IdeaPad Ultrabook VGA Debate

The Intel Ultrabook Phase I specifications say that machines must be less than 20mm (0.8 inch) thick. This presents an engineering issue for a VGA Connector to be included.

Toshiba created a machine that managed to squeeze the connector into the rear hinge area. Although that is creative, I don't believe makers in the class should be required to have a VGA connector.

I use a Thunderbolt->VGA connector with my MacBook Air. Other makers will likely have HDMI, mini HDMI, mini DisplayPort and other video out implementations.

Should the IdeaPad Ultrabook class machines have VGA as requirement? I think not considering the machine is designed to be a consumer oriented lightweight ultra portable notebook computer.

 

Since VGA is so commonly used, as long as the computer comes with an adapter, it's fine by me. Leaving it entirely out, though, could be a problem. As a student giving presentations, I've never encountered a projector that uses anything other than VGA or S-video (although I know they do exist).

 

You do understand that every connector that comes with a computer today is EASILY converted to VGA, right?

Let me put it another way. Would you rather have a slim Ultrabook or a fat T420?

 

I think you misunderstood where this debate came from.

No one says it's "required". But... it's not unheard of for a reviewer to list the absence of such a port as a con considering another vendor was able to add one to their ultrabook that is actually thinner than many of the other ultrabooks and not a "fat T420".

Is Lenovo consumer or business oriented? Is the ultrabook designed for ultraportability? So, as a buyer in this certain market category, ultraportable to me means as few dongles/adapters as possible. I want the battery life to be long so I don't even have to take a long a power supply/AC cable.

And, depending on the implementation of HDMI... I believe it's not "EASILY" converted to VGA (I've read some people having problems doing this).

 

Ok, here's the quote:

" I consider this a necessity until HDMI/DisplayPort is commonplace"

 

I've been looking around on the internet for HDMI<->VGA converters or cables. Surprisingly there don't seem to be many options.

There are however lots of mini DisplayPort<->VGA converters and cables. This is of course due to Apple.

Maybe Lenovo should have gone with mini DP instead. That would have been better when connecting to VGA projector systems. HDMI is the right choice for home HDTV displays.

Tough decision.

 

@halobox:

What I meant, in referring to Thors' post, was that it's not a requirement by Intel's ultrabook specs. However, considering, that many people only have access to VGA equipment as opposed to HDMI... it could be a necessity for some (including reviewers).

@Thor:

From what I understand, some implementations of HDMI don't carry the analog signal and actually required a powered adapter. This is what I meant by not "easily".

And while HDMI is good for hooking up to HDTVs... monitors are largely DVI, VGA or DP, and projectors are mostly VGA.

And I agree... there is a portion of buyers who don't use VGA (or an SD card or an ethernet port)... but if you want your ultrabook to get the most saturation... why not put those in just in case?

 

I think these are the sacrifices one must make for the slim Ultrabook.

My wife never uses a monitor or presents so all she needs is the laptop. I think that is a target scenario.

College students might have a small flat panel HDTV so connecting to that via HDMI is easy. Another target scenario.

For folks that want more options, they should look at the ThinkPad line.

 

Its not a sacrifice that has to be made. Toshiba fits a full size VGA. The Z830 is far from bulky even by ultrabook standards, it's currently the most portable 13 inch ultrabook and is probably more portable than most the 11/12 inch ones too. There is more than enough space for VGA, and since VGA is found nearly everywhere, I think it should be included. Its not just business that uses VGA, most consumers have VGA displays as well.

VGA is a necessity for the near future. If you want to question the necessity of a port on an ultrabook, I would talk about ethernet more than VGA.

On the topic of (m)DP vs HDMI. I would go with HDMI. The two video outputs used most by consumers is HDMI and VGA I think, thus ultrabooks should have VGA and HDMI outputs. Though, since Thunderbolt is probably using mDP, mDP might be better for that reason.

 

Did you buy the Toshiba?

 

I just bought an X220 a while ago, what makes you think I have a Z830? I played around with one at BestBuy though.

 

Just wondering for the folks recommending the Toshiba if anyone actually purchased and kept one.

 

I carry a small USB to VGA adapter for my Samsung S7 and a micro-hdmi cable...

I've done with-out built in VGA adapters for a few years and having the USB option is non-proprietary...it was around $30 and is powered off the USB port.

 

If you have a link to the one you use, that would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

Speaking of USB, most of the ultrabooks have only 2, one 2.0 and one 3.0, the Toshiba has THREE.

Should that be a requirement?

(I'm kidding... but it is nice to have that extra USB port)

 

Actually, I've been looking at external DVDrw drives and many of them use two USB ports (for the power)... it would be nice to have two ports on the same side. ...or have to come up with an extension USB cable to reach that second port.

...or just buy one that has only one plug, like I just did.

 

There's quite a few Z830 owners on NBR, actually. Most don't venture into the Lenovo/IBM subforum, though, but there's a lot of information and discussion on the Z830 here.

The ones with two plugs don't necessarily need two plugs. There's just two for USB 1.1 support: if you're plugging it into a computer with only USB 1.1, then you'll need both plugs. If you're plugging it into a computer with USB 2.0, there's no need for the additional power plug. Same goes for the 2.5" external HDDs with two plugs.

 

Yea, there are certainly some Toshiba zealots there in the one thread. But they spend an inordinate amount of time bashing the "Crapbook" as opposed to talking about their likes and dislikes of the Toshiba Z.

I wonder if anyone is ever going to build a notebook everyone likes.

 

Generalizing isn't kosher on a forum.

If you've read the majority of the thread, there are a few people talking about the pros AND cons of the Toshiba. I'll list a few cons for you:

1. Fan is always on and can be heard by some people.
2. Screen is not as good as a Samsung Series 9
3. SDD is slow... even some are comparing it to an HDD.
4. Too much bloatware.
5. Screen not hi-rez like the Asus UX31.
6. Body may be too light causing unnecessary wobbling of the LCD/unit.

There are more... but those are the ones that come up repeatedly.

If a vendor knew how to do that... they would be rolling in the dough. The problem here is every is different so like you said, it can't be all things to all people... but some... like the Tosh can come close (and the Lenovo for those who don't need some of the things that the Tosh has ).

My biggest gripe with the Tosh is the screen resolution... coming from and MBA running 1440x900, 1366x768 is a downer... but the UX31 just has too many other things I don't like (mostly keyboard light/layout/response related).

 

Are you keeping your Z835 or returning it to BestBuy? I see you've had it for a couple of weeks. Have you written a full review? I didn't see one on your blog.

thanks

 

I'm actually waffling between keeping the Z835 or getting the Z830 from Toshiba with i5, fingerprint reader, bluetooth, better wifi card, matte screen, Win7Pro and 3-year warranty.

The big factor is $400 difference in price now that Best Buy dropped the Z835 to $699. What I may end up doing is just keeping the Z835 because of the price point, and waiting to see what 2012 brings as I really hope Asus gets their act together with the UX issues or that someone else releases a 1080p ultrabook (which is rumored to be happening... even Apple may be releasing higher-rez MBAs).

As for a review... I've thought about it, but there seems to be a good number of them out there already that are quite extensive and mine would only be a text version of my thoughts (not really into photographing every single angle of an item).

One other con I forgot to mention... battery life isn't as high as I would expect. It's good... but I'm regularly getting only about 5 hours and that's just doing web browsing.

How is it on the Lenovo?

 

If the X2 rumors pan out, you may be lusting for one of them. Not to mention the second generation Samsung Series 9.

 

Sorry - I lost track of this thread, anyway here is the USB VGA adapter I'm using...

USB 2.0 High Resolution VGA Adapter | Aluratek

I bought it at Fry's for around $30 in store....any of the USB VGA Adapters with the DisplayLink DL-165 or higher should support modern resolutions...


Jeff

 

I have used this with my Ideapad U300s on a half dozen projectors and it works great. This, direct from HP.com, is $10 cheaper than Amazon. It's small, and doesn't require external power.

HP HDMI to VGA Display Adapter | HP® Official Store