The UL50Vf is equipped with the NVIDIA's Optimus, a technology that can switch between the the IGP and the discrete GeForce G210M video card. This new AI technology effectively switches cards automatically, the user doesn't have to take any action. The discrete card is used whenever the performance is needed.
This laptop has a Core 2 Duo SU7300 @1.3 GHz and Intel GS45 Chipset, the connectivity is provided by a LAN connector, 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless and Bluetooth 2.1.
The UL50Vf is similar to the UL50Vt except of course for the new Optimus technology, with the UL50Vt the user has to decide manually by pressing a button to activate the G210M. This new feature is used to save battery life. Next to the UL50Vf there are the N61Jv and N71Jv, for sale for app. US $900.-, with Intel Core i3 or i5 processors and a GeForce GT 325M video card using Optimus.
ASUS UL50Vf Bundle: user and Express Gate manual, Windows 7 Recovery and Driver Discs, and Power2Go 6.0 software disc, warranty card, power cord and a cable tie.
Apperance and connectors:
The UL50Vf has a brushed aluminum outer shell while the inside is made of glossy plastic which gives it a slick look, the 15.6" LCD screen has a resolution og 1366x768 pixels. There is a webcam at the top of the screen of 0.3 MegaPixel. The keyboard is 34.8cm wide and has a numeric keypad.
Left connectors: power, card reader for various card formats, HDMI , 2x USB 2.0, microphone and headphone connectors.
Right connectors: 1x USB 2.0, LAN, VGA and security lock. The optical drive is also loacted here.
On the back you'll find 8-cell 5600mAh battery.
Bottom: Two speakers from Altec Lansing. Access to HDD and Memory Dimms.
The 2x2GB PC8500 1066 MHz DDR3 memory are in dual channel mode, and the HDD is a Seagate Momentus 320GB @5400RPM.
Conclusion: The NVIDIA Optimus offers the best of both worlds by, discrete graphics is available whenever needed, allthough there's no simple switch or 'right click' to choose between the IGP and the dadicated graphics card. The battery life was a bit disappointing. the reviewers gave it an innovation award.
Battery Life: Idle the battery lasted for 9 hours and 47 minutes, @ full load it lasted 5 hours and 22 minutes.
Compared to: ASUS UL80VT, 1201N, 1005HA, 1000HE, 1005PE, N10Jc-A1, MSI WindU100, X430.
The price will be round and about US $800.-.
Youtube Videos:
A promotional video from ASUS showing tha features of the ASUS UL Series.
NVIDIA's Optimus technology explained. The capability to power on and off the discrete GPU.
