List Price: $1,599.99
Sale Price: $1,299.99
Today's Bonus: 19% Off
I bought this ultrabook due to the retina screen. The problem is the battery life is not good. Just browsing web will last about 4 hours for each charge. Win8 is the most annoying thing! Photoshop menu's font is too tiny to see clearly. I've already set the font in display utility to the maximum. I tried to install Debian Wheezy Linux, but Debian installer seems not able to boot from UEFI. Kubuntu installer works great. Fn key seems not working. All in all, it is just OK. Not that great. I wish I had bought the Dell XPS 13 or System 67 for the better Linux support!
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
4.5 stars, if I could.------------------------------------------------------------
Thought I would leave a review after spending a month with this baby in college.
I bought this directly from Toshiba's site; the free overnight shipping was a great bonus. Upon taking it out, I was immediately struck with how lightweight, almost borderline flimsy it was. The aluminum design and black frame is pleasing to the eye, but not as sexy or solid as... say, a MacBook Pro. Of course it's a much lighter ultra book, so I don't mind.
------------------------------------------------------------
HARDWARE
------------------------------------------------------------
The track pad is decently responsive, but I find that my fingers get tired after using it for a while, so I have to resort to my mouse or tablet. The screen still has some vertical sticky lines from when I pulled off the protective adhesive (need to clean it) and sometimes, when I turn it to just the right angle, I can see that the finish on the display is off. But it's usually not a bother.
Typing isn't bad on this keyboard--I feel that it's just the right size and the keys are responsive. The backlit setting is a great bonus. (But I have to figure out how to turn it on again!)
Ports are fine, wireless works well wherever I go, and the battery lasts a whole day if you're smart about it. You can change the display setting to Eco, put your computer on airplane mode when you're not using the internet, quit programs running in the background, etc.
The camera SUCKS so hardcore. In well-lit places, darkly-lit places, and everything in between. I was taken aback because of the otherwise high-end specs this ultrabook carries. I'm seriously thinking about taping something over the lens, because I don't see when I will ever use it.
The speakers are pretty amazing. Depending on where you set the computer, you'll get a great quality sound and volume to boot. Mic works well too. I've tested out a few voice recorder notes and they sound crisp. I have to lean into the computer though, and I'm still figuring out exactly where they're positioned.
------------------------------------------------------------
SOFTWARE
------------------------------------------------------------
The computer comes preinstalled with Windows 8, some Toshiba apps, and Adobe's Premiere Elements 11 and Photoshop Elements 11. 2 years of Norton security is included, which I really appreciate. You have internet security and anti-theft (can track up to 5 devices on the subscription).
Now, I know there's a lot of complaints about Windows 8, so I'm not going to get into it.... But since I bought the Kirabook and took the time to learn it, I've found that it makes for an easier workflow. The only downside is that my version isn't a touchscreen, so I don't have intuitive gesture controls. (And on top of that, touch--along with its completely useless touch keyboard--is installed, taking up unnecessary space within my computer.)
------------------------------------------------------------
SOME QUIRKS
------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes, if I've run windows for a long time and I go to the menu to turn my computer off, it doesn't respond. I've had to resort to holding the power button down a few times, but it's usually not a problem.
My computer will get suddenly and inexplicably hot on occasion, which freaks me out. My roommate's MacBook Pro does it as well. Don't store it in a closed container or bag while it's running, even if it's asleep! I almost cried when heard the fans whirring and rushed to open my bag, only to find that I could barely touch the metal because it was so hot. (I've, er, done that twice now. But it's okay. I think.)
And finally, the downside to the AMAZING display on the Kirabook. 221 PPI sounds incredible until you realize that many windows programs aren't caught up to it or built for retina display. Some programs like Blender might have settings where you can change the resolution, but most consumer products don't. Those Adobe programs that it's bundled with? You care barely use them as is. The text and icons are absolutely, horrendously small. And there's no way I'm going to change the resolution on the screen, because what's the point in having it?
I'm planning on getting Creative Cloud, so I have to find a workaround. I'm thinking magnifier and tablet. Adobe's retina support has been with apple computers for a while, but I'm not sure if the windows one is under development. It's just a downside people don't think of at first glance; it's as if the Kirabook's display is too far ahead of its system to be much use. In that case, getting an extra monitor and keyboard setup might be productive.
But in any case, I can live with the pros and cons of this computer. Overall, I'm satisfied.
No comments:
Post a Comment