Asus UL50AG-RBBBK05 @ Best Buy

I noticed BB just got the UL50AG in their stores, so I decided to check them out yesterday. Not surprisingly, the employees in the computer dept. had no idea what this laptop was and one insisted that the U50A was it. I had to explain that the U50A doesn't have the SU7300. I asked another employee if they could bring one out for me to look at, but they said it should already be on display and went looking around the netbook section I had to explain that the UL50AG is a 15.6" and that it wouldn't be in the netbook category. After all that, they wouldn't bring one out to make a sale, because I more than likely would have bought it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+...inum/9556143.p?id=1218124207441&skuId=9556143

Now, I'm sort of glad they were too lazy because I should do a bit more research before committing. I know it comes with the crap GMA 4500M, but what about the CPU? Do all the UL series w/ SU7300 come with the overclock feature or is this reserved for the models that end with a V? And does the BB model come with a lower capacity battery? Because they only claim up to 7 hrs and 45 min.

I also noticed on their site, they have the UL50AG-RBBBK07 for $50 more, but the specs and description looks identical.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+...lack/9568158.p?id=1218125777425&skuId=9568158

 

Your links didn't work for me, but I found them (I think) anyway.

The UL50AG-RBBBK05 does use the SU7300:

Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile processor SU7300
Features 2 processing cores, 1066MHz system bus, 2MB L2 cache and 1.3GHz processor speed per core.​

Then there is a package deal (+$50) with that exact laptop with a bag and 4GB SanDisk memory card:

SanDisk 4GB Secure Digital High Capacity memory card with Class 2 speed performance rating to easily store and transfer digital content; durable design

Durable Targus laptop slip case with front storage section; soft handles for comfortable carrying​

Note that you can get a better appointed version of this laptop from XoticPC (for more $$ though). But you have lots of options for customization, plus DDR3 RAM + 3MB L2 cache (which is odd since they both use SU7300) + switchable graphics (the BB one seems to only have integrated graphics).
http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-ul50vta1-p-2700.html

 

yeah, I don't mind the integrated graphics on the UL50 so much since I have my G50VT-X5.
If I get this, it will be to replace my 1 week old X83VB-X2. There are a few small things on it that I simply can't get used to (trackpad and keyboard) and the battery life isn't much better than my G50VT, possibly worse. I've considered the options from XoticPC, but I prefer to use my BB card that has 0% interest for 18 months.
I just want to know if the BB version has the overclock feature. If it doesn't I'm sure there's some software available to manually overclock it?

 

After finally getting a BB employee to open up a box so I can actually see the thing before I buy, I decided I'll probably just get a UL80 instead.
The UL50AG seems to be using the same keyboard as the U50A, so it flexes, creaks, and sinks, especially by the number keypad. Also, the the overall length seems a bit too long, I think it's about an inch longer than my G50VT and Acer 6920 (16"). I couldn't locate the feature on it to use the Turbo 33, it didn't have the P4G deal like my G50VT, the P4G only managed the battery settings.
In the end, it would cost about $755 with tax, and I guess for roughly $50 more I could get the UL80VT, which should fit the bill perfectly.
BTW, Geek Squad are a joke! I asked to see the UL50AG and had to tell them 3 times that it wasn't one of the models on display. Then he told me that it wasn't available if it's not out, but I told him that their inventory says they've got 'em. After looking in the backroom, he found it. Then Geek Squad thought the model name was Asus SU7300 and I had to explain that the SU7300 is the processor and the model name is UL50AG. I asked if it had the Turbo 33 or overclock option on it, and he told me he never heard of Asus having that feature and that it's something I'd have to download.

 

LOL!!!! The same exact thing happened to me at my local Best Buy!

They had to find them up in the rafters.

Also, I can't figure out if this is the same as the ul50ag that's being sold on amazon.

 

how much does turbo 33 boost the su7300 c2d 1.3ghz?
I dont see the difference between the ul50ag 05 or 07

 

still unsure if the BB model has that
but it should boost it to 1.73, while others have been able to get 2.1 out of it
as far as i can tell, there are no differences. the BB employee pulled up a comparison chart and said the speakers were different, but i doubt something that small would convince Asus to make 2 different models for BB. and it'd be stupid of BB to sell two identical variations of the same model.

anyway, after much thought... i decided against the Asus line altogether. if the ul50ag is any indication of the poor build quality for the ul80vt, which i think it is according to Charles' review, i'm glad i went with the dm3. sure it's got its cons, but one thing is for sure... this thing is extremely solid with its aluminum and magnesium cover. kudos to HP

 

the u50a is cheaper and has better specs... beside the 1066mhz bus

I'd still pick the ux50v over all of those. ;-)

 

How is it better specs? It looked to me like the UL80VT was better - but I have no tech perspective And why the UX50V - doesn't seem to have near the rating on reviews I have seen?

 

I was comparing it to bestbuys asus selection.

 

it's faster and $50 cheaper, but at the expense of battery life
both still have the same crappy keyboard, gma 4500m

 

I'm interested in this Asus as well. I have a few questions of my own. I'd appreciate if someone gave their feedback.

-Did anyone find out the difference between RBBB05 and RBBB07
-Does this laptop support Intel VT. The processor SU7300 sure does. But i'm not sure if Asus has permanently blocked it like Sony.
Intel VT is one reason why i'm interested in this laptop
- This isn't for gaming..but for hands-on experience with enterprise apps like SharePoint and Oracle and warehouse cubes..etc
Will the processor become a bottle-neck, otherwise I'll have to look at Samsung Q320 which has a faster processor.

I have a bunch of gift-cards from BB and hence limited to what they have.

 

Can I replace the dedicated graphics card in any of the Asus UL laptops with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M to play the latest games at higher settings?

 

No. 99% of laptops are stuck with the GPU they are advertised with. There aer very few that can "upgrade", and even then, upgrading can be quite limited as well.

 

Would an external graphics card work on an Asus UL, e.g., the UL80vt or the UL50vt?

 

The ASUS UL50VT-A1 is customizable at XoticPC. They offer the following external graphics card for $309:

ViDock2 w/ATI HD4670 512MB DDR3 Upgradeable External Express Card Graphics Card (Controls Dual External Displays)

Zehpanda posted the following reply to me in another thread:

In regards to Agnusdei, the vidock 2 external card requires an external monitor. Which kind of null and voids the whole "portibility" of the ul50vt. I guess it would serve as an ok desktop replacement but for the cost of a vidock and monitor, I would simply get a desktop replacement that would be better for gaming in the long run.