I’m pleased to announce that we have our first Ultrabook here for testing. Thanks to Asus for sending over the ASUS UX21E, the 11.6”, 1160gm (2lb 9oz) Ultrabook in Core i7, 128GB build. (Model details – ASUS Zenbook UX21E-KX008V)
It looks just a awesome as the first time I saw it at IFA in September, boots in an impressively quick time, turns in a 300ms Sunspider score, has good speakers, a very bright (but glossy) screen , is totally silent as I type this and it looks like it will allow you to web-work for about 4.5 hours.
I’m acutely aware though, that others have reported keyboard issues and have to say, right of the bat, that I haven’t hit the ground running with the keyboard. I’m dropping letters at a higher rate than is normal for me and having to look and think about typing more than I would expect. My reference point here is the Lenovo S205 which costs a quarter of what the UX21 costs. I’ll be looking to see how it improve after the first hour of use. As for the touchpad, the latest drivers are installed and I’ve not experienced any issues yet.
A quick note about weight. The ‘travel’ weight here isn’t 1160gm, it’s 1364gm because you’ll probably want to use the sleeve to protect the aluminium and the two (Ethernet, VGA) adaptors. Add the power adaptor (because you haven’t got all-day battery life with the UX21) and you’re at 1490 grams.
Update: The first hands-on video is now live.
Live Video Review and Q&A
I’ll be posting a video and some first impressions later today but I also want to invite you all to see everything for yourself. I’ll be hosting a live video review with chat on Thursday evening at 9PM, Berlin time. (GMT+1) You can watch me test the UX21 for a couple of hours and join the chat to ask questions of me and other experts in the chatroom. Most of the session will be recorded. Don’t expect a BBC quality studio or presentation but you’ll get to see everything in a unique way. All warts will be exposed at http://ultrabooknews.com/live
So, between now and then I need to get to work. Gaming is something I’ll cover in the studio but ill need to set that up beforehand. What games would you suggest I test?
If you can’t wait until Thursday, feel free to ask questions below. I’ll try and include answers either in the comments or in the first impressions post later today.
For games to test, you have to go with the current big 3:
– COD MW3
– Skyrim
– Battlefield 3
Here’s hoping it rips them up!
You should probably be more realistic, noone buys ultrabooks for those kinds of games. Older PC games would be okay though.
Do you use Chrome Chippy? I think you should test out browser based games. Or if you want to get really geeky even PS2/X-Box/Gamecube emulators (they require solid performers).
I’ll check them out for playable demos. I’m assuming they will be representative? [Disclaimer – i’ve got some catching up to do on games but i’m going to enjoy it this week!]
Awesome, can’t wait to see the in depth review!
Maybe a lower spec game like Portal, or an older one like Far Cry (my favorite!)
Awesome ! Nicest ultrabook is here.
Do not underestimate the power of HD 3000 – it can ran Skyrim nicely :)
Ahh!
BTW – So it’s Sentelic touchpad?
Yes.
If the touch pad drivers continue to be a problem then a possible solution would be to try Synaptic driver instead.
I know some have tried that on other Asus models using Sentelic touchpads and it worked.
Just for the fun of it, see how much you can push wow graphics?
Try some new strategy games. No one is buying ultrabook to play BF3 for example…Also you can try WoW..I don’t believe that it can run up to 40 fps :D
I think Wow makes a good reference point. Ill work on that along with one if the top-tier games, an older one, something in-browser and something from the Intel Appup store.
Chippy,
In all the reviews that i already read about the UX or any other ultrabook, certain things haven’t been explained yet.
-Games, BF3 is not a realistic showcase. WoW is, but thats also a game you really like or really hate. I would like to see some lower budget/ engine steam games, or old but nice looking games like Company of Heroes.
-Accesoires (Dont like a ultrabook with a brick as power supply).
-Versus iPad.
-lapheat
Thx @nummertwee I’ve got steam installed. Any suggestions there?
As for ipad comparisons….i’m not sure it’s really relevant to most people.
Lap heat is something i’ll cover.
Chippy.
Portal on Steam costs $9.99 and may be a good to moderate level test game. Also easy to learn and very fun for a casual gamer! …Portal2 is out also, but is a bit more demanding and expensive.
I also would like to see how Oblivion and of course the last version of Civilisation are running.
I’m interested in the noise level: how loud does it get, is the fan constantly on, and so on.