Benchmark Setup

Since this is an ultraportable, we dispensed with testing performance in any games. Besides, most of the games we now test with won't even run on the Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics. We did run 3DMark03, 05, and 06 for those that want some basic indication of graphics performance. That's not to say that you can't play games on this laptop; crank down the detail levels to low and run at a low resolution, and a fair number of games may approach playable frame rates. Our primary focus will be on the mobility aspects, but we'll include some other general performance tests just for good measure.

ASUS U2E-A2B Test System
Processor Core 2 Duo U7500 (1.067GHz 2MB 533FSB)
Memory 1x512MB (Nanya NT512T64UH8B0FN-3C)
1x2048MB (Transcend JM667QSU-2G)
DDR2-667 5-5-5-15 @ DDR2-533 4-4-4-12
Graphics Intel GMA X3100
Intel Vista 32-bit 15.8 Drivers
Display 11.1" WXGA (1366x768) with LED Backlighting
Unknown manufacturer: "MS_004C"
Hard Drive 32GB 1.8" SSD (Samsung MCCOE32GQMPQ)
Optical Drive Matshita DVD-RAM UJ-852S SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW
Battery 9-Cell 86WHr, 3-cell 29WHr
Operating System Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit

Note that the test system we received for review comes equipped with 2.5GB of memory. Final shipping versions will apparently include 3GB of RAM, though we don't expect that would actually improve performance in any of our benchmarks. Also, the test laptop came with Vista Ultimate 32-bit installed, while the shipping laptops include Vista Business 32-bit. Again, that should not affect performance in any of our tests; you merely lose a few features relative to Ultimate... features that 99.9% of users never need.

LCD Quality – Color Accuracy General Application Performance
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  • sam13007 - Friday, November 6, 2009 - link

    hi friends
    please what's the model of the motherboard of this asus U2E please friends answer me.
    thanks
  • Anonymous Freak - Sunday, April 20, 2008 - link

    [quote]We still think that it would have been nice if ASUS could have managed to provide easier access to the bottom memory socket.[/quote]

    Why? If they are going to ship it with a 2 GB module in there, why does it matter? The chipset only supports a max of 4 GB of RAM, so 2x2GB modules would get you there. Heck, if they were going to supply it with 3 GB of RAM, why not go the MacBook Air-route, and solder the 2 GB onboard to save space, leaving just the one SO-DIMM socket.
  • JarredWalton - Sunday, April 20, 2008 - link

    I wrote that before finding out that ASUS was switching the lower socket to a 2GB SO-DIMM - or at least, that's what they say. But then, you never know if your RAM is going to go bad, and making it easy to replace never hurts. A small panel on the bottom could have made this tons easier.
  • howardmoore - Monday, September 15, 2008 - link

    Hi,

    Is there a way to find out whether the bottom SO-DIMM socket does have 2GB of RAM installed without having to take the thing apart?

    I say that because I have a U2E and bought 2GB Ram upgrade (2 x 1GB) on the advice of Orca Logic in the UK. Before I upgraded it said that I had 2GB of Ram, though the chip that was already in the top tray was a 1GB. I presumed therefore that the bottom tray had 1GB also. When I installed one of my new 1GB chips into the spare top tray the upgraded RAM read 3GB, but I would have thought that:

    a) If the bottom already had 2GB the top would have read 3GB already.
    b) If I installed 1GB more into the top, it would read that I now had 4GB.

    So, what to do!? Do I go through the laborious (and potentially dangerous for the laptop!) task of disassembly to see whether I can upgrade the bottom socket, or just live with 3GB? Also, is there a problem with the two sockets being on different amounts - I read somewhere that they had to have the same memory amounts to work effectively. Finally, why cannot I not see 4GB showing?

    Thanks in advance for any responses.
  • JarredWalton - Monday, September 15, 2008 - link

    You can use CPU-Z (from www.cpuid.com) to see what memory is installed.
  • Nimbo - Thursday, April 17, 2008 - link

    3 years ago I could buy a 10.6' laptop with centrino platform (1.1GHz) 512MB and 80GB HDD for $1000 and DVD CDRW combo for $1000. How come a similar laptop with updated to today's hardware it's dobled in price. Back then the ultra small laptops were not regarded as special and Averatec did not charched a premium because of the form factor.
    Asus should follow the same path and de-primiumaze this niche market so I can aforded again.
  • JarredWalton - Thursday, April 17, 2008 - link

    The ASUS Eee PC 900 series takes care of the lower spec market, I suppose. It seems that the ultraportable market has either become lucrative due to business interest, or perhaps there just aren't enough customers so they need to recoup the R&D expenses. The specs of a modern ultraportable are quite a bit better than the three year old stuff, though.
  • kmmatney - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - link

    It would be nice if the optical drive could be swapped out with other hardware, like an extra battery or another hard drive...
  • IvanAndreevich - Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - link

    Last time I used the optical drive on my laptop was to install the O/S. Really, I would prefer my T60 didn't have one. As for this, it would be a much better thing to have the full 2.5" HDD, and perhaps a slightly bigger battery, or faster processor instead of the aforementioned optical drive.

    I also have an IBM X31 without an optical drive, and it doesn't bother me a bit.
  • strikeback03 - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - link

    I use the optical drive on my T43 quite a bit for watching DVDs, burning the occasional disc, and loading programs. Plus the bay can hold another battery or hard drive. Too bad ASUS couldn't fit that functionality into the U2E, would let most people be happy with what they put in the bay.

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