Ultrabook Price Differences (US vs AU) and Recommendations

Lrickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 15:28
Last edited 21/06/2015 - 22:50

So I'm looking for a good quality ultrabook for uni and have been browsing and I found the HP Spectre 360 134002dx which is here

It seems like a VERY good price, $999.99

  • i5-5200U with Intel HD Graphics 5500
  • 8GB LPDDR3-1600SDRAM
  • 256 GB mSATA SSD
  • 13.3" display
  • very decent battery life

But then I realised this was the US store and i then went to the Australian store to find that there was none available. After some looking around I found it under a different name, all the same specs.
here
It's priced at $1899.99

Now even if i do a conversion from $999.99 USD to AUD it's only around $1300 and I don't see where the extra 600 comes into play. I would love to buy this at $1300 since it's still a very good deal. Do you guys know any methods of buying it over in America and shipping it over to Australia?

Are there any other ultrabooks you'd recommend for:

  • word, powerpoint etc.
  • lecture recordings and movies
  • preferable touch screen

[edit]
I ended up getting the HP spectre 360x 13-4014tu on special at JB Hi Fi for $1696.60 here

There's a title error where they forgot to place the "360x" there but the image and youtube video all show the 360x and in the youtube video it's also 'miss-titled', and it's the price of one too (off sale). They added an extra 3 years warranty (4 overall) for $120 which is pretty great. If i bought the same one in america, assuming they don't add tax on the hp American site, it's around $60-$80 dollars more expensive but i get 4 years of warranty in comparison to literally none.

Thanks for all the different options guys it was a great help!

Computing

Comments

  • spackbace on 08/06/2015 - 15:41
    -2

    Wow that's a lot of money for a 13" with integrated graphics!

    • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 15:42
      +1

      If you have a book around a lot of the ultrabooks are priced this way, that's why i'm looking to save a couple of hundred.

    • Gnostikos on 08/06/2015 - 17:06
      +13

      It's an Ultrabook. Comparing it to any old laptop is not a fair analogy.

      The premium price tag factors in the cost of the ridiculously miniaturised components, light-weight, thin form factor and excellent power consumption. For people who want something that can handle true multi-tasking and business productivity but that is light enough to not be noticed, you won't get that combination from anything else; hence the price.

      • competecarrot on 09/06/2015 - 19:20

        For people who want something that can handle true multi-tasking and business productivity but that is light enough to not be noticed, you won't get that combination from anything else; hence the price.

        No arguments here.

        The premium price tag factors in the cost of the ridiculously miniaturised components, light-weight, thin form factor and excellent power consumption.

        In early-2008 — when the MacBook Air was first released, creating the ultrabook market — that was true, they put a lot of R&D dollars to shave off while retaining electrically/thermally intensive Intel x86 processors. However, since then the smartphone/tablet markets have helped increase volume for these component (both x86 and ARM). For example, the market once called 'netbooks' is now filled with low price/performance "Chromebook" ultrabooks. For US$150 it appears "light-weight, thin form factor and excellent power consumption".

        That said, I wouldn't recommend Chromebooks for those that don't know what the limitations of the device. (writing this on an older Samsung Series 3 model)

  • iridiumstem on 08/06/2015 - 15:47
    +1

    I think American stores don't include GST on their online store prices, because of the different tax laws in states (not completely sure about this though). That being said, if you want to get it shipped to Australia, you'd definitely need to pay tax on it as it's over $1000 (it would probably come out cheaper than Australian model, but shipping cost + hassle + tax does make American store option less attractive, imo.).

    I personally think you could get cheaper laptops for your purpose, any old Haswell ultrabooks would fit the bill since what you've listed are pretty much basic tasks. If you ask me to recommend you a model, I cannot think of anything other than Macbook Air right now (and possibly Surface Pro 3, depending on your needs).

    • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 15:53
      +1

      That makes sense. Though I'm not too sure about whether if I will be taxed if for example I purchase it from bestbuy and have it shipped to a relative over there and then mailed to my address.

      Thanks for the other recommendations, I'll have a look around. I'm planning to use this for a long time so I wanted something that would give me room to do other things if need be.

      As for the Air I've considered it but it's lower on my list since I don't really want to learn how to use a new OS (even though it's not that much trouble). I'm also studying some things that will need me to use a tablet, hence why I've been looking at these '2 in 1' laptops.

      Cheers!

      • iridiumstem on 08/06/2015 - 15:58
        -2

        I simply recommend Macbook Air because they are decently valued for what they do (in terms of spec) + bootcamp allows you to just use it as a Windows machine (You'd need to get a Windows 8 licence, which costs around $75 for students).

        I am using Surface Pro 1 and I frankly love the stylus function on it, but if you are not planning on using it as both a tablet and a laptop, there are better options out there. Though, frankly, getting a PDF version of the note and taking notes on it using a stylus did make my life easier.

        • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 16:11

          Yup, the stylus is very handy, I've been using a ipad mini with a precision stylus (not those rubber ones) and it's been really useful. I used it through high school too and I realised I needed an upgrade since an ipad is only limited. My friend has a Surface Pro 3, he recommends it but he says the only downside is the battery life and the fact it's sometimes acts as a personal heater. I've been quite tempted for it but I've got until the end of this month.

        • iridiumstem on 08/06/2015 - 16:17

          @rickyygee: active stylus are so much better than those jot pro or whatever those capacitance styluses are. Palm rejection and pressure sensitivity are so amazing.

        • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 16:18

          @AznMitch: Yeah I've used it for a bit, they're really great!

        • cheesecactus on 08/06/2015 - 16:41

          @rickyygee: A cheaper option would be the surface 3, non pro edition.

        • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 16:43

          @cheesecactus: yup, I've also had a look at that too!

        • Randxyz123 on 09/06/2015 - 10:36

          (You'd need to get a Windows 8 licence, which costs around $75 for students).

          If your university has dreamspark then you can get windows 8 enterprise for free.

      • Randxyz123 on 09/06/2015 - 10:35

        As AznMitch said $999 doesn't include state tax so for most states it is around 8% so that brings it to US$1078.9 = A$1403.
        Still a massive difference in price though

        Though I'm not too sure about whether if I will be taxed if for example I purchase it from bestbuy and have it shipped to a relative over there and then mailed to my address.

        I can answer that.

        Yes they/you will be. Unless they live in a state with no best buy.

        Your best bet is trying to find someone on Amazon that will ship to you directly.

        It seems a lot for that computer. A Macbook air would be cheaper here with the student discount.

        • rickyygee on 09/06/2015 - 10:38

          thanks for the info, that being said an Macbook air doesn't have the touchscreen capabilities that i'll most likely need. If i do buy the Air it'll cost me around $1300 - $1600 for the 13".

  • PVA on 08/06/2015 - 16:21

    you are looking at different models here. you are looking at the 4002 and comparing with the 4008.
    Aus store also has 4006 model (cant find the 4002 in Aus) and its $1699, the US model you have chosen is aud$1315 plus 10% gst = around $1450 , so not a massive difference.

    • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 16:26
      +1

      Yes I've stated that it's a different model. It's a 4002dx against a 4007tu. The 4002dx is the American equivalent to the Australian 4007tu, they're exactly the same as far as I know. Also if we assume your estimate of $1450 is correct, I would still opt for that because, you know and extra $450 in my wallet won't hurt anyone :P

      • PVA on 08/06/2015 - 17:37
        +1

        apart from warranty, postage costs I guess.
        I am sure some store will have or will be getting the spectre models so will be cheaper than HPs price.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/06/2015 - 16:44
    +4

    I wouldn't buy a HP computer. I would go with Dell, Toshiba or Asus (and I'd go for their aluminum models!).

    I'm in Year 12 at the moment and our school introduced a laptop program last year, you got the choice of a HP Ultrabook (Spectre actually) or a Mac. I chose the Mac, based on it's build and I do like OS X but the ability to put Windows on it was always in my mind, and I am damn glad I chose the Mac too. HP Ultrabooks cracked, snapped, experience rolling hard-drive failures and overall they looked cheap. And a lot of these failures were all in the same year they were bought. It got to the point where the supplier of the laptops started offering refunds for the laptops and students proceeded to buy Macs which hardly had issues at all.

    I'm not saying buy a Mac, I'm saying buy a high-quality build computer! (Aka don't buy this!) I would also avoid Dell's, Toshiba's and Asus' lower quality laptops.

    I recommend:
    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops/toshiba/…
    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops/asus/asu…
    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops/toshiba/…

    • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 16:53
      +1

      Thanks for the info!
      I've had a look at the Asus, will keep that in mind.

      I'm also looking for something that runs with i5 since I don't need that much processing power so i don't need to fork out any extra $ for something I probably won't be needing. Preferably 256GB SSD with i5. But thanks for the links, the 2nd one looks promising.

      Also just a tip, JB HIFI's page has it's price jacked up sometimes. I'm using a keyboard they've priced at $289.99 when I bought it for less than $200. So it's always better to go in store and take a look, if there's a dick smith nearby they'd do a price match and if the dick smith (or another store) has stock they'll often go even lower.

      • [Deactivated] on 08/06/2015 - 16:55

        I never knew that about JB and it's good to know, thanks for the info I'll keep that in mind when buying from them :).

        • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 16:58

          It's worked for the times I've tried. Not sure if it's for every store but no harm in trying!

      • Agret on 09/06/2015 - 09:04

        Have you looked at the thinkpad carbon?

        • [Deactivated] on 09/06/2015 - 12:21
          -1

          Sliverfish though

        • Agret on 10/06/2015 - 08:35

          @Swordling: the business laptops were unaffected

          http://m.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2396317/lenovo-reveals-laptops-…

          No worries of getting a thinkpad with it

        • [Deactivated] on 10/06/2015 - 17:29

          @Agret: Oh that's good to hear! I thought it was a shame because Lenovo/IBM have produced some quality laptops in the past. It was a shame to see their reputation ruined by something like Sliverfish. But good to sear the ThinkPad line wasn't affected.

  • Gnostikos on 08/06/2015 - 16:58
    +6

    Three I have used recently that I can vouch for are the Toshiba Portege Z30-A, the Toshiba Kirabook and the new Dell XPS 13 (XPS-13-9343). I prefer the Toshibas though because the UltraSharp QHD display (3200 x 1800) is worthless on a 13" screen and makes most common applications unusable; lowering the resolution also looks terrible. A bunch of my other complaints with the XPS 13 can be found here.

    Though to be fair, you can always go for the cheaper, non-QHD, 1920 x 1080 displays; it's just that technically from a colour reproduction/brightness/pixel pitch aspect, the UltraSharp QHD screen is miles ahead of almost all Ultrabook displays (and looks great with applications/content that does scale properly) but the resolution is a major shot in the foot if you're predominantly using it for productivity/internet tasks.

    Depending on the variant (there are low-mid-high spec levels for all three), they range from $1,300 to over $2,000 (AUD). The Portege was a custom order with upgraded RAM and SSD capacity.

    The models I got (with specs and prices; AUD obviously) are as follows:

    Toshiba Kirabook PSUC1A-002005 $1453.63ex

    • Intel Core i5-5200U
    • 8GB RAM
    • 128GB SSD
    • 13.3" FHD (300 Nit) 1920 x 1080
    • Intel HD Graphics 5500
    • Windows 8.1

    Dell XPS 13 Y510194AU-XPS 13 $2016.36ex

    • Intel Core i7-5500U
    • 8GB RAM
    • 256GB SSD
    • 13.3" UltraSharp QHD Touch Screen (3200 x 1800)
    • Intel HD Graphics 5500
    • Win 8.1 Pro

    Toshiba Portege Z30-A PT243A-0K002X $1858.69ex

    • Intel Core i5-4210U
    • 13.3" (1366x768)
    • 8GB RAM
    • 256GB SSD
    • Intel HD Graphics 4400
    • W7P + 8.1
    • 3yr Warranty
    • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 17:08

      I can agree with you on the XPS 13, I've also read that the track pad isn't too great either, I'm not sure if that's fixed as of yet. Otherwise thanks for the great detail in each, I'll definitely keep it all in mind. My price range is probably maxed at $1500 or so.

      • Gnostikos on 08/06/2015 - 17:11
        +1

        Excessive CPU fan noise was another common issue when it was brand-new but that has been rectified with BIOS update A03.

        Other than the complaints I've already mentioned, the XPS 13 is by far and away the thinnest, smallest, lightest and most premium-looking of pretty much all current-gen Ultrabooks with the highest build-quality. It does have a very nice look and feel to it, but the display ruins it for me.

        • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 17:14

          Yeah I read on your post, thanks!. I probably won't be buying the XPS 13

        • OpayuOnam on 09/06/2015 - 21:06

          Let's not forget Thinkpad Carbon X1s. They really are special. The 3rd gen particularly is very good.

    • mrmarkau67 on 10/06/2015 - 10:30

      There is this one other laptop.

      • 8GB of RAM
      • 256GB SSD (and its PCIe, literally the fastest you can get in a laptop)
      • Core i5
      • Intel HD 6000
      • 13" HD+ 1440x900
      • Windows 8.1
      • $1892ex
        but often available at 10% discount

      It's the one that has a nice case but a huge bezel. I just can't remember the name, but the brand comes up all the time at the top of customer satisfaction surveys. Damn, what's it called?

  • PVA on 08/06/2015 - 19:30

    harvey norman, good guys, jb hifi (and probably others) sell this. go to them and see what discount you can get.
    I see online Harvey has the i7 model for $1844 with free tablet.

    • rickyygee on 08/06/2015 - 20:31

      yeah i've seen those. Probably not going to opt for that given the price.

      • PVA on 08/06/2015 - 20:36

        there's a thread over at whirpool, mention of JB dropping the price a lot if you deal.

  • Pizdets on 09/06/2015 - 14:46

    I bought a dell xps13 for $1200 refurbished. You can grab them off the dell refurbished page but they go pretty quick.
    Had an issue with the fan hitting something. Dell came out to my place (at no cost) a day or so later to replace it and everything was fine.

    • EnALup on 09/06/2015 - 15:52

      Dell XPS13 was $998 in Dell ebay store few month back with a free win 7" or 8" tablet. If I remember the processor was i5 and it was posted in ozb as well. When the free win tablet ended, it stayed for the same price for few more weeks.

      • Pizdets on 09/06/2015 - 16:48

        I bought last year when it was the 9333 model.
        However, for the $998 XPS13 I doubt it was a 4th Gen / 256GB SSD / touchscreen
        Happy to be proven wrong though.

  • iWouldDie4u on 09/06/2015 - 22:23

    What about the best value for money ultrabook for gaming? In particular something like LoL?

    • iridiumstem on 09/06/2015 - 22:28
      +2

      Ultrabook and gaming don't mix that well, making the laptop lighter and thinner usually makes the room for cooling smaller. So usually ultrabooks are not for gaming.

      That said, LoL ran fine on my SP1 on the lowest setting (even though it heated up to an extent where I needed to open the window). So I assume that any ultrabook with i5 would be able to run LoL on lowest setting (didn't feel that much lag, but YMMV. I gave up on LoL 5 hours in). I wouldn't recommend it though, heat is never good for your laptop.

      • iWouldDie4u on 09/06/2015 - 22:57

        Ok, thanks buddy :)

  • BartholemewH on 09/06/2015 - 22:25

    Would the Dell Venue Pro 11 convertible tablet do the job? There are a number of refurbished units on the dell DFO site that include i5 5300Y, 8GB and 256GB SSD for 750 - 900. There is an optional thin keyboard (vs the standard keyboard) and an active stylus available for this model iirc.

    • rickyygee on 10/06/2015 - 14:18

      looks good, though i'm not too keep on the screen size and battery life. Thanks though!

  • PLANT on 12/06/2015 - 21:40

    All the above are crap!
    I'm looking at getting the new 2015 VAIO Canvas $2.6k+
    Just need to get to Japan to get the bastard!

  • harper on 13/06/2015 - 02:02
    +3

    What about the ASUS Zenbook UX305. $977 delivered from Bhphotovideo
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/195487
    Been thinking of buying it but waiting for tax time just in case.

    • Jikx on 23/06/2015 - 10:14

      Absolutely agree. I got one and it is almost perfect.. minor niggles about the touchpad and the screen not folding down quite far enough.

      FullHD (matte screen, none of this eye bleeding gloss), 256GB SSD, 8GB ram, CPU enough for browsing/video/light indie gaming, and CHEAP.

      • harper on 23/06/2015 - 13:33

        Great to hear. Been waiting for the xps to go on sale or the price to drop but maybe should just get this. Do you know what they're like with repairs / replacements etc? I'm worried that sending it back to get something repaired could get quite costly.

  • Bargaina on 21/06/2015 - 18:00

    +1 for the Asus UX305 from bhphoto

  • rickyygee on 21/06/2015 - 22:51

    woo, edited. :D Thanks for all the help!

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