Due to the same reasons, the Microsoft Surface Pro is often compared to a variety of products including tablets, ultrabooks and hybrids. For instance, the device from Microsoft is usually pitted against the Apple iPad and the MacBook Air simultaneously. At alaTest, we will do a comparative analysis of three gadgets – Microsoft Surface Pro, MacBook Air and Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13.

1. Microsoft Surface Pro – Once you examine the specs of Surface Pro, you will be more inclined to slot it among ultrabooks. It ships with a dual core, 1.7GHz Intel i5 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and 10.6-inch display. Additionally, it also has a few USB 3.0 ports along with a micro-SDXC slot. It weighs close to 2 pounds which is a tad bit heavy for a regular tablet. At the same time, it is lighter than any ultrabook on the market. All in all, the Microsoft Surface Pro makes for a powerful ultrabook(when used with a portable keypad) with a high quality processor. It is ideal for frequent flyers who want to get some business done while travelling. It could also double up as a tablet with a touch screen if you are comfortable with the weight and the size.

2. MacBook Air - The Microsoft Surface Pro is often compared to MacBook Air as both of them have very similar specifications. The Surface Pro can be easily used as an ultrabook by attaching a portable keyboard. Both the Surface Pro and MacBook Air have the same processor specs i.e. dual core Intel i5 1.7GHz and both of them come with 4GB RAM. MacBook has a bigger display and it is also slightly heavier than Surface Pro. The major difference boils down to the operating system – Windows 8 versus iOS. In terms of performance, there isn’t a lot separating the two and the choice comes down to personal preferences.

3. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 - The Lenovo IdeaPad is a hybrid which promises to give you the best of both the worlds i.e. a tablet and an ultrabook. The Lenovo hybrid boasts of a 360 degree hinge feature, using which, you can convert it from a laptop to a touch-friendly tablet. It ships with an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM and 128GB storage space. The hybrid promises to give you a high quality experience, both as a tablet as an ultrabook. Just like the Surface Pro, Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 runs on Windows 8 but the former has a stronger processor. However, Lenovo’s battery life is comparatively better than Surface Pro. Clearly then, the differences are minor and you will have to make a choice based on your priorities.

Here is a list of some of the most exquisite gadget gifts for your friends and family:

1. Samsung DA-E750 – The Samsung DA-E750 is the most beautiful set of speakers you are ever going to set your eyes on. With the wooden exteriors, they have a distinct old school charm about them, which will work perfectly well with your Christmas decorations. On the technical front, the speakers are compatible with AirPlay, iOS devices, and some Android devices as well. Did we forget to mention that the audio quality is phenomenal. The Samsung DA-E750 is the gift of a lifetime, it will sit perfectly in your living room, adding to the beauty of your home.

2. MacBook Air – The MacBook Air needs no introduction. Its only the most perfect combination of aesthetic design and technical performance. The ultra thin 13-inch laptop comes with a 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB memory. The ultrabook weighs less than 3 pounds and it is an absolute pleasure to work on it. It is thin, it is light and it is simply an epitome of luxury. Go the Mac way this holiday and surprise your friends and family.

3. Nikon D4 – The best memories belong to the holiday season. Therefore, a high quality DSLR camera makes for an ideal holiday season gift. The Nikon D4 is one of the most impressive cameras in the market as of now. Besides producing excellent photographs, the Nikon D4 is the one of the fastest cameras you will ever work with. That means no time lags at all. Additionally, it comes with a high resolution sensor and better video quality.

4. Grado PS1000 – Headphones are available for as cheap as $20. But any music enthusiast knows the difference between these headphones and the high end ones. The latter will alert you to the presence of beats in a song that you had never heard before, transporting you to a different world altogether. The Grado PS1000 is one such pair of headphones. These are extremely comfortable to wear and the ear cups are made of wood and solid metal. The sound quality is excellent as well. All in all, they make for the perfect gift for anyone who likes listening to music.

Balanced Performance without Breaking the Bank

Laptop performance has come a long way over the past few years, and even more affordable laptops can keep up the majority of computing needs. AMD’s A-Series processors (particularly the A8 and upcoming A10) offer great all-around performance at budget-friendly prices.

Lenovo IdeaPad Z575 – The AMD A8 version of Lenovo’s Z575 is arguably one of the best values on the market. It’s very well built, with a sturdy yet still lightweight chassis, and at around $500, it’s easy on your wallet as well.

Performance that will Last

Since College will generally last at least four years, you probably want a laptop that can last that long as well. Solid construction and strong performance is one way to help ensure a laptop will still be useful several years down the line.

Sony Vaio SE Series – Configured with a 1920×1080 resolution display and Core i5 processor, the SE series is probably one of the best choices on the market right now. Currently available is the VPC-SE25FX, which, at less than $1000, offers stellar performance for not only productivity, but also gaming and just about everything else. It also has useful features, such as a backlit keyboard and USB 3.0. Sony also offers very good technical support.

Sony Vaio S Series – Similar to the SE series, the S series is a bit newer, featuring Intel’s 3^rd generation of Core i5 and i7 processors. A configuration closely matching the SE25FX mentioned above weighs in at just over $1000.

Ultra-Portability that doesn’t Skimp on Performance

When you’re darting around campus, running from class to class, you might not want to be lugging around a bulky laptop, but at the same time, tablets and netbooks aren’t really the best choice for productivity. Ultrabooks represent a middle ground which features the performance you’d get from a full-sized laptop paired with the portability and battery life of a netbook.

Asus ZenBook UX31 – The ZenBook UX31 is currently alaTest’s top rated laptop. It’s one of the top performing ultrabooks for around $1000, but its biggest appeal is its 1600×900 resolution display. The extra desktop space provided by a higher resolution is a major benefit compared to the 1366×768 resolution display of most ultrabooks.

Apple MacBook Air (2012) – The new MacBook Air is the first ultrabook to run Intel’s 3^rd generation Core i5 and i7 processors, which gives it an edge particularly in graphics performance over other ultrabooks. The 13-inch model also has a 1440×900 resolution display, which, while not quite matching the UX31, is still a great benefit.

What about Laptops We Haven’t Mentioned?

Just because we didn’t mention it in this article doesn’t mean it’s not a good choice. There are a ton of other laptop choices out there, so here are a few key things to consider when making a purchase:

Dedicated Graphics – A laptop with a dedicated graphics processor will almost always outperform a laptop with an integrated graphics processor when it comes to things like HD video and gaming; however, the AMD A-series and Intel’s 3^rd generation Core series with HD 4000 graphics are still strong performers.

Screen Resolution – Most laptops have a resolution of 1366×768. Laptops with 1600×900 and 1920×1080 resolutions often cost a premium, but offer much more on-screen workspace which helps considerably with productivity.

Backlit Keyboards – Backlit keyboards are amazingly useful.

Asus Zenbook UX31

Of all of the laptops on alaTest, the Zenbook is ranked number one, and it’s an ultrabook. The UX31 is the 13.3” variant of the Zenbook and features a design that is just as thin as the MacBook Air and every bit as stylish. Its 128GB and 256GB Solid State Drive options are fairly common among ultrabooks, but USB 3.0, Micro HDMI, and Mini-VGA ports are a bit more rare. It also features a Core i5 or i7 CPU, depending on model and a 1600×900 resolution display. Even though it bests Apple’s offerings in performance, it actually costs a bit less. It’s an excellent balance of style, performance, and price.

Apple MacBook Air (2012)

One could argue that the MacBook Air was the first practical ultrabook to hit the market. At the start, it was a bit under powered to be of considerable use, but a lot has changed since then. Available in 11.6 and 13.3-inch configurations, the current MacBook Air features a Core i5 or i7 processor and 1366×768 or 1440×900 resolution display. Its only real deterrent is its price, starting at $999 and reaching $1599. Other similarly spec’d ultrabooks are considerably cheaper; however, if you prefer OSX, the MacBook Air is your only real option.

Samsung Series 9

The Series 9 is very similar to the Zenbook in that it features a 13.3-inch 1600×900 resolution display, Core i5 processor, USB 3.0, and Micro HDMI; however, it is a bit more expensive. In fact, apart from the higher resolution display and USB 3.0, the same specs in a MacBook Air would cost you less. Where the Series 9 impresses is with its display, illuminated keyboard, and surprisingly good sound system. Its battery life is also quite commendable, and out of these top 4 Ultrabooks, it’s also the thinnest (in case that sort of thing matters to you). It’s quite stylish as well.

Acer Aspire S3

Acer has been in the ultra-portable game for a while, and the Aspire S3 is probably one if its best ultrabooks to date. Like the others, you get a super thin, super portable laptop with Core i5 processor and 13.3-inch display. The Aspire S3’s display is a bit weaker than the competition with a resolution of just 1366×768, and you don’t get things like USB 3.0; however, it has a few benefits that really do turn the tables in its favor. For starters, it has a full-sized HDMI port, so no adapters necessary. It also has a 320GB hard drive, which is considerably more storage than the others. To keep things peppy, it has a 20GB SSD as well. Perhaps most impressive is its price. It’s actually one of the most affordable ultrabooks on the market, available for less than $900.

So why are these little guys so popular? Well up until now, ultrabooks had always been a bit short on the performance side, but today’s offerings, such as these four, can actually keep up with similarly priced full-sized notebooks. On the downside, you’re generally going to have to part with things like ample storage space and other luxuries (a DVD drive, for example), but if you want solid performance in a lightweight package, an ultrabook might be the perfect choice.

1: Asus Zenbook UX31

The Zenbook UX31E is considered an Ultrabook (aka an Ultra-Portable Notebook), and it is a direct competitor to the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air. Compared to the Air, the UX31E is just as thin, features the same Core i5 processor (or optional Core i7), same SSD storage, and same 4GB of RAM. Yet, the UX31E has a higher resolution screen, HDMI output, and USB 3.0, all while costing about $100 less than the MacBook Air. Oh, and did we mention it looks very chic with its aluminum chassis. We’re not surprised it took the Air’s #1 spot on our board.

2: Asus G74SX

Yup, another Asus, this time of the gaming variety. The G74SX weighs in at roughly $1650, depending on configuration. This usually includes the top-end Core i7 processor, 12GB of RAM, 1.5TB of storage, and the performance-packed Nvidia GTX 560m graphics chip. Even though the 560m isn’t the fastest video card on the market, the G74SX’s high-end components and 1080p display make for an excellent cost-to-performance ratio at its current price. It has a pretty bulky chassis, but that’s something most mobile gamers are used to.

3: Acer Aspire S3

The Aspire S3 is another MacBook Air competitor. Unlike the Zenbook which tries to surpass the Air in every way, the S3 looks to appeal to people’s wallets. At just $799, the S3 comes it at a third cheaper than Apple’s cheapest 13-inch MacBook Air; however, the Aspire S3 does this by using many of the same components found in Apple’s $999 11.6-inch model.  It sacrifices a bit in display resolution and build quality, and you don’t quite get that SSD storage performance. Still, other than that, it offers very nearly the same performance and form factor, and the price tag is hard to argue with.

4: Dell XPS 15

Until recently, the XPS 15 held the #1 (and occasionally #2) spot on our list for over a year. It’s actually quite surprising that it has dropped so far. Still, 4^th is quite respectable, and the XPS 15 still offers a heap of performance as well as customizability at relatively good prices. Starting at $999, you can get a very capable Core i5 based system; however, in the $1500 range, you can get features such as an industry leading 1080p display and Core i7 processor. Dell’s prices are slightly higher than similar offerings from Acer and Asus (likely why they have surpassed it), but the quality does speak for itself.

5: Asus N55SF

For those looking for a laptop that can do just about anything without breaking the bank, the N55SF-DH71 is by far one of the best choices, costing about $1200. It features a Core i7 processor along with 8GB of RAM, so you’ll never be lacking in terms of performance. Its 16-inch display is neither too small nor too big and sports an agreeable 1080p resolution (great for watching Blu-rays with its included Blu-ray drive). And for the PC gamers, its Nvidia GT 555m can handle most high-end games with the settings maxed. At 1.5-inches thick, it’s a tad on the bulky side, but not unreasonably so.