Which ULV?

Explosive_Cornflake

Looking for a 13" laptop, ULV, 2-4GB or RAM, don't mind if there is no optical.
The Lenovo U350 was tempting,m but the replacement U360 was announced awhile back but has yet to be released.
I would like a dual core. The Core series looks good, but I'm not sure how AMD's stack up against them these days.
My main concerns is a laptop that's quite robust. Dell used to be good, but I've heard that's not the case any more.
Not too concerned about storage space, as I keep most things on a server. Would like a SSD, but That's someting I can swap out. Probably best if it's a 2.5" sata drive.
Will end up running Arch or something similar on it.
Is there anything out there that fits?

• Robust
• 13" (ish)
• 64 bit
• Dual Core
• LED Screen
• Slim and light
• Good Battery life

I realise these questions come up quite often, but I'm looking for something quite specific, i.e. more power than a net book, but smaller than a 15".
Any guidance would be great.

dazzday

The first question here is what is you budget? An SSD costs ~ €2.20 per GB at the moment...that soon adds up!

Consider looking at the i3 Ulv range recently released...bit more performance. For example
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/asus-ul-series-laptops-surface-at-e-tailers-with-core-i3-ulv-pro/

Explosive_Cornflake

Oh yes, budget of course.
I'd say 5-600 excluding an SSD, that can be added later. A 40GB HD would do me though, as I don't store media on a laptop.
What's the build quality like in an Asus?

Explosive_Cornflake

Ok, no point in me expecting everyone else to do the research for me.
There seems to be a lack of Core Processors on 13" laptops, at least on elara.
Here's a short list so far (Can't figure out tables tonight:

Manufactuer  Model            CPU                     GPU               RAM            Screen     Weight     HD         URL     Price
Asus         UL30A-QX131V     SU7300 1.3 GHz          Intel GMA 4500MHD 4GB DDR3 1066  13.3 LED   1.5KG      320 54rpm  [url=http://elara.ie/products/detailsfullat.asp?productcode=MMEB998159#spec]Link[/url]    €705.43
HP           PROBOOK 4320S    Core i3 330M - 2.13 GHz Intel HD 5.0      2GB DDR3 1333  13.3 LED   2.2KG      250 72rpm  [url=http://elara.ie/products/detailsfullat.asp?productcode=WCEWD862EAABU#spec]link[/url]    €767.87
LENOVO       EDGE NEO/L625    Turion Neo L625-1.6 GHz Radeon HD 3200    4GB DDR2 667   13.3 LED   1.7KG      320 54rpm  [url=http://elara.ie/products/detailsfullat.asp?productcode=MMES60WE18#spec]link[/url]    €670.34  
LENOVO       EDGE C2D/SU7300  C2D SU7300-1.3 GHz      IntelGMA 4500MHD  4GB DDR3 1066  13.3 LED   1.7KG      320 54rpm  [url=http://elara.ie/products/detailsfullat.asp?productcode=MMES60WE20#spec]link[/url]    €824.01
LENOVO       EDGE13C2D/SU7300 C2D SU7300-1.3 GHz      IntelGMA 4500MHD  4GB DDR3 1066  13.3 LED   1.7KG      320 54rpm  [url=http://elara.ie/products/detailsfullat.asp?productcode=MMES6009U7#spec]link[/url]    €874.83
LENOVO       EDGE NEO L625    Turion Neo L625-1.6 GHz Radeon HD 3200    4GB DDR2 667   13.3 LED   1.7KG      320 54rpm  [url=http://elara.ie/products/detailsfullat.asp?productcode=MMES60WE19#spec]link[/url]    €670.34
HP           5310m            C2D SP9300-2.26 GHz     GMA 4500MHD       2GB DDR3       13.3 LED   1.7KG      320 72rpm  [url=http://elara.ie/products/detailsfullat.asp?productcode=ECE1865879#spec]link[/url]    €837.47

The Asus is nice looking. The Core i3 is the only core I can find in a 13" format. Bit of a weight penalty with it. Is it worth it? Is there anything you avoid/advise?

Edit: For reference, I'm coming form a Dell 630m, it's a 1.86Ghz Pentium M Single Core, 32bit, 2GB Ram, 60GB 5400, 14.1"TFT, IntelGMA 900. I've the 9 cell battery. Listed weight is 2.5KG's but I reckon my battery makes it 3.

Explosive_Cornflake

I think I'll hold out for the Asus u35, due in about a month I think.

Manufactuer  Model            CPU                     GPU                 RAM            Screen     Weight     HD         URL     Price
Asus         U35jc            Core i3-370M            GeForce G310M 512MB 4GB DDR3 1066  13.3 LED   1.8KG      320 xxrpm  [url=http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfullat.asp?productcode=ECE2019921#spec]Link[/url]    €800-850

Pacifico

Just got one an Asus UL30A. Excellent laptop, very fast for a 1.3GHz processor.

The U35 looks like a good option too, if a little heavier...

Explosive_Cornflake

Is it the Su7300 in yours? There's a few other 1.3Ghz Intel ULV, the Lenovo U350 had a few options. The lowered powered ones were the ones reviewed but it was upped to the Su7300 after. Seems like a decent processor.

The Asus U35 is interesting, there's two others as far as I am aware.
The U30 is the same spec, but thicker and heavier and includes an optical drive.
The U33 is the same as the U35, i.e., thin and light, but it has USB 3 and some wireless video thing I've never heard of. Also the aluminium has been replaced with Bamboo for a bit of a price premium. They're due out some time in August/September. I'm going to wait and see what the final price is on these and make a decisions then.

Pacifico

Yup its the SU7300 CPU with 4GB DDR3.

Yet to find any major flaws with it. If I was to note a criticism it would be the touchpad

dazzday

http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/laptop-reliability-survey-asus-and-toshiba-win-hp-fails/

gives a bit-dated but accurate study of laptop reliability...asus clearly top.

the U35 seems a very promising model, although the USB 3 of the U33 will help futureproof the model if you plan to keep it +3 years or so...

If performance is ur thing over battery go for the i3 over the core2duo builds...however ya cant really go wrong with any of that range to be fair.

Over options would be

Acer timeline X 4820 (lacks optimus but better specced and better battery life)
Lenovo Y460 (not my favorite though!)