Comparing Asus UL20A-a1 with new Asus 1201n Looking for a very portable light netbook/ laptop to throw into a shoulder bag, with the most performance for travel, surfing, watching video on long trips, etc.No heavy gaming or video editing, but want fast performance without too much compromise. Can someone compare those 2 Asus products? Thanks. Comparing Asus UL20A-a1 with new Asus 1201n Looking for a very portable light netbook/ laptop to throw into a shoulder bag, with the most performance for travel, surfing, watching video on long... » Read More Comparing Asus UL20A-a1 with new Asus 1201n Looking for a very portable light netbook/ laptop to throw into a shoulder bag, with the most performance for travel, surfing, watching video on long trips, etc.No heavy gaming or video editing, but want fast performance without too much compromise. Can someone compare those 2 Asus products? Thanks. « Show Less
768725
I'm on the same wagon, i'm gonna get one of this next month, but i haven't decided yet. I like the 1201N more than the UL20A for a simple reason, everything that is going out in computer world is graphics intense, CPU is less needed everyday, and for the task that need CPU power the one in the 1201N is enough.
768726
Thanks for your continued helpful replies - I've also been comparing these two for my son who's headed off to Afghanistan, and we wanted something lightweight for Skyping - do you think there will be a big difference in graphics and processor capabilities between the two, and are there any other real apparant differences? I also read that the batteries for the two are interchangeable, and that the UL20A battery (higher wattage and longer charge) could be used in the 1201N, thus mitigating one of the biggest downsides of this model???
768727
My take on the UL20A vs. the 1201N is as follows;If you want to pay $80 less, less battery life, less weight, but be able to play 1080P media and games, then get the 1201N.Otherwise, get the UL20A. The battery life on the 1201N isn't that bad, I can get 4.5 hours or so with medium usage, maybe 2-3 if I play 1080P media continuously. It's pretty decent for its capabilities.
768728
It comes with 2GB why did you upgrade all the way to 4GB, did it add that much more speed? and how much extra of a cost? Are you still happy with it?Thanks
768729
@SM, for skyping, the 1201N will be overkill. If he wants to watch 1080P media (mkvs, wmvs, quicktime, youtube, bluray with external drive) then I highly recommend the 1201N.
768730
I went ahead and purchased the 1201n, actually 2 of them, one for my wife and 1 for me. We love the size and weight.I upgraded the RAM to 4 gb (3.25 usable) and am happy with the result. We travel a lot-fly and roadtrip, and this is just the ticket for us. I am sure the ul20a is a nice machine but we very happy with the 1201n.
1003377
Yeah there are two HUGE differences. The UL80VT has DDR3 Ram, whereas the UL80AG uses DDR2. DDR3 is faster but more importantly, it runs cooler than DDR2. That will help battery life and internal temperatures of the laptop. DDR3 in general is more expensive than DDR2 Ram. Secondly, the UL80VT has switchable graphics. There's the integrated graphics card, and then it also comes with a Nvidia g210M dedicated card. You can switch on the fly to whatever card suits your needs, if you prefer a real graphics card you have that option, or if you want to save battery life, that is also available. The UL80AG does not include that dedicated graphics card. It only has the integrated Intel 4500HD card. In terms of price, the UL80VT is priced accordingly. Better Ram and extra graphics card = the approx. $100 price difference. Hope that helps!
1283835
I spoke with customer service right now and they double checked. Unfortunately there is absolutely no ETA on the item. Is it even possible to get the ASUS U50Vg-B1 model which IS in stock and put a 500GB HDD, the 2.53GHz Intel P8700 Core 2 Duo Processor and the Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) Operating System? I mean.. Thats the only difference between them.. I would assume its possible and would be great if they would since we have been waiting so long for this product. Its about to be a month since its been released.. Help us! lol :(
1868437
for sure, i use a sony vaio and its very heavy, and it stands very well.A netbook will be very secure and at a very low cost
2241276
Glad to hear you haven't given up on the ThinkPad/IdeaPad family. I've had my Lenovo S10 for several weeks now and really enjoy it. To make it more user-friendly in fixed situations, I bought a USB keyboard for $6 and a USB optical mouse with retractable cord for another $8. Additionally, I upgraded the RAM to the max of 2Gb for $20. A very nice computer. It essentially replaced my very old ThinkPad that I had bought in 2000.Having looked at all the offerings, the only other netbook I would even consider is the Samsung NC-10. It's nearly identical to the Lenovo S10, but comes with a 6-cell battery and one additional USB outlet. It also costs more. Glad to hear you haven't given up on the ThinkPad/IdeaPad family. I've had my Lenovo S10 for several weeks now and really enjoy it. To make it more user-friendly in fixed situations, I bought a USB keyboard for $6 and a USB optical mouse with retractable cord for another $8. Additionally, I upgraded the RAM to the max of 2Gb for $20. A very nice computer. It essentially replaced my very old ThinkPad that I had bought in 2000.Having looked at all the offerings, the only other netbook I would even consider is the Samsung NC-10. It's nearly identical to the Lenovo S10, but comes... » Read More Glad to hear you haven't given up on the ThinkPad/IdeaPad family. I've had my Lenovo S10 for several weeks now and really enjoy it. To make it more user-friendly in fixed situations, I bought a USB keyboard for $6 and a USB optical mouse with retractable cord for another $8. Additionally, I upgraded the RAM to the max of 2Gb for $20. A very nice computer. It essentially replaced my very old ThinkPad that I had bought in 2000.Having looked at all the offerings, the only other netbook I would even consider is the Samsung NC-10. It's nearly identical to the Lenovo S10, but comes with a 6-cell battery and one additional USB outlet. It also costs more. « Show Less
26343
Thank you for that information. Sadly I had to return my MSI U120 as the keyboard was defective. Sam's Club had a Dell mini notebook/netbook for $348 and I just bought it. It's really nice as I already have a Dell Inspirion laptop.
1346235
Sounds like you've already gotten the right answer and have ordered this model. Just to reassure you, I have had this Zenbook for about 6 months (I am a diligent review reader before making a purchase) and have been extremely happy with it. It is very light, sleek, and quick. The battery is respectable and I appreciate that it stays cooler than any laptop I've ever had, which makes laptop use possible without the need for leg protection. I, too, wanted to stick with Win7. I think you will like it.
343249
Thanks! I appreciate the information. I'll probably buy the U100 (aren't lower numbers usually cheaper?), or maybe the Acer equivalent or even the Asus, though that seems to be a bit heavier. (I'd welcome opinions on the relative merits of these computers.)
402081
I'm a med student myself, actually already an MD here in my country, but plan in taking my step 1 this june... anyways, I have to recomend ASUS, the laptop has 5 stars build quality as well as performance! I actually bought the ASUS UL80vt, and fits perfectly to my lifestyle, and just so you know, that 12 hr battery thing is for real!!! you should get the ul80vt instead, its quite faster and better at multitasking than the ul30A-x5 since it has turboboos technology, also the screen is 14.1 and comes with DVD drive, which you may not use as much, but I prefer to have it than not.... BTW, go with the Silver model, it looks nicer!!! happy shopping!, let me know what you went for! I'm a med student myself, actually already an MD here in my country, but plan in taking my step 1 this june... anyways, I have to recomend ASUS, the laptop has 5 stars build quality as well as performance! I actually bought the ASUS UL80vt, and fits perfectly to my lifestyle, and just so you know, that 12 hr battery thing is for real!!! you should get the ul80vt instead, its quite faster and better at multitasking than the ul30A-x5 since it has turboboos technology, also the screen is 14.1 and comes with DVD drive, which you may not use as much, but I prefer to have it than not.... BTW, go... » Read More I'm a med student myself, actually already an MD here in my country, but plan in taking my step 1 this june... anyways, I have to recomend ASUS, the laptop has 5 stars build quality as well as performance! I actually bought the ASUS UL80vt, and fits perfectly to my lifestyle, and just so you know, that 12 hr battery thing is for real!!! you should get the ul80vt instead, its quite faster and better at multitasking than the ul30A-x5 since it has turboboos technology, also the screen is 14.1 and comes with DVD drive, which you may not use as much, but I prefer to have it than not.... BTW, go with the Silver model, it looks nicer!!! happy shopping!, let me know what you went for! « Show Less
999237
Hey, Just noticed your post. I don't own either, but from what I've gleaned from my research, there really is no comparison. The Samsung has a bigger screen, a better processor, and most important a more ergonomic keyboard. The only advantages of the Acer is that it has a more svelt form factor, and is a bit heavier, neither of which are that huge to me. I'm on the fence between the two right now, and believe it or not, I'm leaning towards the Acer. Main reason is price. For all its advantages, I can't justify paying $221 more for a netbook. Last I checked, I can get an Acer 751 (with the 3 cell) for $279, vs. $500 for the NC20. I know the Acer's going to be slow, but I don't believe the NC20 is that much zippier. I'm hoping that the Acer with XP will run reasonably fast enough for limited internet usage and word processing, which is mostly what I need it for. Even if I ad a gig of ram for $30, it's still almost $200 cheaper than the NC20.
1522880
I'm a med student myself, actually already an MD here in my country, but plan in taking my step 1 this june... anyways, I have to recomend ASUS, the laptop has 5 stars build quality as well as performance! I actually bought the ASUS UL80vt, and fits perfectly to my lifestyle, and just so you know, that 12 hr battery thing is for real!!! you should get the ul80vt instead, its quite faster and better at multitasking than the ul30A-x5 since it has turboboos technology, also the screen is 14.1 and comes with DVD drive, which you may not use as much, but I prefer to have it than not.... BTW, go with the Silver model, it looks nicer!!! happy shopping!, let me know what you went for!
1801876
The Asus will be faster due to having an overclockable processor. It will also have longer battery life, and be less cumbersome (the U550 weighs at least 60% more than the UL50VT). The UL50VT also has a dedicated G210M (in addition to the 4500MHD), whereas the U550's I see have only the integrated GMA4500MHD (not even close). The UL50VT has a larger hard drive; 500GB compared to 320 or 250GB. The Lenovo does have a better webcam, but you can buy one for the UL50VT for $30. As you have said, the U550 does have WiMAX and the UL50VT does not. Fingerprints will be an annoyance on both machines, but you can wipe them off with a microfiber cloth. As you mentioned, the Asus does have outstanding (and free!!) warranties. Another nice feature of th UL50VT is that it has an aluminum lid, so the screen itself is that much sturdier. Plus it just looks awesome. I am the very satisfied owner of a UL50VT-A1 and I must say it has met or exceeded all of my expectations. The build quality is well above usual, and it is much faster than I had expected. Although I don't have any experience with the Lenovo, I can say that the UL50VT looks amazing, the pictures don't do it justice. Also, the programs that Asus includes are very helpful, and other than those, there really wasn't too much "bloatware" included with it. In my opinion, the only category in which the U550 really "beats" the Asus is price, but even then, when you consider what you are getting, the Asus is very reasonable. In summary, I would recommend the Asus.
576975
The lines can sometimes be a bit blurred but generally speaking a netbook will; 1) use a low powered Atom processor 2) Have a screen size of 10.1" or smaller (anything larger I would consider it to be more of an "ultraportable") 3) Run Windows XP Home or Windows 7 Starter 4) Lack any form of internal dvd drive. Because of that they're on the whole less expensive than a notebook - ideal for browsing the Internet and running basic tasks away from mains power, not so good at streaming video or playing anything other than basic games.
1365465
As you mentioned, the main differences between the UL50Vt and UL50A are the discrete graphics and DDR3 vs. DDR2 RAM, and according to Best Buy's website, their UL50A is not Bluetooth enabled. If you're OK with not having the nVidia discrete graphics, then the Best Buy one seems to be a pretty good deal. I would stream a bunch of YouTube vids at full screen at Best Buy and if the video quality is solid (not jagged or stuttery), then you should be happy with the less expensive one. Also, supposedly the noticeable differences between DDR2 and 3 is neglible, so it all comes down to how much do you value the extra graphics and Bluetooth?
1333657
Thank you for the helpful information. I guess I will see about getting a cheaper netbook. I looked at a lot of reviews for different ones and they all seem about the same. Do you know which one is the best one to buy? I would like one that has a long battery life.
866547
Is the general consensus that this is going to be a good to very good machine? I like most of the specs, but you never know until you have it in your hands...would love to hear thoughts of those considering purchasing this netbook.
343429
I own one. It weighs less than the 1000H. The screen brightness is fine -- I run it at about 50% and that's fine. When spare batteries become available, I may pick one up -- the battery is so small and light that even carrying a spare it will weigh less than the 1000h. The case does not show fingerprints, which to me was a biggie. The touchpad is better -- this is the first computer where I don't feel the need to carry a mouse. It all depends on what is important to you. For me, the lack of fingerprints, the weight difference, and the touchpad made me go for the 1002ha. If you don't mind the extra weight and fingerprints and not-as-good trackpad, if you want the extra battery life, if you really do want a brighter screen, and you want the better speakers, then the 1000h is a better choice.