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Asus' LED-backlit U1F laptop gets reviewed
While not quite as fancy as Asus' more recent laptops, the U1F does manage to cram quite a few niceties into a rather stylish ultraportable frame. The critical folks over at PC Mag were able to give this here machine a proper break-in, and the results are lookin' just so-so for those already close to pulling the trigger. First and foremost, the LED-backlit 11.1-inch screen was deemed simply "magnificent," but it wasn't immune to glare from stray light sources in the surrounding area. Additionally, the keyboard was knocked for being (understandably) undersized, and the omission of an integrated optical drive made them none too pleased. All in all, reviewers spent a majority of the time nitpicking this poor lappie and comparing it to more superior machines already in the market, so we'd give this one some serious thought before letting that oh-so-seductive display rope you into a purchase you regret.
ASUS' W5Fe SideShow laptop and U1F ultra-portable shipping this month (in Japan)
Man, that didn't take long. ASUS' W5Fe SideShow-enabled laptop and 2.2-pound U1F with LED backlit display -- both unveiled as prototypes during January's CES -- are hitting Japan (at least) mid-March. An estimated ¥224,800 (or about $1,915) should take home the 12-inch W5Fe preloaded with Vista, a 1.86GHz Core Duo T2350 proc, 1GB memory, 80GB of disk, and standard 1.5-hour battery. If ultra-portability is more your game then you'll need roughly ¥269,800 (about $2,298) to bring the 11.1-inch U1F home equipped with a 1.06GHz Core Duo U2400 CPU, 1GB memory, 80GB disk, and standard 3-hour battery. But you'll want to dig a little deeper for the optional 6-hour extended battery eh road warrior? We expect to hear of a broader release sometime before CeBIT next week. Read -- W5Fe Read -- U1F
ASUS gets official with its LED-backlit U1F lappy
All the same sexy, but this time we've got a bit more info on the upcoming U1F 11.1-incher from ASUS. Of course, that LED backlight inside the 5mm thick LCD is the highlight, but there's plenty more to love inside this 18mm thick laptop (0.7-inches, though it tapers up to 1.1-inches thick). Oddly enough, one of the neatest highlights is the optional external disc drive. This one ain't no stripped down combo drive number, but instead houses a Blu-ray / DVD super multi burner for the ultimate in optical goodness. We're not sure what you'd be doing with a Blu-ray movie on this WXGA LCD, and there don't seem to be any HD outputs for slapping video onto a big screen, but we like the chutzpah all the same. Under the hood there's a Core Duo U2400 processor with a Intel 945GM Express chipset and Intel a/b/g WiFi. Hard drive options range from 40 to 80GB, the webcam is of the VGA variety and connectivity includes gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR and A2DP. With a 3-cell battery on board, the U1F weighs 2.2 pounds, thanks to the magnesium-aluminum / carbon fiber built case and an LCD about half the thickness and 1/3 lighter than the traditional kind. The LED backlight also boasts of better luminance, faster response time and lower power consumption than the traditional LCD, and combined with some fancy ASUS Power4 Gear eXtreme power management should have battery life up 20-25 percent over traditional laptops. Still no word on price or availability, but you'll be able to get this thing with Vista Home Premium or Vista Business when it does ship.[Via DailyTech]
Asus set to unveil LED-backlit U1F laptop at CeBIT
Apparently, Asus didn't have quite enough fun dishing out swank new laptop gear at CES, as the firm is now prepared to unveil its first LED-backlit machine at this year's CeBIT Show in Hanover, Germany. The ultralight U1F weighs in at just 2.2-pounds, and sports an 11.1-inch WXGA+ LED-backlit screen, steel edges, leather-clad palm rests, black motif, an ultra-low voltage Intel Core Duo processor, and of course, will come pre-loaded with Windows Vista. Unfortunately, Asus isn't spilling any more details on this one until the time is just right, but hopefully this noticeable move towards LED-backlit lappies will persuade a few other firms out there to follow suit, and soon.[Via Laptoping]
