Asus Ultra Slim U36SG-RX107X

We’re unclear as to why Asus felt the need to release another ultrabook after the technical perfections of the Zenbooks and the Asus K53E.

Those laptops have already topped our best deals list for top rated portable laptops, but hey, we aren’t complaining – welcome aboard, Asus U36SG.

What we like best

So if it hasn’t been made apparent yet, we’re happy to repeat ourselves: Asus are top of the range when it comes to ultrabooks. The U36SG is yet another svelte laptop that packs a stunning amount of power in a durable yet thin chassis.

It is remarkably well priced for such a sophisticated piece of machinery. We feel that it is beyond the financial means of your average student, but as a business laptop you would be hard pressed to find a machine that is this sophisticated and yet so affordable.

The portable aspect of an ultrabook also makes the U36SG a very tempting machine for any professional who needs to take their work with them. At just 19mm thick and weighing 1.6 Kg, a child could carry this laptop around without tiring in a hurry (don’t let your child carry around your laptop unless you want it back covered in food stains and bite marks).

Buyers of the Asus U36SG-RX107X Ultrabook get a very good base of components: An Intel i5 processor gives you a zippy 2.40 GHz, up to 500 Gb SATA, and Asus have stocked their new laptop with an 8-cell battery which should keep you in power for a day’s work no problem, provided it isn’t too intensive a load.

Finally, you get a decent combination of Altec Lansing speakers and an nVidia GeForce 610M graphics chipset, making this ultrabook respectable for entertainment purposes too.

What we like least

There’s a slight gap between the screen and base of the Asus U36SG. This possibly serves to add a little extra space for venting, but in personal opinion, screens on mounted hinges are a bit of an eyesore.

Speaking of eyesores – there’s not much in the way of aesthetics here, which is rare for an ultrabook. However, this lack of visual flourish may be helpful if you’re the unassuming type, making the U36SG a perfectly fine choice if you don’t want your new laptop to clash with home or office décor.