ASUS U3

ASUS U3

Summary: September 2007, Intel Core 2 Duo, 13.3-inch LED Backlit Display

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Photo: NotebookReview.com

Product Name: ASUS U3
Official Page: To be determined
Manufacturer: ASUS (ASUSTek, Inc.)
Announced: July 2007 (Officially August 7, 2007)
Available: September 2007
Price: Around $2000 or above
Markets: Probably Worldwide

Related Laptops:
– Has some of the same features as the 11″ ASUS U1 / U1F
– Possibly similar spec-wise to the Dell XPS M1330

Features:
LED-Backlit Display with “Splendid Color Enhancement Engine”
– Integrated optional GPS available (with provisions for external antenna if needed)
– Dedicated graphics – NVIDIA 8400m (using a hardware switch)
– “Piano Black” finish
– eSata Port (External Serial ATA – SATA)
– HDMI Port
– Leather palmrests
– Hardware Wi-Fi switch
– Hardware switch for power savings (performance vs battery life)
– Integrated 1.3MP Camera
– Magnesium Alloy case
– Optional 3G Connectivity
– “ASUS Power4 Gear eXtreme power management extends battery life up to 20-25%”

Manufacturer’s Description:
The golden ratio 13.3″ widescreen U3 is perfect for metropolitan professionals to stay on the move with style. From the exterior piano painted LCD cover, stainless contour and magnesium aluminum alloy housing to genuine leather bound palm rest, the U3 reflects exceptional personal taste with unique sophistication. Based on the latest Intel® Centrino® Duo Processor Technology, Windows® VistaTM operating system and exclusive ASUS innovations, the U3 offers a dynamic computing experience with powerful performance.

Specifications:
CPU: Intel® Core™2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 4MB L2 Cache), T7300 (2GHz, 4MB L2), T7100 (1.8GHz, 2MB L2),
– Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 (1.667GHz 2MB L2) T5250 (1.5GHz 2MB L2)
– Intel Celeron M 540 (1.866GHz, 1MBL L2)
Chipset: Intel’s Santa Rosa – Mobile Intel® GM965 Chipset, ICH8M
Front-side Bus: 800MHz – Intel Core 2 Duo T7x00, 667MHz for T5x50, 533MHz for Celeron
Memory: DDR2 667MHz
Memory Capacity: 512MB – 2.5GB (1 slot)
Other: Optional Intel Turbo Memory, Turbo Cach 384M with 1G system Memory (option); 896M with 2G system Memory

Graphics/Display:
Display: 13.3″ LED-Backlit Display
Resolution:
Touchscreen: No
Widescreen: Yes
Graphics Chipset: nVIDIA GeForce G8400M G
Graphics Memory: External 128MB VRAM
Other: HDMI Out, S-Video, VGA Out,

Storage:
Hard Drive: Serial ATA (SATA) up to 160GB
Optical: External USB Optical drive
Other: eSata port for external Serial ATA (SATA)

Connectivity:
Wireless: Intel 4965 802.11 a/b/g/n or Intel 3945 802.11 a/b/g
Modem:
Ethernet:
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.0 enhanced data rate
Mobile Broadband: Optional 3G connectivity

Input/Output:
Audio Chipset:
Speakers:
Audio I/O: Headphones out, Microphone in
USB: 3x USB 2.0
Firewire: 1x IEEE 1394
PC Card: 1x ExpressCard 54
Flash/Memory Card Reader: Secure Digital (SD)
Other: Integrated 1.3MP Camera

Security:
Biometric/Fingerprint: Yes (probably optional)
Other: TPM

Software & Warranty:
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate
Other Software:
Warranty:
ASUS U3 Drivers:

Battery:
Options: 3-cell battery, possibly bigger capacities
Battery Life:
Other: “ASUS Power4 Gear eXtreme power management”

Dimensions:
Width: 318.5mm / 12.5 inches
Depth: 243mm / 9.6 inches
Height: 22.2 – 32.2mm / 0.87 inches to 1.3 inches
Weight: 1.75kg / 3.85 pounds

ASUS U3 Articles/Reviews:
TrustedReviews – Hands-on, August 23, 2007
Official Press Release – ASUS.com – August 7, 2007
ASUS U3 Series Notebook with GPS Revealed – NotebookReview.com – July 2007