Asus UL50VF-A1

Intel's consumer ultra-low voltage (CULV) processors were initially used primarily in 13-inch systems like the Asus UL30A-A1 and Toshiba Satellite T135-S1305WH, but they are finding their way into larger laptops now. CULV processors require less cooling, so manufacturers are able to pare down the cooling methods that make other, more powerful laptops bulky and heavy. The Asus UL50VF-A1 ($850 street), for instance, houses a 15.6-inch widescreen, but weighs just 5.2 pounds. The CULV processor isn't that fast, but the UL50VF-A1 has something else to offer. It will be the first laptop to come with Nvidia's Optimus technology. Optimus allows this laptop to switch to a powerful Nvidia graphics chipset (from an integrated one) without any user intervention whatsoever.

AsusTek Computer Inc.

http://www.asus.com

• Price as Tested: $850.00 Street
• Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300
• Processor Speed: 1.3 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 5.2 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce G210M
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW