Weight of ultra-lights not as advertised?

[Aporia]

I'm helping my sister buy a laptop for college. Due to an injury, she has discomfort lifting a computer heavier than four pounds. We bought an ASUS UL30Vt that was supposed to be 3.7lbs. With battery, it actually weighed 4.5lbs. I cross checked with the ASUS website and reviewers, and everything seems to be saying it should weight 3.7 with an 8 cell, and 3.3 with a 4-cell.

Are laptop weights under-reported? I'm not sure how to help her if I can't get accurate information.

 

[Zap]

They shouldn't be inaccurate. Are you measuring just the unit or are you adding in the AC adapter or bag? Also, what kind of scale are you using? Normal house scales are not accurate for that low of a weight. You'd need a shipping or postage scale for accuracy. Also, are you sure it was the "Vt" model in the reviews/website? There were a number of different UL30 models, and the Vt is likely the heaviest due to the discrete graphics (and cooling for it).

 

[beginner99]

Also manufacturers but in 1 weight and then writ ein brackets (depends on configuration).
Of course the wieght written is the lightest possible configuration which is probabla unusable.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

The pickings are slim for decent sub-4lb lappies:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2076716

I got the Lenovo x201 for about $1100 shipped. Should be right around 3.2lb.

 

[Aporia]

Thanks guys. Turns out I asked for nothing; in the end she made a different decision not based on weight.