Even if you are searching for a budget laptop for your new year at university, you should take a look at the new laptops that are powered with the latest generation of Intel chipsets. Haswell processors are much better than the ones that were available before, one of their main advantages besides pure performance being the fact that they save a lot of battery juice. So, with no further ado, here’s a list with the best Haswell laptops, equipped either with i3, i5 or i7 chipset that you could buy and with affordable prices, wherever possible.
Best Haswell Laptops Available in the Market
Intel Core series has recently got its latest update, the fourth generation of the worldwide known processor microarchitecture series, or as we all know it, the Haswell series. As usually, the new generation has big advantages and improvements, like the low battery consumption and better graphic processor units than the older versions. The battery lifetime is the big thing that this version comes with, because the latest ultrabooks equipped with Haswell technology can manage around ten hours of normal usage. Also, developers say that the integrated Intel HD 5100 GPU is 20% better than the 4000 series that can be found on the Ivy Bridge chipsets. Now, let’s see what caught our attention at this stage.
Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro is completing the successful Yoga family, being the successor of the original 13.3 inch Yoga Pro convertible laptop. The great thing about this series is that all of the laptops have a 360 degree convertible display, letting users to easily transform their all-day laptop into a tablet. Also, developers say that the clarity of the new display, which has a QHD+ resolution (3200 x 1800), is four times better than Yoga’s Pro, which had a 1600 x 900 screen resolution. The new model is thinner (15.5 mm or 0.61”), lighter (1.39 kg or 3.1 lbs), has a 10 point vivid multi-touch display and an 178 degree angle of visibility, everything for delivering extraordinary images from almost every position. Yoga 2 Pro is equipped with the latest Intel technology, the fourth generation Intel Core Haswell processors. Good to know is that there are three possibilities when choosing a variant to purchase : i3-4010U Processor (Clock Speed 1.7 GHz), i5-4200U Processor (up to 2.6 GHz) and i7-4500U Processor (up to 3 GHz). The product can be used in four different ways: laptop, tablet, tent and stand. It’s stuffed with all sorts of applications, like the Lenovo Transition application that automatically switches configurations when the device changes from one mode to another or Phone Companion which lets users send documents and other data to their smartphones via text messages (this app can be used only when the device is used as a laptop). In our opinion the most useful application is Yoga Picks. This app suggests users the best programs and games that are suitable for that particular mode in which is used the device. For example, in the tablet mode you will receive Brizzle, a popular game, and Zinio, an e-reader, as suggestions.
VAIO Pro 13 Ultrabook
The VAIO Pro 13 Ultrabook is a masterpiece of technology, with a beautiful aspect, amazing configuration and a stunning durable carbon fiber case. In addition, it has a stunning HD screen, Sony’s latest Full HD Triluminos display, which offers a more vivid and vibrant color than ever. It weighs only 2.34 lbs (almost 1 kg) and it’s the lightest 13.3” touch Ultrabook that is available now on the market. Everything is beautifully designed and in the right place. Some things that we could remind and that are extremely useful are the backlit keyboard that helps users typing in the dark and the comfortable palm rest design. All of the Vaio Pro Ultrabooks are from default equipped only with SSDs (Solid State Drive), offering a faster and more durable storage solution. Having the SSDs and the latest i7 Intel Haswell processors this laptop represents a feast for every hectic tech user who wants a laptop that runs at the velocity of light. Another good improvement is represented by the battery lifetime, because this laptop can stay in the hibernation mode for days, thanks to Sony’s Rapid Wake technology. Also, a useful feature that we can remember is the One-Touch sharing, through which users can simply share data between the laptop and their smartphones. They only have to touch the devices between them, thanks to the NFC (Near Field Communication) which makes this possible. This type of model has a starting price of $1249.99, a laptop which is equipped with an Intel Core Haswell i5 (1.60GHz / 2.6 GHz) processor, and can go up to $2599.99 for the red edition, that has an Intel Core Haswell i7 (1.80GHz / 3 GHz) processor.
Acer Aspire V7
Acer Aspire V7 is a good solution when you are searching for a decent laptop that is equipped with the latest gear. The aces from its sleeve are the great battery lifetime, an excellent and vivid touchscreen and good performance in games and applications. The Full HD 15.6’ display is capable of representing amazing images, even if you are somewhere in a wide angle, everything being protected by a solid case. The ultrabook is available with a wide range of processors, starting from the cheapest solution which is the Intel Core Ivy Bridge based i5 (1.8 GHz / 2.7 GHz) and finishing with the Intel Core Haswell based i7 (1.8GHz / 3.0GHz). The latest Intel processors help improving the battery lifetime, which lasts to around six or seven hours in a normal usage. Everything is packed into a 0.83 inch (21 mm) thick case that weighs 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg), twice than the Sony Vaio Pro 13. Besides these things, the laptop has a great illumination system for the keyboard, making this device very suitable even in the dark. Also, another good feature is represented by the four speakers placed underneath the base unit that can play accurate and clear sounds. When it’s about GPUs, it has everything for everyone, containing an integrated Intel HD Graphics but also a dedicated GPUs from Nvidia or ATI. This laptop is available in a various number of configurations which are usually sold for cheaper prices than its competitors. For example, the Aspire V7-582PG-642l equipped with an Intel Core Haswell i5 processor (1.6GHz / 2.6GHz), 8 GB RAM, GeForce GT 720M and a 1TB hard drive with 20 GB of SSD, can be bought for only $1049.99 from Acer’s website.
MacBook Air 13
Apple always offered a great array of amazing high tech devices, like the exciting and versatile Apple MacBook Air 13 which is only 1.72 cm (0.68 inch) thin and weighs as little as 1 kg (2.38 pounds). Furthermore, the 13 inch laptop has a battery lifetime that can last up to 12 hours of usage, making this device one of the best ones that are now available on the market. The laptop comes with an impressive number of features, like the Retina display, flash storage, 720p FaceTime HD camera and more. One of the most important role in the economy of the battery lifetime is represented by the new Intel Core Haswell i5 and i7 processors that were especially designed to use less power without losing high performances. Also, with these processors you will receive the new Intel HD Graphics 5000 that are 40 % better than the 4000 series that were mounted on the third generation Intel Core processors, Ivy Bridge. When it’s about of a portable device, the connectivity is very important and because of this the new MacBook Air 13 has implemented the ultra-fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thunderbolt and two USB 3.0 ports that transform this device into a valuable workstation. Another nice addition is the backlit keyboard that can help you even in the darkest conditions, which with the help of a light sensor can automatically adjust its brightness so that it won’t stress the eye. The price starts from $1099, but we can assure you that everything that is packed in this little computer worth every penny. For more information about the product and where you can buy it, go to Apple’s official website and get the location of the nearest store.
Asus ROG G750JX
The Asus ROG G750JX (Republic of Gamers) is a special model made by Asus for PC gamers. This particular device has an astonishing 17” display which offers a great view when gaming. Also, it has an ergonomic backlit keyboard that has a 5 degree inclination and aluminum palm rests, which were implemented in order to prevent fatigue that goes to your hands and wrists when playing. The ROG G750JX is a great portable laptop for all kinds of gamers that creates one of the best experience for players. It’s full of different and gorgeous features, such as the 720p HD camera, an oversized multi-point touchpad, two rear-venting fans, the exclusive SonicMaster sound system and more. One of the most interesting is the leap motion feature which creates a link between your hands and the laptop without having to press anything. Thanks to the body motion sensor, your body and hands can easily become the controller in your games and apps. This laptop is an amazing product that is equipped with the latest components, and one of the most important is the processor. This particular model, the ROG G570JX, is powered by a fourth generation Intel Core Haswell i7, which is the latest and most efficient processor from Intel. Besides the CPU, the GPU is also very important and here you can find NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 780 that is definitely one of the premium solutions for notebooks. Developers say that is 50-75 % better than the older version of GPUs from Nvidia.
Other worthy mentions:
You should also take a look at the following laptops that are equipped with Intel Haswell processors:
Dell Inspiron 11 3000 is an affordable laptop with 11.6” touch screen that is powered by a Haswell processor. It’s only 0.83 inches (21 mm) thick and weighs 3.15 pounds (1.42 kg) that will be launched in a little time for a price that is around $350. Go to Dell’s website for more info. Alienware 17 is a gaming portable computer that can be equipped with the most powerful Haswell processors: Intel Core i7-4700MQ Processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz), Intel Core i7-4800MQ Processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.7GHz) and Intel Core i7-4900MQ Processor (8MB Cache Overlooked up to 4.0GHz). This amazing device that has a 17” screen is available for prices that start from $1499. HP Envy x2 is one of the greatest solutions for a laptop that has a Haswell processor, which can be easily transformed into a tablet. In tests it showed that is capable of good performances and along with a good GPU can do wonders. If you are interested into this laptop you should know that costs only $699.99 on HP’s store.
