Asus UL80Vt Thin-And-Light Notebook Review
Software and Accessories
Asus is clearly trying its best to ensure that the price tag on this CULV machine remains reasonable despite a nice set of innards, and that means only a few accessories and software titles are included. Within the box, you'll find just the machine itself, a few install discs, an Express Gate user guide (that's an Instant-On operating system pre-loaded onto the UL80Vt, by the way), a battery, a UL30 user guide, an AC adapter and an AC power cable. No carry case or mouse is included.
Asus UL80Vt Accessories; Click To Enlarge
Asus UL30 Desktop; Click To Enlarge
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Asus UL80Vt Accessories; Click To Enlarge
On the software front, our test unit was loaded with Windows 7, CyberLink's Power2Go disc burning software, a suite of Asus utilities, the previously mentioned Express Gate Instant-On OS, Trend Micro Internet Security, Adobe Reader 9, a 30-day Microsoft Office trial and that's about it. Nothing too earth-shattering here, and we'd actually prefer if Trend Micro came only on a disc so it wouldn't pester those who didn't want it every time they booted up (until they uninstalled it, of course).
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Asus UL30 Desktop; Click To Enlarge
The biggest software difference between this machine and the smaller UL30 that we handled a month ago is the OS. The UL80Vt is shipping with Windows 7, and that makes a world of difference. The overall feel is far snappier on Win7 than on Vista; the same CPU is in use here as was on the UL30, and the machine just feels as if it is carrying a much lighter load. It's amazing how much more nimble Windows 7 is compared to Vista.
