Asus UL30VT

Seeing as these laptops offer both a very reasonable price tag as well as vastly improved performance over the Atom platform it has been viewed as the natural successor to netbooks. While the netbook will probably live on for quite some time in one form or another,inspiron 1525 battery it’s a fact that some consumers are less than satisfied with the poor performance offered by netbooks and some have started to look towards CULV alternatives.

Overclocking with Turbo33

Asus’ UL series is made up of laptops with screen sizes between 12 and 15 inches,Sony VGP-BPS8 and the UL30 and UL30VT strikes the “golden ratio” with its 13-inch,inspiron 6400 battery 1366x768 16:9 screen. The common trait for all of the UL (and UX) laptops is that they are thin and light and offer great battery life, much thanks to the CULV CPUs,xps m1330 battery which have a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of only 10W instead of the usual 25-45W.

Compared to the competition such as Acer’s Timeline series,dell d620 battery Asus’ UL series has a distinct advantage thanks to its proprietary Turbo33 technology.HP 510 Turbo33 offers a simple and straightforward way of overclocking your system by no less than 33% via the included Power4Gear utility.Acer Aspire 4710 In other words, the 1.3GHz SU7300 processor is able to work at just over 1.7GHz without impacting stability and with a surprisingly small effect on battery life.

Hybrid Graphics

What separates the UL30VT from the regular UL30 is the inclusion of a “Hybrid Graphics” solution; in battery-saving mode it runs on the efficient Intel 4500mhd IGP (integrated graphics),HP Pavilion DV9000 but when more performance is needed you simply switch to the dedicated GPU – in this case an Nvidia GeForce G210M. The G210M is one of the newer and more efficient 40nm mobile GPUs. While it’s clearly not targeted at high-end gaming card it is more than capable of some casual gaming in addition to hardware video decoding. Sony VGP-BPS8A

Build Quality, Look and Feel

The UL-series laptops are arguably some of the best looking in Asus’ entire lineup.Sony VGP-BPS8B The UL30VT is available in black (UL30VT-X1) or silvery (UL30VT-A1, this one) brushed aluminum and both look great.Sony VGP-BPS9/B Although some flaws in the build quality were reported for the earlier UL30s, it looks like Asus has improved on any problems for the VT models. It is perfectly sturdy and there are no unwanted gaps or inconsistencies to be found between any the components.

Like many other Asus laptops it has a larger than average bezel around the screen,Sony VGP-BPS10 which is noticeable now that so-called edge-to-edge screens are the height of fashion. However,Sony VGP-BPS9/S the brushed aluminum lid and the slim chassis (which lacks an optical drive) make this quite a stunning laptop on the whole. Acer UM08B71

The keyboard/trackpad combination on the UL30VT borrows some features from Apple; it has both the chiclet keyboard and a trackpad with multi-touch support. The trackpad is not just flush mounted but actually part of the chassis itself,apple a1060 battery which is unusual but works great and offers just the right amount of friction.

Another factor that is probably also due to the low-voltage parts: it runs cool – and I mean cool as in the wrist rests don’t even get warm!apple a1045 battery When you’re just browsing the web or doing other simple chores the entire computer stays perfectly cool and quiet, and only when you shift to playing games it gets somewhat hot,Dell inspiron 1525 battery but not uncomfortably so.

One of the (few) issues I have with this laptop is the LED-backlit screen.Dell latitude e6400 battery It provides ample brightness, but the colors are rather washed out and the viewing angles are less than impressive. Acer BTP-60A1

Performance

Now for the interesting part: normally you wouldn’t expect blistering speeds from CULV-equipped laptops.Toshiba PA3399U-1BAS Sure, they are several times faster than netbooks,hp pavilion dv6000 battery but because of the low clock speeds they are still well behind Intel’s mainstream CPUs. Here, Asus CULV laptops including the UL30VT have a distinct advantage in the Turbo33 feature that overclocks the system by 33%,Fujitsu lifebook s6510 battery which of course has a major effect on overall performance compared to the competition.

Unfortunately,Sony VGP-BPS13A/B switching between stock speed (1.3GHz) and Turbo (1.7GHz) requires a reboot, but the effect of Turbo33 on the power draw is not that noticeable when other power-saving measures are in effect, so just leaving it on is fine – even when running on battery power, unless you are desperate to add some extra minutes to its already generous battery life.

The battery life is another aspect in which the CULV CPUs shine,Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad X60 and the UL30VT has been equipped with an 8-cell battery. Asus claims it can manage for 12 hours without recharging, which is an overly optimistic number. However, it lasts almost an entire workday: we managed to keep it running for about 7:30 on Asus’ included “Quiet Office” setting, meaning the 4500mhd is active and the CPU throttled to 70% (but still overclocked).

It would probably be possible to squeeze an extra hour or two out of it with the CPU running at stock speed,Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad T60 but that would likely involve turning off wireless, dimming the display to a minimum and running an even more aggressive power-saving scheme (and ruin the fun).

Windows Experience Index

• Processor: 4.9


• RAM 5.4


• Graphics: 5.2


• Gaming Graphics: 6.1


• Primary Hard Disk: 5.9

The processor gets a better than average score here thanks to the overclocking. That Gaming Graphics were rated at 6.1 was a surprise – sure, it performs a lot better than most other GPUs for thin-and-light laptops, but it won’t run the latest games with all the details and visual effects turned on.

3DMark06 Score (1366x768): 3295

Note: The actual score for the G210M is slightly lower – the default 3DMark resolution is 1280x1024 and the UL30VTs native resolution is 1366x768. 3295 is still a very good score for a laptop this size and is of course light-years ahead of the integrated Intel GPU.

Summary

All in all the Asus UL30VT is an incredibly versatile laptop that combines excellent battery life and a fairly powerful graphics card in a highly portable package. When you also consider the overclocked CPU and the attractive price tag this is one of the best deals right now if you’re looking for a 13-inch laptop.

Lenovo ThinkPad

The Edge 14 is the latest consumer and small business-oriented ThinkPad from Lenovo. Edge notebooks offer toned down looks compared to the SL and T-series ThinkPads, even including modified Chiclet-style keyboards. In this review, we take an in-depth look at the 14-inch ThinkPad Edge and see how well it stacks up against other similar notebooks.inspiron 1525 battery

Build and Design

The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 14 has a consumer-driven design that goes a few steps beyond SL-series ThinkPads.inspiron 6400 battery While the SL-series looks like a ThinkPad with the rubbery paint replaced with matte-black paint,xps m1330 battery the Edge has a completely new shape and contrasting paint scheme. The borders of the screen cover and keyboard are trimmed with silver plastic. The top cover on our review unit is matte black, but Lenovo offers it in other colors too. Another subtle change is the standard indicator lights have been replaced with a single red LED that also happens to be the dot above the ThinkPad "i". The design is so different from other ThinkPad models that if you were to cover the logo with another sticker, few people would recognize it as a ThinkPad (In fact, most people wouldn't believe you right now even if you said it was a ThinkPad.)dell d620 battery

Build quality is above average compared to consumer notebooks,HP 510 but a step below business-grade ThinkPads. The screen hinges are noticeably smaller than what you might find on a standard ThinkPad; they are plastic-faced, not metal. ThinkPads have been known for strong screen hinges that last throughout the notebook's life without wearing out.Acer Aspire 4710 Some smaller models,HP Pavilion DV9000 like the X200, have used smaller hinges to complement the smaller design, but the hinges on the ThinkPad Edge feel weak in comparison. Unlike the Edge 13 we reviewed a couple of months ago, the Edge 14 doesn't have the same glossy paint problems. Lenovo went with a matte finish on the Edge 14, which has a much more consistent look and feel than a glossy finish.Sony VGP-BPS8A That said, glossy finish options are offered on the Edge 14 in "midnight black" and "heatwave red" colors.

The chassis feels strong and durable, with very little flex in the plastic panels.Sony VGP-BPS8 Unlike more expensive ThinkPad models, the Edge 14 doesn't have an internal rollcage,Sony VGP-BPS9 but Lenovo still managed to keep the notebook pretty strong. The palmrest, touchpad and keyboard have no discernable flex under strong pressure and the frame doesn't flex if you carry it by the corner of the palmrest. The only area of the Edge 14 that I would like to see improvement is the screen cover. With moderate pressure you can see ripples form on the screen - a first for a ThinkPad model.Sony VGP-BPS8B

Users can easily upgrade components on the Edge 14 through two access panels on the bottom of the notebook.Sony VGP-BPS9/B One panel houses the SIM-card and WWAN PCIe slot while the other is to access the system memory, CPU and hard drive.Sony VGP-BPS10 Our review model did not come with WWAN preinstalled and it lacked the needed connectors soldered in place for a future upgrade.Sony VGP-BPS9/S Most ThinkPad models have offered the slots on all models, but it appears that if you want WWAN on the Edge 14,Acer UM08B71 you should order it when you purchase the notebook.

Screen and Speakers

The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 14 comes with a glossy 14-inch WXGA panel.apple a1060 battery The panel rates average compared to other 13 and 14-inch screens we have reviewed. Color and contrast are adequate but fall short of some nicer panels we have seen on the market,apple a1045 battery including one on the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro and HP Envy 13. At its maximum backlight level, we measured a screen brightness of 224 cd/m2 at the center of the screen. Backlight uniformity was great with the top, bottom and sides staying within 20 cd/m2.Dell inspiron 1525 battery Viewing angles are average with colors starting to invert in 10-15 degrees titled forward or back.

The Edge 14 has lap-firing speakers located right below the front edge of the palmrest.Dell latitude e6400 battery If the notebook isn't sitting on a flat desk surface, it is easy to cover the speaker grills and have sound muffled. The speakers are average compared to other CULV notebooks, lacking both bass and most mid-range sound.Acer BTP-60A1 Though for basic listening purposes or streaming music or video,Toshiba PA3399U-1BAS they should suffice. When watching movies, using headphones or a stereo connected through the Edge 14's HDMI port would be a better option.

Keyboard and Touchpad

When I first saw the leaked images of the new ThinkPad keyboard,hp pavilion dv6000 battery I have to admit I was less than pleased. The keyboard is one of the few remaining original and unchanged parts of ThinkPad notebooks. The layout has been updated over the years, but the keyboard could always be identified as "ThinkPad." With the new design,Fujitsu lifebook s6510 battery Lenovo took a hint from other new keyboard designs hitting the market and blended a combination of form and function.

The keyboard takes a Chiclet/Island-style that's common on notebooks ranging from the latest netbooks to the newest Apple MacBook,Sony VGP-BPS13A/B and merges it with a traditional ThinkPad design.Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad X60 What makes the keyboard unique is that it's the first Chiclet keyboard I have found that's very comfortable and easy to type on. Most Chiclet-style keyboards have flat top keys, different spacing and a shallower throw than a normal keyboard. The ThinkPad Edge 14 doesn't have these problems, creating an ideal hybrid keyboard that I can easily say is among the best implementations I have used to date.

Typing pressure and feedback is similar to a typical ThinkPad keyboard,Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad T60 so similar in fact that if you type with your eyes closed you might not even realize the key shape changed. The throw distance seems to be identical to my T60 with the same type of click sound made when fully pressed. Removing the keytops reveal the familiar scissor-action found in traditional ThinkPad keyboards. My best guess would be Lenovo kept the original frame and action assembly, only updating the keytops and adding an internal bezel structure. The change doesn't compromise strength; it shows no flex under strong typing pressure.