I like spreadsheets. Sometimes I find an old spreadsheet and wonder what the heck I mean, when I created it. Today I found an one-year old sheet about laptops and want to share it.

I described scenarios that my lightweight laptop (they used to be called ultrabooks) should satisfy. I added some scores (10 is maximum) for two laptops that I used for the past year: macbook air 2012 and dell xps 12.

Note: I use a laptop as my main working machine at home, I don’t have a working station there.

Scenario	Metrics	Priority	Dell XPS	Macbook Air
open laptop, quick yelp/google maps/mail lookup, close laptop	Startup time, browser readiness	P1	4	9
Scroll web page	Smothness	P1	6	10
Adjust sound level (for music / video)	Speed, easy in unusual conditions (i.e. during sex)	P1	7	8
install toolchain for a new language/framework/hardware, write “hello world” app using it	Count of non-automated actions (i.e. install unsigned drivers)	P2	3	7
clone source from github, build project	Any additional software required?	P1	4	7
install a new general purpose software	easy to find, easy to install	P2	8	6
Type instant message in dark room, laying in a bed	how much time do you need to do it, is it a good expirience	P2	6	8
Play a game from steam	Is this OS supported for games? Does laptop have enought space to install one more 7-Gb game? Does hardware allow me play some new hits?	P2	6	3

That’s pretty much sums up why I prefer macbook air. Yep.