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- Thin and light
- Good warranty
- Incredible battery life
- Good performance
- Poor graphics performance
- Glossy screen
- Lots of bloatware
- Not everyone is a fan of the touchpad
Reviewers love the thin and light 13.3-inch Asus UL30A. Though most test it running Vista, Windows 7 performance is even better, as verified in one multi-laptop face-off. The UL30A uses an ultra-low-voltage Core 2 Duo processor that doesn't quite have the power of its higher-voltage counterparts, but packs more then enough punch for everyday computing -- and certainly more than you will find with any netbook. The ultra-low-voltage processor has two big advantages; it allows for a thinner and lighter design than other laptops, and it delivers terrific battery life -- over 10 hours between charges in some tests. The rest of the component lineup is solid as well, and includes 4 GB of memory, a 500 GB hard drive and more. Though we've seen a few comments that say the UL30A feels cheap, versions are available with an impressive two-year warranty and a separate one-year warranty against accidental damage, which should provide relative peace of mind.
There are some drawbacks, and the biggest one is the UL30A's graphics performance. Light-duty multimedia performance is fine, but those who need anything more should look elsewhere. One example is the Acer Aspire 5738PG (Discontinued). It's a little bulkier and heavier, and battery life is much, much shorter. However it has a stronger full-voltage processor and a discrete graphics card. Heavy-duty gamers will still scoff, but graphics performance is better than with just about any other cheap laptop.
Though most reviewers look at versions of the UL30A running Vista, current configurations are similar save for the use of Windows 7. One exception is Gizmodo.com, which includes a Windows 7 UL30A in its faceoff of thin and light Windows 7 laptops. Other reviews are more in-depth, and include reports at PCMag.com, HotHardware.com, Laptop Magazine and ComputerShopper.com. A small handful of reviews can be found at Amazon.com.
| ASUS UL30A-X5 Thin and Light 13.3-Inch Black Laptop (12 Hours of Battery Life) | |
(190 reviews) |
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Our Sources
1. Gizmodo.com
Though other reviewers provide more details, this test-based faceoff between cheap laptops running Windows 7 provides lots of useful insights. The Asus UL30A bests all comers, with Joanna Stern saying "For $800 flat it packs the best all around performance, endurance and ergonomics."
Review: Win 7 Laptop Battlemodo: Thin and Lights For Under $800, Joanna Stern, Oct. 23, 2009
Though HotHardware.com doesn't test tons of laptops, this site's reports are based on in-depth testing. Even under Vista, the UL30A holds its own against bigger and more expensive laptops. Shawn Oliver adds that the UL30A would get a "big two thumbs up" if it came preloaded with Windows 7 (as is now the case). Regardless, HotHardware.com gives the Asus UL30A an Editor's Choice award.
Review: Asus 13.3" UL30A CULV Notebook Review, Shawn Oliver, Sept. 18, 2009
Like most other reviewers, NotebookReview.com tests the UL30A when first introduced and running Vista, though current configurations are similar save for the use of Windows 7. Testing is comprehensive and discussion is meaty. Booting up the first time out of the box is a lengthy process because of the amount of preloaded bloatware, but things look great after that.
Review: Asus UL30A Review, Kevin O'Brien, Sept. 18, 2009
4. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
The 13.3-inch Asus UL30A earns an Editors' Choice award here. There's plenty of power for both work and play, notes K. T. Bradford, and the 10 hours of battery life achieved in Laptop Magazine's test impresses. Graphics performance that's underwhelming ("but good enough for everyday tasks") and a screen that's a bit too glossy and reflection-prone are drawbacks.
Review: Untitled, K. T. Bradford, Sept. 18, 2009
PCMag.com tests a version of the Asus UL30A that's identical to current models save for the switch to Windows 7 Home Premium over Vista Home Premium. Cisco Cheng calls the UL30A "an amazing ultra-thin laptop." Battery life, again, is a big plus. The laptop earns an Editors' Choice award.
Review: Asus UL30A, Cisco Cheng, Sept. 24, 2009
ComputerShopper.com joins the chorus of Asus UL30A that award it Editors' Choice recognition. Performance isn't as good as pricier ultraportables, but it's not bad, and value is much better.
Review: Asus UL30A, Catherine Smith, Sept. 2009
7. Amazon.com
This Windows 7-equipped version of the Asus UL30A is beginning to attract owner feedback, though not enough yet to be truly meaningful. Most are pleased, but one user complains about the usability of the touchpad -- something we've seen echoed in some professional reviews, though with differing issues -- and poor Asus customer service.
Review: Asus UL30A-A2, Contributors to Amazon.com
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