ASUS UX30 CULV Ultraportable Tested: Slick Design, Disappointing Battery

More of the more tempting models from ASUS' upcoming notebook line, the ultraportable UX30, has found its way to the desk of Netbook Live, and they've been putting the 13.3-inch pre-release unit through its paces.  Theirs is the entry-level 1.3GHz SU2700 model, using one of Intel's CULV processors paired with 2GB of RAM and GMA X4500MHD graphics.

The UX30 does reasonably well in terms of performance, playing HD movies either on its own display or via the HDMI port, though games were out of the question.  Portability is also good, thanks to the delicate dimensions and light 3.5lb weight, though the battery doesn't impress being only a 3-cell pack with managing less than 4 hours 30 minutes runtime.

The glossy display is also a frustration, and the port-covers – while keeping things neat – do make regular access a chore, especially the ethernet port which is very close to the front palm-rest.  What will likely make or break the ASUS UX30 is its price, and that's something the company is still yet to announce.