More powerful. Unlike netbooks, ultrabooks have powerful processors that can run the same software you run on your desktop or laptop. Their Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors are up to 10 times the speed found in a netbook.

Thinner, lighter. Lighter than a laptop, ultrabooks weigh in at less than 1.5 Kg.

Faster. SSD (solid-state drive) storage allows the ultrabook to be light but also allows shorter boot and resume times, enabling Ultrabooks to resume from standby and connect to Wi-Fi in less than five seconds.

Prettier. This is pretty subjective but ultrabooks are clearly following in the footsteps of Apple’s Macbook Air with plenty of aluminum and sleeker designs.

“This New Year’s Eve leaves you feeling like you’ve got no one to kiss at midnight.” Dave McGinn, Globe and Mail

“How is it possible to assemble more than two dozen stars in a movie and find nothing interesting for any of them to do?” Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“Watching Robert De Niro put yet another nail in the coffin of his career is bad enough, but et tu Michelle Pfeiffer?” Jeff Meyers, Metro Times (Detroit, MI)

“If you are surprised by anything in this movie, you need to see more movies.” David Medsker, Bullz-Eye.com

“It is the cinematic equivalent of a greeting card: both the sentiment and the laughs are plentiful, cheap and forgettable.” Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic

CentralWorld (Open daily through Jan 7, 2012. Ratchadamri Rd. BTS Chit Lom.)

This year it’s pretty quiet for CentralWorld with the only option being the Chang Beer Park where they’ll be pushing their new product, Chang Export. The lineup of bands includes Koh Mr.Saxman & Jennifer Kim (Dec 24), Big Ass (Dec 27), Potato (Dec 29), Scrubb & Slot Machine (Dec31) and Bank Clash (Jan 5). It’s a good spot to start your New Year’s celebrations, though, as you’ll be right next door to the big countdown event at Central World Square which starts from 4pm and will feature a host of bands including Slur and Tattoo Color.

Esplanade (Open daily until Dec 31. Ratchadapisek Rd. MRT Thailand Cultural Center)

We’re sad to report that there’ll be no Green Spaces spreading across the city this winter as Heineken only have one park, situated in front of the Esplanade shopping center. The band Laong Fong, Kor P.O.P and Boy Friday are set to play on Dec 28 and there will also be a New Year’s count down on Dec 31 starting from 5pm.

Crystal Design Center (Open daily. Ekamai-Ramindra Rd.)

As befits the city’s self proclaimed style and design hub, CDC looks to raise the tone somewhat by skipping the beer park model in favor of a Jacob’s Creek lounge. The wine park will offer ten types of Jacob’s Creek wines alongside jazz performances from Nui The Peachband (Dec 23), Gale Dheela (Dec 25), Beam Charuwan (Dec 30) and Lydia (Dec 31). The program will be on through Feb 19, and you can get a full lineup at www.facebook.com/jacobscreekthailand). Book tables at 080-081-7444.
Est 33 looks to keep things a little more traditional with their Singha Beer Park from now through Dec 31 where there’ll be bands playing daily: Tu Phobtorn (Dec 23), Palmy (Dec 24), Cocktail (Dec 25), Namm Ronnadej and New&Jew (Dec 26), Lula (Dec 27), Zeal (Dec 28), 25 Hours (Dec 29), Friday (Dec 30) and a special countdown event on Dec 31 featuring Apartmentkhunpa, Calories Blah Blah and Burin Boonvisut.
CDC Phase 2 offers up the Aston Beer Fest with German’s Weihenstephan and Belgian Hoegaarden running through Feb 28, 2012. It will have the Wine Garden 2011 from Italasia as its next door neighbor giving you he choice of Prosecco 7 Casine, Sud Primitivo-Merlot and Moscato d’Asti. See updates at www.facebook.com/italasia; reservations call 090-402-9364.

La Villa (Open daily. Phaholyothin Rd. BTS Ari)

The most popular imported beer franchise in town, HOBS is now extending its reach to La Villa Ari. Their new branch will also include a Beer Park which opened on Dec 19 and will run through Jan 18, serving up Hoegaarden, Leffe and Stella Artois. Catch their updates at www.facebook.com/HOBSThailand

K Village (Open daily. Sukhumvit Soi 26. BTS Promphong)

As we said, no Heineken Greenspace at the hiso community mall this year. Instead it has been replaced by a proper Belgian Beer Fest, serving the usual brews of choice Hoegaarden, Stella Artois and Leffe through Feb 15, 2012.