ASUS N10 "netbook" gets reviewed

We were suitably impressed by ASUS's netbook moniker-defying N10 when we got our hands on it earlier this month, and it seems to at least be able to hold its own with Call of Duty 4, but if you're looking for a bit more information to inform your potential purchase, you may want to hit up the link below to check out Mobile Computer's full review of the ultraportable. As you might expect, they were especially impressed by the N10's performance compared to standard netbooks, but they're a bit perplexed as to exactly what the target audience for it is, describing it as an "interesting technological exercise," but one that sits uncomfortably between traditional netbooks and regular Core 2 Duo-based laptops and ultraportables. Still, we're guessing the N10's uniqueness alone will win it a few admirers, and if that $700 price tag ever gets knocked down, it'd no doubt have plenty more.

[Thanks, Michael A]

[iEye @ Oct 1st 2008 5:54PM]

Hey, these days if a computer does not emit a cloud of toxic gas while you use it, unlike another brand of computers I shall not name in fear of a Low Rank (he he get it RANK!)

... it is considered a bargain!

[zoopthegame @ Oct 1st 2008 6:07PM]

Does it rhyme with crapple?

[erhan @ Oct 1st 2008 9:07PM]

@iEye
please stfu

[Chris @ Oct 1st 2008 6:01PM]

the N20 seems a little more practical to me

[eiki @ Oct 1st 2008 6:31PM]

...or NOS

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Oct 1st 2008 6:07PM]

A decent video card? In a netbook?

WIZARD 101 ON THE GO, HERE I COME!

[maveric101 @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:00AM]

if only there was less bezel...

[Jeff @ Oct 1st 2008 6:38PM]

Follow the link, watch the video....It plays Crysis...so don't ask.

[TareX @ Oct 1st 2008 6:39PM]

It's a good choice... till I can afford a decent Quad-core dual-9800 top-speced Sager notebook.

I want to have a small light netbook, but I also want to play recent games on it (PES2009... not something as demanding as Crysis of course). So if it plays COD4 on max resolution and mid-high settings, I guess it should do fine with PES2009.

[Chris @ Oct 1st 2008 6:53PM]

Throw in the dual core atom cpu and keep the price the same and I think I'll get one.

[JohnTitor @ Oct 1st 2008 7:09PM]

seriously why can't asus just release one notebook at a time, I mean I get that they had a 9" and 10" coming after the 7" eeepc but why so many varients. I already started hating the idea when the original 7" released in four variations but I didn't think it was going to get worse, I think one N10 (with the GeForce 9300) is all they need, if they want a non-gpu version they have plenty of eees to choose from

[Ian @ Oct 1st 2008 7:13PM]

As mentioned in the review, the laptop is essentially full sized, but with a 10" screen. What the hell is the point of this thing? The Atom isn't fast enough to allow you to do anything with the graphics card. Plus it's huge. No wonder the keyboard is comfortable.

[JohnTitor @ Oct 1st 2008 8:12PM]

it's still a little smaller than a standard 12" and a lot cheaper and lighter
most 12" still won't get you a GPU let alone a decent one like the 9300M
if you would watch the other video on the netbook you would see it can play CoD4 pretty well since most games are more GPU dependent than CPU so the Atom isn't a big bottleneck for the GeForce

[KilgoreTrout @ Oct 1st 2008 8:27PM]

Huge? Don't be ridiculous.
I actually played a little with this thing while upgrading its innards for a collegue who bought it and really it isn't a bad choice at all , however I much prefer my MSI wind, which happens to be cheaper and better looking too, even if made of plastic instead of the undefinible metal alloy chosen by Asus which probably is the cause of the higher price.

Come to think of it while "not bad" this N10 would'nt even be my second, nor third choice for a netbook.
Nowadays the better and/or more convenient alternatives abound.

[KilgoreTrout @ Oct 1st 2008 8:27PM]

Huge? Don't be ridiculous.
I actually played a little with this thing while upgrading its innards for a collegue who bought it and really it isn't a bad choice at all , however I much prefer my MSI wind, which happens to be cheaper and better looking too, even if made of plastic instead of the undefinible metal alloy chosen by Asus which probably is the cause of the higher price.

Come to think of it while "not bad" this N10 would'nt even be my second, nor third choice for a netbook.
Nowadays the better and/or more convenient alternatives abound.

[Alan @ Oct 1st 2008 7:52PM]

So the N10 has a Geforce 9300, but the N20 doesn't?

[b-man @ Oct 1st 2008 8:47PM]

It appears so..... :P, although, you can get an N80 with a similar/same graphics card as the N10's with a dual-core prosesor to boot.. If you are willing to spend a fuew hundred dollars more.... :(

[KilgoreTrout @ Oct 1st 2008 9:15PM]

If you're willing to spend a "few" hundred dollars more you can get anything you want man.

[Ian @ Oct 1st 2008 9:03PM]

Yes, huge. Huge for a 10" laptop. You can tell just by comparing it to other 10"ers.

Best netbook I've used is the HP Mini-note. At this size, speed isn't my greatest concern, although others may feel differently. In terms of usage, it felt like the system where I felt I was making the smallest compromise to get a small laptop (although it has a 9" screen that's the physical size of a 10" netbook). With all this mention of graphics cards and such, I have to say that my greatest worries are the keyboard and screen. The keyboard on the Mini-note is incredible for a netbook, while the screen has the perfect resolution.

In terms of appearance and feel of the materials, I'd say the Mini-note wins that too. Too bad about the huge bezel. If the next system is the same physical size, but uses a 10" screen instead, and the VIA Nano processor rather than the C7, it'll be fantastic (although as expensive as this Asus N10).

[buda @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:02AM]

where can i get this one online

[elefant @ Oct 3rd 2008 1:44AM]

multi-touch?

[brian @ Oct 24th 2008 2:45AM]

+1
Does the N10 have multitouch trackpad?