Both the 11.6-inch and the 13.3-inch models will be ready and available in local stores by the end of November.

The Asus Zenbook line-up will run on Core i5 processors, 4GB of DDR3 RAM and 128GB of full SSD storage. See full hardware configurations below.

Asus Zenbook UX21 specs:
11.6″ display @ 1366×768 pixels
Intel Core i5 2467M 1.6GHz
Intel HD Graphics 3000
4GB DDR3 RAM
128GB SSD SandForce SF-2281
1 x USB 2.0 port
1 x USB 3.0 port
1 x micro-HDMI port
1 x mini-VGA port
Bluetooth 4.0
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
up to 5 hours battery life
Windows 7
Suggested retail price: Php53,995

Asus Zenbook UX31 specs:
13.3″ display @ 1600×900 pixels
Intel Core i5 2557M 1.7GHz
Intel HD Graphics 3000
4GB DDR3 RAM
128GB SSD SandForce SF-2281
1 x USB 2.0 port
1 x USB 3.0 port
1 x micro-HDMI port
1 x mini-VGA port
SD/MMC card reader
Bluetooth 4.0
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bang & Olufsen speakers
up to 7 hours battery life
Windows 7
Suggested retail price: Php59,995

The Zenbook is so thin — tapers towards the sides to give you just 0.11mm thickness and goes up to 0.71″ at the middle of the device.

The Asus Zenbook is a new breed of laptops dubbed as ultrabook. These ultrabooks promise very thin and light for factors, powerful processors and long battery life.

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Asus K43SV specs:
14″ display @ 1366×768
Intel Core i5-2410M 2.3GHz with Turbo Boost Up to 2.9GHz
2GB DDR3 1333MHz
500GB SATA HDD
nVidia GT540M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
8x Super Multi-Dual Drive
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1
VGA webcam
Altec Lansing Speaker
4 in 1 card reader (MMC, MS, MS-Pro, SD)
3 x USB 2.0, LAN RJ-45, HDMI ports
6-cell Li-Ion battery

This Core i5 laptop does not come with Windows OS so you’ll need to spend for that too. Ubuntu is an alternative though.

If you are on a budget, this Core i3 laptop from Acer can be a second choice:

Acer Aspire AS4750G specs:
14″ display @ 1366×768
Intel Core i3-2310M 2.1GHz
Intel HM65 Express Chipset
2GB DDR3 RAM
250GB HDD
NVidia GeForce GT 540M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 3.0
VGA webcam
USB 3.0 port

The price for this one is Php25,995 without any OS as well. If you have extra cash, the Asus K43 looks like a sweeter deal.

Update: Asus Philippines informed me that the SRP pf the K43SV is actually Php32,995 and the one at Php29,995 is the K43SJ model.

Asus K43SJ specs:
Colors: Chill Blue, Passion Red, Seduction Pink, Party Gold, Urban Green

Asus K43SJ
14″ display @ 1366×768
Intel Core i3-2310M
2GB DDR3 1333MHz
500GB SATA HDD
nVidia GT520M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
8x Super Multi-Dual Drive
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1
VGA webcam
Altec Lansing Speaker
4 in 1 card reader (MMC, MS, MS-Pro, SD)
3 x USB 2.0, LAN RJ-45, HDMI ports
6-cell Li-Ion battery
Php29,995

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2. Acer Aspire One D150 Review
3. Acer Aspire 4740 Review

The U36J is pretty thin and light for a 13.3-inch laptop. At just 3.7lbs., it feels as light as my 12.1-inch Asus UL20FT. The thin profile only allows for the biggest port (the VGA port) enough room to fit from top to bottom of the body.

The lid comes in a matte finish and crawls right inside up to the palm rest area. It’s still prone to some slight smudges but not that much to be a bother.

The battery pack at the back protrudes downwards in a cylindrical shape which also serves as a stand to offer some ventilation. It’s rated at 5600mAh (83wH) and offers between 4 to 6 hours of battery life on a single full charge depending on the power mode.

The 13.3-inch display has a glossy finish but is crisp and bright. The standard resolution is in place — at only 1366×768 pixels — though I’d wish they’d offer something higher. The screen is prone to glare but that’s expected of glossy finish.

Keyboard lay-out is wide and comfortable with chiclet-type keys. Some of the keys are are smaller though, like the left Shift key and the Enter key (reverse L-shape but smaller) which can affect typing accuracy sometimes.

The trackpad is spacious, smooth and easy to use with the left and right click buttons separated by a biometric scanner (fingerprint scanner) in the middle.

Aside from the sleek form factor, the specs of the laptop seems pretty decent. The inclusion of the standard voltage Intel Core i5 460M running at 2.53GHz is a bit surprising since I’m used to seeing ULV processors (in the 1.2GHz to 1.73GHz range) in the thin and light category.Here’s the full list of specs, as indicated by Speccy:

Asus U36Jc
13.3-inch display @ 1366×768 pixels
Intel Core i5 460M @ 2.53GHz (2 cores, 4 threads, Turbo Boost 2.8GHz)
3GB DDR3 RAM
Nvidia GeForce 310M + Intel HD Graphics
500GB HDD
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
HDMI port
2 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x USB 3.0 port
3-1in-1 Card Reader
Fingerprint scanner
Webcam
Windows 7 Ultimate
8-cell Li-Ion battery 5600mAh

Laptop performance is above with the CPU getting a sub-score of 6.9 on Windows Experience Index while the GPU got a 5.8 sub-score on gaming.

Battery life is actually impressive — I’m getting around 4 hours on High Performance Mode and just over 6 hours on Power-Saving Mode, thanks to the 5600mAh (83wH) Li-Ion battery. Asus claims this unit can reach up to 10 hours of battery life at very optimized settings though I doubt that’s achievable in real world scenarios.

Asus sacrificed the ODD and dropped it from the unit in order to achieve the slim form factor. It’s a trade-off but something expected for its category. Would have been nice if they bundled an external ODD though.

The Asus U36J is a very capable laptop with very decent specs. It’s a good workhorse that’s also very portable and light to carry around (weighs 1.6kg and 19mm thin). We’re still not sure how much this rig would cost when it hits the market and have not really yet seen it yet in stores (my guess is north of Php35k).

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1. Asus K42J Review

The laptop feels a bit heavy and thick on the side — not something you’d prefer lugging around with. The unit has a black glossy finish (with a slight dark printed accent) from the lid right up to the palm rest (expect this to be messy with finger-prints).

The usual ports are found on both sides — 3 USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, VGA and LAN. The SD/MMC card reader is slightly hidden smack in the bottom front, right below the trackpad.

The full-sized keyboard comes with chiclet-type keys, spaced generously for comfortable touch-typing. Keyboard orientation seems normal with no odd placement of keys or additional special keys although would have been nice to have a bigger Enter key in here.

The trackpad is a little flushed to the left and inherits the same design and polished surface as the palm rest but is a bit recessed. The trackpad area is a bit small considering the size of the laptop and the clickers are not separated between the left and right buttons.

The 14-inch display is bright and clear, with a basic resolution of 133×768 pixels (which is usually the standard resolution of most laptops nowadays).

For a summary of the laptop’s specifications, here’s a screenshot from Speccy:

The processor is a dual-core 2.26GHz Core i5 with 4 threads and can go up to 2.53GHz on Turbo Boost.

On a related note, this is the second time I’ve encountered that “EG Park” in the specs but if my additional digging is correct, it looks like an ATI Radeon HD5450 with 1GB DDR3 RAM.

The Radeon HD5450 is an entry-level graphics card for laptops that supports DirectX 11. It should be able to perform just barely enough (low to medium detail settings) at its maximum resolution of 1366×768.

Windows Experience Index gives the Core i5 430M a sub-score of 6.7 and a base score of 4.9 due to the graphics performance.

PassMark Ratings:
CPU Mark: 2630.4
2D Graphics Mark: 281.9
3D Graphics Mark: 338.0
Memory Mark: 559.2
Disk Mark: 826.8
Passmark Rating: 1019.7

The laptop comes with only a 4400mAh Li-Ion battery, which is not really that much so it’s not a surprise that the unit can only do around 2 hours of battery life on a full single charge.

The unit also comes with a pre-installed facial recognition software that works using the built-in webcam so you can login to Windows by merely posing at the camera when prompted.

We’re not sure with the exact price of this specific model (there are like over a dozen different configurations) but if my guess is right, it’s between Php39k to Php42k.

Local price: Php39,000 to Php42,000

Specs:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 430M @ 2.26GHz (Turbo Boost to 2.53GHz)
• OS: Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit)
• Display: 14″ WXGA (1366 x 768, Glare Type)
• Graphics: ATI Radeon HD5450 1GB DDR3
• HDD: 500 GB HDD
• RAM: 3GB DDR3
• Optical Drive: Super-Multi DVD+RW
• Ports: USB 2.0 x 3, VGA, SD/MS Card Reader
• Wireless Connection: WiFi (802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.0
• Battery: 4400mah 6-cell Li-Ion
• Weight: 5.01 lbs.

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1. Asus U36 Review

Asus has made the notebook available in the Philippines on a per-order basis only.

Asus NX90 specs
18.4″ display @ Full HD 1080p (1920×1080 pixels)
Intel Core i7 740QM (6M cache, 1.73 GHz, 4 cores, 8 threads)
Turbo Boost to 2.93 GHz
nVidia GeForce GT 335M 1GB DDR3
6GB DDR3 RAM
2 x 500GB HDD (1TB)
Bluray/DVD+RW combo
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
6-cell battery

The unit weighs in at 4.4kg which is reasonable because of its size. The Asus NX90 is available on a per-order basis only (thru Asus Concept Stores found in the malls) with a suggested retail price of Php129,995.

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1. Asus releases new N82J multimedia laptop
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The Intel Atom N450-powered 1001PQ comes with full PC functionalities, and features a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display, WiFi, and a built-in 0.3 megapixel camera.

The Eee PC1001PQ is available in select dealer stores for Php19,995 in Vibrant Gold.

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With features like 500GB of ASUS WebStorage, ASUS GamePark, ASUS@Vibe, LocaleMe and Boingo, these ultra-thin and lightweight netbooks have everything to support a cloud computing lifestyle.

Other features include USB 3.0 ports for faster data transfers and USB-charging capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0, as well as a camera covers for additional privacy.

Eee PC 1018P—the Premium Netbook

At less than 1-inch thick, the Eee PC 1018 Series features a lightweight (1.1kg) aluminum chassis that gives a premium and sophisticated touch to suit the stylish and jet set.

Its tactile, patterned finish is available in Brushed Black and Etch White, and houses a chiclet keyboard and a large Multi-touch trackpad.

Eee PC 1015PE—the Seashell Revisited

The Eee PC 1015 Series features the power-saving ASUS-exclusive Super Hybrid Engine technology which gives it a 13.5-hour battery life*, making it ideal for travelers.

The 1015 Series’ streamlined shape is complemented by ergonomic features like a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display, chiclet keyboard, and touchpad with Palm-Proof technology. Available in an array of colors, it comes with matte, textured, or glossy finishes.

Eee PC 1016P—the Business Netbook

With its brushed aluminum chassis finished in Casual Black or Modern Silver, the Eee PC 1016 Series’ understated elegance makes it ideal for the business world.

The 1016 Series caters to the business professional’s needs, with a single hotkey that immediately sets it up to presentation mode. With the Syncables Desktop, the 1016 Series easily syncs up emails and calendars with other PCs and mobile devices to keep the user’s information up-to-date.

As of right now, there’s no word yet with the pricing and availability of these new netbooks except for the Eee PC 1016P which will arrive late August.

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SonicMaster gains from the expertise of both the audio professionals at the ASUS Golden Ear Team and the respected experience garnered by Bang & Olufsen ICEpower®. This notebook consists of larger speaker chambers and stronger amplifiers to render unmatched fidelity, in addition to extensive software equalization for wide range reproduction and full-liveness vocals, where previous notebooks settled for tinny output.

Aside from superior audio, the SonicMaster is no slouch when it comes to video. The 100% zero-dot-guaranteed LED screens that ship with the N Series make the most of ASUS Video Magic image enhancement. This unique tool upscales DVD playback up to full HD. It also supervises GPU computing for greater output during intense multitasking, and works together with ASUS Splendid HD to balance color, brightness and contrast for constant viewing pleasure.

The N61Jv is available in the Philippines for Php55,900.

Specs:

• Intel Core i5-430M (2.26GHz)
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• 16.0″ LED-backlit TFT LCD display (1366 x 768, 16:9)
• 4GB DDR
• NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 325M with 1GB DDR3
• 500GB SATA HDD
• 2-megapixel webcam
• Altec Lansing® Speakers with Sonic Master Technology
• 6-cell 4400maH Li-Ion battery
• Comes with Sleek Messenger Sling Carry Bag With Mobile Mouse
• SRP: Php55,900

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The G51 3D, which brings compelling 3D to the masses with its full resolution and fluid 120Hz 3D images, superb 2D-to-3D conversion capabilities and surprising affordability, was selected for its innovative overall design, rich functionality, power saving features and uniqueness.

Contributing to the decision was also the G51 3D’s accurate surround sound imaging and enthusiast-level hardware specifications:

• Intel Quad Core Q9000 Processor 2.0GHz
• 15.6-inch Full HD 1920 x 1080 LCD Display
• 4GB of DDR2 800Mhz RAM
• NVidia GTX 260M Dedicated Graphics with 1GB DDR3 VRAM
• 640GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
• DVD SuperMulti Drive
• Windows Vista Home Premium (64 Bit)
• Weight: 7.26 pounds

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From the outside, both the Eee PC 1201T and the Eee PC 1201N looked similar (the stickers/decals are the only ones differentiating them).

We compare the specs of the 1201N versus the 1201T:

We did the same with the results of their respective Windows Experience Index.

Of course, there’s the difference in battery performance because of the TDP of the CPU+GPU combo. The Atom N330 with GeForce 9400M has a total TDP of 20 watts (8w + 12w) while the Athlon Neo MV-40 alone is already at 15 watts. But then again, the numbers on WEI isn’t really that far off.

The Asus Eee PC 1201N sells for Php27,000 (Windows 7) while the Eee PC 1201T sells for only Php22,000 (no OS).

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