Asus Vivobook X202e takes ultrabook to the masses

When ultrabooks were first introduced more than a year ago, it was positioned to the high-end market. We’re now starting to see semblance of that same great ultrabook signature on entry-level laptops. The Asus X202e is a good example of that.

The X202e is a cross between an ultraportable and a netbook but the design is inspired by the ultrabook like of Asus Zenbook.

That solid metal body and sleek design will certainly convince you that this is par of their Zenbook line-up. Only difference is, you can get one of these for as low as under Php21,000.

The base configuration comes with an Intel ULV 847 processor but there’s also a model that uses an Intel Ivy Bridge Core i3 processor.

Asus Vivobook X202E specs:
11.6″ LED display @ 1366×768 pixels
Intel ULV 847 1.1GHz dual-core
Intel HD Graphics
4GB DDR3 RAM
500GB HDD
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
2 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x USB 3.0 ports
30.3cm x 20.0cm x 21.7mm
2.9lbs
Li-Polymer battery
Windows 8
Php20,995 (suggested retail price)

Asus Vivobook X202E:
11.6″ LED display @ 1366×768 pixels
Intel Core i3 3217U Ivy Bridge 1.8GHz
Intel HD 4000 Graphics
4GB DDR3 RAM
500GB HDD
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
2 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x USB 3.0 ports
30.3cm x 20.0cm x 21.7mm
2.9lbs
Li-Polymer battery
Windows 8
Php26,995 (suggested retail price)

There’s also another mid-range model that uses an Pentium 987 1.5GHz dual-core with 4GB of RAM for Php23,995.

The over-all performance of the Intel ULV 847 and Intel Pentium 987 are generally better than any of the current Atom processors and the biggest advantage of both chips is that they support DDR3 RAM of up to 16GB (compared to the 2GB – 4GB limitations on the Atom).

You also get a nice 11.6-inch touchscreen display that works perfectly well with the pre-installed Windows 8 operating system.

Asus generously added a 500GB HDD into the unit but we were hoping there could have been an option for a 320GB + 32GB Hybrid drive so we can get that super-fast boot-up time (one option we’re contemplating on is buying a 120GB SSD for Php5k and replacing it with that).

The X202e comes with a couple USB ports, a full-sized HDMI port and even an SD card reader (something my expensive 11-inch Zenbook Prime does not have; but that’s what you get for a slightly thicker form factor).

The built-in battery promises between 3 to 5 hours depending on usage behavior, which isn’t bad since that’s what I am also getting on my Zenbook.

The Vivobook X202e is looking to be a best-seller in the entry-level market. Pretty solid design, thin and light form factor, touchscreen display running Windows 8 and a price point that could probably convince any would-be netbook buyers to upgrade to. You should start seeing these models in local stores by next week.

Update: Asus PH has decided to put 4GB of RAM instead of 2GB for the Intel ULV 847 variant. Price remains at Php20,995.