ASUS UL30Vt-X1 Thin and Light 13.3-Inch Black Laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium) | 
| Brand: Asus Category: Personal Computer
List Price: $799.00 Buy New: $749.99 as of 3/10/2010 22:03 EST details You Save: $49.01 (6%)
New (3) from $749.99
Seller: Amazon.com Rating: 55 reviews Sales Rank: 62
Color: Black Media: Personal Computers Batteries Included: Yes Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium CPU Manufacturer: Intel CPU Speed: 1.3 CPU Type: Intel Core 2 Duo System Memory: 4 Memory Type: DDR3 SDRAM Battery Type: Lithium Ion Hard Drive Size: 500 Free Memory Slots: 2 Display Size: 13.3 Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.7 Dimensions (in): 12.9 x 9.3 x 1
MPN: UL30VT-X1 Model: UL30Vt-X1 UPC: 884840543909 EAN: 0884840543909 ASIN: B002XZLURC
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Intel SU7300 Core 2 Duo 1.3GHz Processor | | • | 4GB of DDR3 RAM | | • | 500GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM), No Optical Drive | | • | NVidia G210M Graphics with 512MB DDR3 + Intel GMA 4500MHD (Switchable VGA); Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) Operating System | | • | 13.3-Inch Widescreen HD LED LCD Display; Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn; Bluetooth; 0.3M Webcam |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description Style and Performance in Perfect Harmony
The energy-efficient, slim, and stylish ASUS UL30Vt-X1 notebook redefines ultraportable notebooks with new power boosting features. Free yourself from power cords and start exploring with up to an amazing 11 hours of all-day battery life1. Powered by the ultra-low-voltage Intel Core2 Duo processor SU7300, and optimized with 4GB of DDR3 DRAM, ASUS GraphiX Boost switchable graphics, and exclusive Turbo33 technology, the UL30Vt-X1 takes you further than most other notebooks with eye-catching style, optimized performance, smart power usage, and a generous 500GB of storage. Its ultra-slim profile makes traveling a breeze and its 13.3-inch HD LED-backlit display offers bright, vibrant visuals and advanced energy efficiency.
Effortlessly navigate your e-mails and favorite websites with the enhanced multi-touch trackpad and complete important assignments with ease using the comfortable chiclet keyboard. The UL30Vt-X1 also features Altec Lansing speakers, plus SRS Premium Sound, for a home theater experience on the go. The UL30Vt-X1 is built from the ground up to give you the best value; it’s an ultraportable notebook that truly delivers mobility and power on demand.
 | Now there is an even bigger reason to get the UL Series by ASUS. Adding to a whole trophy case of awards is the latest 2009 Editor's Choice Award by Engadget. Voted by Engadget's editorial staff as LAPTOP OF THE YEAR, the UL series is the ultimate companion for your mobile computing needs. |
The most comprehensive notebook warranty package is icing on the cake.
1-year global warranty Thirty-days flawless display guarantee Free two-way standard shipping 24-hour tech support seven days a week Plus ASUS Accidental Damage Protection: ASUS UL30Vt-X1 also come with a One Year Accidental Damage Warranty protecting the notebook from drops, fire, spills, and surge.** 
Key Features - All-day computing with up to 11 hours of battery life1 (Learn more)
- Exceptionally compact and light, under 1-inch thin, and weighs less than 4 pounds
- Powered by the Intel Core2 Duo Processor SU7300 for energy efficiency (Learn more)
- Exclusive Turbo33 Technology for 33% system performance boost during process-intensive multi-tasking (Learn more)
- GraphiX Boost that instantly switches between the energy-efficient built-in graphics and powerful ASUS Discrete Graphics Engine (Learn more)
- Color Shine 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen HD display that uses less energy and gives you an immersive cinematic experience (Learn more)
- 4GB of DDR3 system memory for smooth performance with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit installed
- 500GB hard drive for responsive, convenient storage and access to all your documents, music, videos, and photos
- Chiclet style keyboard and multi-touch trackpad for comfortable and intuitive use (Learn more)
- Built-in high-speed 802.11n wireless connectivity for Internet browsing
- Integrated webcam for connecting with your friends and family
- Altec Lansing speakers enhanced with SRS Premium Sound for home theater quality acoustics
- ASUS IceCool Technology provides a cool-to-the-touch palm rest
- ASUS 360 one year global warranty and ASUS ADW one year accidental damage warranty* (Learn more)
Learn More  | Experience up to 11 hours of all-day computing with the UL30Vt-X1 *. Thanks to its ultra-low-voltage Intel Core2 Duo processor SU7300, 8-cell battery, LED-backlit display, and ASUS Super Hybrid Engine (SHE), you can maximize your time on the move and minimize time plugged-in.
And with our new FastBoot Technology providing an ultra-fast boot time of only 30 seconds, you can use your PC anywhere, virtually right away. A generous 500GB of hard drive storage holds your favorite music, videos, and photos.
Compact, and under 1 inch thin, the UL30Vt-X1 fits virtually anywhere –freeing space up for books, files, or whatever else you need. The UL30Vt-X1 lets you focus on the essentials in life. With this kind of mobility, you get the peace of mind you deserve. |
|  | The ASUS UL Series Laptops are the perfect balance of style and performance for mobile computing. They all feature an Ultra-Low-Voltage Intel® Core™2 Duo processor so that you can enjoy the performance and long battery life you need in the sleek designs you crave.
Sleek new ultra-thin laptops powered by the latest ultra-low-voltage Intel® Core™ processors deliver this unique balance of performance and power consumption to let you travel light and provide the performance you need for music, HD video, photos and more.
Intel® ULV processors are also optimized for battery life, so you can stay unplugged longer and use your laptop on the go without having to search for power outlets.
Full feature computing on the go – thin and light with long battery life – with Intel Inside®. |
|  | ASUS has innovatively designed the UL30Vt-X1 to provide you even more performance when you need it.
The ASUS exclusive Turbo33 technology automatically boosts the system performance by 33% and more. When process-intensive multi-tasking is needed, Turbo33 automatically takes CPU, memory and even graphics performance to a whole new level to ensure a smooth and seamless computing experience.
With this performance booster, the Intel Core2 Duo SU7300 is over 25% faster than a SU9400 CPU. This translates into almost 20% more overall system performance than a notebook powered by the SU9400.*** |
|  | The UL30Vt also features GraphiX Boost to instantly switch between the energy-efficient integrated graphics and the powerful ASUS Discrete Graphics Engine powered by NVIDIA CUDA enabled GeForce G210M.
This ASUS exclusive feature gives you the ability to maintain a perfect balance between conserving the battery life and enjoying surreal high-definition graphics.
With GraphiX Boost, you no longer have to sacrifice all-day battery life or jaw dropping graphics. Now you can switch between the two on-the-fly whenever high graphics processing demand is needed without having to reboot your system. It is truly graphics power on demand. |
|  | With ASUS IceCool Technology, you’re ensured extended battery life and a cool-to-touch surface, so, even after long computer sessions, there’s limited heat for optimized comfort.
With plenty of space to place your hands, the generous palm rest area makes typing on the chiclet style keyboard an enjoyable experience. It’s comfort made easy. |
| Eye-Catching Sophistication
 | Impress onlookers and complement any setting with the UL30Vt-X1’s brushed aluminum cover and a high-class appeal. From the first time you open the UL30Vt-X1 you notice the stunning interior casing around a display that brings color to life, and shines with a brilliant, high-gloss finish.
Plus, the chiclet style keyboard and spacious keys not only allow for a comfortable typing experience, but also prevent dust buildup, helping to keep your keyboard clean every time you use it.
Inspired by a butterfly’s grace, the UL30Vt-X1 carries the hallmark contours and slim elegance that separates it from the typical cookie-cutter notebook. |
|  | If you’re looking for mobile HD playback that doesn’t break the bank, with its 13.3-inch 16:9 ratio High Definition display, the UL30Vt-X1 is a great solution when you’re on the go.
When you’re at home or in the office, you can easily stream high definition media to external displays with its HDMI connectivity. Complemented with Altec Lansing speakers and SRS premium surround sound, the UL30Vt-X1 provides high-quality audio playback so there’s no need to invest in expensive speakers.
With the UL30Vt-X1, you can enjoy all your favorite movies and music where you want, when you want, with crisp clarity and great value that you will appreciate every time.
You can also instantly switch from integrated graphics to the ASUS Discrete Graphics Engine –powered by NVIDIA GeForce G210M GPU –to enjoy casual gaming and all your favorite movies and music with crisp clarity that you will appreciate every time. |
| ASUS Exclusive Windows 7 Features
 | Experience FastBoot, the unique performance boost for Windows 7 made possible by ASUS’s close partnership with Microsoft.
With ASUS exclusive FastBoot technology, Windows 7 64-bit-enabled ASUS notebooks start up in a staggering 30 seconds. That is 40% faster than 32-bit operating systems.
ASUS helps get you up and running faster than ever before.
System performance is subject to system configuration. This data is based on a comparison between a FastBoot-optimized ASUS notebook running 64-bit Windows 7 and an identically-configured notebook without FastBoot running 32-bit Windows Vista. For more details regarding the test results, please visit the information site. |
|  | ASUS complimentary notebook care package.
ASUS 360 offers a level of coverage that would add hundreds of dollars to the price of competing laptops:
One year global warranty
Thirty days flawless display guarantee
Two way free standard shipping
24/7 tech support |
| ASUS ADW* -- 1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty**  | Accidents happen. But when they happen to your ASUS notebook purchased in the US or Canada, you have extra protection. Whether your notebook is damaged by accidental spills, drops, electrical surges, or fire, ASUS will fix it or replace it for you during the first year after purchase.**
Warranty covering accidental drops, spills, power surges, and fire damage
Target 3 business day turnaround time for repair / replacement; not including receiving and shipping time
One-way shipping (from ASUS to the user) at no additional cost
24 hour toll-free phone support One incident covered per notebook |
| For PC’s running Windows 7 Home Premium
 | Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It’s the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you’ll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.
Don’t forget… Microsoft Office is not part of Microsoft Windows In order to get the most out of your new PC, don’t forget to purchase a Microsoft Office suite.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center.* Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
* Internet access required. Free TV content varies by geography. Some content may require additional fees. |
| Warranty ASUS 360* (1 Years Global Warranty) + ASUS ADW* (1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty**) + Flawless Display Guarantee ASUS UL30Vt-X1 comes with ASUS 360 (1 years global warranty), ADW (1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty*) and Flawless Display Guarantee. If the purchaser discovers one defective bright dot within 30 days of purchase, ASUS will replace the panel without cost to the purchaser.
What's in the Box ASUS UL30Vt-X1 AC Adapter 8 cell Battery Pack Warranty Information Cards
Specifications Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Display: 13.3-inch HD LED-backlit Widescreen (1366 x 768) Intel Platform: Intel Core2 Duo processor SU7300 (1.3GHz) Graphics: Switchable: Intel GMA 4500MHD and ASUS DGE powered by NVidia GeForce G210M with 512MB VRAM Wireless: WLAN 802.11b/g/n (draft 2.4GHz n) LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Memory: 4GB DDR3 DRAM, 2GB x 2 (upgradable to 8GB) Storage: 500GB 5,400RPM Hard Drive Camera: 0.3 Megapixel Speakers: SRS Premium Stereo Speakers by Altec Lansing, Hi-Definition Audio CODEC Microphone Digital Array Microphones Card Reader: 1 x 4-in-1 card reader: MMC, MS, MS-Pro, SD Input/Output: 1 x Mic-in, 1 x audio-out (S/PDIF), 1 x VGA, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x RJ45 LAN, 1 x HDMI Keyboard: 13.70-inch keyboard with MS Windows function keys Battery Pack: 8-cell Lithium Ion Battery, 4400mAh - Up to 11 hours1 Dimensions: 12.68 (L) x 9.17 (W) x 0.59 ~ 0.97 (H) –inches Approximate Weight: 3.7 lbs (with 8-cell battery) Color: Black
1Estimated maximum battery life test was done in ASUS Power4Gear battery saving mode with Mobile Mark 2007. Actual battery life may vary based on product settings, usage patterns and environmental conditions.
*For notebooks purchased on or after Sept. 10, 2007. The ASUS 360 Notebook Service Program and Accidental Damage Warranty covers “ASUS” brand notebooks only, and does NOT extend to: “Built on ASUS”, “ASMobile”, “Powered by ASUS”, the Eee PC, or some other models. These retailers are currently among the companies that do NOT participate in the ASUS 360 Notebook Service Program and Accidental Damage Warranty: Best Buy, MicroCenter, and The Source by CircuitCity in Canada. Limited of one claim per notebook for Accidental Damage Warranty. ASUS reserves the right to discontinue this program and to modify the terms and conditions thereof at any time. ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty Program starts from the date of your ASUS notebook purchase, when all the requirements are met. **One incident covered per notebook ***Performance figures were tested in PCMark 2005 v1.2.0 in 1366x768x32bit. Figures are for reference only and may vary depending on system setup and conditions. All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in photos. Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, Centrino Inside, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel Viiv, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, Viiv Inside, vPro Inside, Xeon, and Xeon Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Check Out Other ASUS Notebook Computers and Accessories
|  ASUS BX700 Bluetooth Laser Mouse The ASUS BX700 Bluetooth laser mouse offers freedom of movement, as well as doing away with wire clutter through Bluetooth connectivity. |  ASUS Thin and Light UL80Vt-A1 with Switchable Graphics Want a little larger screen? Check out the 14.1-Inch UL80Vt-A1. |  ASUS Slim External Optical Drive/DVD Writer Create and read CDs or DVDs with speed, style, and simplicity with the ASUS Slim Extrenal Optical Drive and your Eee PC. |  ASUS Crosslink Cable With the ASUS Crosslink Cable you can transfer data from one computer to another, share internet connection, even read and transfer data on one computer from another computer’s optical drive. |
Product Description The thin and light ASUS UL30Vt is a harmonious blend of form and function. Powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo ultra-low voltage processor, it boasts an impressive 11-hour battery life for all-day computing. It also sports user-centric features such as a multi-gesture touchpad and provides an impressive multimedia entertainment experience with Altec Lansing speakers and an NVidia G210M graphics engine (users can turn the graphics card off if longer battery life is needed). With Bluetooth, a 0.3MP Webcam, and Wireless b/g/n, the UL30Vt-X1 allows you to stay connected with ease. All of these features and more are shrouded in a robust brushed aluminum lid that not only looks magnificent, but also helps in maintaining the notebook’s stylish exterior day after day. ASUS notebooks come with a 1 year global warranty, one month zero bright dot guaranty, free two-way shipping and twenty-four hour tech support seven days a week. Plus it comes with a FREE One Year Accidental Damage Warranty protecting your notebook from drops, fire, spills and surges.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 55
Near perfect thin and light laptop December 4, 2009 landale (Washington, DC) 44 out of 44 found this review helpful
I had been excited about the ULxxVT series from Asus since they were first announced a couple months ago. I originally purchased the UL80VT back when it was released in October but ultimately returned it due to a very noticeable dead pixel right in the middle of the screen. This was probably for the best as a week with the UL80VT made me realize it was bigger then I needed and I didn't really have much use for the optical drive.
Due to my brief ownership of the UL80VT I knew certain things to expect with the UL30VT but I have to say the UL30VT has exceeded my expectations. While I never felt the build quality was bad on the UL80VT it's much better on the smaller UL30VT. Clearly due to the smaller frame everything is quite a bit more solid as there is almost no chasis flex at all. The keyboard is okay. Everything is well spaced although the small right shift key is a bit annoying. Honestly the only thing about the keyboard that isn't great is that it's a bit on the noisy side as its very clackity when you type. I know a lot of people don't like the dimpled ASUS touchpads but honestly I don't think it's that bad and it has tons of multi-functions that really make it a joy to use. The single button touchpad button isn't as firm as on the UL80VT so its a bit easier to press for those who don't just use tapping. The screen is also in my opinion much better then the UL80VT in regards to contrast which I felt was subpar on the the larger model. Viewing angles still aren't great but they aren't on most laptops these days. The hard drive is a bit noisy but it's not really that noticeable.
I know a lot will be made of battery life on these UL models and it should be pointed out that this comes with the 10 hour battery, not the 12 hour one Amazon lists. Even still its a 63whr, 4400mah 8 cell battery that I have easily been able to get 7 hours of wifi web surfing and there still being life left (sorry, I haven't had it long enough to do a full battery test yet). So while it would have been nice to get the larger 84whr battery I don't think I will have had too many instances where I will even need it. Also just to correct another incorrect part of the Amazon listing, the UL30VT weighs 3.92lbs according to my precision scale with the battery installed. Still plenty light for me but I don't know how they got 3.7lbs that is listed here. The UL80VT also has the wrong weight listed in it's listing as it weighed 4.8lbs when I weighed that back in October.
Overall I am very happy I waited for the UL30VT, the idea of creating an overclocked low voltage system is a genius concept that ASUS has executed very well here. The end result gives the user performance equivalent to a regular full voltage Core 2 Duo while still providing great battery life. There is truly nothing else on the market like the VT series laptops and for $799 you get a lot. Sure the larger battery or longer warranty of the A series UL models (this is an X model) would be nice but it would then cost more and lets be honest, it still has better battery life then most systems on the market and almost all consumer laptops only come with a one year warranty to begin with! Given the price I can't recommend this system enough, sure there are a few things that could be improved but for me it's exactly what I needed in a laptop at hundreds less then I was originally expecting to pay.
Very innovative notebook January 9, 2010 Dave (Portland) 39 out of 42 found this review helpful
I got to use this laptop for a few days and it's brought me dangerously close to buying one for myself. If you are looking for a thin-and-light notebook with great battery life and a little gaming life under the hood this is (in my opinion) the best choice on the market today. What sets this notebook apart is two things:
1. At the push of a button you can switch from a low power Intel 4500HD graphics processor to a higher power NVidia G210M with 512MB DDR3 RAM (this defaults on when plugged in and defaults off when unplugged).
2. At the push of a button you can enable the "Turbo 33" mode which uses a mix of hardware (such as overclocking the cpu) and software to boost performance by up to 33%. I ran some basic benchmarks and it seemed to work pretty well.
CPU - The 1.3GHz Intel SU7300 Core 2 Duo Processor 3MB Cache 800MHz FSB is a great fit. Some of the thin-and-lights in this class ship with either a Core Solo (i.e. single core) or Celeron CPU. I tend to avoid both because the single core CPUs tend to choke on all the Internet Security software you need these days and the Celerons come with cut-down cache and now power saving modes.
RAM - The included 4GB of DDR3 is just the right amount to really start taking advantage of a 64 bit O.S. I also like that Asus used DDR3 which uses less power than DDR2.
HDD - It comes with a 500GB hard disk drive which is more than most users need today. The 5400RPM speed is slower than the 7200RPM drive you will find on some models but I prefer the reliability and power savings that come with a 5400RPM drive.
DISPLAY - The 13.3 inch widescreen is glossy and reasonably bright. Outdoor use will suffer from some glare but the backlit screen helps. I found the vertical viewing angles are a little tight but it wasn't a big deal.
GRAPHICS - As mentioned above it switches between a low power Intel 4500HD graphics chip on the motherboard (fine for most non-gaming tasks) and a more power hungry NVidia G210M that will actually let you do a some 3D gaming (though newer games will still run best at reduced settings). This simple and clever innovation really sets Asus apart. Oh and either chipset can do 1080P HD video.
Battery - It's rare to get a battery this good in a notebook this thin: 8 cell 5600mAh. I couldn't get the claimed 12 hours of battery life but I got very close (doing a normal mix of MS Office tasks and web browsing I got just shy of 11 hours). Even doing very compute intensive tasks like gaming or playing back video I went over 6 hours. Most notebooks can't run Word that long.
Touchpad - At first I hated the touchpad but as I got used to it I really liked it. It two-finger scrolling and three-finger right click which may trip you up at first but after a few days you won't want to go back.
It comes with most of the usual stuff: HDMI port (for an external monitor or compatible TV), Ethernet port, wireless b/g/n, 3 USB ports, headphone jack, microphone jack, and a vga (for an external monitor). It does lack any kind of optical drive, so no playing CDs or DVDs without an external drive. For this you would need the ASUS UL80Vt-A1 14-Inch Thin and Light Black Laptop. It's a "thin-and-light" which as you would guess means it is thin (1") and light (3.75lbs). I also found it to be very quiet. It comes with a facial recognition feature that allows you to login without a password but this was disabled by our IT department so I wasn't able to try it out.
I see a lot of notebooks and I've generally been impressed with the build quality of Asus notebooks. The build on this model looks great and it's helped by the sleek and simple design: no fancy little bits that fall off in a year. In my opinion this is the thin-and-light to have if you need great battery life but don't want to give up all the fun. If you don't do any 3D gaming you don't need the Nvidia chipset and you probably should save a little money on a notebook without it such as the nearly identical ASUS UL30A-A2 Thin and Light 13-3-Inch Silver Laptop. Otherwise this is a great choice for a student or business traveler who likes to do a little gaming.
Killer laptop December 4, 2009 A. Markey (Boston, MA USA) 14 out of 15 found this review helpful
Look and Feel (4/5):
Besides the brushed aluminum lid (which is very good looking by the way), the plastic body feels very sturdy. I'm not the biggest fan of glossy plastic (would prefer matte), but it doesn't make the laptop feel or look cheap like other laptops.
The keyboard is nice to type on, much like the newer generation macbook / macbook pros. The trackpad is definitely unusual with it being made out of the same glossy plastic as the body, but once the initial shock of not having a usual trackpad surface is over with it's a pleasure to use. The multitouch is as good as you can get on a non-apple laptop too (that's not saying much, but I commend asus for the addition of it).
Power and Performance (5/5):
This is the first ultra portable computer that I've used that has very little compromise in terms of power and performance. Out of the box the 1.3ghz processor is actually overclocked by Asus to squeeze out even more power. I am a developer and can run multiple development environments / surf the web / run iTunes and the computer does not skip a beat.
I also love the ability to dial up the power of the computer when I'm not concerned about battery life and dial it back down when I'm trying to conserve. The Asus guys really engineered a great machine here.
If youre wondering how the Nvidia dedicated graphics performs, I just fired up Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and played it at 1280x768 without a hitch! Again, no compromises there with bad gaming performance.
Durability (Initial thoughts: 4/5)
While it's not an aluminum unibody design, it feels quite sturdy. I've only had this a few days though, so we'll see how it holds up, but it feels alot better than most Sony laptops I've used in the past if that gives any indication. Also the aluminum lid feels fantastic and sturdy when opening / closing the laptop.
Value (5/5)
There is no reason to pay over $1000 for an ultra portable anymore. Get this, and spend the money you saved on an SSD hard drive to really make this computer scream. The power / performance / price ratio for this machine is rediculous. All other ultra portable manufacturers need to step it up bigtime, because Asus came to play with this laptop!
This laptop is the BOMB!!! (In a good way) January 20, 2010 Thomas Schroth (Marietta, GA United States) 13 out of 14 found this review helpful
I am told I over analyze purchases and must say I have been watching laptops for a couple of years. My goals were lightweight and portable but not so small I could not read the screen and LONG battery time. After all it is a portable! I tried a 15.6 but what a moose! A 14" seemed just right but the chassis was bigger and heavier. I was afraid of a 13.3 but then it dawned on me that is was the same resolution as the 14 and only .7" smaller, not a full inch. I went from store to store lining a 14's up next to a 13.3's and I really could not tell the difference! Listen my fellow middle agers,I have exceptionally poor eyesight so if it worked for me it will for you! (no offense to my eye Surgeon, Dr. Barry Lee, he did a great job with what I gave him to work with!).
I have a powerful desktop so I did not need a desktop replacement class Laptop. I also can't stand a slow poke so a netbook was out and so was a celeron. The T6600 CPUS are the sweet spot for price and value and they are plenty snappy but they are power hungry (compared to the SU's). The SU7300 was just the ticket. Yes, I got the TURBO 33 VT version but I don't think that matters at all. I wanted it for bragging rights only. Same goes for the separate GPU, I want to hedge my bets in case I do some vector art editing. I am NOT a gamer.
I wrestled with the lack of a DVD drive but hey you can download ANYTHING, DVD drives are really on the way out, don't sweat it!It's worth the size and weight savings. The keyboard is REALLY GREAT, I am not a touch typist and the keys have nice spacing and definition. (I would have paid BIG money for a back lit keyboard but that just narrows the field TOO MUCH. Touchpad is fine also but I live with my Logitech NANO V450 mouse anyway.
The battery life is the real deal and that sold me on this unit. I am coming up on 4 hrs with wifi, bright screen, remote desktop, iTunes, 2 browsers and only down 25% on the battery. Seriously! I charge it and leave without the power cord. I really wanted the silver cover after seeing a black one in person it really showed finger prints. Silver is GREAT!
Another thing I like about the VT version is a little bit faster DRAM and Bus, I don't believe anyone could tell a difference but it makes me feel like I have the latest and greatest and am hedging my bets regarding being outdated sooner then later. If you need to save a few dollars, don't worry about it!
There are no compromises here and if you don't know ASUS, they have been around FOREVER and have been an OEM supplier since, like FOREVER! Don't get hung up on the big name companies, it means nothing! The ONLY complaint is the lack of documentation. I got NOTHING to help me figure out the VT features like discrete graphics switching or the Turbo boost (That's the over clocking feature. It steps the CPU up 33% This is VERY unnecessary, I can not come close to pushing this thing in standard mode.) I suspect most will never adjust these features anyway but HEY ASUS, are you listening? Send me a manual, pdf is fine! If its on here somewhere then you made it too hard to find! :)
Has exceeded my expectations! December 10, 2009 Jordan (San Diego) 8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I'm very pleased with this computer thus far. I find some reviewers are nitpicking a bit with their cons of this computer.
For one, it's funny that someone marked down their rating of this product because amazon ran out of stock and outside sellers have booted up the price (not really the computer's fault). I also don't have much of a problem with the touch pad, i find it useable with most of the gestures working just fine for me, it just takes a little working in and tweaking.
Performance wise it has been very capable. While I dont do much gaming, HD Hulu and HD youtube videos have run perfectly (in high performance mode with nvidia on of coarse) and the picture looks amazing btw. Multitasking as well has not been a problem for this computer as (for testing purposes) i have opened numerous IE windows along with a couple word documents and excel spreadsheets while I played music in itunes and all operated just fine.
Viewing angles are pretty good, the lateral angles are better than the verticle angles, but this isnt much of an issue for me, just adjust the angle of the screen till it looks good. Build quality is excellent, this thing feels good while holding it! No noticable creeks for flex either. I can attest that it picks up fingerprints but I dont mind wiping it down every once in a while, it still looks super sleek! I havent done much battery testing yet, but I'm sure it has more than enough juice for my needs. Also, while this computer does come with a bit a bloatware, so does every other personal notebook these days and its easy to uninstall, its nothing people should be getting to worked up about.
Overall this is an awesome computer that looks and feels great, and performes really well. A definate recommendation to anyone interested!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 55
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