Vizio CT15-A1 Ultrabook: Intel Core i5-3317U 1.7GHz, 4GB DDR3, 128GB SSD, 15.6" 1920 x 1080 Full HD Display, USB 3.0, Win 7 Prem $600 + Free Shipping!

TigerDirect via eBay has Vizio CT15-A1 Ultrabook for $600. Shipping is free. Thanks DJ3xclusive

Specs

• Intel Core i5 3317U 1.7GHz
• 4GB DDR3
• 128GB SSD
• 15.6" 1920x1080 LED Display
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• WiFi N
• USB 3.0
• Up to 6 hours of battery life
• Windows 7 Home Premium

Price Research: Our research indicates that Vizio CT15-A1 Ultrabook is $99 lower (14% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices ranging starting at $699. - yuugotserved

solid deal. alternatively, for i7 + 256 gb ssd version [CT15-A2], you can for $800 @ amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-Light...B0088L182M

tho reviews say battery life is pretty dismal in this line. like ~3-4 hrs normal usage reported

Just wish it were the CT15-A5 for this price... the A1 doesn't [amazon.com] get the best [theverge.com] reviews [engadget.com], sadly. I really wanted to like this thing, but I will not get a laptop with a bad trackpad/keyboard again. It is too integral to overlook.

....the touchpad on this model makes you cry yourself to sleep. Don't believe on people saying newer firmware/update makes it better. IT WON'T
Keyboard isn't as bad as it sounds...

This is actually TWO generations old. Vizio showed off touchscreen successors to the A5 series with slightly better battery life and touchpad at CES, but as usual for them, they're late.

New units!
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Seems like a pretty good contender to the Zenbook, but it got slightly lower marks in the comparo I read.

Quote from Nehcffej : solid deal. alternatively, for i7 + 256 gb ssd version [CT15-A2], you can for $800 @ amazon: http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-Light...B0088L182M tho reviews say battery life is pretty dismal in this line. like ~3-4 hrs normal usage reported

That looks interesting. I'd love the 256gb storage. Ah, but no keyboard backlight. I think anything but the Zenbook is going to be a compromise for me.

I picked up this model on Black Friday for ~$500 from the Microsoft Store. Overall, yes, the trackpad is pretty terrible (it will literally freeze for minutes at a time), so having a wireless mouse is a must. The keyboard really isn't that bad once you get used to it. Early on I was having a lot of double presses, but after about a month, they stopped entirely and the keyboard hasn't been an issue since.

Otherwise, the laptop is great. Screen is bright, resolution is great, very lightweight and overall, I'm very satisfied with it. Battery life to me has been good (I can usually squeeze a good 5-6 hours of it, but I generally don't have the brightness high). Only other consideration people may have is the lack of a backlit keyboard.

For $500, I'm definitely satisfied with my purchase. For $600, I'd still say it's a solid deal, but I don't know if I would be willing to bite on it considering the new models were already announced and should take care of the grievances with this model.

Hope this helps someone out!

From what I've read, you cannot upgrade the RAM on this laptop. The bottom panel is one gigantic piece, making RAM and hard drive access extremely hard or unfeasible. I would've definitely jumped on this laptop if it weren't for those reasons. Just a heads up for any of those that are on the fence.

How is a 15.6" laptop an Ultrabook? When I hear Ultrabook I think 13.3" screen, light weight, long battery life.

is it come with the backlight keyboard? thx!

I have this exact laptop. I would probably buy it again for $600 even though it's not without problems. I personally hate they keyboard since it's very hard to type on. The trackpad has occasionally stopped working completely. The battery is also around 3-3.5 hours. The good thing about this laptop is that the screen is too damn good and it's very light and stylish. I'd still recommend it even though it has its faults, but I'm not exactly the person who uses a laptop on daily basis (more of a desktop person).

Quote from XOXO3788 : is it come with the backlight keyboard? thx!

No, it doesn't.

Quote from Superorb : How is a 15.6" laptop an Ultrabook? When I hear Ultrabook I think 13.3" screen, light weight, long battery life.

A sub 4 pound laptop is damn light for a 15" notebook.