Asus UL30JT

Here's the chart:


Here's a link to the article:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://itc.ua/node/44570&ei=PeCOS7uuNomOlQe89aCPDQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBUQ7gEwAQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dacer%2BAspire%2B3820TG%26num%3D100%26hl%3Den

Here's a translated portion of the article:
"Obviously, the reverse side of performance is not the best autonomy. Thus, at maximum load laptop was able to "stretch" the entire hour, but when I switch the video on a hybrid integrated video core processor in Intel HD Graphics battery life increases to more manageable 6 hours of read-only mode. Using a more powerful battery, the promised manufacturer for commercial samples, may well raise the bar for maximum autonomy in the mode of minimum load to the infamous 8 hours."

Here's a portion of the spec list:
"Endurance 1 h 03 min / 3 h 14 min (ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470), 1 h 28 min / 6 h 07 min (Intel HD Graphics)"

My interpretation is that the reviewer is pointing out that the highest bar is the laptop at maximum load. Thus the bar right below it is at maximum load using the integrated graphics at 1h:28m runtime. With a 33% larger battery, at max load the laptop should be able to get around 2 hours (33% more than 1h:28m). He also points out that the 6hr bar is at minimum load (idle).

Please note, that these numbers are from a maximum load scenario, so a typical usage scenario will yield higher numbers. When idle the system should theoretically get 8 hours with the 33% larger battery. 'Typical' runtime (eg. websurfing at 30% brightness) are still anyones guess.

My personal concerns are battery life with this lappie when in a) ubuntu , and b) semi-strenuous conditions. Ubuntu hasn't been known for great power management, and semi-strenuous conditions could chew through the battery. The large fluctuation in running time makes it difficult to predict if its going to be enough to comfortably carry me through a working day, as my work sometimes involves [unoptimized] apps that work the cpu pretty hard (eg. right now my CPU meter is dancing around 30% and I'm not doing much -- ie. on the web with an idle Virtualized linux session going).

Assuming that the UL30Jt will do better with battery life in these scenarios it would theoretically be my first choice. However, with no information on the UL30Jt, it's tough to say how it will perform. I'm basing the assumption of UL30Jt with great battery life, from the UL30Vt's performance. Of course, I'll have to wait for the reviews before making any final conclusions, but that's a given regardless of specs!

}:^)~

 

Well, my 18-year old student budget told me to go for a 40 GB SSD ah ah ah

But 40 GB is enough for Win7, Office and Maple13 I won't play games on my laptop; I have a overclocked desktop with a 4850 inside to play games... when I have time !

 

I think a 40GB HDD will suffice for your OS and stuff. You can always have an external hard drive for music and files etc. If you do any development work (programming etc), let me know how it handles it.

 

should've gone for the 80gb g1 for $149 on newegg (got my x1 for $570 used + 149 for ssd, $110 for extra battery, and $30 for backlit keyboard). It's like $25 more for double the capacity. Trim's overrated, especially if you're just using it to load apps.

If i waited for the JT, i probably wouldn't have been able to afford the extra stuff

 

Did you mod the backlit keyboard yourself or is there a keyboard out there that fits the UL30VT?

 

if I can find a nice deal on a 160gb ssd witht he vt-A1 the JT would be out of my league

 

Yes all my stuff will be on my external hard drive, my laptop will be only for working at school.

I don't do programming and development work, but I'll let you know how the laptop performs with a SSD. It will be the first PC running a SSD I'll use

 

there's a thread on here somewhere that has instruction on how to do it. Asus sells a backlit keyboard that fits

 

So, I'm really looking forward to the UL30Jt (or the UL30Vt as the price is really good right now). The laptop that I'm using now (Dell Inspiron 1545) just isn't cutting it with battery life (3 hours in Win7).

I also have a netbook that I just recently started using again simultaneously. It has Ubuntu loaded on it and all I can say is WOW. Having used Win7 for around 6 months, I can safely say that I prefer Ubuntu. The interface is nicer, smoother, and more comfortable (IMO). Also it's Linux, which brings with it an operating environment that I'm comfortable using. Funny thing is, despite the super-slow atom processor, the computer feels generally more responsive than my 2.1GHz dell!

I'd like to purchase a UL30Jt/Vt and have Ubuntu as the stock OS, dual-booting for games, and running a virtual session for quick access to certain windows apps.

I'm having trouble justifying the purchase as I have a perfectly good laptop, but we'll see what the future holds!

}:^)~

 

Do these laptops work with linux? I have read many problems with any of the switchable graphics laptops and linux driver issues.

 

New poster here w/ a quick question:

How long have the UL30JT and PL30JT been listed on the Asus website? Since their announcement at CES?

Apologies if I'm asking something painfully obvious or something that has been beaten to death already here.

EDIT: the UL30JT is NOT listed, but PL30JT is...

 

I know the user manuals has been put up a week or two ago, but on the public webpages there is no info with regards to the JT series (At least on the US site), also no indication as to a launch date. Recent posts on the Facebook ASUS fan page suggest to me that the ULxxJT series wont be released soon. Although I think they may be making an announcement about the u30JC in a week or two.

 

Upon further searching:

On the global site, the PL30JT and PL80JT are listed (products -> notebooks -> business -> PL30/80 series). They are not listed on the US site. Is the appearance of the PL series on the global site new? Or have they been sitting there for a while?

I realize this unfortunately does not point to any sort of release date...

 

Yep, the UL30Vt sure does!

There were problems with switchable graphics, but thankfully, the community came through and issued a fix allowing owners to choose to turn off the discreet graphics (G210M).

Here's a link to the thread:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1366605

The solution is not user-friendly, but it supposedly works and is simple enough to implement. The benefit is not being forced to run in discreet graphics mode when in Linux, thus saving tons of battery life.

It's not perfect though. Apparently, enabling hibernation requires an additional fix (which is also linked in the forum post).

}:^)~

 

I really hope that the PL30JT is gonna be really topnotebook with good display.

I can pass on gaming power, when the rest is better.

 

the lame theft system on the pl30jt is just ugh.... rootkit.

 

At this point, i think most people have just given up hope on this laptop coming out anytime soon. I can safely say all the buzz and excitement that this laptop has generated for me is now dead

This laptop should still be a great laptop whenever its released, and it would be great for persons who are looking to purchase a laptop around the time of its release, but for me I already started looking at alternatives and I am ready to move on. I sense this is also the case for many people who were waiting on this since January.

I really wanted this laptop for portability and size and the fact that it had switchable graphics, so I could get a bit more power when needed. But it seems that other manufacturers are able to get a some decent battery life with the more powerful mobile processors rather than the CULV processors, and better GPUs.

They may be about 0.5 inches thicker and weight a pound more, but for me thats no problem as I know I would have the extra boost in performance when I need it, if I don't use the extra boost then I have a longer battery life.

 

Sounds like you want the Asus U33JC, which is identical to UL30JT in weight etc, but with full speed 35W core i7 CPU, see earlier posts.

 

Yup, thats what I am looking at
But I believe its a bit heavier and thicker, but I don't mind. I just need to verify the battery life and price and one its within reason I think thats the one for me.
If only it had either e-SATA or USB 3.0 it would be perfect for me, but I know there has to be compromises to keep the size and weight down and a reasonable battery life.

EDIT: Sorry I was confusing this with the U30JC, i'll check out the U33JC, but isn't the bamboo stuff more expensive? Plus I'm not too sure if I like my laptop looking like a piece of wood .. Just a personal preference but that reminds me of the old 70s wood looking paneling.

 

Does anyone know of any successful screen replacements on the UL30's? I've read bad things about the screen, which is an important component, and it would be lovely to be able to replace it.

}:^)~

 

Here is a promo site for the U/UL series. It mentions a new video coming out on April 5. Just wondering if it might be related to the new UL notebooks including the UL30JT. May not be, but it would fit some of the other hints we've been getting about release dates.

http://www.go-asus.com/style/

 

I believe the video will show the U30JC since they're due to be released soon, I don't think there'll be any official mention or release of the UL30JT for another 2-3 months (around May-June), after reading facebook.

 

I disagree with your read on Facebook. It still seems likely we will hear about the JT by the end of March. We may not be able to purchase for another 2 months, but I think we'll have confirmation of the release date, specs and purchase price.

Of course I could be wrong!

 

I am one of those who are long waiting for the release of UL30JT. Indeed, i do need a new notebook for work in two months. I understand it may be distrubing to ask but i hope i could receive advice from any of you. My question is, is there any other brands offering 12-13" notebook with CULV core i CPU, with price, weight and battery life comparable to that of UL30JT?

Indeed, i like ASUS, but deadline is coming, i do need a notebook to work.

 

The closest match on performance, weight and price seems to be the forthcoming Acer 3820TG. You can find all the discussion about that at this forum: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=464512&page=77 I think it will be available to purchase a few weeks from now.

The Sony Z series is comparable in performance, but is fairly expensive (some say the build quality is worth the extra price; plus it already comes with a SSD). Of course, it has the benefit of already being out. We don't yet know what the price will be of the 3820TG or the UL30JT. I think they will end up being $600-700 less than the Sony Z.

 

On Notebookjournal, the UL30JT review is online.

It's a decent notebook. But nothing special. Display as usual...

 

http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/laptop-review-asus-ul30jt-nkst-1129/6

battery life only 4 hours??

 

From what I saw, 6-7 hours... with 3 hours on load

 

It's not the UL30JT, it's marked UL30J according to the photos. It weights more (1.85 kg over 1.7 spec for UL30JT) and has a lower battery life, 8 hours as marked, 6-7 hours while surfing, the article says.

 

I think that's a typo. I used google to translate the pages, and often they say UL30JT.

It says the screen is the weakest point of the notebook, the fans get surprisingly loud under load... 9.3hr battery life, but only 4 under load... normal use they suspect 6-7 hours (wifi, max screen brightness).. graphics card is weak for modern games but may still play with reduced resolution and settings to low... but the discrete card will help as more applications will rely on the graphics card in the future (flash etc).

still no price or availability... The more I hear about how bad the screen is and the weak discrete.. the more I want to move on and find something else

 

From the time this model was first anounced I have never understood the decision to put such a weak GPU in it.

 

I really don't understand the lack of an improved graphics card in the ULxxJT series either...my guess is that the decision was made because of heat output...but also maybe to keep the price lower?

Since the processor is upgraded from the VT series, you would assume an improvement for the graphics as well. Perhaps something along the lines of a GeForce 330 or 335. In my opinion, putting in a first tier graphics chip would be somewhat of a waste when paired with a CULV processor inside an ultralight notebook.

But some improvement would be nice. If for nothing else than to stay up-to-date enough to power through newer games, albeit on lower settings, when the computer is finally released.

I've been watching for the ULxxJT release, and the price on the VT models for a while now...as this series seems to almost perfectly match my needs: long battery life, good performance, powerful enough for casual gaming, and a good warranty. At this point I am leaning towards the VT with the price around $700 now after Bing cashback...I guess we'll see...

 

Loud and noisy fan? That's definitely a deal breaker for me

 

(( I'm on the fence between getting a UL30VT right now and waiting for the JT. My laptop is dead and I need a new one relatively soon. I was *this* close to checking out on a UL30VT on Amazon with one-day shipping but I decided to wait for the JT with Core i7. Hopefully that's not a mistake...

Edit: Err, the test on notebookjournal.de that was linked has a Core i5, not a Core i7, so it could be a different model.

 

I went ahead and got a UL30vt... Got sick of waiting, and I don't really think I'd see much benefit in getting the UL30jt when it's out as far as performance for what I'll be doing (Java programming, note taking, a little photoshop work, internet browsing, and some gaming).

It arrived yesterday, and I'm still configuring and getting things transferred/installed that I want on it, but the little playing I've done with it seems pretty good. It ran Counter-Strike: Source and Left 4 Dead satisfactory enough for me (L4D was probably around 30-50 fps on medium settings, CS:S ran ~150fps on High on the stress test). Also, for the price, ~$750 I think it's a great value seeing as the next batch of laptops are probably going to be around $1,000-1,200.

Again, so far the main negative I have to mention is the screen... It's not absolutely terrible, it's ok, but not good or great. The black levels are pretty high (gray) if you don't adjust the screen *just* right vertically, and when you do find the sweet spot, it could definitely be better. Horizontal viewing angles are much better than the vertical. For me, it's acceptable, but if you're really picky about screens, you may want to find a different laptop.

I had an Asus 1000HE netbook, and honestly I thought that screen was GREAT. It was matte, and the viewing angles and black levels I thought were pretty impressive... I wish they just threw a 1366x768 version of that on the ULxx series.

 

According to the Asus March World Magazine the UL30JT will come in different versions, some with the i7 and some with the i5. Which will be offered in any given country and when--who knows? http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=465353

 

Has anyone heard anything about the new ultra low voltage processors from Intel? The i5 520UM, i5 540UM, etc..?

Searching around the internet, there is very little information on the new CULV processors, and almost no hands-on reviews or benchmarks.

Undoubtedly this has been discussed somewhere in this huge thread, but I am just wondering if anyone has heard any updates on these...seeing as a delay in the processors release will mean a delay in the notebooks release.

 

I have heard about 3820TG, which starts pre-order already, but i really hate acer, and 3820tg isn't using CULV CPUs too. Is that mean intel really can't provide core i CULV CPUs? Sony Z is too expensive for me and it is hard to pick an alternative at the moment.

 

Can't believe that Asus is not gonna release all their new notebooks with USB 3.0 .....especially when even Asus netbooks get their USB 3.0 updates.

Asus, Asus......n/c

 

Yeah, that really sucks, I could even survive if they had e-sata. But I guess its all to keep the power consumption down and battery life up?

 

I can't understand the USB 2.0 either. I would gladly immediately get a USB 3.0 enclosure to replace my USB 2.0 enclosures. To me it would be a huge reason to upgrade my current system.

As it stand the iX cores may be faster per clock but they generally are clocked much lower than available C2D's. So right now to me there is no real reason just to upgrade because of the core change.

I know the market for it would be limited but I'd love to get a U30-(whatever) with an i7-720QM. I know the 310m would then be dedicated but that would be fine by me. I would also like of course to see a backlit keyboard too, along with USB 3.0 ports.

 

Well i jumped on the band wagon of impatience and got myself the UL30VT-A1. I WAS waiting for the JT but it doesnt seem like it will be out any time soon and i really do need a laptop right now since i sold my G50Vt and bought a gaming desktop. I have to say that the single disappointing factor of this great machine is the black contrasts of the screen.... sometimes im horrified by how poorly black portions of the screen look. BF2 and CSS run just fine.

 

I've seen somewhere about tweeking the screen settings using the Nvidia settings program. Have you tried that? If so, did it make any difference in the contrast?

 

You have a selection of i5 or one of several i7 models in most laptops, the UL30JT has 3 options:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=465353

 

I have not tried tweaking any settings yet but i will look this up and report back if i have any success whatsoever.

 

If you don't like the screen you could try a visual calibration. I have a U81-a and it is pretty bad by default as well. It is a bit better calibrated, I use calibrize 2.0. The link is below, and it is free...........

http://download.cnet.com/Calibrize/3000-2086_4-10462709.html

 

Like many of you, I've been keeping a close eye on the UL30JT, and I've read about the Acer etc... I've read every post on this thread and the Acer one. I just came across a sony, that seems to have everything that many of us are looking for. I was wondering if someone wanted to glance it over as I'm not sure about the graphics card. The only differences that this has over the Acer and the Asus from cursory look, are backlit keyboard and LED backlit display (which many of us want) . Tt also has a dvd player. The chassis is just over 1" high so it's still low profile.. It's just .6 lbs more than the Asus and 13.3" screen... It also has widi so you can stream your computer to your tv..

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...?id=pcmprd124400050012&skuId=9999124400050012

Full specs here:

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/VPCS111FMS_mksp.pdf

Price is just over 1k, so most likely in the same range of the Asus and Acer.. What do you guys think of this compared to the UL30JT/PT and the Acer?

I just saw the battery life is 5h, having said that, what do you guys think?

-Steven

 

Th BestBuy link doesnt seem to work. I tried searching for it and i cant find it...perhaps you can post another link?

 

IMO it looks really good, the only two factors are its about 1.5" thick (The ASUS is supposed to be under and inch thick) and only 4 hours of battery life (ASUS is supposed to be 12 hrs, both for both the ASUS and Sony this is assuming light usage I believe)...keep in mind though, I think the CPU on this will outperform the i7 and i5 UM processors. So if the thickness and battery life isn't and issue then I think this laptop will be great.

EDIT: Sorry I was looking at the ones for $830USD - VPCCW21FX/W
The one you are looking at looks pretty good.

 

who needs CULV when you can already get 5+ hrs on Mseries+5650