Why is there a lack of ultraportables with Intel Iris graphics?

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Why is there a lack of ultraportables with Intel Iris graphics?

d3Xt3r

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#143395 13-Apr-2014 15:59

Hey all,

So I'm in the market for a Haswell ultrabook, and I've been waiting patiently since last year to get hold of a decent one with Iris, but I still don't see any options in NZ - other than the MacBook Air.

Anyone know why, and whether local retailers have any plans to stock Iris ultrabooks?

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Mad Scientist
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#1024452 13-Apr-2014 18:10

Because it makes little difference?

No only on apples

macuser

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#1024459 13-Apr-2014 18:21

I think because HD5000 etc are only available with the highest end i7 chipsets, which are significantly more expensive than the regular ultrabook i5.

The difference between a HD4400 and a HD5000 is about 20%, but the cost rise is similar.

d3Xt3r

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#1024463 13-Apr-2014 18:29

@joker97:

You do realise that there a world of difference between the HD 4xxx and Iris (5xxx) graphics, right? Basically the Iris is as good as having a dedicated mid-range mobile GPU on your device.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6926/intel-iris-iris-pro-graphics-haswell-gt3gt3e-gets-a-brand

The 5100 performs at least 40% better than the 4400, and is comparable to a GeForce 620M or even a 640.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Iris-Graphics-5100.91977.0.html

d3Xt3r

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#1024467 13-Apr-2014 18:34

@macuser:

The MBAs are all i5 though, and they come with the Iris 5000. And they're available in stock.

sonyxperiageek

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#1024494 13-Apr-2014 19:34

Then I guess you should just buy a MacBook Air and run something like Parallels on it if you want Windows! :)

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#1024526 13-Apr-2014 20:40

d3Xt3r: @joker97:

You do realise that there a world of difference between the HD 4xxx and Iris (5xxx) graphics, right? Basically the Iris is as good as having a dedicated mid-range mobile GPU on your device.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6926/intel-iris-iris-pro-graphics-haswell-gt3gt3e-gets-a-brand

The 5100 performs at least 40% better than the 4400, and is comparable to a GeForce 620M or even a 640.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Iris-Graphics-5100.91977.0.html

wow in that case ... i wonder why my i7 4702HQ (i think) comes with nvidia gt750m ... seems a waste of time then eh

networkn

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#1024542 13-Apr-2014 21:03

The answer to the OP Question : Price.

Very few consumers are prepared to pay the premium. I just bought the Asus UX301 which had the Iris, and it's AWESOME.

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heavenlywild

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#1024548 13-Apr-2014 21:29

networkn: The answer to the OP Question : Price.

Very few consumers are prepared to pay the premium. I just bought the Asus UX301 which had the Iris, and it's AWESOME.

What's the battery life like on your machine with Iris?

networkn

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#1024555 13-Apr-2014 21:39

heavenlywild:
networkn: The answer to the OP Question : Price.

Very few consumers are prepared to pay the premium. I just bought the Asus UX301 which had the Iris, and it's AWESOME.

What's the battery life like on your machine with Iris?

Honestly I haven't really had a chance to check such things, I've barely had time to play with it (it's a secondary device for me for travelling etc). I'll be away Easter week, if you ping me after that, I'll let you know.

It's not something I noticed whilst I was travelling last time, so I'd say pretty damn good :)

dasimpsonsrule

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#1024557 13-Apr-2014 21:43

After looking at all the options last year, I ended up buying a macbook air, removing OSX (to free up space) and putting windows on it. Apart from not having a proper delete key (not backspace labelled delete), I have no problems with it.

d3Xt3r

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#1024668 14-Apr-2014 08:16

networkn: The answer to the OP Question : Price.

Very few consumers are prepared to pay the premium. I just bought the Asus UX301 which had the Iris, and it's AWESOME.

Where did you buy the UX301 from? I checked PriceSpy and no one has it in stock.

dasimpsonsrule: After looking at all the options last year, I ended up buying a macbook air, removing OSX (to free up space) and putting windows on it. Apart from not having a proper delete key (not backspace labelled delete), I have no problems with it.

Thanks, it's good to know the MBA can run Windows without any issues. I'll keep Apple as my last option in case I can't find anything else. :)

Dairyxox

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#1024681 14-Apr-2014 08:48

Waiting is half the problem too. By the time iris / chrystalwell becomes readily available then broadwell launch will be just around the corner or even released.

This is another benefit of getting the macbook. They often have the new architecture way before other NZ suppliers. So you can use it while it's current. But you've already waited over 6 months.

nathan

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#1024689 14-Apr-2014 09:03

nice video card on the MBA but married to a crap low res screen

Batman

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#1024692 14-Apr-2014 09:05

networkn:
heavenlywild:
networkn: The answer to the OP Question : Price.

Very few consumers are prepared to pay the premium. I just bought the Asus UX301 which had the Iris, and it's AWESOME.

What's the battery life like on your machine with Iris?

Honestly I haven't really had a chance to check such things, I've barely had time to play with it (it's a secondary device for me for travelling etc). I'll be away Easter week, if you ping me after that, I'll let you know.

It's not something I noticed whilst I was travelling last time, so I'd say pretty damn good :)

did you import the ASUS?

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#1024694 14-Apr-2014 09:12

wow the listed price for this thing is $3600 and it's parallel imported (i don't think ASUS NZ stock them)
and the battery life is rated for 8 hours

I have the top of the range Dell XPS 15 (the only one that comes with a supersized battery) with a proper (not undervolted) i7 and NVidia GT750M - it'll go for 8 hours on medium screen brightness
costs about the same when dell dishes out 20% discounts - not sure when is the next one

edit - having said that the macs claim to do 14hrs - so if you want battery life go mac. if ASUS rates theirs at 8hrs it won't match the mac

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