We’ve already looked at a number of systems with Intel’s CULV platform, but interestingly, all of them have been of the dual-core variety.
We frequently champion the CULV platform as offering massive battery life and decent performance at a very reasonable price, and usually present the lower end, single-core CULV machines as an alternative to netbooks. So it’s only fair to the netbook class that we test an ultraportable based around the single-core CULV platform.
The notebook we have here is the one I personally feel is the best reason not to buy a netbook—the Acer Aspire 1410. The AS1410 is similar to the Acer Timeline 1810T we looked at as part of our CULV roundup. Compared to the AS1410, the 1810T has a dual-core processor, Bluetooth, more RAM and a larger battery, but does cost significantly more. The two notebooks share the same 3.10lb chassis, 11.6” screen, and chiclet keyboard, so the AS1410 is essentially just a stripped down 1810T.
Our test unit has a Core 2 Solo SU3500 processor, which has a clock speed of 1.4GHz, 3MB of L2 cache, an 800MHz FSB, and a 5.5W TDP. Paired to that is the usual GMA 4500MHD graphics chip, 2GB of DDR2-667 memory, 250GB 5400RPM hard drive, 11.6” WXGA LED-backlit screen, a 6-cell, 4400 mAh battery (48Wh), and Windows 7 Home Premium for a retail price of $449. It must be noted that this is an older SKU that has since been discontinued in favor of a lower priced model with the Celeron M 743 ULV processor, though this model is still available from Staples at $399 and from other online retailers for around MSRP.
At $399, this is an insane buy. Literally just $50-60 more than the higher end SKUs of mainstream netbooks (I’m talking Eee 1001P, Aspire One 532h, and MSI Wind U135 here mainly), it offers a lot more performance and value for the money. We'll show just how much you get for the moderate price increase in just a moment, but let's recap the design for those who may have missed it the first time around.
