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Ultrabooks: The New Concept in Ultraportable Laptops

admin — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:05:26 +0000

Although the netbook will most likely have a role to play in the future, it will no doubt be a smaller one and the initial hype is definitely dead. One of the reasons is that they are underpowered for use as a primary computer, which is why manufacturers are seeking new ways to design and market ultraportable laptops. Intel has introduced a new concept for notebooks that come in an ultra-slim design and offer long battery life, but still offer more than decent performance; the CPU manufacturer has decided to call it “Ultrabook”. The idea is to offer consumers an easy and portable computer without sacrificing performance.

This is Intel’s reaction to the new threat from AMD’s interesting Fusion APUs and the fact that ARM is about to enter the PC market in conjunction with the launch of Windows 8. Intel’s Atom platform for netbooks is now cheaper than ever, and the chip giant has just launched a bunch of new notebook processors that need just 17W at most, which have already found their way into the latest MacBook Air lineup.

To describe the Ultrabook concept briefly it will be laptops for less than $1,000 that are less than 0.8″ thick. They also have to offer a battery life of up to 10 hours and will come with a solid-state drive (SSD) or SSD cache using Intel’s Smart Response technology for better performance. The first computers to officially fit the Ultrabook guidelines will arrive by the end of the year, equipped with Sandy Bridge processors. However, the concept will not launch in earnest before Intel’s next-gen platform Ivy Bridge is released during the first half of next year. One of the first laptops that will fit the description is the ASUS UX21, which is due in September.

Intel CEO Paul Otellini has demonstrated the high hopes they have for their new platform by comparing the launch of the UltraBook with the mobile platform Centrino, which was a revolutionary change for the whole laptop market. The Centrino notebook platform was launched in 2003 and the big news then was that the company invested time in creating a platform designed from the ground up for the portable market. This is one of the reasons that now – eight years later – the number of laptops on the market far exceeds desktop computers. Everything was obviously not thanks to Intel, but Centrino was undoubtedly an important first step for the mobile revolution. Now Intel hopes to repeat this accomplishment in the ultraportable market.

The Ultrabook project is much more akin to Centrino, Otellini says; it is a very holistic approach to moving the entire market to a different kind of form factor, not just in terms of its thinness, but in terms of the feature-set. I talked about always on, always connected. So the machine is always aware of the networks around it. I talked about instant on, instant boot capability. We talked about building in integral touch into it, another feature set. So this is as much about the features around the skin, or inside the skin, as the shape of the skin.

The closest analogy to an Ultrabook right now is Apple’s latest generation of the MacBook Air, which uses the new low-voltage Sandy Bridge processors that the first Ultrabook computers are intended to use. The ASUS UX21 is likely next in line and will compete with several different models from the major manufacturers. When Intel launches its 22nm Ivy Bridge architecture the concept should be fully realized. With new Tri-gate transistors, Intel has promised up to 50% less energy use and 37% higher performance, which are both key factors in the versatile ultrabook form factor. Intel has also promised integration of high-speed USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt , which further increases the possibilities for the platform to shrink its size.

How well Intel succeeds in getting broad manufacturer support and consumer acceptance for the Ultrabook concept remains to be seen, but it seems like the right way to go.

Eee PC 1001PX: $179.99 with Coupon

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:30:52 +0000

The Eee PC 1001PX is your average netbook, with a 10-inch LED backlit display, a 1.66GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive. What makes it stand out for the time being is the price tag–for a limited time you can get a refurbished 1001PX with a 90-day warranty for just $179.99 + $3.99 flat-rate shipping using the coupon code: ASUS20 (expires 7/29/2011).

Visit Mwave.com to take advantage of this offer
Apply the following coupon code in your shopping cart: ASUS20

ASUS’ Eee PC 1001PX comes in the popular Seashell design and weighs just 2.4 pounds. Under the hood sits a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 CPU, which is coupled with Intel’s GMA 3150 integrated graphics. It comes with a 160GB hard drive and 1GB of RAM that can be upgraded to 2GB.

The operating system in this netbook is Windows XP Home, which is arguably better suited for this platform than the more demanding Windows 7. The laptop is also compatible with the N wireless standard (the fast variety). An added bonus with the 1001PX is that it has a multi-touch trackpad with zoom in/out and two-finger scrolling, similar to the MacBooks. According to the specs, the battery life is up to 4.5 hours on one charge.

This is about as affordable as it gets, so if you are considering a basic netbook for easy web access and office work on the go, this offer is hard to pass up.

Asus U36: Competent MacBook Air Alternative

admin — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 11:21:36 +0000

ASUS has just launched a new series of thin and light laptops called U36, which allegedly has great potential to challenge Apple’s MacBook Air. The computers’ thickness is only 0.75 inches (19mm), but there appears to be plenty of juice inside this thin shell. The computer comes with a dual core Core i3 or i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a graphics card from NVIDIA (GeForce 310M) with NVIDIA’s Optimus technology. Furthermore, it is equipped with a 13.3″ display and a battery that lasts up to 10 hours according to ASUS.

Press Release:

ASUS launches the world’s thinnest notebook with standard voltage processor

With only 19 mm thin U36 redefines ASUS ultra mobile performance

ASUS launches U36, one of the world’s thinnest laptop with a standard voltage Intel processor. ASUS has developed a unique cooler that reduces your computer’s thickness to only 19 mm while it contains an Intel Core i3 or Core i5 processor. With the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine technology and NVIDIA graphics card with Optimus technology, U36 offers a battery life of up to a full 10 hours.

Minimal size, maximum performance

While most ultra-thin laptops on the market use low voltage processors that tamper with performance to get a lower heat generation and power consumption breaks, ASUS offers a slim PC with a standard voltage Intel Core i3 or Core i5 processor for powerful performance. This is possible thanks to ASUS dual heatpipe design to effectively dissipate heat from the CPU without adding extra volume to your computer. The result is that users who create multi-media materials, play challenging games or work with a lot heavier programs simultaneously get a computer that meets their needs while being easy to carry.

Sleek and lightweight design

With its ultra-lightweight aluminum and magnesium shell and 4-cell battery it weighs only 1.44 kg, which makes it the obvious choice for the related much of themselves and do not want to carry around a heavy computer. Its unique nano-coating repels fingerprints, dirt and water so that the U36 will retain its elegant appearance longer.

Long battery life

Ultra-thin computers are known for their super-long battery life thanks to the use of low voltage processors. Although the U36 comes with a standard voltage processor delivers similar battery life thanks to the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine technology. This, together with NVIDIA Optimus provides a battery life of up to 10 hours for a full day experience of true mobile computing.

Asus U36 Prices:
		$898.00
ASUS U36Jc-NYC 13.3″ Notebook PC – Silver
		$937.00
ASUS U36JC-B1 Thin and Light 13.3-Inch Laptop (Black)
		$1337.27
New ASUS U36JC-B1 Notebook 13.3″ LED WXGA Display Intel Core i5 i5-480M 2.

Brand New Netbook: $219 with Coupon!

admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:50:31 +0000

Save $80 on one of the most popular models of the Asus Eee PC; this is neither a used or refurbished netbook, but brand new! It comes with all the usual netbook hardware, including a 10-inch screen with a 1024×600 resolution, 1GB or RAM, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU and a 160GB hard drive.

This is about as cheap as it gets, so act quickly and use the following coupon codes: EYQ5050 for the black Eee and WQI5065 for the blue model.

Visit Site

Asus 1015PED Review (Eee PC)

admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:29:19 +0000

The ASUS Eee PC 1015PED is the latest generation of Eee netbooks and combine an Intel Atom N475 processor clocked at 1.83GHz with 1GB of DDR3 RAM. The size is still the same 10.1 inches with a screen resolution of 1024 x 600. This way it retains the versatility of the netbook form factor while increasing performance (although not by much).

Design and Features

The laptop’s design is definitely an improvement on early versions of the Eee PC; 1015PED has a matte finish that doesn’t attract as much fingerprints as the glossy models. When lifting the lid of the Eee 1015PED you will be greeted by one of the popular and nice-looking chiclet keyboards that cover’s the entire width of the computer, and a fairly large trackpad. The latter has support for some multi-touch gestures.

In terms of connectivity, the ASUS 1015PED offers three USB 2.0 ports, 3.5mm ports for audio in and out, an Ethernet port and a VGA port – all part of the standard netbook equipment, but in addition it supports the Wi-Fi n standard, which is nice, as well as Bluetooth 3.0 for hooking it up to your cell phone and other gadgets. Another small detail worth mentioning is the webcam with a clever lens cap that can be pushed over the webcam. The screen is an LED-backlit variant with a viewing angle that we experience as slightly better than average and with good color reproduction. Of course, with its limited 1024 x 600 resolution you will hardly be using it for photo editing.

Hardware and Performance

What’s arguably more interesting than the design on this Asus netbook is that it comes with the new Intel Atom N475 processor. This CPU is clocked at 1.83 GHz with a single core. While it doesn’t offer any massive performance improvements over the previous generation, it is clearly faster. Not fast enough for excessive multi-tasking or heavy workloads, but still with enough oomph to allow for a decent web browsing and office experience. Its PCMark score ended up at 1559 – a decent but not spectacular score in this category.In the Windows Experience Index, the 1015PED gets a 2.5 score thanks to the Atom CPU, whereas the RAM and hard drive scores better (4.5 and 5.5).

A gig of DDR3 RAM is all that’s allowed due to the restrictions for the platform. You can certainly get by with 1GB, but upgrading to 2GB is affordable and highly recommended. The restriction on the hard drive size is now up to 250GB – providing some added storage space.

Asus claims that you should be able to squeeze 13 hours of battery life out of the 1015PED, and maybe you can by turning off the display, wireless and disabling just about everything that makes the laptop usable. In the real world, when you actually do something useful on the computer, the battery lasts for about 7 hours.

Besides Windows 7 Starter, the 1015PED also comes with Asus Express Gate – an “instant on” operating system that lets you access some basic features such as a web browser, Skype and a few other apps.

Pros:

Looks nice
Fingerprint resistant finish
Wi-Fi N and Bluetooth included
Multi-touch trackpad and good keyboard

Cons:

Weaker than expected CPU
Forget about the 13 hour battery life

Asus 1015PED Prices:
	$329.99
	$346.97

Asus UL20A Review

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:56:27 +0000

What is most surprising on the Asus UL20A is the price tag, which is way below other small laptops with similar features. It is also an elegant machine with a twelve inch screen and a brushed aluminum lid. Neither is the UL20 heavy in comparison with a weight of just over three pounds. The computer comes in two colors; black and, in this editor’s opinion, a still more elegant silver version.

The computer’s overall performance is significantly better than any netbook. The processor in this variant is an Intel SU7300, which crushes netbook Atom CPUs and keeps pace with others in this segment. As usual, however, the integrated Intel GMA graphics chip is not a good performer. It can decode HD video and handles 2D graphics efficiently, but it is too slow for any 3D games from the last few years.

Acer Aspire One 10.1" Prices:
		$230.00
		$251.95
		$269.00

This configuration of the Asus UL30A came with two gigabytes of RAM memory, which is good enough for most users and gives you the opportunity to run more than a few apps in parallel. If you only want to do something quickly, like checking your email or chatting on Skype, there is also a mini operating system called Express Gate installed that starts in a few seconds instead of Windows.

Specifications

1.3GHz Intel SU7300 Core 2 Duo Processor
2GB of DDR2 RAM, 2 Slots, 4GB Max
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM), No Optical Drive
12.1″ WXGA LED LCD Display, Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn, 0.3M Webcam
Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
7.5 Hours of Battery Life

Asus’ UL20A is pleasantly quiet. A light sigh from fans is all that is heard. Not even long-term number crunching that puts full load on the CPU, graphics and hard drive causes excessive noise. That, in combination with the excellent battery life of over seven hours are this laptop’s greatest strengths.

Benchmarks

PCMark Vantage Overall Score: 2535

If you want to use your computer to watch movies, you’ll be pleased by the display, which offers excellent blacks and accurate colors. Unfortunately the maximum brightness is a bit low, which may cause problems for ordinary office work in the bright environments or outdoors. Another good thing for the aforementioned movie is a set of unusually powerful speakers. In all, if you have been considering a netbook, also take a look at the UL20A for comparison. I’m sure you will find that it offers a considerable amount of added value even if it costs a little more (but not much).

Deal: $130 Off Eee PC 1005HA Win7 Netbook

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 21:17:23 +0000

If you are currently looking for a Windows 7 netbook with a 6-cell battery offering more than 10 hours of battery life, 250GB of hard drive space (+500GB of Internet storage), multi-touch trackpad and a 1.66GHz Intel Atom CPU – all in the great-looking Asus Eee PC Seashell design – look no further. Here’s a great deal on the Asus Eee PC 1005 HA: $130 off the $399 list price resulting in just $269.99 from TigerDirect.

Asus Eee PC T91MT Review

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:32:29 +0000

The Asus Eee PC T91MT is a small tablet netbook from Asus. It is an interesting and somewhat unusual little computer, but not quite as fast as we’d hoped for.

Tablet PCs and netbooks with less than average horsepower in terms of processor speed have been given a boost with Windows 7, and several manufacturers (especially Asus) have started producing a whole slew of touchscreen options, of which the T91MT is one of the smallest and most versatile.

Asus 1015PED Prices:
	$329.99
	$346.97

Smallish Tablet PC

In the past, tablet PCs have left a lot to be desired when it comes to ergonomics, but the Eee PC T91MT manages to improve on the concept while also shrinking it to a highly portable format. This netbook is almost small enough to fit into your pocket at just over 2 pounds, even if it’s no Sony VAIO P. The touch technology used is the simple but reliable resistive kind and that works well with either a pen or your fingertips.

An 8.9-inch screen is just about the right size for its 1,024×600 resolution – a screen resolution that otherwise feels insufficient on larger screens nowadays. Its performance is the minimum for Windows 7; an Atom CPU, Intel GMA 500 graphics and 1GB of memory. This is not a fast laptop, and even if that’s not really the intention with this one, another GB of memory wouldn’t have hurt.

Features and Performance

A distinct advantage with the T91MT is the inclusion of a 3g modem; this is the kind of machine that should have net access constantly, not least because Asus’ choice of storage device – a 32GB solid state disk. The SSD helps improve on the laptop’s speed, but it isn’t all that roomy, which is why Asus throws in 500GB of web storage in the package.

The keyboard and trackpad combination is quite compact because of the small format, but still large enough to provide full functionality without any major issues. As a tablet netbook, the Asus Eee PC T91MT definitely has potential for professional users who require a highly portable tablet with full PC functionality, as opposed to a PDA or other handheld device.

Benchmarks:

PCMark 05 Score:

Total: 1097 (CPU: 1108, Graphics: 279, Hard Drive 7514)

Battery Life: 3-4 hours on load, 6 hours with maximum power savings.

Specifications:

Processor: Intel Atom Z520/1,33 GHz

Graphics: Intel GMA 500

RAM: 1GB DDR3

Storage: 32GB SSD

Connectivity: 2xUSB, VGA, LAN, headphone/mic

Wireless: 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1

Memory Card Reader: MMC, SD/SDHC

Screen: 8,9” LED-backlit, 1 024 x 600

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium

Weight: 2.04lbs, 0.94kg

Asus Eee PC 1008P Review

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:04:14 +0000

The latest incarnation of the Asus Eee PC has been given a different and quite stunning look. However, it’s a pleasant mini laptop under the surface as well, with quite a few added features.
The first Asus laptops with the Seashell design were released last fall; by and large they were great-looking computers, but they weren’t 100% perfect. One positive aspect was the sleek design that made it both convenient to work on, easy to carry and quite handsome. The negative was the poor performance and the non-replaceable battery.

Both of those negatives have now been remedied by Asus, and without compromising on the good parts. The 1008P Asus Eee PC or Eee PC Seashell Karim Rashid Edition for less short, is both smarter and faster than its predecessor.

Groovy Surface

What first catches the eye on this particular model is the peculiar surface. Karim Rashid is an industrial designer known for his daring style and outlandish ideas, and when he takes on a computer chassis, no exception will be made. The entire computer is covered with a wavy grid pattern and a slightly glittering finish. It is sold in two different colors – copper brown and screaming hot pink.

If you want a computer that screams “Look at me!” a hundred yards away you should definitely go for the pink option. The brown one is a lot more subtle, but still highly original and would definitely look out of place in the board room. As a pure fashion accessory it clearly hits the jackpot, but is it also a decent worker underneath?

Improved Pinetrail Platform
Not bad as it turns out. Its new Atom N450 “Pinetrail” CPU and integrated graphics gives it a decent performance boost. While it’s clearly no performance laptop, the Windows 7 Starter operating system, which requires considerably more power than the old XP Home, works really well. Word processing, web browsing and other basic tasks all run perfectly, but running the latest games is of course out of the question.

In terms of design, Asus has corrected a few problems that its predecessor had. Ports that are hidden under the covers along the sides are a bit easier to reach, although some of larger USB sticks will still be hard to fit. On the downside, the fan noise in the Eee PC 1008P, although not really loud, is still clearly audible, and a rather noisy hard drive adds some additional sound. The mouse pad on the other hand, is great and offers multi-touch features like those found on Apple laptops.

Excellent battery life

The battery is now replaceable, and in addition you also get an extra battery to bring along and double your battery life. Not that it’s really needed – a single charged battery can run for five or six hours, or even seven with aggressive power savings. In other words: with the extra battery you’ll be safe for a full day’s work.

Just like most other new Asus laptops, the 1008P comes with some added fluff. That includes Asus Express Gate mini operating system and 500GB of web-based storage space. All in all, it’s a good netbook with a decent price tag, and if the unique design appeals to you, there’s not much to be said against it.

Amazon Marketplace product page for the Eee 1008P

Asus Eee PC 1008HA Review

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:47:26 +0000

The latest Seashell series from Asus’ Eee lineup also include the popular 1005HA; both netbooks have been well received thanks in large part to their slim chassis and otherwise striking appearance compared to the original and relatively bland Eee series. I don’t know how the minds at Asus’ design team work, but the square shapes on the 1008HA doesn’t really strike me as a seashell, but it looks pretty anyway so I won’t delve on the naming process.

Design and Build Quality

The overall design of the Eee 1008HA is very pleasant as it’s only about an inch thick and with slightly rounded corners. There’s no abundance of ports either – at least not visible ones. Besides a small power input, the rest of the ports are hidden behind plastic covers in the chassis. It doesn’t have a conventional VGA port, instead opting for a mini-connector and an external adapter.

For better or worse, the slim-line design calls for a built-in, non user-replaceable lithium hybrid battery. Unless you feel comfortable with dismantling the computer and doing it yourself, you’ll have to leave the battery with a qualified professional for replacement when the it reaches the end of its natural life. On the plus side you get excellent battery life with the 1008HA – more than six hours with power-saving features turned on.

Ergonomics: Screen and Keyboard

Upon lifting the lid you are greeted by a glossy widescreen display sporting the usual 1024×600 resolution and a flush mounted keyboard that provides a good typing experience. A couple of handy shortcut buttons have also been placed above the keyboard that allows for switching Wi-Fi on and off, or temporarily disabling the trackpad.

Performance and Features

The Asus Eee 1008HA can be considered a “premium” netbook thanks to its slightly more sophisticated design. However, it also offers a little extra in terms of performance, as it uses the marginally faster 1.66GHz Atom N280. We certainly didn’t expect any miracles from the faster CPU – after all, it’s only 6MHz faster than the more common N270 and at the end of the day it’s still a netbook. In PCMark 05, however, the unit produced a score of 1636 points, which is about one hundred points above average in this category. This is probably thanks to the also improved FSB (Front Side Bus) speeds on the newer N280 models.

In all, it’s a well built netbook with some premium features and very nice-looking design elements. If you think it’s worth paying a little extra for good looks, then the Eee 1008HA is a good alternative. It’s available in white, black, blue and pink.
Quick Specs: CPU: 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280, Memory: 1GB DDR2, Hard drive: 160GB, Graphics: Intel GMA 950, Operating System: Windows XP SP3, Dimensions (WD) 10.3 x 7.1 inches, Height 0.6- 1.0 inches, Screen size: 10.1″ (1024×600) , System weight 2.4lbs, Battery life: ~6 hours on “power saver” mode.