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- 1.3GHz Intel SU7300 Core 2 Duo Processor
- 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 2 slots, 4GB Max
- 500GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
- 13.3″ HD LED LCD Display, Intel GMA 4500MHD, 0.3M Webcam, Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn
- Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System (64 bit), *12 Hours of Battery Life
Product Description
Weighing less than 4lbs and measuring less than an inch thin, the new ASUS UL30A is a harmonious blend of form and function. Powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo ultra-low voltage processor, it boasts an impressive 16-hour battery life for all-day computing. It also sports user-centric features such as a multi-gesture touchpad and provides an impressive multimedia entertainment experience with Altec Lansing speakers and SRS Premium Sound. All of these features and more ar… More >>
ASUS UL30A-A2 Thin and Light 13-3-Inch Silver Laptop – 12 Hours of Battery Life
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Overall, this computer is lovely but it fails miserably despite the four processing modes. I am shocked and infuriated that this model rated so well! It can’t handle viewing streaming video – even the computer review videos about the machine. I viewed less than a minute worth of marginal and high-quality video before promptly deciding it is getting returned.
Using the Windows 7 performance evaluation application, this machine scores the following on a scale of 1.0 (worst) to 7.9 (best):
Processor (calculations per second): 4.1
Memory (memory operations per second): 4.8
Graphics (desktop performance for Windows Aero): 3.9
Gaming graphics (3D business and gaming graphics performance): 3.4
Primary hard disk (disk data transfer rate): 5.9
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHH!!!!! This machine is an insult to consumers and should have never made it on the market. The distance between keys is annoyingly huge for small hands, the touchpad is centered which is very annoying for right-handed use because it detects my stretched palm while reaching for a third of the keys on the board, I can only use one program at a time with any reasonably ok response time, and it is a complete understatement to say that this machine is a fingerprint magnet – its one giant smudge screen. The box on the power cord gets ridiculously hot.
The positives: It’s pretty, light-weight, stays cool, and has a super long battery life that in no way, shape, or form should convince you that you should pay more than $100 for this machine.
Supposedly Asus makes computers that might last longer than some others, but now I’m completely aggravated that it won’t just die within its first year so that I can get a refund.
Rating: 2 / 5
As usual, when something seems too good to be true, it is. I purchased this notebook about 30 days ago when comparing it to the MacBook Air and Dell Amado. Boy did I make the wrong call. Of course, the notebook is perfect so long as you don’t need more than 10 feet of range for a wi-fi connection. You will see bars, but no connection beyong this point. It is amazing to me that so many have this complaint, yet when you call ASUS (I have twice), they tell you it is a router problem. Really, a problem with every router in the US?? On the upside, it’s a very stylish, light and user friendly notebook with a great optional ASUS drive that fires up in 8 seconds. As I said, if you don’t need wi-fi access or will always be close to a wireless access point, it is a great laptop. For the rest of us, given the terrible customer service, pay the extra $400 and get a Dell or Apple.
Rating: 1 / 5
(UPDATE 11/17/09) WIFI does not work!!!!!!! I called Asus Tech Support two times with zero resolution or even a call back. Finally, I looked into the matter and found a common WIFI (Atheros card) problem with other Asus reviewers too. It’s documented on the discussion posts for both the UL30A-A2 and UL30A-X5 on Amazon. One of the ASUS discussion boards talk about buying an external antenna to boost the wifi card’s range. I am really disappointed with my experience because I researched and waited 1 month for Windows 7 only to buy a lemon that has issues with internet connectivity. Which is a deal breaker for a laptop. So I will return my laptop tomorrow.
ORIGINAL POST:
I read each of the reviews on Amazon.com and based my decision to buy the ASUS UL30A-A2 because of the positive feedback I read from users. However, I have no idea what these other users are smoking because there are a few major issues with the laptop.
Pros:
* Decent price for the specs
* Size and form
Cons:
* Touchpad is almost unusable. I have to tap and pull 2-3 times for the mouse to respond. The whole point of having a laptop is so you do not need to connect an external mouse to it so you can use it on your “LAP”!!!
* The multi-touch gesture is nice marketing but half of the time, it doesn’t recognize when I use two or three fingers. Lame.
* Wifi had problems keeping a connection (I have another computer connected to the Wifi Hub and no problem with my Lenovo)
* When I called customer support from Asus, I got a rude and unhelpful response. He basically told me to contact my ISP to see if they can fix the problem. Excuse me? Um, the last time I checked, my other PCs are having no issues with internet.
Rating: 2 / 5
I bought the ASUS UL30A-A1 on October 2 and have used it daily for work since then. I am a consultant so I needed something light and powerful going back and forth to my client’s place of business. I was a little reluctant since my previous computer brands were IBM and Dell and never heard of ASUS. So far it has been great…I love the feel of the keyboard and got used to the mousepad rather quickly. The mouse pad is sensitive so I do find, while typing, my thumb will inadvertantly graze the mousepad causing the curser to move elsewhere in the document. Easily solveable with an external mouse. It is so lightweight that I just throw it in my briefcase, leave the powercord at home (becuase the battery lasts all day) and I’m on my way. Also, the boot up time is very, very quick.
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought this laptop to replace an HP laptop I previously had. After owning a few laptops, I have learned what I like and what I don’t like. This laptop is absolutely perfect. Almost never need to charge the battery. It lasts so so long. Perfect for MS office work and web browsing. I haven’t tried it get, but it would probably hold up well to Mathematica and Matlab work as well. The mouse pad can be a bit touchy. However, like every laptop mouse you get used to it and learn the tricks to make it work the way you want. The screen is not to small, but not to large. Overall, I think it is perfect. The camera is great for skype or video conferencing, haven’t used it for anything else. If your going to be rough with your laptop, this one might not be the one for you. I noticed, while not unsound or not sturdy, it does, because of its size, make you think you might break it. I am not rough with laptops, so I haven’t seen a problem, but I could foresee if someone throws the laptop around or bumps it a few too many times it might effect it.
Overall: Great Buy for a portable business laptop
Rating: 5 / 5