ViewSonic's new VNB131 ViewBook Pro puts an attractive spin on the 13.3-inch ULV laptop

Viewsonic isn't quite our go-to for excellent PC design just yet, but its new VNB131 ViewBook Pro is a surprisingly decently attractive alternative to the usual ULV fare from the likes of Acer and ASUS. Maybe it's just that touch of "1999" in the aluminum curves and accents that we're finding ourselves suddenly drawn to. Outside of the looks, the VNB131 is mostly pretty stock ULV: there's an Intel ULV SU7300 Core 2 Duo processor, 320GB HDD, 2GB of RAM, a DVD burner, HDMI, VGA, 802.11n and a 7-in-1 card reader. Interestingly, however, you can swap out the DVD drive for an extra 3 cell battery, which in conjunction with the stock 6 cell should offer up to 12 hours of battery life. We're sure you sacrifice a bit on weight and thickness for that luxury, and the price isn't best-in-class either at $949. Still, it's not bad for a company that's still thinks it's pulling one over on people by trying to rip the "MacBook Pro" below-screen lettering. It's available now, wherever ViewBooks are sold. Check out another shot of the laptop after the break, along with some fancy PR.

Update: Electric Pig got some hands-on time with it.

Show full PR text

ViewSonic® Announces Availability of First ULV Notebook

Company furthers smarter, greener computing commitment; brings VNB131 ViewBook™ Pro to market

WALNUT, Calif. - February 22, 2010

ViewSonic® Corp., a leading global provider of visual display, computing and digital content solutions, today announced the commercial availability of its first ULV notebook solution – the VNB131 ViewBook™ Pro.

ViewSonic's 13.3" VNB131 ViewBook Pro notebook offers fast and powerful computing with the latest ULV SU7300 Intel® Core 2 Duo processor and Windows® 7 Home Premium operating system. At only an inch thick, this thin, lightweight ViewBook Pro packs a 320GB hard drive, 2GB internal memory and a removable DVD RW Super Multi ODD into a sleek and modern looking aluminum alloy casing. With up to 12 hours of battery life, this ULV notebook is perfect for mobile warriors needing performance in a light format.

In addition to offering a multi-touch keypad for enlarging screen content, scrolling, rotating and selecting items all without a mouse, this notebook features integrated 802.11b/g/n wireless, two USB 2.0 ports, a 7-in-1 card reader, HDMI and VGA connections. The VNB131 has a 6 cell battery for up to eight hours of computing at a time, plus an extra 3 cell battery that can be interchanged with the removable DVD ODD for an additional four hours of battery life – for a total of up to 12 hours.

The ViewSonic VNB131 ViewBook Pro is currently available for an MSRP of $949. Additional ULV notebook and netbook solutions ranging in size and functionality are scheduled to be available in Q2 2010.

[revoltracers Posted Feb 23rd 2010 4:28AM]

That looks alluringly thin.

[tyleneorna Posted Feb 27th 2010 3:55PM]

@revoltracers More specifically, ViewSonic's first ULV notebook ships with a 13.3-inch screen and an Intel Core 2 Duo ULV SU7300 processor clocked at 1.3GHz. Other specs include a 320GB hard drive, 2GB of RAM, and a removable DVD burner. Latest: http://bit.ly/viewsonic-vnb131-examined

[TheLostSwede Posted Feb 23rd 2010 4:44AM]

It actually launched in October last year http://mobileandnotebook.com/news/viewsonic-viewbook-pro-detalied although maybe not in the US

[MastaQ Posted Feb 23rd 2010 4:49AM]

2GB of RAM? Really? And at almost 10 Benjamins, I expect some kind of dedicated graphics solution. Otherwise, not a bad looking laptop.

[yulebellow Posted Feb 23rd 2010 5:03AM]

1. Walks by person with laptop
2. Does double take
3. Sees it really does say "VeiwSonic" on the back
4. Scratches head

[sibyy Posted Feb 23rd 2010 5:09AM]

@yulebellow Hahaha my thoughts exactly.
Btw no mention of graphics card in the PR? So I guess integrated? Then way overpriced.

[davidhwang95 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 5:08AM]

hmmmmmmm
ViewBook Pro
hmmmmmmm

[finnschi Posted Feb 23rd 2010 5:25AM]

That is a Ugly MacBook Pro... oh wait.... the name reminds me of things like the HiPhone .....

come on View Sonic be a little more Creativ instead of using Apples Syntax here...

its like naming
Ubuntu7
Windows Snow Tiger
OSX 10.7 Hardy Heron ...
iPhone 7 Series

[yulebellow Posted Feb 23rd 2010 5:48AM]

@finnschi

SILENCE! I KILL YOU!

now that thats out of the way...it is a pretty dumb name, and blatantly obvious too. At least just keep it at "Viewbook" and ditch the carbon copy lettering

[eGGnext Posted Feb 23rd 2010 5:46AM]

Okay... I usually hate "they copied Apple!" comments, but naming it "Viewbook Pro", and placing that name under the screen, using that type of font, is awfully similar to apple's macbook pro.
Luckily, the laptop itself is really different from any macbook

[Mars478 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 6:09AM]

*cough*KIRF*cough*

[yulebellow Posted Feb 23rd 2010 6:33AM]

@Mars478

You should take a HallsBook Pro for that cough

[hulahoophugs Posted Feb 23rd 2010 9:49AM]

@yulebellow HA! Pure gold.

[aniym Posted Feb 23rd 2010 6:13AM]

integrated graphics, 2gb memory, C2D instead of i3/i5 (though i guess that's not TOO bad), but at $949? PASS. Asus UL30VT destroys this.

[Weiman Posted Feb 23rd 2010 6:30AM]

ViewBook Pro? Really, Viewsonic?

Looks kinda like a Lenovo U350, but the DVD burner is definitely sets it apart from other 13" thin-and-lights. Not that I'd ever use it.

[xconan Posted Feb 23rd 2010 10:10AM]

@Weiman
They could of even called it eBook Pro or something Yoshimitsu or Whoop AZ Pro but unfortunately they had to utilize some part of Viewsonic into the name.

[malexandria1 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 6:33AM]

Really nice design, horrible specs - especially for the expensive price. For that amount, I'd rather have a hideous design with an i5, 500 Gig HD and 4 gigs of ram.

[theswiss Posted Feb 23rd 2010 6:38AM]

nice design ... but can we remove that name tag below the screen?? just doesn't fit ... figuratively speaking it's like a mazda with an audi logo on it

[PapaSteveZ Posted Feb 23rd 2010 9:19AM]

Viewsonic = Bunch of spammers

[GregV8 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 10:58AM]

I'm seriously sick of all these blatant ripoffs of Apple design. And it's the big names too. Where were all the chrome/black all touch screen phones with single middle button before the iphone? Now the market is flooded by Samsung, LG, etc...
Let alone all the ipod KIRFs......
I think people should not support these companies stay in business by paying for design theft. I'm doing my part anyway.

[archkron Posted Feb 23rd 2010 12:04PM]

I just wish they'd get a new logo.

[JustThatNerdyGuy Posted Feb 23rd 2010 1:03PM]

Original name...

[radarskiy Posted Feb 23rd 2010 3:44PM]

"We're sure you sacrifice a bit on weight and thickness for that luxury"

Why are you sure? The battery goes in the optical drive bay, so it can't change the size of the chassis, and every other removable bay battery weights less than the drive it replaces.