Q4 Thin and Light Notebook Releases - A Rant (sort of)

[Avatar26]

After several months of watching, reading, investigating, and waffling, I was finally ready to make a purchase... And now all of the ultra-portables I had on my wish list are gone.

R.I.P. ASUS U80V...
Sayonara, Acer Timeline 3810T-6775...
So long, ASUS UL30A-X3...

So far, I have seen some information on a couple of new CULV Dual Core notebooks planned for Q4, but not much and nothing from Acer and ASUS.

After the ASUS UL series was announced, I was really excited about the prospect of a UL80 with discrete graphics, but nothing has materialized...
HP DM3 and Envy 13 look nice, but neither one quite fits the bill.
Toshiba ultraportables that have been announced are single core.
Sony is outrageously overpriced.

Does anyone know of upcoming thin and light models that I may have missed?
Why are so many major OEMs mute right now? If I were them, I'd be trying to generate as much buzz as possible with the impending launch of Windows 7.

Here's my wishlist, post replies with any suggestions or new models/news you find.

Dual Core CULV, 4GB RAM, decent size HDD or SSD
Gigabit Ethernet, BT, Wireless N
13-14" screen, <1" thick, <4 lbs
5-6 hours battery life (or better) with moderate usage

 

[sindows]

The Asus models are "discontinued" because they will be reintroduced with Windows 7 later this month.

 

[WackyDan]

You'll see a ton of buzz come Oct 22nd when people can actually buy Win7 preloaded. You'll see a lot of buzz in January when Intel releases their next mobile chipset to manufacture....Going to be a fun new year.

 

[Avatar26]

Well, it is now after midnight in my timezone... A few scattered announcements have been made by mainstream manufacturers about some unique Windows 7 laptops/tablets, but still waiting for the meat here... The stuff everyone really wants:
Dual core CPUs, 4GB+ RAM, 13-14" LED backlit screens, Bluetooth, Wireless N, backlit keyboards, dedicated (switchable) graphics, and 5-8 hours actual usage on a charge.

Saw something over here about the ASUS UL80VT, sounds promising albeit without Bluetooth or a backlit keyboard...
Acer is decidely absent with details on the new Timeline models, which is unfortunate.

Oh yes, and there are murmurs about a U80V-B2 in North America from ASUS, that is also intriguing... Will be interesting to see what pops up available for preorder in the next 24 hours.

 

[tbike06]

If you look at Acer's website, then go to notebooks, then look at the Timeline models they have the specs of the new windows 7 models out. The dual core option now is the Intel SU4100 1.3 GHz. Most have wireless N, 3/4 GB of RAM, no switchable graphics though.

 

[fk49]

The ASUS ul80-vt is available on amazon now
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Fits everything you need, even the graphics

 

[firewolfsm]

I got a dell E4300 of the outlet for $700 shipped once I found a coupon (off the mail list). 5 hours with one of the fastest notebook core 2s released. 3.3lbs.

 

[Avatar26]

The UL80Vt does not meet the specs I outlined above...
I had the opportunity to see some comparison shots, it is thicker than ASUS would leave you to believe. It is also overweight, weighing in at just short of 5 lbs.

I am tracking a discussion back and forth on Amazon wirth an ASUS rep and the masses that are clamoring for a UL30Vt (similar to the model Anand reviewed a little while back).
It all started with what the UL80Vt has not lived up to, and has hopefully spawned some meaningful discussion on the manufacturer's part.
See here: Amazon UL30Vt Conversation w/ ASUS Rep

Also evaluating the HP DM3t, which looks to be heavy for it's size but extremely durable (all aluminum body) and highly customizable.
Would love to hear what other thin and light shoppers are finding in their quests.

 

[aceshigh23]

If I was going to pull the trigger today, I'd go HP DM3t. It seems to be the only one that hits everything I want (similar to what you want):
culv
discrete video card
<4 lbs
7200rpm hard-drive (no SSD, unfortunately)
supposed 5+ hour use
<$1k

If it had an SSD option, I'd buy it right now. As is, I'm going to hold off and see what else might show up over the next week or so.

 

[BentValve]

Originally posted by: aceshigh23
If I was going to pull the trigger today, I'd go HP DM3t.

Im thinking about THIS ONE.

 

[BentValve]

^^^ id appreciate it if someone can look at this one for me and tell me if its decent^^^^
thank you

 

[jaydee]

Originally posted by: BentValve
^^^ id appreciate it if someone can look at this one for me and tell me if its decent^^^^
thank you

Decent? Yes. You're not going to get great battery life out of it though with an AMD processor. Whether if it's good enough for you or not really depends on what you want to get out of it.

 

[BentValve]

Thanks, I just want the most laptop I can get for 600ish bucks.

What I want from it?

A good LED backlit display
Good battery life
A built in wireless network card that works with my Apple AirPort Express.
Reasonably fast
I do not game and I do not need a big hard drive
A netbook would be enough except I need to run a few programs, mainly ControlCAL which you can see at http://www.controlcal.com

Anyone have any suggestions for me? Id sure appreciate it.

 

[grooves21]

The HP dm3 looks like the best one out there to me... meets all your needs and is in your price range.

I wish I could find some more thorough reviews on it though.. mainly with battery life testing. I am on the fence between it and the new macbook. But, with its lithium-polymer battery which is somewhat of a first for a Windows laptop (same battery type in Macbooks) it should get significantly better life than most other laptops in its category.

 

[BentValve]

Hey , thanks for that info grooves21 At HP.com there are 2 with polymer batteries....

DM3Z $549
AMD Athlon(TM) Neo X2 Dual-Core L335 Processor (1.6GHz, 512KB) with ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3200 Graphics

DM3T $649
Intel(R) Pentium(R) Processor SU4100 (1.3GHz,2M Cache) w/Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MH


Which of these ^^ is best and why ? Thanks!

 

[BentValve]

THe DM3Z says up to 6 hour battery life.
The DM3T says up to 10 hour battery life......(if this is true I am pretty sure this notebook would be the longest lasting notebook in existence , MACs included!!!)

 

[jaydee]

Originally posted by: BentValve
THe DM3Z says up to 6 hour battery life.
The DM3T says up to 10 hour battery life......(if this is true I am pretty sure this notebook would be the longest lasting notebook in existence , MACs included!!!)

ASUS UL30A-A2 on Amazon right now for $775 has a 16 hour battery.


Between those two laptops you posted, I choose... neither. Look at ASUS UL30A-A1. 1.3GHz C2D, 2GB DDR2 800, 250GB HD, 12.1" screen, 7.5hr battery. $590 at Amazon. To me, that looks like the best bang for the buck at a regular price. You might be able to find something on sale that's better, but you'd have to look hard cause I don't see many out there on opening day for Win7. If you can wait until Black Friday, I would.

 

[Tom]

I got a refurb Dell 14z for $420 that is a bit heavier than your criteria at 4.5 lbs but exceeds pretty much everything else.

 

[BentValve]

Originally posted by: jaydee

Originally posted by: BentValve
THe DM3Z says up to 6 hour battery life.
The DM3T says up to 10 hour battery life......(if this is true I am pretty sure this notebook would be the longest lasting notebook in existence , MACs included!!!)

ASUS UL30A-A2 on Amazon right now for $775 has a 16 hour battery.


Between those two laptops you posted, I choose... neither. Look at ASUS UL30A-A1. 1.3GHz C2D, 2GB DDR2 800, 250GB HD, 12.1" screen, 7.5hr battery. $590 at Amazon. To me, that looks like the best bang for the buck at a regular price. You might be able to find something on sale that's better, but you'd have to look hard cause I don't see many out there on opening day for Win7. If you can wait until Black Friday, I would.

I cannot find the UL30A-A1 at Amazon. Do you just not like HP or why do you think these Asus laptops are better?
Ive never owned a laptop but from what ive gathered HP is one of the better brands.

I certainly can wait til Black Friday, where do you think the best laptop deals will be , Best Buy ?


thanks

 

[jaydee]

Originally posted by: BentValve

Originally posted by: jaydee

Originally posted by: BentValve
THe DM3Z says up to 6 hour battery life.
The DM3T says up to 10 hour battery life......(if this is true I am pretty sure this notebook would be the longest lasting notebook in existence , MACs included!!!)

ASUS UL30A-A2 on Amazon right now for $775 has a 16 hour battery.


Between those two laptops you posted, I choose... neither. Look at ASUS UL30A-A1. 1.3GHz C2D, 2GB DDR2 800, 250GB HD, 12.1" screen, 7.5hr battery. $590 at Amazon. To me, that looks like the best bang for the buck at a regular price. You might be able to find something on sale that's better, but you'd have to look hard cause I don't see many out there on opening day for Win7. If you can wait until Black Friday, I would.

I cannot find the UL30A-A1 at Amazon. Do you just not like HP or why do you think these Asus laptops are better?
Ive never owned a laptop but from what ive gathered HP is one of the better brands.

I certainly can wait til Black Friday, where do you think the best laptop deals will be , Best Buy ?


thanks

Hmm... either I'm going crazy or they changed the specs to the UL30A-A1

Anyways, I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with HP laptops, I have one (17" behemoth). I just think the Asus UL30A-A1 specs out better. The Core2 Duo SU7300 should be a very solid upgrade over the SU4100 and all the other specs are about equivalent and at $590 it's cheaper. And I think the Asus UL line is the best looking small laptop design out there.

Edit: I think I must have been looking at the ASUS UL20A-A1, my bad. Not in stock, but $580 free shipping for:
1.3GHz Intel SU7300 Core 2 Duo Processor
2GB of DDR2 RAM, 2 Slots, 4GB Max
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
12.1" WXGA LED LCD Display, Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn, 0.3M Webcam
Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System (64 bit), *7.5 Hours of Battery Life

Good deal.

 

[Gooberlx2]

UL30A-A2

I think the A1 is just a black variant.

For <$600, that UL20, assuming it has the same overclocking ability as the others, seems definitely like a contender for the bang-for-buck category. Worse battery life though...probably too small for the 8-cell.

 

[Avatar26]

FYI - There are some long threads going over at the Notebook Review forums regarding the ASUS UL30s and the HP DM3s. If you are still hunting for the right thin and light, suggest you take a trip over and check them out. Lots of thoughts, pics, user feedback etc...

 

[BentValve]

Originally posted by: Avatar26
FYI - There are some long threads going over at the Notebook Review forums regarding the ASUS UL30s and the HP DM3s. If you are still hunting for the right thin and light, suggest you take a trip over and check them out. Lots of thoughts, pics, user feedback etc...

Thanks, can you post a few links to a few threads that you saw over at Notebook Review forums? That forum is pretty big.

Id appreciate it.

 

[Avatar26]

Originally posted by: BentValve
Thanks, can you post a few links to a few threads that you saw over at Notebook Review forums? That forum is pretty big.

Id appreciate it.

ASUS:
UL30 Series - UL30 Owner's Thread ; UL30 General Discussion ; UL30A - X5 vs. A2
UL80 Series - UL80 Information

Acer Timeline Series: Acer Aspire Timeline Owner's Lounge

HP DM3 Series: HP DM3 Owner's Lounge ; HP DM3 General Discussion

There is a lot more useful stuff out there, but these are the threads that are heaviest into the new wave of thin and light noteboooks.
Hope they help!

 

[Gooberlx2]

http://gizmodo.com/5387914/win...d-lights-for-under-800

Pits an Asus UL30 vs HP dm3 vs Acer Timeline vs Toshiba T135. They put the Asus at the top, though don't really go deep in to detail.

For me (if I had the $$$ to buy right now) it would come down to the UL30 vs dm3. I like that the dm3 can have bluetooth, nvidia graphics (moot if the UL30vt is released in the US) and ultimately be upgraded to 8GB ram (though not likely necessary in its lifetime). I wonder if the SU7300 in the dm3t can be overclocked like the Asus ULs.