Asus U33Jc: Much Ado About Bamboo
by Vivek Gowri on July 29, 2010 9:01 AM ESTASUS U33Jc - Conclusion
I will confess upfront - I really like this notebook. To me, the ASUS U33Jc has everything - style, performance, portability, battery life, and value. It’s a sub-$1000 system with a full powered processor, a dedicated graphics card that intelligently switches off to conserve power, and up to 10 hours of battery life if I need it, all in a 3.97lb package that looks like it came from the center console of a Mercedes S-class. Where do I sign up?
Ah yes, but here’s the rub - other than the bamboo trim and the addition of Intel’s WiDi (which is useless without the $99 adapter, sold separately), the U33Jc is fundamentally identical to the slightly thinner and lighter, aluminum-cased U35Jc, which carries a pricetag some $150 lower. That’s a significant savings for what is 95% the same computer under the hood - the only differences other than the bamboo and WiDi are the addition of Bluetooth, the lone USB 3.0 port, and a higher resolution 2.0MP webcam. Bluetooth is about a $20 upgrade, USB3.0 somewhat more, but ultimately you're paying for the bamboo.
Unless you’re absolutely in love with the bamboo aesthetic or with the WiDi concept of a wireless HTPC, you don't have much reason to spring for the U33Jc. Also complicating the decision is the trusty old U30Jc, now updated with WiDi and the same Intel Core i3-370M. Would you be willing to trade 0.8lbs and the wood trim for an integrated DVD drive, aluminum casing, and a savings of $80? Yes, the U33Jc is a very capable and competent portable notebook, but it’s more expensive than it’s closest cousins in ASUS' stable and doesn’t offer significantly more features or functionality beyond the unique aesthetic to demand such a price increase.
What I said about the look is relevant to the rest of the notebook too - it starts and ends with the bamboo. The rest of the notebook isn’t particularly unique, you can get the same stuff for cheaper by going to the next item number and picking the U30 or U35. If you like the look of the bamboo, the subtlety of the graining, the uniqueness of having a wood-finish laptop, the overall elegance, the U33Jc is a nice laptop. If you could care less, the message is obvious - skip the U33Jc and wait for the U35Jc. Based on our experiences with the U30 and U33, it’s bound to be a brilliant little computer.
As I said before, I’m personally a fan of ASUS' Bamboo Collection. The bamboo gives the notebook this graceful and luxurious feel to it that most other computers simply don’t have. Is that worth around $100? That depends on how much you like the look; some will spring for it, but on the whole we'd stick with aluminum. While the distinctive look is definitely nice and feels awesome, paying ~10% more for a wood veneer on a plastic laptop is a tough sell. If you fall truly, deeply, madly, head-over-heels in love with the U33Jc’s bamboo cover, go for it. Otherwise, wait for the U35Jc.
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chrnochime - Friday, July 30, 2010 - link
If you want to do graphic design/photo editing any desktop paired with a good display does a better job than pretty much any laptop on the market anyway.darckhart - Thursday, July 29, 2010 - link
is it the usual nec providing the usb3 support?geok1ng - Thursday, July 29, 2010 - link
"the only differences other than the bamboo and WiDi are the addition of Bluetooth, the lone USB 3.0 port, and a higher resolution 2.0MP webcam"For $150 these differences are a fair trade IMO. The USB 3.0, no matter how "slow"is a welcome feature for futureproofness. and Stile ans status are priceless.
chris1317 - Friday, July 30, 2010 - link
I am really disapointed about the display too. I love the look, need USB3, need a small(ish) laptop.I am also a photographer. Colour accuracy is important to me. 16x10 would also be nice but I dont think that's going to happen :)
Maybe next year ASUS
AstroGuardian - Friday, July 30, 2010 - link
Yea... or maybe never... It seems like Asus s a follower and not a developer of good technology. At least they have been acting like that...erple2 - Saturday, July 31, 2010 - link
Sadly, more or less everyone is a follower. The low resolution 720p crummy displays seem to be the norm in the computer industry, or at least for the laptops that Anandtech reviews. Maybe that's a problem endemic to ACER and ASUS's though.I don't know. Maybe some people just don't get it. The display is one of the most important things about any laptop. oh well...
goinginstyle - Friday, July 30, 2010 - link
Why would you suggest a unit that has not been reviewed yet as a better option? Looking at the specs on Amazon there is probably at least a $75 component difference and the other $75 is for the Bamboo. That $75 seems like an acceptable amount to have a unit that is certainly unique and looks damn good at least to me. Who knows, the U35 might be a bust. I would probably still go with the U30Jc since I need an optical drive or wait for the 14" version of the Bamboo that has both the optical drive and a core i5.lemonadesoda - Sunday, August 1, 2010 - link
I would like to see a thorough review comparing laptop screens (only). IMO, most laptop users don't worry about an extra 5% performance on the CPU... (except perhaps a few people who use their laptop as a gaming rig). However, 95% of laptop users would jump at longer battery performance AND A BETTER SCREEN; whether higher contrast, matte, higher resolution, faster response time, wider gamut, more accurate colour calibration.I would like to see an industry laptop screen roundup here on anandtech. Perhaps that will have a small impact on the industry. And the review pages will become a reference point for many other websites/forums.
Alexo - Sunday, August 1, 2010 - link
Vivek: why would reviewing the U35Jc be a priority when the results are expected to be within a margin of error from the U30Jc and the U33Jc? Wow about reviewing the UL30Jt instead (or in addition)? Or even better, the PL30Jt that is available with a matte display?Joepublic2 - Tuesday, August 3, 2010 - link
Tensile strength of "steel". Mild steel I'll give them that; most tool steels and structural aluminum alloys like the 2000 or 7000 series no fucking way. I'm more worried about the compressive and fatigue strength of a material when it's being used a structural component for a laptop that I've plunked down roughly a grand for.Seriously, a "green" laptop is one of the dumber ideas I've ever heard of. More than a ton of petroleum is used in this laptop's production and assembly regardless of what its outer shell is made of.
Computers will never be "green"; they require tons of energy and ghastly chemicals to produce their ICs and tons of oil in the form of energy and structural precursors to fabricate their PCBs and other electrical components.