Asus UL20A and UL30A – powerful CULV netbook competitors

A new line of CULV notebooks was just revealed by the folks from Asus, with 4 different models ranging from the small UL20A with a 12.1 inch screen to the 15.6″ inch UL50A. However, we’re only interested in the smaller versions, the UL20A and the UL30A, as both have the potential to become quite good competitors for the upper level netbooks like the Samsung N510 or the Acer Aspire 1410 .

The UL20A comes with a Glossy display ( 1366 x 768 px resolution ) and will pack quite a few different hardware options. You will be able to choose from the 734 Celeron, the Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 or the Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300, along with an integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics solution, up to 4 GB of RAM and hard-drives up to 500 GB. Al these in a pretty compact body with a nice aluminum (like?) finish that measures 296mmx210mmx25.1mm~30.9mm and weighs around 3 pounds .

The bigger UL30A is very similar to the Asus UX30 we tested earlier this year as it comes with a 13.3″ display and similar specs to the ones above, but with the option of the even better SU9400 dual core CPU and an integrated 3G module. It weighs the same, around 3 pounds, but it’s a lot thinner, measuring 322mm x 232mm x 14.8-24.2mm .

Asus UL30A and Ul20A - powerful netbook competitors

Both devices will come with Windows Vista and the option of a free upgrade to Windows 7. Not sure when they will enter the markets, but should pretty soon. Let’s hope that battery life and prices would be good enough, cause if they will, these mini laptops (especially the UL30A) might just get on the top of my wish-list . Hopefully I’ll be able to get my hands on one of these pretty soon and I’ll come back with more details then.

Update: I got my hands on the 13.3 inch UL30A and you can read the full review here.

Update2 (oct 25th): I might also get the new UL20A in the next weeks, so stay tuned for more info on that (i still haven’t got it, but maybe soon).

Update3 (oct 30th): You can find more info about the Asus UL20A by clicking this link. There will be pictures, details on specs and features plus the option to buy it (goes for around $540, with an 10% price cut right now; price might drop even more in the near future).

Tags: 12.1" netbooks, 13.3" netbooks, Asus, Asus netbooks, CULV