A new AMD-based ultralight has surfaced with Ultrabook looks, the ASUS Vivotab brand and a very interesting CPU and GPU combination. The ASUS Vivobook U38DT is available for pre-order in Germany.
The original retailer has now updated their sales page to show the ASUS U38N with APU-based HD 7620G graphics.
There’s no official information out there from ASUS right now but we’ve tracked down a full set of specifications for the ASUS Vivobook U38DT which include a backlit keyboard, 1.6KG weight and the AMD A8-4555M / Radeon HD 8550M HD combo that includes 4 cores that can Turbo up to 2.4Ghz. The 1366×768 screen should be well-driven by the Radeon HD 8550M. The problem is, we don’t have any details on that GPU yet! We’re assuming it’s the latest Oland GPU.
Update: A second model has appeared at our original source: ASUS Vivobook U38N, the same that is appearing in other regions. This has the APU-based graphics – Radeon HD 7620G. We’ve just had a quick chat with Brad at Liliputing and he’s convinced us that this is a discreet graphics version of the Vivobook U38N.
Apart from the interesting CPU/GPU you’ve got a reasonable 1.6KG weight. We calculate that the battery is a 47Wh unit given the mAh specs available but that could be a little on the low side for multi-hour gaming where this baby is likely to reach to 40W drain rate under heavy gaming.
The price indicates that this really is offering a new level of GPU, and even CPU power. 800 Euro pre-order price equates to a pre-tax price of about US 855 dollars.
Update: That price seems to be moving around a bit at some of the sources we’re looking at.
We’ll keep an eye out for information for you and add anything interesting that we find to the database. The ASUS Vivobook U38DT specs are already in.
Hat-tip Fudzilla
Source: U38DT appears at this retailer.
The GPU is HD 7600G with 384 cores @ 307 mhz and turbo @ 424 MHz. So still Trinity with the same GPU, just very downclocked.
So this isn’t next-gen ADM GPU core?
Sorry for the misunderstanding. I’ll be honest that I don’t have mobile gaming GPUs at the top of my personal list of things to track!
Steve
Honest mistake “Good-guy-chippy” :)
In Sweden, we are getting the u38N with the 1080p IPS TOUCH display, AMD A8-4555M, 48WHrs, 6570 mAh @ 1.55kg. Hope ASUS will not screw it all up by giving it noticable fan-noise (as the the Zeenbook series, but then again this is AMD). http://www.inet.se/produkt/1969577/asus-u38n-amd-13-3-touch
Will u review the u500vz/u51vz?
According to AMD’s product page the A8-4555M APU uses Radeon HD 7600G graphics. The A10-4655M is paired with the HD 7620G.
If the product page for U38DT saying 8550M is not typo then it could be what AMD calls a Dual Graphics notebook.
AMD hasn’t updated their page on which discrete GPUs are recommended for Dual Graphics: http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/dual-graphics/Pages/dual-graphics.aspx#2
That’s okay :)
Although there might be a dual graphics option that I haven’t heard of (I have to admit I’ve known of this model for months ;-) ). The notebook has passed the FCC and the internals look peculiar: http://liliputing.com/2012/11/asus-vivobook-u38n-passes-the-fcc-on-way-to-us-launch.html
On the top we have the CPU (with the GPU I named) together with the chipset. Under the left fan there’s another chip coming from AMD. The resolution is too low to figure out exactly what it is but most likely it’s their “Turks” GPU which is used in their discrete HD 7500M/7600M-series. I’ll go fishing, hopefully I can come back later with something concrete… ;-)
Updates to the article above. It still apears that there’s a discreet graphics version of the U38N in Germany at least. Source and thoughts added to article.
This looks like it could be a great laptop. I’d love to see it around $800. Seems well balance and I’m glad you buy are still covering AMD-based ultrathins despite your site name! :) *applauds*
Why thank you Karl!
If you’re going with a switchable graphics setup then why go for AMD? Why not an Intel Core i3 with NVIDIA graphics? If there’s a price difference then it either will be worth it or not really a big deal over the lifetime of the notebook.
Ever heard of Enduro technology? Implemented in 12.9 Catalyst drivers. And i presume you are a “hacker”.
Notebookcheck reviewed the NP535 (with AMD CPU) but it had aged drivers, and for logical reasons also had worse battery life than the Intel-equivalent.
I was already talking about switchable graphics. I just didn’t name what AMD and NVIDIA call it. I’m not a hacker and my question was a serious one since I’m not a GPU expert either.
From only what I’ve read AMD’s APUs have a hard time beating Core i3s and older generation Intel CPUs in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. I have no idea how AMD and NVIDIA GPUs compare let alone the ones used on notebooks with switchable graphics.
Ignoring the bad state of AMD’s Enduro drivers, are the price differences between Intel/Optimus and AMD/Enduro worth it? Also, what are the price differences?