Asus U3 Series Notebook with GPS Revealed

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Asus, always looking to push the envelope on notebook features, will later this year be offering the U3 series 13.3&quot; ultraportable notebook that has integrated GPS, dedicated graphics that can be turned on or off via a switch, HDMI port, eSata port, piano black outer finish and a leather finish on the palm rests.

Asus U3 13.3&quot; notebook (view large image)

The U3 will come equipped with a low voltage Intel Santa Rosa processor, likely the Intel L7500 1.6GHz or possibly a slightly faster low voltage processor if Intel has released it by the time the U3 is ready for showtime.

Asus U3 leather finish palmrests (view large image)

The big news with the U3 is it will offer integrated GPS, you can see the antenna port here on the right side of the notebook, you will be able to plug in an antenna extension here or just rely on the integrated antenna. According to the Asus reps I met with, they feel that the internal antenna will be strong enough to pick up satellite signals and having a bulky antenna to carry around shouldn't be necessary.

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The U3 will also have dedicated graphics in the form of an Nvidia 8400m graphics card. The extra bonus Asus throws in is that you can turn the dedicated graphics on and of via a hardware switch, just like you can with the Sony VAIO SZ. This means if you want to save on power and don't need 3D performance, you can simply flip to integrated graphics and have a lower power cooler running notebook.

Left side view: S-Video, USB, FireWire, Wireless on/off, SD card slot, headphones, microphone (view large image)

Right side: ExpressCard 54, dedicated graphics on/off swich, two USB ports, GPS antenna port, HDMI, eSata port (view large image)

Speed via dedicated graphics or power savings via integrated graphics? Your Choice! (view large image)

Another unique feature of the U3 is that it has an eSata port and HDMI port. Pretty amazing given this is a 13.3&quot; notebook. If you need to output high quality video via HDMI or transfer data fast over eSata you're set. FireWire is also still offered on the left side.

eSata and HDMI port sit next to each other on the right side (view large image)

The piano black finish and amazingly thin profile of the Asus U3 make for a very appealing look from the outside. The screen is a super thin LED backlit variety, aiding in the slim profile and providing for a bright evenly lit display.

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Meanwhile on the inside the silver colored keys and black leather finish palmrests are equally attractive.

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There isn't a set date for the release of the U3 that we know of yet, but you can assume in the September time frame with a price of around $2,000.

 

WOW!


I definitely know what I want next. A larger U1 with tons of ports and specs? Was the screen LED backlite?

Where do I sign up?

 

No optical drive??? Ah, well ,even Asus isn't perfect...

 

Thanks for the review Andrew!!! Looks real good.
oh great! now I have 3 notebooks to look at.
This one, Compal, Macbook OOHH I'm confused.
Lynn

 

That's subjective, depending on the user. I personally have only used my OD less then two dozen times since I've owned my V6, of which were all from doing a fresh format or making images.

Looking at the pictures again, the LCD screen thickness isn't very thick, which could lead it to be a LED screen. The notebook though isn't that thin, looks like a bit over 1.2" thick. But heat vent on left side is different, but much welcomed!

A close match between the SZ and m1330, though each will cater a different crowd, though all 3 would work pretty well. Interesting

 

WOW well the looks would simply sell me off on this one
but then again i bet it would cost a fortune too
kind of reminicent oof the lamborghini series on some aspects
like the contrasting colors and i love the SZ like ability to switch frm dedicated to integrated and the GPU power also looks amazing considering that its only a 13.3"
thnx andrew!!

 

Cori, you're totally right, I left that out -- it is LED backlit (just added mention of that into original post).

 

The "U3" logo on the first pic displaying the palmrests is blue, but the same logo is red on the pic displaying the keyboard + palmrests?

Two different computers or is it just the light that's playing tricks?

 

Totally, I would, and I'm sure alot would as well, find it very interesting if they did not include that as their top rivals, the Sony SZ and Dell m1330 both offer an LED screen.

It looks like a holographic logo, which changes colours depending on the angle?

One thing I forgot to mention is that ASUS better step up their game on the battery. They've been on the decline in producing notebooks with above average battery life, about 2 years ago, they were pretty good, a 12-13 would last 5-6 hours, 15 would last 3.5-4, but lately it's been way below average.

 

Yeah, battery life would be the determinant for me here. Ideal laptop.

 

I'd be willing to get this if they made a non-leather model.

 

this laptop is seeeeexy, but I am sure the lack of an optical drive will put many people off including myself where I use it often, especially on the go. plus I am not crazy about the leather palmrest, after a while the leather will start to look worn and its not like you can clean it and make it look new.

but other than that, I'm glad someone other than sony is incorporating the dual graphics option, I wish ALL ultraportables have this. Aside from the leather palm rest, the design is gorgeous and eye catching. I wonder how much it weighs.

 

It must be pretty light if it isn't sporting an internal optical.

Can somebody enlighten me as to what the purpose of GPS is?

 

well, still waiting for a good 13 inch at a macbook price point. I mean, the xps is great, but i feel like its a tad too expensive,

 

It really is an exact larger cousin of the 11.1" U1, U3, 13.3", black leather palmrests, glossy lid, no optical drive, etc.

 

Ouch @ 2k though... If they could bump it down to 1.5k(ditch some of the niceties like leather palm rest) this would be a great alternative to the M1330. Low voltage chip plus the ability to disable dedicated graphics means great battery life, but its also got the 8400 so gaming is not out of the question(and since nearly all games are more gpu intensive then cpu, I'm sure the bottle neck will still be the gpu, rather then the weak cpu)

 

They could have put a slot loading optical drive...but nOoo...

 

very nice laptop and it will appeal to those who don't need or use an external optical drive.

 

Awesomeness. But as expected, its far too expensive for me to consider. If they had even hit the $1800 price point, it might be within reach, but not quite.

I think I will keep looking for the S37s instead....

 

Is that a webcam at the top of the screen?

 

GPS = Global Positioning System wiki

Basically, you can track your position on a map in real time via satellite which is useful for driving, hiking, biking etc.

Pretty unique feature, but I'm with everyone else, battery life is going to be crucial....

 

Yeap, assuming its 1.3mp, but if Dell can fit a 3.0mp in theirs, I don't see why ASUS couldn't!

Yea, it's pretty cool. I wonder if ASUS will have a Linux 'boot only' system where you can only turn on GPS without booting Windows/Linux as it'll waste precious battery life when its not needed.

 

Isn't the m1330 webcam with the LED screen 1.3 MP? On the dell site, I know it says 3.0 MP, but I was under the strong impression that this was a typo given that every review has stated that the webcam was VGA quality. The reason being given was that this lower-quality webcam was smaller and would fit in the thinner lid.

 

Was it? I don't know myself, haven't checked out the m1330 much since its release, mainly only when I heard about it while under NDA. Though it would certainly make sense, a 3mp webcam is pretty high end stuff considering regular webcams and even cell phone cams are usually under that, 1.3 - 2.0 mp at most on majority, though Nokia/SE have 5mp ones.

 

With the LED screen, the webcam is 0.3mp. I think this is the best looking Asus notebook I've ever seen. To bad no optical, or at least a T7100/T7250 processor.

 

But I really liked the idea of a LV processor, it means a TDP (though intel style) as much half the TDP of a normal C2D processor.
This laptop is definitely my hero =)

 

Wow. A 13" laptop is looking better and better! leave it to Asus to one up Dell

 

Hmm, GPS in a laptop, what will Asus come up with next?

 

how does both Sony with the SZ and the new Dell manage pretty much the same specs and form factor and include optical and Asus doesn't - for the same basic price it would seem?

I'm gonna start calling Asus "Swing and a miss"

too many notebooks of late that make you initially say "cool" or even "wow" - like this one - that on closer review comes close but ends up with a glaring ommision

yes, the optical is not that huge of a deal - most rarely use it - the point though is all their competition includes it

it would be one thing is this was truly thin - like the Sony X505 etc - I even suggested the same in the notebook features poll thread as ny dream machine - do a very thin 15.4 with LED screen and leave off the optical

but here while it seems relatively thin it is not cutting edge thin - and its no thinner it seems than an SZ or Dell


just my 2 cents - YMMV ...

 

I don't think ASUS wants to advertise it as a super thin notebook(like the m1330), but an equilibrium of features. Sure the missing OD may be a factor, but its nothing a USB OD can not solve.

However, it's true the competition has it, but looking at the ports perhaps the memory card slot(SD/MSDuo/etc.), headphones/mic and WiFi switch could be placed at the front, it still doesn't give much space. The GPS device could be the main reason for letting go of the OD, it's physical size makes it impossible to find on a currently available notebook?

The back looks like a battery area, should it be expected that ASUS will release 6, 9 and perhaps 12 cell battery options for it?

I'm ecstatic it has S-Video, using it to display on a TV, whether new using HDMI or old using S-Video would be a breeze.

 

The U3 looks fantastic, great they finnay included the switchable GPU, Although I have to agree, after a few years or researching laptops, I decided to get an Asus, once I honed down on that it took ages untill finally one (W3J) ticked most of the boxes, I suppose you cannot please everyone, the omission of a DVD drive does not bother me, I use a second HDD in the bay, but when you are comparing like for like......... mind you from reading 3 years of What Laptop reviews Asus, most consistantly has the top performance...

 

Nice laptop, and the GPS feature is awesome.

 

I am not so sure about GPS. GPS + PDA and GPS + mobile phone, that is perfectly fine. GPS + notebook? Unless you need to check the position not so often. Or the notebook is in a car or something similar.

Just imagine - you walk somewhere and you need to check the position. Then you open your bag, get the notebook, boot it (or wake it up) wait until it is ready. Then you wait until GPS locks onto the signals, then you finally see the position. Then you shut down your notebook and pack it...

There is one more application - restricting activation of some application. E.g. some company internal program can be activated only at preprogrammed location (a house or a small region).

 

Anybody know whether it will have a docking station?

 

Eh not all the competition has an optical drive - just look at lenovo.

 

I own a X61T which doesn't have an internal optical, and I haven't really had any problems with it. The only use I usually have for CD's is for either sharing documents or putting in new music, and both uses are more conveniently done at home where I have my external optical anyways.

As for the GPS, I know what GPS is, but I still fail to see the overall usefulness. It's a very niche feature that seems like it'd be better off as an option rather than as built-in. If you're using your notebook to navigate while driving, I think we may have larger issues to worry about . I think the same applies for hiking, or biking, or any on the move thing, a notebook is just too big.

The only other useful application I can think of is something like the LoJack thingy. I don't even really know how LoJack works, but I doubt most laptop thieves will suspect built in GPS, and maybe you can track down a stolen notebook that way.

 

This is my ideal laptop as well, based on my experiences with the Z33. I wish they would at least include the USB ODD instead of charging $250 for it (exactly the reason I went with the Z33 over the X40) but eSATA and the switchable graphics seal it for me.

However, if the battery life *sucks* like the U1 and V2, all bets are off. I need at least 6 hours from an extended battery to even consider a new machine as a replacement for the Z33, since I still get > 6 hours after a year and a half, and I can just buy a new battery for $100 and get > 7.

Of course, based on my current pay and living in CA, I don't think I will be buying any expensive new toys for a while... I miss when student loans paid for my PCs...

 

I'm imagining me, myself walking around holding that asus u3 up to use GPS Navigation.

If the eSATA works well I'll get this laptop.

 

wouldnt the gps help in theft? that was my first thought of why they put gps in the laptop, so if its stolen, u go online and track it.

or can you only do that from the laptop itself and not from a remote place?

also, do u think a reg voltage processor could go into this? i absolutely love the design, still deciding between the m1330, sony sz, or now this - however i would rather have a t7300 or higher cpu in it, and not a ulv or lv processor.

anybody know if it might come out in august?

 

After I read that review I said FINALLY! Finally someone else who has dual graphics other then sony. Then I found out no optical drive and it's no longer an option. What a let down, i was excited that I can play dvds and either connect using svideo or hdmi yet there's noting to play with. I back up everything on dvd, so I can't even do that without copying to another drive. Why asus WHY?

 

Don't think you would be using it walking around much. The main use of a gps system is for turn by turn navigation, directions for driving from one address to another. A small computer like this could serve for a road warrior to provide navigation on out of town business trips, sitting on the passenger seat and providing voice navigation. Also handy for locating points of interest, restaurants and such.
The questions however is , do you want these functions in a laptop, or in a dedicated unit such as a Garmin NUVI, (model 660 is one incredible unit )?

 

Dedicated graphics and no integrated optical drive? I don't know, something just doesn't add up (or make any sense for that matter).

 

Dell? The M1330 carries a .3 MP cam with the LED, and 2.0 with the regular ccfl display. The major flaws in this one(for me) are the leather palmrests, and the lack of an OD... The price is okay... for this kind of config, I guess the XPS will be more expensive.. I paid 2K for mine...

An F8 with a LED backlit display.. OLED would be even better.. Now, that would be a dream notebook...

 

Is the matching external optical drive (if there is any) a part of the package? Or is a seperate option altogether? Just curious.

 

Someone posted above that the optical drive was an extra $250. This is without a doubt the biggest bonehead notebook I've seen from ASUS. It's a sister model of the U1, yet it's not thin and light. It has GPS, which you'll never use in a laptop, but no optical drive. It bogs you down with ancient video standards, the S-Video port, which just clutter up the device.

Come on ASUS, start producing fewer models and focus on building better products!

 

You know, I don't get it. Who are they trying to appeal to with this laptop? Sure, it's a nice looking unit and it has decent specs but with a 13" screen, it should have a proper mobile C2D CPU and not the ULV variant. I mean, why on earth would you give the option of discrete graphics but then 'cripple' it with a low power CPU? These choices don't jive with me. For those comparing this with the SZ or the M1330, IMO there IS no comparison simply on the basis of the CPU alone. This is more of a competing laptop with Asus's own U1 or the Sony TZ (except, of course, with a bigger screen, which makes it all the more the oddball out).

Andrew, do you know what GPU is in this machine? This is the first time I have seen a dedicated GPU coupled with a ULV processor. Does anyone know if there are others?

 

well because its a 13.3" laptop, couldnt u simply purchase the cpu and put it in yourself?

its the same chipset im pretty sure and since its a 13.3" with no optical drive, i would think it could handle the heat just fine

 

Sorry, didn't bother to read all the other posts.

I'd have to agree with you and monakh here. The specs on the unit isn't practical by any means. GPS on a 13.3" non-ultralightweight gaming notebook (for its size mind you) that sacrifices raw processing power for addional battery life? Which market is ASUS targetting this for again?

 

this thread has turned into a U3 group bash..... does Asus not engage consumer research?????????

No one can deny the U3 is a stunning machine, but just imagine if it came with DVD drive, Full speed processor, maybe a backlight keyboard, this thing would fly off the shelves.

Asus tend to do a spectacular job getting things 80-90% right, whats so painfull when the omissions seem so obvious.

Its not my fault I want every feature on a laptop

 

That leather looks AWFUL. Why does Asus keep insisting on leather? Haven't their designers ever worn a leather band watch to find out, after a few months, that there's a pervasive stench that follows them around everywhere they go? Except this will be worse, since palms of hands sweat a HELL of a lot more than wrists do......