Asus 13.3" UL30A CULV Notebook Review
Introduction and Specifications
In our 2009 Notebook Buyer's Guide, we discussed the merits and perils of CULV based notebooks. This suddenly popular and quickly growing sector looks to bridge the gap between the bargain basement netbook and the full-size notebook. It makes sense to think that a swath of 13.3" to 14" machines would be needed for those who find 10.1" netbook displays too tiny and 15.4" rigs too large, and that's exactly the sweet spot that Asus is attempting to hit with its new UL30 range. The particular model that we're looking at today is the UL30A-A1, though a handful of other configurations will be available as well. This 13.3" machine looks to offer more power than a typical netbook, yet provide nearly the same level of portability and battery life.
The UL30 was just introduced last week along with a few other CULV machines, which stands for Consumer Ultra Low Voltage. This moniker refers to the Intel processor within, which is a more powerful chip than the Atom options found in most netbooks, yet isn't quite as potent as the full-fledged Core 2 Duo CPUs found in most full-size notebooks. Again, this whole machine is about splitting the difference, and we have to admit, it's a fine line to walk. Most folks are either satisfied with having a netbook to surf the Web and handle basic Office tasks or having a full-size notebook to handle desktop-like tasks; so, who exactly is the CULV machine for? On-the-go business travelers, consumers who need just a bit more power than a netbook can offer, and consumers who have realized that those full-size notebooks are just too powerful for their needs.
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Asus UL30; Click To Enlarge
There's no doubt that many will compare the UL30 to Apple's MacBook Air, and rightfully so. Asus has settled on a striking brushed aluminum lid, and while the rest of the machine is indeed plastic, the lid is definitely attractive. Measuring in at just an inch thick, this machine is nice and thin. Unlike some of Asus' thinner Eee PCs, the 8-cell battery (which Asus claims is good for up to 12 hours of life, a figure that we'll be putting to the test later) is removable. This machine is equipped with Windows Vista, as it's too potent and too large to fit the mold required to run Windows XP as a "netbook" (by definition). We'll be putting this machine to the test in the pages to come, but right from the get-go, we'd say Asus has assembled a compelling package for just $799 (as tested). So, is it worth it? Join us as we find out.
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As you can see, there's an awful lot here for $799, and if you don't quite need 500GB of storage, Amazon offers the UL30A-X3 for $749 which includes a 5400RPM 320GB HDD.
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