Asus UL30A-A1..Need clarity on this Laptop.

Im really interested in the Asus UL30A-A1. Asus states that this laptop has a feature called "GraphiX Boost" that Activates powerful dedicated graphics processing, but it has the standard Intel 4500hd graphics. Maybe theres an option for dedicated graphics card?(Confused!) Also, theres a feature that allows you to Overclock the Processor. Could someone clarify what this means? Thanks

 

It's not really been marketed well, so there is alot of confusion.

But here's what we do know, thus far...


UL = UnLimited series from ASUS, thin, CULV notebooks with long battery life
30/50/80/20 = 30 = 13.3", 50 = 15.6", 80 = 14.1", 20 = 12.1"
A = Intel's intergrated graphics
V = Video card, dedicated of some sort
T = Turboboost, overclocking feature

There is a UL30VT in the works, which is the UL30A but with the overclocking feature button(for "33%" CPU overclock) and a dedicated video card, I would assume the G105 of some sort.

However, the UL30A is just a CULV notebook with the Intel 4500MHD video card. There is no overclocking feature except for a 5% boost through the BIOS of the machine.

 

Gosh how do you know so much.

Think I'll wait for this VT.

My insurance company is sending a check for the stuff stolen from my truck (my 10.6" Averatec was taken), so I will have the $$.

Meanwhile I bought an 11.6" Acer with a 6-cell battery. I used it for some prolonged websurfing at work today and was actually quite pleased with it. Seems like good battery life too.

So no rush for me, I can wait for the VT.

Now I just would like to find a case for the 11.6" Acer, any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

This is assuming that the VT will land in North America. Again this is all speculation and from what tidbits I've seen.

Probably have to note that the battery life will go down at least 20%-30% from the graphics card alone, then the 33% overclock will drain another 5%-10%, as the CULV's seen really efficient regardless of the frequency.

 

Good point coriolis. Note that Acer didn't bother releasing the discrete graphics ATI HD4330 models of the 3810/4810/5810 Timelines here in North America. Hopefully Asus will pull through!

 

That's interesting, will it still use that much power if you are not using it actively? Just wondering.

This forum is great, BTW.

 

The discrete graphics will be switchable, meaning you can disable it and use the integrated graphics whenever you don't need that much power.
Also the Turbo33 will be activated only under a "High Performance" mode, so again, when you don't need this feature, it will not be enabled.
I think it is a really amazing idea to have the power when you need it, but for the rest of the time just to use the regular settings and get really long battery life

 

Yes that is the best of both worlds.

The discrete graphics, would that mostly be needed for gaming? I saw in another thread some people were debating about viewing video, etc., although I didn't understand all of the discussion. Would using the HDMI figure into this?

Often I am near an electrical outlet anyway, so if I have power issues I can just plug in.

 

The integrated graphics should be just fine for video viewing tasks. I personally would enable the dedicated card if I was gonna output 1080p video via HDMI, just to ensure smooth playback, although the integrated graphics should work fine.

The dedicated card would then be useful mainly for gaming, as you said.

 

And the dedicated gpu might get better battery life when playing 1080p video.

 

I think you meant integrated? if so, then yes I agree.