ASUS unveils its skinny U Series notebooks

by Stevie Smith - May 5 2009, 16:30

There once was a time when bigger was considered better. However, that’s never really applied to the technology industry, where smaller is certainly the preferred route of progress. And now, thanks to portable computers, thinner is also a significant watchword of desire. Bearing that in mind, clap eyes on the latest positively anorexic offering from ASUSTeK (ASUS).

Introduced today as the new U Series, the latest selection of more conventionally sized and styled notebook platforms from the Taiwan-based hardware manufacturer clearly aims to help ASUS dig its elbows into Apple’s wafer thin MacBook Air thanks to sleek form factors and more overt performance muscle.

Expected in display flavours of 12.1-inches, 14-inches and 15.6-inches, the U Series will be powered by a selection of Intel processors, culminating in the latest Core 2 options designed to convincingly propel the new line away from the Atom-equipped Netbook offerings ASUS has become synonymous with.

Similarly, the U Series will push up to 4GBs of DDR2 memory (800MHz), while graphics capabilities will provide users with a choice between simple integrated solutions such as the Intel GMA 4500MHD, or more advanced 512MB options such as the NVIDIA GeForce G105M or ATI Radeon HD 4570.

Other contributing features and functions crammed into the U Series include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in Altec Lansing speakers with SRS Premium Sound, spacious (but as-yet unconfirmed) hard drives, a Windows Vista or Linux-based operating system, and an onboard DVD writer.

Full regional prices and availability have not been revealed at time of publication.

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