Asus PL30JT

I agree! A cpu running @3.0Ghz single core with a power usage of 18W is almost impossible to mass product (at this time, can't wait for Haswell ). Surely there will be some individuals able to do that but not so many that a real product could be made.

Anyways I don't really care about the clock speed, 1.8Ghz single core hyperthreaded (i5 520UM which is in the pl30jt) is really enough for a lot of things. And with nVidia 310M this laptop is not designed to run Crysis at high settings so why bother to have a killer CPU. The OS will be snappy and responsive, basic applications will run without any lagging and the computer will be able to run many games also.

 

The question is, which is faster and by how much:

- i5 520UM at "stock" clock speed
- SU7300 at "overclocked at 33%" clock speed

As for OC'ing i5, I don't know how those guys work since I am still using my OCed Core2Quad, never really read up on them. Perhaps both clocks are increased by the same amount rather than %? That still doesn't make sense..

 

i5 520UM "stock" clock speed you mean it uses the intel turbo? In this case 1.6Ghz, double core, hyperthreaded vs 1.8Ghz double core, not hyperthreaded, older gen. Wikipedia states that Nehalem (and presumably also Westmere) has a performance increase of 15-20% compared to Penryn (Core2) clock-to-clock. If we assume the 15% increase, they perform almost the same (i5 slightly better). I agree with this result, because the i5 will be able to hit a lot larger frequency when heavy single (or double) threaded performance is needed. The SU7300 is inferior in every way, even with the Asus 33oc.

I can't exactly say how much faster the 520UM is..but under single thread workload it has the same clock speed as the SU7300 plus the benefits from the newer architechture and when multi threaded performance is needed it benefits from the hyperthreading technology still sustaining almost as high clock speeds as the SU7300. On top of all this the Asus 33 thingys might still increase the performance of the 520UM.

 

Im saying if Asus keeps the 33% overclock (and there isnt any reason it could not) then it would be:

The PL30JT will use the CoreI520UM which is 1.06 ghz.

1.06 *.33 = .3498 + 1.06 = 1.4098

That would be base processor speed. Intels turbo would increment accordingly meaning an increase from 1.86 to 2.47 ghz.

This is not rocket science here and apparently not out of the question if they reported at CeBIT to keep the turbo 33 boost tech.

 

That would be most logical. That'd also make the i5 520Um pretty sweet deal.

 

any news about the release??

 

ASUS PL30JT Product Page (from ASUS Global site)

 

wth, the specs r weird. 4gb max ram and glossy screen???

 

the pl30jt is a rootkit...

*does something illegal*
someone tracks you down due to rootkit of pl30jt

done for.

 

Some keys of the keyboard looks illuminated.
Other than that, it's pretty standard stuff.

 

After looking at the specs does anyone know how this laptop is different from the UL30JT besides the anti-theft technology?

 

Matt display and a different touchpad with discrete buttons.

 

Any news on the releas date for this?? PL30JT or the PL80JT?

a bit confusing with the clock speed.. how do you think i5 520um would compared to P8400 in terms of CPU power?
if it was to be running at 1.4098 with turbo boost. (is there additional 33% on top of this? surely if so that would easily compete against p8400?)
I plan on getting PL30JT.. (max 8gb of ram?) for photoshop work and just curious if it has enough grunt, if it was comparable to P8400 as I find that sufficient for my work.

 

Considering that this supposed to be a business class notebook, how would you guys compare the build vs the UL30 series? I never came across an Asus business class laptop. Personally, I felt that the UL30 series build felt rather cheap. Especially when compared to something like the HP DM3 which just feels solid (keyboard and all.) I was planning on getting the business class HP 5310m, but this new PL30JT is kind of swaying me with its business class build, similar looks and better processor and Nvidia Optimus graphics.

 

I do not like the enter key although I'm sure one can easily adjust

 

If you're referring to the pictures on the ASUS Global website, I think the keyboard is for the European model, which is reportedly to be released first next month.

I would think if/when it comes to the US, it'll use the keyboard layout used for all the US-released models.

For example, reviews of the UL80Vt in Europe show this keyboard layout (courtesy of Notebookjournal) also used in the PL30Jt product images:


... while reviews of the UL80Vt in America show this keyboard layout (courtesy of Anandtech):

 

well it seems that opinions differ. I have seen side by side DM3 and UL30VT. No way the DM3 has better manufacturing quality. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The HP, with his shiny plastic surfaces all around and not so well adjusted panels, looks like a cheap product that wants to look high-end. Regarding the UL30VT, only the natural brushed metal lid put it apart from DM3's category...

Now, compared to Probook, its another story. The HP has better construction than UL (and miles ahead of the DM3), with great features/details like the rubberized magnesium bottom and aluminum deck.

edit: I have not seen the PL30 yet but it seems very nice. It has spill resistant keyboard and a rubberized palm rest (if it's like the N82Jv, it will be great). Only thing missing compared to the Probook is the Magnesium bottom.

My 2cts

 

my experience with the dm3 at best buy was very positive. i never played with a ul30vt but if quality is similar, it is good in my opinion. also, the dm3 has a aluminum lid, just the ul30vt

it's funny that you mention the probook. i am/was interested in hp's new business line but my attention has diverted to asus

i even made a thread about the probook but as u can see, it did not garner much enthusiasm. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=465333


@PeterDLai: thanks for info! i had no idea there was a diff

 

I just noticed that the article I linked to with regards to the European release actually has a picture of the PL30Jt with the US-layout.

 

What price range do you think it will be in for the US?

 

My guess is $950-1050 but that's purely a guess.

 

TechConnect magazine seems to add some validity to the handful of European websites listing the PL30JT for pre-order with an ETA of May.

According to the article Asus plans to launch the PL30JT in Europe next month.

http://www.tcmagazine.info/comments.php?shownews=33869

Also, the price is listed as 999 euro.

 

Dustin of Sweden has listed the UL30JT and says it will arrive on the 01.05.2010. Good news for us europeans

http://www.dustinhome.se/pd_5010442247.aspx

 

999€ is a bit too much, especially when i think that the Acer Timeline Travelmates will priced at a lower.

PL30JT is also missing ports like e-Sata and USB 3.0.

 

Gigabit as well...

hmm.. how much would it be for it to ship to Singapore as well...

 

Are we saying the PL and/or the UL don't have Gigabit ethernet? Okay stupid question, the UL30VT does?

 

It has a gigabit Rj11 port...


Weighting in 1.7kg, Asus' portable PC has a brushed aluminum palm rest, a multi-gesture touchpad, a 13.3-inch (1366x768) LED-backlit anti-glare display, and packs a 1.06 GHz Core i5-520UM processor, 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, Intel integrated graphics backed by an Nvidia GeForce G310M with 1GB VRAM, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, a 5-in-1 card reader, a HDMI output, and an 8-cell battery.

 

i am sorry but i did notice some sites like Australia is selling 1 that doesn't come with it... so i will wait till it come delivered to my country before i confirm if what you said was true.

fyi is RJ45 not RJ11. RJ11 is your typical telephone line.

for instance this:



from the picture from Asus itself..

is 10/100 which is Fast Ethernet.

what i want was a 10/100/1000 Gigabit connection

 

I was starting to think the VT would be a good idea since I could save a lot of money and it would be just as fast. After looking at some videos and reading reviews, I realize I would rather wait for the PL30JT.

My reasoning is that I would much prefer a matte screen. The VT looks like it's very reflective and has poor viewing angles. Also, I would prefer the brushed aluminum palm rests over the plastic ones. Lastly, maybe after some tuning of the i5 through firmware and drivers, Asus can get the PL30JT up to speeds. I think it's hard to judge it before it is released.

I'm hoping since it is coming in May in some European countries that it will also come to the US.

 

Same problem here, if there was a PL30VT or anything i'd already have it + a SSD drive (boot time with SSD drive on VT is 20 seconds to desktop icons, while it's around 50 seconds with a hard drive). That'd be faster than a i5 without SSD and add about 30 minutes to 1 hour of autonomy (ssd drive eats less juice but have lower capacities though, even if im planning on an external 1To stocking drive with USB3.0 standard).

If the PL is 1000 euros ?
Might aswell go VT + SSD 40go (100€ + 1To (100€ drive for like 800 euros after the JT release => VT price drop. Just because UL30VS with stock 160 gig SSD are nowhere to be found for some reason ?

And it's not even sure if the PL will be matte or not... on asus website the pictures are still glossy. I also noticed the ULJT pictures (with no aluminium palmrest) were replaced by the PLJT pictures, so they display identical now on the website.

 

Oh I see. Well I'm just scared to get the VT after hearing about issues with the screen's poor viewing angles/ creaking palm wrests/ flexing keyboard. I'm sure the performance is great though. Ahh....the wait.

 

I think the PL-series may have both anti-glare and glare-type screens, depending on where it is sold. The leaked info of the PL30Jt says "non-glare/glare LCD" which makes me believe that different configurations will have different screen types.

Also, which website are you talking about in relation to the ULx0Jt being the same as the PLx0Jt? The global site still shows them as different:

UL30Jt vs. PL30Jt

 

I think it wasn't the global, so maybe that explains why I found the same pictures, localized websites are not up to date probably.

Viewing angles are all the same for a few degrees on all laptops of this range (same TN plates).
As for palm squeaking issues, I think the laters VT's have noone, because amongst all the reviews, older ones tend to say theres squeaking while later ones are saying stuff line "very good craftmanship, high quality plastic gloss"
I think the best is going to a store and try a recent VT and just check if it squeaks. If it doesn't just buy it.
Also I find the lack of gloss on the keyboard pannel and presence of gloss on the display pannel quite disturbing on JT series, esthetically for me it's a ++ for inner aluminium to PLJT's and ++ to homogeneous glossy for ULVT's but -- for ULJT's heterogeneity of gloss.

Note that all Unlimited series models display lids are quite flexible, due to the led construction and slimness.

 

I'm confused by the last part you were referring to with the +/- I'm assuming you were saying that the pl30jt screen was pleasing since it was matte. But it sounded like you were saying the ul30vt screen is better than the ul30jt. Aren't they both gloss though?

Its interesting what you said about the later ul30vts being better with build quality. I will definitely look into it. I would play with one in store but I don't know who carries it. I know I didn't see one at Best Buy. I'm in the US so that might be why.

Edit: Now I see what you mean after rereading. You think its strange that the ul30jt has a matte aluminum frame and a glossy screen.

 

Yea, im refering to the glossy of the screen frame ^^ Not the screen itself, even on the PL's the frame is glossy aint it ?

For checking laptops I suggest you just phone and ask to various electronic stores around your location if they have VT's in exposition.

 

If there is indeed an option to choose between different configurations of the PL to have either a matte/glare, do you think the matte will be more expensive or the same price?

 

Matte will be more expensive, just look at the macbook pros.

 

Yeah good point. The option adds $150 on the 15" MBPs.

 

I don't think this will ever come out...

 

Is it really going to worth it if the matte screen costs an extra 150 bucks but still has flawed viewing angles?

This with a i5 / matte screen config might be close 1200 USD, really not worth it...

 

For those of you potentially waiting on this, what are your backup options?

 

Acer 3820TG or if all else fails UL30vt-A1.

 

I stopped waiting and my VT-A1 was delivered yesterday from Amazon.

 

Lol everytime I think i've found the perfect laptop (asus u30jc, asus 1218), I see asus releases something even better.
I really like the design of this laptop, especially the matte screen (and the matte outside casing) is something I've been looking for a long time.

As far as i know only the vostro 3300 series also have the matte screen AND nvidia gt310m, but since I have no idea how long the 4cell batery of the vostro will hold out, I rather go for this asus.

The only downsize IMO is the glossy plastic around the screen. I hate everything thats glossy (xept for Iron Man's suit), and when making a bussines notebook it doesn't fit at all.

 

If Asus would only put a CULV in this or an I3-350UM and the 310M ion2. With its aluminum case, the 1218 would truly kik the butt. It is a beautiful device.

Bronsky

 

I have received conflicting e-mails from two retailers here in Australia. One says this has been delayed until July while the other says within 2 weeks. Have you guys heard of any news of availability?

 

Hi,

Anyone located in Australia still interested in the PL30JT 50+ units arrived at the Synnex Sydney warehouse today; so any computer store with a Synnex account should be able to order one for you.

 

The PL30JT model on sale in Australia is PL30JT-RO025X & not the PL30JT-RO030X. PL30JT-RO025X appears to be an orphan dumped down under as it's specs do not appear on the ASUS International or Australia websites.

The PL30JT-RO025X battery is 8 cell 2800mAh & not 8 cell 5600mAh and the VGA is "NV GT310M". NVIDIA GeForce310M is not mentioned in the specs. Are they the same? Also I am guessing that the PL30JT-RO025X screen is gloss and not matte.

 

There is no GT310M as far as I know. I thought that the GT starts at the 325M in the 3xx series.

Bronsky

 

Hi, I live in Australia and have also been waiting for the new ul/pl series to come out.

Now that they have come out it seems that the only model currently available is the pl30jt RO025X (as stated above) which consists of an 8-cell 2800mAh battery, giving basically half the stated battery life of the 5600mAh (approximately 5-6hrs). According to the cpl purchase manager, the gpu does not differ from the RO030X.

It is currently on sale at cpl for $1479. Im thinking about purchasing it now, then purchasing the 5600mAh battery seperately when it is released. However, im not sure if the RO025X will be compatible with the 5600mAh battery.

Can anyone clarify this?
Cheers.