Asus S56CA-WH31 Ultrabook $450 Shipped

Relax. No need to be so uncouth, especially when it does nothing to help get your point across.

Regardless of whose fault it is, I'm sure we can all agree that the term "Ultrabook" has been grossly abused.
"Ultrabook" was marketed and understood by many as laptops that were both portable and powerful. Many people, myself included, have always associated "Ultrabook" with the term "ultraportable" that came before it. So it is frustrating to look for Ultrabooks and find such heavy laptops.
4.5lbs is very heavy. Heavier than many 17" laptops. It's also not very portable.
So I might go a little further and say what an "Ultrabook" (if the term was used usefully and properly), should be. It should match all the specifications given and a few more. It should be something special that is both "ultraportable" and has the power of a good laptop.

And besides, a lot of these people aren't really saying that this is a bad deal just because it doesn't match their definition of "Ultrabook". They're basically saying that this product is not a good product for the price, and are bewildered that it is being marketed as an "Ultrabook". Now it might have skewed their perception a bit, because they expected an "Ultrabook", but it doesn't change their opinion's validity.

Relax. No need to be so uncouth, especially when it does nothing to help get your point across.

Regardless of whose fault it is, I'm sure we can all agree that the term "Ultrabook" has been grossly abused.
"Ultrabook" was marketed and understood by many as laptops that were both portable and powerful. Many people, myself included, have always associated "Ultrabook" with the term "ultraportable" that came before it. So it is frustrating to look for Ultrabooks and find such heavy laptops.
4.5lbs is very heavy. Heavier than many 17" laptops. It's also not very portable.
So I might go a little further and say what an "Ultrabook" (if the term was used usefully and properly), should be. It should match all the specifications given and a few more. It should be something special that is both "ultraportable" and has the power of a good laptop.

And besides, a lot of these people aren't really saying that this is a bad deal just because it doesn't match their definition of "Ultrabook". They're basically saying that this product is not a good product for the price, and are bewildered that it is being marketed as an "Ultrabook". Now it might have skewed their perception a bit, because they expected an "Ultrabook", but it doesn't change their opinion's validity.

umm...so is this a good deal? LOL

I've learned that if you have to ask, it's not for you. I typically wait for the deal that is unquestionably a great deal for me (which usually ends up being a great deal for a lot of other people too

If your need isn't urgent (keep in mind that even if you think it is, it might not actually be), then hang around, keep an eye on the laptop deals that get posted and read the comments. You'll eventually get a feel for what makes a good deal and when a great one comes along, you might realize it before the rest of us.

The screen and keyboard ARE the most important things, that's how you interface with the device. A little slower processor or a smaller hard drive is easier to deal with than a shitty screen and keyboard. As far as $299 laptops, they're all over the place.