ASUS U6S Ultraportable Notebook


Introduction & Specifications


If you're the type who wants to make a statement with your notebook, names like Apple, VAIO, and Alienware may come to mind. But what about ASUS? While you may know them best for their motherboards and video cards, ASUS is a seasoned veteran when it comes to manufacturing notebooks, and they definitely make more than just EeePCs.

Besides being a notebook contract manufacturer for the likes of Dell, Sony, Samsung and Apple, ASUS also has their own lineup of ASUS branded notebooks, and over the years they have produced some of the most attractive notebooks you may never have heard of. If you haven't flipped beyond the EeePC section of ASUS' notebook catalog, you may be surprised by the massive, burgeoning selection of stylish notebooks they offer.


Thanks to the EeePC's tremendous success which brought with it global mainstream and retail exposure, ASUS' other notebooks are ready to burst onto the scene. With well over a dozen different notebook lines, ASUS has something for almost everyone, and one area where ASUS is especially adept is the design of stylish fashion-conscious notebooks.

While ASUS has several very attractive notebook series, the star of the show is definitely the U-series. Each model in the series offers a seductive blend of portability, features and style. The modern U-series currently consists of three models with a fourth one on the way. While all U-series notebooks share the same sense of style and portability, they differ slightly on emphasis. Today we'll be looking at the most well-rounded of the bunch, the 12.1" ASUS U6.




ASUS U6S Ultraportable Notebook
System Specifications - As Reviewed
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2GHz,4M L2 Cache,800MHz FSB)

Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Business

Memory
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 667MHz - two 1GB modules

Screen
12.1" LED backlight WXGA (1280x800) with ColorShine,Crystal-Shine (High brightness),Asus Splendid Video Intelligent Technology

Graphics Card
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M G

Communications
Gigabit LAN Controller
Integrated 802.11a/b/g/n
Built-in Bluetooth™ V2.0+EDR
3G/3.5G Antenna support
HSPDA adapter (optional)
Integrated MDC Fax Modem

Camera
Integrated 0.3 MP camera

Audio

Built-in Azalia compliant audio chip, with 3D effect & full duplex
Built-in speaker and microphone


Hard Drive
160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

Optical Drive
Ultra Slim DVD Super Multi Double Layer

Power
6-cell 4800 mAh Li-Ion Battery
90 Watt AC Adapter

Color Option
Mocha Brown

Weight & Dimensions
Width: 11.7" (300 mm)
Depth: 8.6" (220 mm)
Height: 0.9"-1.2" (25.3 mm - 31.6 mm)
Weight: 3.46 lbs (1.57 kg) - includes 3-cell battery

External Ports
4 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin
1 x HDMI Port
1 x RJ11 Modem port
1 x RJ45 Ethernet (
10/100/1000
) port
1 x 8-in-1 card reader
1 x ExpressCard 54mm slot
1 x headphone port (S/PDIF)
1 x stereo line-in (microphone) port


Included Accessories and Extras
S-Video to Component Adapter
Phone/modem cable
LCD Cleaning Cloth
Velcro Cable Tie
Recovery DVD
NERO Express V 7.0
Norton™ Internet Security 2007
FREE ASUS Brand Suede Notebook Sleeve
FREE ASUS Brand Messenger Bag
FREE ASUS Branded Logitech V270 Bluetooth Mouse

Warranty And Support
2-year limited global hardware warranty
1-year battery pack warranty
On-line problem resolution through web interface (BIOS, Driver update)
OS (Microsoft Windows Vista) install/uninstall consultation
Bundled software install/uninstall consultation
ASUS software supporting



Price: $1,655.00 USD (as configured here)






 



The ASUS U6 is best described as a full-featured ultraportable laptop. Except for the relatively small 12.1" LED backlit screen, the U6 offers all the same features of a standard full-size notebook in a compact ultraportable body. Built on Intel's fourth-generation Centrino platform, also known as Santa Rosa, the U6 manages to cram the same level of performance as a full-sized notebook into a small 3.5lb package. When fully-equipped with a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo T7700 processor, 4GB of RAM, 160GB hybrid hard drive, 128MB GeForce 8400M G, HSPDA and integrated DVD burner, it is not hard to see why this is a very attractive little machine.

The ASUS U6 comes in two flavors, the U6E and the U6S. The U6E comes with a glossy Pearl White paint job and uses integrated Intel graphics while the U6S sports a 128MB GeForce 8400M G and comes in Mocha Brown. Besides that, the two are identical. For this review, we will be looking at the U6S.

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