Round Up: Five Powerful, Light Ultraportables

Features
By Rachel Rosmarin
published

Ultraportable Specifications

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SpecAsus U2EFujitsu P8010Lenovo IdeaPad U110
CPUIntel Core 2 Duo U7500, 1060MHzIntel Core 2 Duo SL7100, 1200MHzIntel Core 2 Duo L7500, 1600MHz
Graphics ProcessorIntel GMA X3100Intel GMA X3100Intel GMA X3100
Physical Memory Total Amount3GB2GB2GB
Memory SpeedDDR2-667 (333MHz)DDR2-667 (333MHz)DDR2-667 (333MHz)
Disk Drive(s)120 GB Samsung HS122JB120 GB Fujitsu MHY2120BH120 GB Toshiba MK1214GAH
Interface, Rotational Speed, Seek Time, Buffer SizeATA, 5,200 RPM, 13ms, 8MBSATA 5,400 RPM, 12ms, 8MBATA, 4, 200RPM, 15ms, 8MB
DVD DriveBuilt-inBuilt-inExternal from Manufacturer
Display Size11.1” LCD, 1366x768 LED Backlit12.1” LCD, 1280x80011.1” Glossy LCD, 1366x768
Battery Capacity – Design - mAh (BatteryEater Pro)234487005268
Battery Capacity – Actual – mAh (BatteryEater Pro)200087005334
Battery Voltage10.87.210.8
WiFi Throughput802.11agn –up to 200MB/s802.11agn –up to 200MB/s802.11ag - up to54MB/s
Wired Throughput1GB/s1GB/s1GB/s
BluetoothYesYesYes
Number of USB Ports333
FirewireNoYesYes
Other PortsMicro-DVI, VGA, LAN, Microphone, Headphone, ExpressCardVGA, Microphone, Headphone, PC Card, ModemMicro-DVI, LAN, Headphone, Microphone ExpressCard
Fingerprint SensorYesYesNo
Memory Card SlotYesYesYes
Web CamYesYesYes
Dimensions WxDxH10.9x7.6x1.111x8x1.07-1.3710.8x7.7x0.88
Weight with battery—pounds2.82.92.4
Weight Power brick –pounds.68.71.67
Operating SystemWindows Vista BusinessWindows Vista Business (XP Pro Recovery Media)Vista Home Premium
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SpecSony Vaio VGN-TZ298NToshiba Portege R500-S5006V
CPUIntel Core 2 Duo U7700, 1333 MHzIntel Core 2 Duo U7700, 1333 MHz
Graphics ProcessorIntel GMA 950Intel GMA 950
Physical Memory Total Amount2GB2GB
Memory SpeedDDR2-667 (333MHz)DDR2-667 (333MHz)
Disk Drive(s)250 GB Fujitsu MHY2250BH + 64 GB Samsung MCBQE64GKMPQ-M1A SSD (C: Boot Drive)160 GB Toshiba MK1646GSX
Interface, Rotational Speed, Seek Time, Buffer SizeSATA, 5,400RPM, 12ms, 8MB (Dual Ported Read Ahead) + ATA-66SATAII, 5,400RPM, 12ms, 8MB
DVD DriveExternal from ManufacturerBuilt-in
Display Size11.1” LCD, 1366x768 LED Backlit12.1” LCD, 1280x800 LED Backlit
Battery Capacity – Design - mAh (BatteryEater Pro)58005800
Battery Capacity – Actual – mAh (BatteryEater Pro)58005200
Battery Voltage10.810.8
WiFi Throughput802.11agn –up to 200MB/s802.11agn –up to 200MB/s
Wired Throughput1GB/s1GB/s
BluetoothYesYes
Number of USB Ports33
FirewireYesYes
Other PortsVGA, Microphone, Headphone, ModemVGA, Microphone, Headphone PC Card
Fingerprint SensorYesYes
Memory Card SlotYesYes
Web CamYesYes
Dimensions WxDxH10.9x7.8x0.8-1.1711.1x8.5x0.77-1.00
Weight with battery—pounds2.72.4
Weight Power brick –pounds.62.93
Operating SystemWindows Vista BusinessVista Business (XP Pro Recovery Media)
Rachel Rosmarin
18 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Thanks for writing this article; I have been interested in how these things perform.
    Reply
  • these are all at the high-end of the price spectrum, have you considered the asus eee pc or acer aspire one? i have one of these, and while it's not exactly a gaming powerhouse it does all you need in a small laptop... mind you the linux distros these things come with can be a real pain
    Reply
  • JJeng1
    A possible reason for the fingerprint reader placement. Look into the options of the fingerprint software, as sometimes the reader doubles as a scroll wheel.
    Reply
  • Regulas
    Rubbish, get the the new Macbook, 13" screen plenty of power no viruses and no bloated Vista for the low end of cash stated in this review.
    Reply
  • bjornlo
    Rubbish, get the the new Macbook, 13" screen plenty of power no viruses and no bloated Vista for the low end of cash stated in this review.
    Typical ignorant fanboi BS.
    Get your facts straight. Nothing wrong with a Mac other than total cost of ownership and slightly reduced software choices... although the default browser is very unsecure (but fixable, DL any other). But, there is nothing special about them except their style and slightly better ease of use for the "technologically challenged".
    Reply
  • Placebo
    First of, Macs are rubbish. Buying one is alright for the creative crowd, whose fav. software is exclusive for OSX. Other than that, the company would have already closed up, if not saved by the mighty (LOL) Ipod-brand.

    Regarding the otherwise brilliant review, how come the Dell M1330 isn't mentioned, or even tested, its not even on the site?!?!

    Best selling product in the category for almost two years. Anyone buying should look into it. Had one for around a year, can honestly say its the best electronic device i ever owned.

    Its cheap, lightwight and with supurb spec!

    www.notebookreview.com for notebooks :-)Sry... they jus do a better job.


    Reply
  • cruiseoveride
    Linux > OSX >> Windows

    I wish the IBM one was cheaper.
    Reply
  • boostercorp
    i guess i never understood why you'd need such a small underpowered laptop and also never knew who would buy such a thing.
    But if you're on the road alot like me it would be more handy then dragging around a 8 pound 17" laptop like i 'm currently doing.

    i only hoped they'd be a little less expensive cause i bought my 17" for € 899 and got a shedload of stuff i didn't need like that fingerprint scanner ,bluetooth ,ir , ...
    Reply
  • Can we post a review of ultraportables with eSATA and Express Card ? I think the ASUS U6V (not sure) has one, the Dell E4200 and E4300 have eSATA but no Express Card. The Lenovo X200 and X300 series have some great features. I really hope manufacturers start making machines with eSATA and Express Card and not one or the other. Oh and How about the Toshiba dynabook R6 ?
    Reply
  • enforcer22
    "Rubbish, get the the new Macbook, 13" screen plenty of power no viruses and no bloated Vista for the low end of cash stated in this review."


    O your right and look i cant do anything i want to do with it either.. I also cant get it to look like a computer instead of a over priced pos paperweight. Linux is as usless to me as that over priced thing keeping my desk up to.
    Reply