Asus UL20A laptop dual core CULV processor coming soon for $599

Asus is getting ready to roll out its new Intel CULV powered line of thin and light laptops. The company is pushing the 13 inch UL30A, 14 inch UL80A, and 15 inch UL50A pretty hard. But the model I’m most interested in is the Asus UL20A, which will have a 12.1 inch, 1366 x 768 pixel display and a dual core 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor at launch in the US. With a price tag of just $599, this will be the cheapest model in the batch, and it will be priced just slightly above the netbook range. In fact, it was just a year ago that I paid $550 for an Asus Eee PC 1000H.

The Asus UL20A will have 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and ship with Windows Vista Home Premium and a free upgrade to Windows 7 offer if you can find it before October 22nd. After Windows 7 is launched, the laptop will be available with Windows 7 Home Premium preloaded.

The next model up in the Asus UL family will be the UL30A, which will sell for $799. That extra $200 gets you a larger 13.3 inch display, 4GB of RAM, and 500GB hard drive.

I asked an Asus rep today whether the company was considering putting out a cheaper model of the UL20A or other UL series notebooks with a Core 2 Solo processor to compete with CULV powered laptops like the Acer Aspire 1410. While Asus is making a single core version available in some parts of the globe, Asus North America has apparently decided that the performance of this model isn’t up to snuff, and is sticking with the dual core version for now.

It doesn’t look like review units of the UL20A are going to be made available to the press, so I’m hoping to get a UL30A soon. In most respects, the laptop will have the same performance as the UL20A, and Asus claims it should get up to 12 hours of battery life. It’ll be the largest laptop I’ll have reviewed for the site, but like the UL20A, the UL30A weighs just 3.3 pounds. So bear with me, OK?

ASUS UL20A

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Posted on Thursday, September 17th, 2009, 9:37 pm by Brad Linder

Anon.

Sounds like the UL20A will be at a great size/weight price-point, especially considering it should outperform current netbooks. Yes, $600 is more than most netbooks out there but this looks to be light and portable and have more power. Hope you get your hands on the UL30A for review soon!
Name

Please tell them to make higher rez screens with these notebooks!!!

1650×1080 or 1440×900
http://liliputing.com Brad Linder

Some people are never satisfied.
Name

Well i don't see anything new that these notebooks bring to the table that the Acer Timeline series hasn't already done.

I want a 15.6″ screen with 1650×1080 rez + CULV CPU. Is that too much to ask?
http://scottsoapbox.com Scott

Sooo just get the UL50A and a 22″ monitor.
Anon.

Not everyone wants the 15+ inch screen. In fact, I really don't. It makes it too big to be easily ported around. The 11.4-inch Timeline is great – but I want a processor that can handle HULU without choppiness. I don't know if the Timeline's SU3500 can do that.
http://liliputing.com Brad Linder

They're being a little fuzzy with the launch details. It should
definitely be available after Win7 is launched. You *might* be able to
find it with Vista before then, and if you do, it will qualify for a
free Windows 7 upgrade.
http://liliputing.com Brad Linder

No, they have the same processor. The difference is the screen size,
RAM, and hard drive capacity.
dennybasham

So I also love my Acer 1410 but I am wondering what the timeline is for the release of the Asus UL20A with a dual-core processor. Are we talking this week or is it more like after Windows 7 is official? If we are talking late October for the Asus I will probably hold out for the dual-core Acer 1810TZ. If the Asus laptops are going to be released soon do you know what retail stores will have them so that I can get my hands on one?
tl

Maybe _this_ one will have the keyboard I am looking for?

Give me the 1004DN keyboard on the 12″ model, and I am sold. (Even if it has a glossy screen and lousy touchpad… I'll move some units if they were matte / combo with point, but that is only a dream…)
tl

Actually, according to the specs posted by Asus, the 12″ has a “glare-type” panel. Because we all WANT glare…right?

I think this might be a GLARing mistake, though I am probably wrong…

Also, does anyone have information on this “SU7300″ CPU?
Ben K.

So I is the only real difference between these and the UL20A-x3 Is the processor? Check out the newegg product listing…look identical.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item…
Ben K.

Ah yes, I did notice the ram and the hardrive size, I meant aesthetically they look pretty much the same. I guess you are more interested in the 12″ model too…I think Iam going to pick up the 13″ model for my mother who wants something reasonably small and light, but who has failing eyes and need the bigger screen.

So I is the only real difference between these and the UL20A-x3 Is the processor? Check out the newegg product listing…look identical.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item…
http://scottsoapbox.com Scott

Yes but “Name” does want 15″… he (she?) says so right in the comment I'm replying too… :rolleyes:
qxy

ISWYM, the UL30A-X1 seems to be (mis)listed as having a Core Solo processor on Newegg…

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=…
Ben K.

I ordered the UL30 A1 from Amazon and will be receiving it today. I will post back later to give a brief impression.
ION_tom

I wonder if the performance of the UL20A is significantly faster then say the upcoming 1201N Ion?
http://listeningtoreason.com wanorris

No, but yes. The problem is that you rarely see 15″ 1680×1050 screens on anything but business-class notebooks. Business class notebooks don't come with CULVs, they come with kickass ULV Core 2s that cost a lot more.

However, now that we're seeing 11″ and 12″ computers selling well at 1366×768 (and even a few 10″ models), we may see someone get the hint and start slotting in 1440×900 screens on sub-$1000 consumer thin-and-light 14″ and 15″ notebooks. Or possibly a new 16:9 variant like 1600×900 or 1440×810.
http://listeningtoreason.com wanorris

No, but yes. The problem is that you rarely see 15″ 1680×1050 screens on anything but business-class notebooks. Business class notebooks don't come with CULVs, they come with kickass ULV Core 2s that cost a lot more.

However, now that we're seeing 11″ and 12″ computers selling well at 1366×768 (and even a few 10″ models), we may see someone get the hint and start slotting in 1440×900 screens on sub-$1000 consumer thin-and-light 14″ and 15″ notebooks. Or possibly a new 16:9 variant like 1600×900 or 1440×810.

Asus UL20A laptop dual core CULV processor coming soon for $599

ASUS UL20A

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