VIZIO CT15-A5 15.6-Inch Thin + Light Ultrabook Review

This is the Windows 8 ultrabook you are probably looking for. It bears a striking resemblance to the MacBook Air (aside from their size difference), which is probably another computer that you are considering if you are looking at this one. It has many of the same features, but it is also less expensive, has a higher resolution screen, and is running the purest form of the Windows 8 operating system that you will find on a pre-configured laptop.

You are probably more familiar with Vizio as a manufacturer or affordable flat-screen televisions, but they have been branching into the consumer laptop and ultrabook market. Based on this model, everyone else better look out. Vizio is getting a lot of things right with this computer.

See what owners of this ultrabook have to say about it.

	VIZIO CT15-A5 15.6-Inch Thin + Light Ultrabook
	Look for the lowest price on this ultrabook
Processor	1.9 GHz 3rd gen Intel Core i7
Screen	15.6 inch HD LED (1920 x 1080)
Hard Drive	256 GB solid state drive
RAM	4 GB DDR3
Battery Life	7 hours
Total Number of USB Ports	2
Number of USB 3.0 Ports	2
HDMI	Yes
Keyboard	standard, not backlit
Graphics	Intel HD 4000
Weight	3.89 lbs.

Pros:

Windows 8 Signature
256 GB solid state drive
Intel i7 processor
Over 7 hours of battery life
Lightweight
USB 3.0 connectivity
Full HD screen

Cons:

Sound could be better
Would like additional USB ports
Integrated graphics mean this isn’t a computer for heavy gaming
No backlit keyboard
No ethernet port

Simply put, this machine has almost every feature that you could ask for from an ultrabook under $1000. It has a top of the line processor, a 256 GB solid state drive and a very long battery life. It matches or surpasses the MacBook Air in nearly every major performance category, and it also gets the Windows 8 Signature edition, which means that you will not have any unnecessary trial software or bloatware that you need to remove. Vizio has also been able to distribute this laptop without any of the annoying stickers that you usually see applied to Windows computers. Overall, this results in a very clean, beautiful ultrabook that will have staunch Mac supporters thinking twice about moving away from Windows.

This Vizio is built for someone that wants the best combination of performance, portability and battery life that you expect from an ultrabook. Despite missing some features that you would find in a thicker, heavier laptop (such as a dedicated graphics card and optical drive), there really isn’t any area that Vizio has skimped on in designing this computer. Whether you do a lot of design work, travel frequently, or are a student that uses a lot of demanding programs for their major, this laptop is for you. It also looks incredible, and will have heads turning when you use it in the airport or a coffee shop. We see a lot of different ultrabooks and laptops, but this is truly one of the best and most memorable ones you will find on the market.

In case you couldn’t tell, this is a terrific computer. If you are shopping for an ultrabook, then you are probably aware of what they do well, and what they are meant for. Ultrabooks forego heavy, power-hungry components in favor of portability and battery life. In that regard, this laptop has succeeded admirably. It also offers a 15 inch screen and a weight under 4 pounds, which sets it apart from its’ 13-inch competitors. Whether this is a bonus or a detraction is something that is left up to you to decide, but I always enjoy a larger laptop if that additional size doesn’t come at the expense of weight. And when that screen has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, then it’s all the more reason to be excited about a bigger screen.

See the full list of specs, features and components that you will get with this laptop.

Vizio has actually been making quality ultrabooks for a couple of years. You can read our review of another one that is less expensive, yet still has some great features.