ASUS UL30Vt available for pre-order at Amazon
By Laura June 
posted November 23rd 2009 3:23PM
posted November 23rd 2009 3:23PM
ASUS's good-looking, switchable-graphics boasting UL30Vt-X1 is one those Windows 7 laptops you really need to check out for yourself. The thin and light, 13.3-incher will get super strength battery life with the discrete graphics on. This one packs DDR3 memory, and a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor (which can be overclocked). It's up for pre-order at Amazon now for $799 with Windows 7 Home Premium, so if you've been waiting around for this one... well now's your time.
Asus Eee PC 1210N FTW!
UL30Vt > 1201N in many aspects.
First and foremost, the CULV runs faster than the Dual Core Ion, also the graphics are stronger in the UL30Vt (210m > Ion) and then you have the switchable graphics and option to overclock 33% or not. This translates into a slightly larger machine than the 1201N(do note, though, that the UL30Vt is still THINNER) but with a better battery life. If memory serves me correct, the 1201N was said to get about 6-8 hours. The UL30Vt is said to get 12 hours.
What you say is true, but in all fairness, the 1210N is $300 cheaper. I don't think the two should be so readily compared when their prices are so different. The UL30Vt is a better model, straight up, but you pay for its advantages for sure.
My point was:
If I am going to spend $800, then I would probably get a more powerful laptop. (I just bought a fully stocked 17 inch core i7 laptop for $1000 from HP)
If I am looking for a nice, small, portable computer for traveling, I would go for a netbook on the cheap with HD, like the 1210N. Its only $499.
For me Its just a waste of $800 for this mid level performer that I will only use sometimes, even if it looks nice.
Apples to Oranges. A 17" laptop is cheaper than a 13" laptop with the same specs. The 13", you will pay a premium for due to its thickness, size and overall performance in a smaller package. If you just see all of these as "laptops" or "notebooks" and can't understand why someone would prefer a 13" laptop to a 17", then it goes without saying that you would think a slim/sleek ultraportable would be overpriced.
Not bad, but come on, put an SSD in there Asus. Spinning platter on a thin portable computer, where it's more likely to be in situation that says "head crash" written all over?
While I would like the option of an SSD, I personally would NOT want to pay an extra $100 or more for one. That would ruin the economical appeal of this laptop for a lot of people.
Sweetness, I talked the lady I work with into getting one so I can play with it. Hopefully I will not melt the damn thing overclocking it while she's not looking.
Where's the sexy grey/aluminum one? How am I supposed to trick the posers at Starbucks into thinking I have a Macbook Air with a black laptop?
The big ASUS logo would probably tip them off.
Silver duct tape and a drawing of an Apple with a sharpie. Done and done.
Seriously though - their own product page lists 'brushed aluminum' exterior as a feature. (http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=57XDSj2LxRg41F0d) The black looks like it would have an all-fingerprint exterior within 10 minutes of unboxing...
Asus rep in another forum said that the brushed aluminum is only going to be released in other markets for now.
Some discussions at Amazon, suggest that the battery is the 4400 mah and (being a UL30VT-X?) that makes sense. I hope they list a UL30VT-A? soon. ASUS also reply to one discussions to tell that the aprox. release date was 12/05
newegg has them.
Sorry, OneLove, but again that is not true. Newegg is selling UL30's but not the Vt series.
@leito
oh my, that was almost 4 years ago!
@(Unverified)
What? December 5th
They really need to advertise their brand a bit more in the United States.
Americans are suckers for flashing lights and awkward music.
How does one overclock this chip? I have a SU4300 1.3 ghz and there is no way to OC at this time.
Asus includes a feature called Turbo33 which allows users to overclock their processor 33% with the touch of a button and a quick reboot.
IMHO this is much better than the 1210N.
Why don't you just add your own SSD?
And...
The overclocking is build in to go 33% faster (around 1.7 cpu) don't worry about frying it :)
As soon as we get the battery specifications sealed in I WILL have one of these. I was, like many, anticipating the release of the 1201N, but this UL30Vt blows it out of the water. Can Not Wait.
if i was in the market for a laptop this would be at the top of my list.
Augh, three days after I get the 14" version they put out a smaller, lighter version with a bigger hard drive for LESS MONEY? Stupid technology.
Now if ASUS would just release it across the pond in England.
I'm waiting, ASUS.
Get it from this side of the channel/north sea.
@explodingknees
Correct. I'd buy this instantly, come on ASUS!
While I would like the option of an SSD, I personally would NOT want to pay an extra $100 or more for one. That would ruin the economical appeal of this laptop for a lot of people.
Engadget... you supposedly revamped your website yet the reply button still FAILS. I meant to reply to pika2000's comment at the top of the page.
LMAO, now that is rich.
why such a weak processor with such a nice video card?
That processor should be "good enough" for the "average consumer".
Good enough AND lets you run for a silly amount of time on a single charge.
Nice...
Now, bring it to Europe, Asus! Naow!
We already have it. At least we do here in sweden. Goes for about €730, which is not expensive in sweden - the cheapest Ul30a goes for €630-€730 (though some resellers gouge customers and charge up to €873).
pre-ordered mine on amazon already. was going to get the 1201n, but decided on the UL30Vt when I saw it. Didn't mind the larger size or the higher price tag and I loved the better performance, battery life and better GPU. can't wait to get it.
Does the overclocking work on Linux, specifically Ubuntu? I would imagine there would be some way, maybe just not the Asus way.
Does the overclocking work on Linux, specifically Ubuntu? I would imagine there would be some way, maybe just not the Asus way.
I was anticipating the 1201n to be the perfect netbook for me, and then I saw the UL30Vt. It is better processor, a lot more ram, better graphics card, thinner, better looking, and has almost DOUBLE the battery life! Yes I know it's more expensive but this laptop is definitely worth it the price!
Asus you have hit the perfect spot between a laptop and a netbook... :D
Even as a Mac user I kind of like this one. It would be really nice with an SSD drive.
This machine starts at $899 in Canada. I'm not entirely convinced that it's $250 better than the Acer 1810t ($649). Same SU7300 processor, 4gb ddr2 ram. Sure the acer has the integrated graphics but I don't use my laptop for outputting high def anyway..
@pauly7
You're comparing a 11.6" netbook with a full spec ultra-portable notebook. The ul30vt will be slightly heavier by 3/4 of a pound even with a 13.3" lcd and 8-cell battery which will last close to 12hrs running with the integrated graphics + the flexibility to do some light gaming and graphics. So I would ask is the 1810t worth the $250 premium over a acer 751h netbook, which is much more closely related.
i would actually consider this, it would be fine to me to trade performance for battery life, but since its one of these glossy-monster you cant even look at without making it smudgy, its a no go.
This laptop looks really appealing, but the lack of a dock port and associated docking station really kills it for me. Quite frankly, I just don't understand why more laptops aren't dockable. Once you've had a Dell Latitude or HP EliteBook that you can come home and slap down on a dock and get right to work, you can't go back.