. That is 3200x1600. The Retina Macbook Pro is "only" 2880x1800.crimson117 - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
If they can keep this at $1500 or less with a single SSD, I'll be the first in line to buy one.rscoot - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
Agreed. I would love to get something like this to replace my G51Jx.madmilk - Thursday, August 30, 2012 - link
It's not likely though. The Zenbooks are not much cheaper than the Macbook Airs, and this is basically a Windows Retina Macbook Pro in terms of specs, with a somewhat worse screen. I'm guessing $1700 with a 256GB SSD.Also, I wonder how good battery life is, considering the two 2.5" bays and the thin design couldn't have left much spare space.
nerd1 - Thursday, August 30, 2012 - link
Only 'affordable' macbooks are macbook airs and all other ones are horribly overpriced. I'm shooting for $1500.Flunk - Thursday, August 30, 2012 - link
I'm willing to pay $2000 but if I can get the 2x256GB model for that I'll be deliriously happy.nerd1 - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
If they can keep the price around $1500 it should be a must buy for me.wets - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
all I hope is that the 650m is the GDDR5 version and not the GDDR3 version, that's the selling point for me.Heilage - Thursday, August 30, 2012 - link
I'm pretty much already sold on this with the dual drive bays. Looks to be quite portable too.choaniki - Saturday, September 1, 2012 - link
Is this the same as the S56CM? It's also listed on Asus website as a Zenbook and also has a 14" option.