ASUS debuts 12-inch N20A ultraportable

It looks like those sold on the ASUS N10's good looks but not on its netbook-style size or processor now have yet another model to consider from the company, which has expanded its overflowing laptop offerings even further with its new N20A model. This one ups things to a slightly more spacious 12.1-inch WXGA display, which is actually described as "glare-type" (points for honesty, ASUS), and it gets a boost in the performance department from your choice of four different Core 2 Duo processors, though it seems you will have to make do with integrated Intel GMA X4500HD graphics instead of the N10's GeForce 9300M chipset. Otherwise, you can expect up to 4GB of RAM, a max 320GB hard drive, and a DVD burner, plus the usual built-in webcam, memory card reader, and a generous array of ports (including HDMI and eSATA connectors). No official word on a price just yet, but at least one retailer already has a Core 2 Duo T5800-based model available for $999.

[Via Laptoping]

[happy_penguin @ Nov 6th 2008 4:00PM]

Pretty cover. :)

[who? @ Nov 6th 2008 4:24PM]

It looks like cheap plastic jewelry to me... whatever floats your boat I guess.

[DarkLight @ Nov 6th 2008 4:44PM]

I don't like the cover. I prefer the conservative stuff... (Plain matte (or even glossy would do) black with a silver logo)

[telepheedian @ Nov 6th 2008 5:13PM]

I think it looks pretty good, reminded me of this: http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/2/9/8/540298.jpg

That said, I'd probably put a skin or some contact paper over it, I can't stand the glossy finish on my Eee 1000h, always gets dirty looking.

[eggothewaffle @ Nov 6th 2008 4:39PM]

So why does this one, with the better processor and larger screen, have an Intel GPU and...The slower Atom netbook has a 9300M?

[AVG @ Nov 6th 2008 4:52PM]

I'm pretty sure Asus has a giant wheel at their offices for each different laptop component. They spin them all, take a trip to the random letter and number generator and it's off to the factories for a new laptop model.

[VampireHunter Z @ Nov 6th 2008 4:39PM]

Do they ever make 13.3" laptops less than a $1000? You can find a 14.1" laptop for $500 but the second the screen goes to 13.3" it's over a grand. I don't really need one such beefy specs like that N20A.

[iofthestorm @ Nov 6th 2008 4:59PM]

The 14" laptops generally have shitty specs whereas the 13" ones are more premium. See XPS M1330.

[YellowDart @ Nov 6th 2008 5:14PM]

Dell's Inspiron 13 fits the bill. But at 4.9 pounds, it's the same weight as the 14.1" HP dv4t.

[Samuel Wat @ Nov 6th 2008 5:54PM]

@iofthestorm

14' inch laptops don't have "shitty specs," go to Mirco Center and theirs bound too be many 14' inch laptops who have outstanding specs. Windows Vista, 4gb ram, 320 gb hard drive, etc. I would think 9 to 10' inch laptops specs are shitty.

[albtms @ Nov 6th 2008 8:30PM]

Take a look at the Lenovo T400. I've been shying away from them but lately, a decent 13" with a 9300M GS 128 MB for less than $900 doesn't sound too bad.

[Conceyted @ Nov 6th 2008 10:15PM]

I'd like to see this benchmarked against the Dell XPS M1330. That intel chipset is better than the geforce for sure.

[cjcox @ Nov 6th 2008 5:21PM]

Sure wish ASUS had more notebooks and netbooks to choose from. The need to wake up and start producing more offerings!!

[Robert @ Nov 6th 2008 5:22PM]

Nice but, I'll wait for my Dell Mini 9 (this Saturday!)

[kickace @ Nov 6th 2008 6:37PM]

"A page at ZipZoomFly says the ASUS N20A-A1 model with an extended 6-cell battery provides up to 12 hours of operation on a single charge."

[Tony @ Nov 6th 2008 7:15PM]

There is no firewire on this laptop. There is always something missing when you think you've seen a laptop you want. eSATA is nice, but I'll need firewire too.

[Unknown @ Nov 6th 2008 8:00PM]

Hey, can someone tell me why manufacturers keep putting glossy screens in? Serious question, what's the perceived advantage?

[modified @ Nov 6th 2008 8:46PM]

There are the kind of specs I wanted to see in the upcoming Dell 12" and with a better price.

[modified @ Nov 6th 2008 8:47PM]

There are the kind of specs I wanted to see in the upcoming Dell 12" and with a better price.

[modified @ Nov 6th 2008 8:47PM]

There are the kind of specs I wanted to see in the upcoming Dell 12" and with a better price.

[modified @ Nov 6th 2008 8:48PM]

*sigh* dammit

[pavlindrom @ Nov 7th 2008 11:36AM]

So, you wanted us to really get it... I got it, don't worry.

[renstein @ Nov 6th 2008 9:57PM]

How is this an "ultraportable", it is quite a bulky machine, not even all that light. Just as a comparison, the MacBook, which by no means is considered an "ultraportable" is 335cm^3 smaller in volume.

[salman @ Nov 7th 2008 1:40AM]

Asus is just sucking people into paying more and more after the release of the 1st eee pc..man what a good tactic..I bought myself an eee pc1000h and after 3 months I'm bored of the specs for it's size...now they've got the overpriced N series..I looked around and I found far better spec laptops for less the price of these N series..for instance the benq x31..no one heard of it..but this beast is got a 8600gt and still weighs less than 2 kg..and I found some for less than $1200 au..which is like $1000 us..way better value for money

[shawnmos @ Nov 7th 2008 2:19AM]

Yeah, but how much does it weigh?

[SickNick @ Nov 7th 2008 2:34AM]

This is more of a "notebook" not a "netbook". It has better specs than my laptop which is also a 12 inch Asus W5FM. Its got a better GPU, CPU and much more ram in the same size, and I paid 1500 for this 1 year and a half ago. This is not an Eee PC netbook, its a regular laptop and packs a good ammount of power for the money. Not a big fan of the gloss on the outside of the case, everyones been doing it, that stuff shows off scratches way too easily. I like my mat finish.

[Salman @ Nov 7th 2008 3:45AM]

Benq x31 weighs 1.95 with a 6cell battery..and it packs a 13.3 inch led screen with 300 nit and 1280X800 resolution...I couldn't find another laptop with such a bright and such good resolution for a 13.3 inch..L7500 core 2 duo low voltage CPU to save battery..man it's too good to be true..
check it out for yourself..

http://www.benq.com/product/joybook/X31/th/

i'm getting one next week..bye bye Asus..

[jamarkushdg @ Jun 17th 2009 2:35AM]

man what the hell is wrong with them for the price they could at least upgrade the gpu come on