Considering a UL30x, would like some input

First, is the construction significantly better than the UL50/UL80? I tried a UL50 out in a store and its build quality was atrocious. The keyboard flexed just from typing on it. It was probably the worst built computer I've used, and I don't expect that from Asus.

Second, does the processor do a decent enough job? I'd love to run some older games on it (I'll get to A vs VT later), but ignoring that, how well does it run stuff like Windows Aero? I'm running an Eee PC right now, and I'm rather unhappy with the Windows 7 performance (I know that it's not meant to be able to run Windows 7, I'm just explaining my concern). Switching to Linux is fine for my Eee, but if I'm getting a computer that's main draw is battery life, I'd like to be able to run Windows smoothly to get the best battery life possible. I'm also, honestly, a little concerned about forwards compatibility. Windows 7 did just come out though, so I guess it will be a few years until there's anything to worry about upgrading to.

Third, I'm really on the fence between getting a UL30a-X5/A2 or waiting for the UL30vt. My concern with the vt is that the processor is not going to be beefy enough to take advantage of the discrete graphics. Meaning, even if the GPU could handle running (insert game here), maybe the processor wouldn't be up to par for it. I know that the ul30a would run some games I want, like emulators and lower-end games, but I'd love to be able to run some newer stuff like Borderlands as well. I've also heard about issues with the UL30a's wireless card. Will new UL30a's be shipping with the issue resolved? And/or will Asus stand up for their product if I get one and have wireless connection problems?

EDIT: I also read some comments about battery wiggle. How severe is this?

 

At 1.73 GHz the cpu should be a good match. Again remember the CPU speed and video are only considered low to mid level for modern games. Some lower end games should run fine even with the integrated 4500 graphics.

 

I know that the integrated graphics should run some lower end games well, and I'd be fine with that, but I'm wondering if the UL30vt is worth the upgrade. With that processor would I be able to play games like Borderlands, which the GPU should support?

 

Oh, also, what's the difference between the UL30A-A1 and the UL30A-A2?

http://www.amazon.com/UL30A-A1-Light-13-3-Inch-Silver-Laptop/dp/B002O0KHWK

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...c_mri?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

The specifications all seem to be the same, but the A2 is significantly cheaper.

EDIT: Is it just the difference between Vista and 7?

 

I think the A-1 is the better battery..........

 

I thought the X5 had the lower-end battery...

 

It said 10 hours, not too sure about model numbers. I can say these are Light Gaming machines. If you want to run modern games you should consider a full gaming system. The vt version will undoutably be more gaming capable than the non VT versions but it is still not going to compete with an i7 core and dedicated 260m or better..........

 

They are the same, just different operating system. (comes with the better 5600 mAh battery.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Differences-b...AXWH36CU8DGL/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B002P3KMNU

There's a pretty good comparison of the 3 UL30A models.

I'm still on the fence between the UL30vt-X1 and the UL30A-A2. I'd obviously like the better battery and longer warranty, but I'd certainly take advantage of the dedicated graphics if I had it. And I've heard that the wireless is better in the vt...

 

There isn't a single UL30vt out there, so take the improved wireless with a grain of salt until proven...................

 

That's true. I'm also concerned about the fact that the UL30vt-X1 is only going to come with a 1 year warranty. But I've also heard that the UL30vt may come with a bettery quality screen. Of course these are all rumors, but I guess the discrete graphics aren't the only thing to consider.

 

I'm going to go ahead and buy the UL30A-A2. I'd rather have the higher-end integrated model than the lower-end switchable model, since I don't have a huge need for the graphics performance. Reviews seem to say that the Ul30A can play 1080p video, and that's really the only performance I need.