Quarter 3 2012 Budget Ultraportable Laptop Buyers Guide (Php25,000 or below)

It is pretty amazing these days what you can get for Php25,000 or less. Three years ago, all you could expect where either netbooks or big bulk low end laptops. Here are my favorites.

1. Asus Eee PC X101CH - Php11,990 to Php13,990 

These days I would not really recommend a netbook. I am not very fond of these Atom powered devices, not even the newer Cedar Trail platforms. While they were fine a few years ago, they have fallen far behind the power curve. They feel slow by today's standards. HD playback is still iffy.

The 10.1-inch low resolution 1024 x 600 screens, do not help. They feel cramp for web browsing. With the 10.1-inch display comes with a keyboard which is a  bit smaller than standard sized. Still you do get a full function computer at less than 14K, which can run a desktop grade browser and office suite.

My favorite netbook is the Asus Eee PC X101CH. It will set you back Php11,990 to Php13,990,  and if you get it with with Windows 7 or DOS, and depending on where you get it.

While short on power, it is a very handy package to carry around at just about an inch thick and only 2.2 pounds in weight. Still, this is best as a second computer, as a back-up to a desktop or larger laptop.

Quick Specs:

• OS: DOS or Windows 7 Starter
• Display: 10.1-inch (1024 x 600 pixel resolution)
• Processor: Intel Atom N2600 (dual core 1.6 GHz)
• RAM: 1 GB (not upgradeable)
• Storage: 320GB hard drive
• Wireless: WiFi and Bluetooth 3.0
• Notable Ports: USB 2.0 and HDMI out
• Card Reader: Yes
• Webcam: Yes
• Battery: 3-cell rated at 5 hours (3-4 hours real world use)

More about the Asus Eee PC X101CH at this link.

2. Acer TravelMate B133 - Php15,999 to Php17,999

Going up a few thousand in price, at Php16,999 you have the Acer TravelMate B133. That price is without an operating system. It is a bit hard to find, but you can get one from Asianic. Order it online an you can get it for Php15,999 with Windows 7 Starter.

I could be perfectly happy with this for day to day use. You move up to a larger 11.6-inch display which gets you a HD (1366 x 768) resolution. The larger screen comes with a larger, more comfortable, keyboard. You also get a much more powerful dual core Intel Celeron processor and double the RAM.  The Acer TravelMate B133 is truly a current generation offering with a USB 3.0 port and Bluetooth 4.0. 

A just over an inch thick, and at 3.1 pounds it is light enough to carry around daily.

Quick Specs:

• OS: Linux or Windows 7 Starter
• Display: 11.6-inch (1366 x 768 pixel resolution)
• Processor: Intel Celeron B877 (dual core 1.4 GHz)
• RAM: 2 GB
• Storage: 320GB hard drive
• Wireless: WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0
• Notable Ports: USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and HDMI out
• Card Reader: Yes
• Webcam: Yes
• Battery: 6-cell (4400 mAh)

More about the Acer TravelMate B133 at this link.

3. Asus X410A - Php20,990 to Php22,990

Not everyone is happy with an 11.6-inch or smaller display. While this is technically not an Ultraportable which means 4 pounds or less. The Asus X401A weighs in a 4.1 pounds, about a pound or more less than other low cost 14-inch laptops. Close enough. This gives you a full sized 14-inch laptop at a reasonable price. This unit as has a USB 3.0 port. 

At Php20,990 you get it with DOS. At Php22,990, you get it with Windows Home Basic. This is a pretty powerful unit with an Intel B970 dual core processor inside. This is by far the most powerful of our four recommendations on this post.

Quick Specs:

• OS: Windows Home Basic
• Display: 14-inch (1366 x 768 pixel resolution)
• Processor: Intel B970 (dual core 2.0 GHz)
• RAM: 2 GB
• Storage: 500GB hard drive
• Wireless: WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0
• Notable Ports: USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and HDMI out
• Card Reader: Yes
• Webcam: Yes
• Battery: 6-cell (4400 mAh)

More about the Asus X401A here.

4. 11.6-inch Sony Vaio E (E11115EG)

For the past 17 months we have been AMD E-350 and later, AMD E-450 based systems for those looking for a low cost ultraportable. The AMD E-450 is now being replaced by the AMD E2-1800 accelerated processing unit. In truth, it is not much faster than the AMD E-450, but it does come with one nice bonus, a USB 3.0 port. 

I expect to see more of these AMD E-2 1800's in the market soon. But right now the only ultraportable AMD E-2 1800 available is the 11.6-inch Sony Viao E. It is priced at Php23,990. I suspect in a few weeks or months you will see some HP, Lenovo and Samsung versions prices 2-3K lower. But it is a Sony Vaio after all. 

Quick Specs:

• OS: Windows Home Basic (64-bit)
• Display: 11.6-inch (1366 x 768 pixel resolution)
• Processor: AMD E-2 1800 (dual core 1.7 GHz)RAM: 2 GB
• Storage: 320GB hard drive
• Wireless: WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0
• Notable Ports: USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and HDMI out
• Card Reader: Yes
• Webcam: Yes
• Battery: 6-cell (4000 mAh)

More about the 11.6-inch Sony Viao E at this link.