The market remains swamped with different laptop editions ranging from hybrids to ultraooks. As the holidays rush in, it would be best for shoppers to understand which products serve which users best. Understanding whether to go for a hybrid or ultrabook can mean the difference between getting their money's worth or not. This time, pitting a hybrid against and ultrabook should establish when to know to for either one.

Asus Transformer Book TX300

People may get confused initially what the Asus Transformer Book TX300 really is. It is both a tablet and computer. The device comes in a 13.3-inch slate form that transforms into a laptop when users attach the keyboard. Nonetheless, if people will look into the components, they will find the device much closer to laptop. Windows 8 ensures that people can switch between two orientations as smoothly as possible.

The tablet section features charcoal grey brushed aluminum offering an elegant feel. The finish is cleaner than most of the products on the market. The black borders also compliment the overall look of the device. The keyboard sports a silver-colored brushed aluminum. It attaches to the screen or tablet through a plastic hinge. Overall, people can expect top-notch quality finish from Asus.

The device runs on Intel's Core processor specially the Ivy Bridge Intel Core i7 3517U 3rd Generation model. Suffice to say, the 4th generation Clover Trail still runs better but the device still delivers excellent performance. Similar to other ultrabooks, Asus offers the Transformer Book TX300 with a standard 4GB RAM.

The Intel HD 4000 chip takes care of the graphics. The chip can work with games and movie playback. The device also offers an excellent gorgeous-looking full HD 1,920 x 1080 panel. Asus boasts of super sharp screen plus super saturation and deep colors.

Other features include 500GB HDD and a 128GB SSD. The more impressive thing is that Asus managed to make sure it offers both components to the best possible way. Throughout the year, one of the primary problems of ultrabooks is their limited memory. Often, people are limited to 128GB internal storage. People will not come across such issue.

Benchmarks for the device according to Tech Radar include:

  • 3D Mark: Ice Storm: 29,117, Cloud Gate: 2,832, Fire Strike: 421
  • Cinebench 11.5: CPU performance: 580, OpenGL graphics performance 15.01fps
  • Battery Eater: 92 mins
  • Battery life (PCMark 8 Home test): 5 hours 6 minutes

Running on Intel Core i7, the Asus hybrid should not fall behind performance. Asus has been commended for ensuring their products not only perform well but also look good. The Asus Transformer Book TX300 will not disappoint. Nonetheless, people should be prepared for a few hangs or lags because of the Windows 8 OS.

2013 MacBook Pro Retina

Many analysts agree that the 13-inch model of the Retina MacBook Pro series is more superior to its 15-inch counterpart. The laptop mixes the portability of slates and the computing power of ultrabooks. Apple also made sure the configurations of the device are as flexible or versatile as they can be. People can choose from the following options for the 13-inch model:

  • Standard model is 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache configurable to 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache or 2.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache.
  • The upgrade is 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache configurable to 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache or 2.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache.
  • Last upgrade is 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache configurable to 2.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache.

Prices start from $1,299 to $1,499. The 13-inch edition comes with 2,560 x 1,600 pixel resolution and 226 ppi. The Haswell processor ensures the device offers longer battery life. The MacBook Pro Retina can run for up to 9 hours wireless web, up to 9 hours iTunes movie playback and up to 30 days standby time.

Other improvements include faster 802.11ac Wi-Fi specification as well as faster flash drive and Thunderbolt 2 ports. Apple made the aluminum body famous that it inspired similar products on the market. Apple invested on performance for this year's MacBook Pro Retina removing the optical drives along the way.

With faster storage, better memory, longer battery life and stunning display, the MacBook Pro Retina delivers. For people who want to have a more flexible or more number of computing options, the Asus Transformer Book TX300 is a good choice. For those who wish to focus on performance, Apple is the ideal choice.