I call them Chromebook Pixel apologists . They ’re make out out of the woodwork to defend Google ’s super - expensive but flawed $ 1,299 laptop . You ’ll hear thing like “ It manifestly is n’t for everyone ” or “ You either get it or you do n’t . ” number me as one of the the great unwashed who do n’t get it . As I say in my Chromebook Pixel review , the quality , sharper - than - Retina display , booming speakers and superior touchpad and keyboard all make this a lust - worthy machine . But the Pixel ’s beauty is n’t much more than cutis - deep . If Google really desire to convert more shoppers to its flagship anti - MacBook , it ’s going to have to accost the following issues chief - on . And , yes , I ’m sorry to say that some of my fixes will have to wait for Chromebook Pixel 2 .
Staying on the cutting edge of gadget tech does n’t come without a few sacrifices — both monetarily and in terms of shelling spirit . And what practiced is an HD presentation if you ca n’t even utilize it?Laptop Mag ’s Mark Spoonauer breaks downthe worst drainers in point .
Microsoft Surface Pro ($899)
Battery Life : 4:37
price Per Hour of Juice : $ 195 per hour
You know it ’s a bad sign when the top tech story in Google News is that you might be offering an international shelling for your product . Despite its Core i5 power and the ability to run both screen background and Windows Store apps , we do n’t recommend the Surface Pro because its 4 hour and 37 minutes of battery life story wholly undermines its portability . The average ultraportable laptop lasts about an time of day and a one-half longer . And while the iPad is n’t as versatile , it lasted 12 hr and 22 minutes on our assault and battery test . That ’s 2.5X the endurance . If you prefer for the $ 799 , 128 GB iPad , that work out to $ 64 an hour of succus , compare to $ 195 per hr for the Surface Pro .
Acer C7 Chromebook ($199)
Battery lifespan : 4:24
price Per Hour of Juice : $ 45 per hour
Lets take a looking at two Chromebooks with around the same price : the Samsung Series 3 Chromebook ( $ 249 ) and Acer C7 ( $ 199 ) . Both equipment sport 11 - inch display , but the ARM - power Chromebook endure 7:34 , while the C7 fall back more than 3 hr behind at 4:24 . Granted , the C7 is n’t designed to be your primary personal computer , and possibly you will use it mostly around the house . But why would you pay $ 45 per minute of battery life for the Acer when , for just $ 50 more , you could get the much more efficient , $ 33 - per - hr Samsung Chromebook ? The Series 3 also happens to sport a sleeker design .
ASUS Taichi ($1299)
Cost Per Hour of Juice : $ 282 per hour
One of the most modern Windows 8 hybrids of the year is also one of the most disappointing . Almost everyone who sees the ASUS Taichi , which has a 2nd screen on the back of its palpebra , ca n’t assist but say , “ Wow . ” All you have to do to transform this 11.6 - column inch marvel from grapple to tablet manner is shut the lid .
While we wish both display offered soupcon capacity ( just the away one does ) , my boastful complaint is the lack of outride power . In laptop mode , the machine lasted 4 hours and 37 minutes , and with just the touchscreen active , we saw only 3:37 . The average ultraportable laptop lasts 1.5 hour longer . While it ’s handsome , the $ 1,199 , twelve - inch Dell XPS Duo endure 5:46 , translating to a much expert efficiency rating of $ 206 per minute .
Google Nexus 4 ($49 for T-Mobile, $299 Unlocked)
Battery animation : 4:36
monetary value Per Hour of Juice : $ 10.70 per hour for T - Mobile , $ 65 unsecured
If you want a pure Google experience , the unlocked Nexus 4 is the smartphone to grease one’s palms . You get the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean software , a nifty Photo Sphere camera and absolutely no atrocious skin . Too bad the 2100 mAh battery inside this handset lasted only 4 hour and 36 minutes on our battery test . Even when you consider the crummy , limited - meter - offer price of $ 49 , you ’ll still have to deal with a machine that lasts 1.5 hours less than the ordinary Android phone . The $ 49 HTC One VX last 6:58 on our tryout , good for a $ 7 per 60 minutes efficiency rating .
HP Pavilion Chromebook ($329)
Battery Life ( Rated ): Up to 4:15
Cost Per Hour of Juice : $ 78 per hr
We give HP reference for being transparent about the battery liveliness it bear out of its Pavilion Chromebook . The company says “ up to ” 4 hour and 15 moment via the 4 - cell bombardment . Even if the system live on up to that not - so - majestic number , it will incarcerate way behind the Samsung Chromebook ’s grudge of 7:34 . Granted , HP ’s Chromebook has a much larger , 14 - inch display , but it also costs $ 80 more for something you ca n’t habituate for very long away from an outlet .
Put another elbow room , you ’ll pay $ 78 per hour of endurance , versus $ 33 per time of day for the Samsung . That ’s nigh a 2.5X exchange premium .
Techno Source Kurio Tablet ($149)
Battery animation : 3:37
price Per Hour of Juice : $ 39.50 per hour
You might have heard of the Kurio 7 tablet , because it ’s targeted directly to families . This $ 149 , Android - powered gadget lets you create multiple child profile with ease , as well as restrict screen door clock time and entanglement surfing . Parents can also pick out to whitelist only the apps they desire Junior to use . But what trade good is a shaver ’ tab if it runs out of petrol in just 3 hours and 37 minutes ? That works out to $ 39.50 per hour . The $ 199 Amazon Kindle Fire HD last 7:34 ( or $ 26 per hour ) , and it has a parent - friendly FreeTime musical mode . And the $ 199 Fuhu Nabi 2 did n’t conk out until 8:05 ( $ 24.50 per hour ) .
Lenovo ThinkPad Twist ($899)
Here ’s a twisting on the Windows 8 exchangeable you should probably avoid . The 12.5 - inch ThinkPad Twist combines a swiveling touchscreen with one of the better keyboards you ’ll find . We especially like the stand manner for giving presentation . Just make certain you ’re near an outlet . On our battery test , the Twist died after 4 hours and 36 minute . The average ultraportable notebook lasts 6:01 . Although it has a slightly larger display , Lenovo ’s own IdeaPad Yoga lasted a much longer 6:18 . In efficiency terms , the $ 899 Twist would cost you $ 195 per hour of juice , compared to $ 182 per minute for a $ 1,159 Yoga outfitted with a much faster 128 GB SSD . That ’s an easy call in my book .
Related connection :
Countdown : 10 Smartphones with the Longest Battery spirit
Acer Aspire S7 - 391 surplus Battery Tested : Ugly But 9 hour of Power
10 Tablets with the Longest Battery Life
Republished with permission fromLaptop Mag.Laptopmag.combrings you in - deepness review of the hottest roving product , the recent tech news program , helpful how - to advice , and expert depth psychology of the modish technical school trends .
AsusBattery LifeChromebookDell XPSMicrosoft SurfaceSamsungWindows 8
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