Review: Asus Notebook Allows Custom Configs

Solution providers that peddle name-brand notebook computers often have to accept the vendor's preconfigurations instead of configuring for specific customer needs. Those looking to offer their own brand of notebook computers with no restrictions on the included components should consider selling white box notebooks like ASUS' new Z62F, which supports Intel's latest dual-core mobile processors.

The Z62F features a glossy, 14-inch WXGA display with a native resolution of 1,280 x 800. It also includes an integrated gigabit NIC, a V.92 modem, a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, high-definition audio and a Web cam built into the top edge of the screen.

The notebook does not include a CPU, memory or hard drive—and since there's no hard drive, there's also no operating system. This bare-bones configuration costs $590 and the 1.83GHz dual-core processors cost $294 each in lots of 1,000.

The Z62F supports Intel's Common Building Block (CBB) initiative, in which various components are standardized for use in different computers. The CBB program guarantees consistent physical and functional specifications for display and storage components to help simplify the building of notebook computers. The result is that CBB peripherals from different manufacturers are interchangeable. System builders can find detailed CBB component and supplier information at www.mobileformfactors.org.

The Z62F will accept Intel Core Duo Pentium M processors that are 1.5GHz and faster. It also accepts up to 2 Gbytes of DDR2-533/677MHz memory, but most new notebooks support twice as much. Hard drives must be of the—somewhat outdated—Parallel ATA (PATA) variety. Fairly lightweight, the Z62F weighs 5.5 pounds with the battery installed.

The sample Z62F was configured for testing by ASUS with a 1.83GHz T2400 dual-core processor, 1 Gbyte of memory, an 80 Gbyte PATA hard drive and a combo CDRW/DVD-ROM drive. Using PassMark's PerformanceTest software, the Z62F earned a score of 284.3—not the greatest for a dual-core system.