Asus K43U: Breaking the Php20k barrier with AMD C50

We’ve been seeing a number of full-sized (13.3″ and above) laptops that are hovering in the Php20k price range lately (a price range that has been predominantly populated by netbooks). With the introduction of AMD Fusion chipsets, we’re also seeing the big-sized ones entering the Php20k barrier.

I think it started back in June with Asus K-series notebooks powered by an AMD E-350 or C50. Last week, Samsung also introduced their 11.6-inch Series 3 notebooks powered by an AMD E-450 CPU but still in the Php24k range.

This one we saw today from Villman, an Asus K43U, has been around for a couple of months but is already under Php20k.

In fact Villman is offering a special cash price of Php17,500USD 298INR 25,281EUR 284CNY 2,172 (though they might change that again, just like what they did with the Dell Streak 5).

Asus K43U-VX018 specs:
14″ display @ 1366×768
AMD C50 1.0GHz
AMD A50M Chipset
AMD Radeon HD 6310
2GB DDR3 RAM (max 8GB)
500GB SATA HDD
Super-Multi DVD
4 -in-1 card reader
VGA webcam
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Gigabit LAN
3 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x HDMI port
SonicFocus
Altec Lansing speakers
6-cell 5200mAh 56 Whrs battery
No OS
SRP: Php19,990USD 341INR 28,878EUR 324CNY 2,481
Special Cash Price: P17,500 (Villman)

The only full-sized laptops we used to see in this price category are the really old ones (EOL).

It’s a little odd to see this configuration that’s originally geared towards netbooks and ultraportables being used for full-sized laptops. The main differentiator, aside from the obvious screen size, would be the inclusion of a built-in optical drive.

Nevertheless, it’s an option that should be a fine welcome to those in a budget or students wanting a fully-functional laptop for basic use.

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

24 Comments

Calvin says:

13 years ago

ewww c50. i tried the amd c50 on the asus 1215 and it’s not good. i wouldn’t touch c50 at all unless what i’m after is netbook performance. give me an amd e350 or e450 laptop anytime though.
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daddyjoey says:

13 years ago

ewww… trololol!!! the sony vaio y 11.6 (AMD E-350 processor) is now selling for only 20k :) i think that’s a better choice :)
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daddyjoey says:

13 years ago

pag Asus, ok ung Asus K43SJ :D
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POP says:

13 years ago

Ewww. LOL. you guys are taking it seriously, if you don’t want then don’t. give others a chance to state their opinions. The laptop seems nice though.
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tikyo says:

13 years ago

ewwww…no comment.;) hehehe
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lawrence says:

13 years ago

After a quick google, i found this review of the AMD C50:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-C-50-Notebook-Processor.40960.0.html

For those interested to know more about the performance of the AMD C50 as compared to other processors…
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Eize says:

13 years ago

I’m intrigued. I’m looking for a decent laptop on a budget.
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Iyan Sommerset says:

13 years ago

Might be a decent HTPC-equivalent, with the HDMI port. I wonder if it does full 1080p playback out consistently?
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Soul Annihilator says:

13 years ago

I saw someone from TPC selling K43U at P18,500 only, and it’s already AMD E350. He’s also selling the same laptop but with AMD C50 instead for only P16,995.
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NLS says:

13 years ago

@Lyan, I have a c-50 based Acer Aspire One and it doesn’t play 1080p well. Although 720p and youtube HD (720p below) works great… something that most (or all) Intel Atom won’t be able to do…

I’ve also tried 3D games like Torchlight and it plays well in High details
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Edwin C says:

13 years ago

Eeeew kayong lahat.
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Jason says:

13 years ago

why play 1080p videos if the screen of the notebook is not even 1080p?

Some people like to VENTURE what is out of the norms. I have an 1215B C50, it plays 1080p videos nicely but when changing to scenes you will notice a bit of lag loading the next timeline you selected. But playback is alright when it comes to 1080p videos.
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tralala says:

13 years ago

Why does some people look for something huge on a thing that is cheap?
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Jojo says:

13 years ago

The eMachine eMD443 has a newer processor, the AMD E-450 and a tad cheaper for only P16,999 in Villman.

http://www.villman.com/Product-Detail/eMac_eMD443-E402g50Mikk

I have the previous model based on the AMD E-350 and its a fantastic cheap workhorse. eMachines are made by Acer.
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gh0st says:

13 years ago

how would these APU’s perform with flash games (facebook games), looking for a cheap internet/media center pc for the living room :)
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rcsaint says:

13 years ago

im using an HP netbook with Amd e-350 processor, it quite fast, so far so good.
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MJRI says:

13 years ago

I just wanted to say

Ewww
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spartacool says:

13 years ago

eeewwww….eeeewwww
kadir-dir tlaga!
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Kenchi says:

13 years ago

eeewww.. ha.. ok.. saan naba ako.. aw eto comment ko.. carried away ako jan ah lol.. sulit na po to mga Sir medyo mabagal nga lang
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cowscrubber says:

12 years ago

I own a K43u with an AMD E350 processor. I have to say that the processor is more powerful than I expected. I even get higher Windows Experience Index scores than my old AMD 2.4ghz. I’m even able to do light gaming on it.

This, though, is just 1 ghz. I think it might be too weak for my needs.
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