Design
For fashionistas that refuse to carry around a laptop out of fear that it will tarnish their immaculately maintained image, the ASUS S6 is sure to be a breath of fresh air. Its chassis is covered in genuine cowhide leather, which is so authentic that it even comes with "markings such as scars, wrinkles and grain variation", according to ASUS. As can be seen from the attached images, it's definitely unique, if not elegant.
Accompanying the laptop is a matching brown carry case and mouse, both of which add a touch of class to the overall package and, contrary to our initial expectations, are closer to elegant than tacky. The mouse isn't wireless, but its design is such that the cord can be wrapped around the base of the unit when it's not in use, avoiding wire tangles.
This is one notebook you'll want to show off to your friends, and you'll certainly have no trouble doing so thanks to its ultra-portable form factor. It boasts a weight of just 1.37kg with the three-cell battery (1.53kg with the six-cell) and dimensions of 270mm by 191mm by 22.5-37mm, so you won't need hulking biceps to carry it under one arm.
Overall build quality is pleasing, thanks to the laptop's metal base, sturdy screen hinges and smooth keyboard that's for the most part comfortable to type on. As with any ultra-portable, those with larger hands may feel uncomfortable, as the keys and key-spacing are noticeably smaller than on full-size desktop keyboards.
Features
The S6's internal components seem to be fairly standard fare for an ultra-portable, and include an Intel Core Duo L2300 (1.5GHz) processor, up to 1536MB of memory and a lowly Intel integrated graphics chip. More importantly, though, the S6 is replete with networking options, including 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0. There's also a switch to disable the wireless feature should you wish to conserve battery power.
Three USB 2.0 ports are offered, as is a single Firewire port, headphone/microphone jacks and a memory card reader (supporting the MMC, SD and MS formats). Should you wish to add to the laptop's functionality down the track, an ExpressCard slot is also offered.
At 11.1 inches, the laptop's display may be frustratingly small if you often work with long documents or spreadsheets. That said, this issue is placated somewhat by the high 1366x768 resolution, which allows for more desktop space than other similarly-sized screens.
Performance
Given that it uses a low-voltage, 1.5GHz processor, we weren't expecting big things from the S6 in the performance stakes. Thankfully, the laptop more than proved us wrong, wiping the floor with the competing ultra-portable models that we compared it to. Given its size, it's certainly one of the most powerful laptops we've come across, but of course gaming isn't an option since the unit only packs Intel integrated graphics.
BAPCo MobileMark2005 performance rating
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
The unit comes bundled with two battery packs -- a six-cell and a three-cell -- but battery life falls far below our expectations. Using the default six-cell battery we recorded a run-down time of just 207 minutes, with the three-cell battery adding an additional 120 minutes, should you wish to carry it around with you. To put this result into perspective, the combined life of the two batteries offered by the S6 can be matched by the single six-cell batteries of many of the laptop's competitors (as shown in the below graph).
BAPCo MobileMark2005 battery life rating
(Longer bars indicate more battery-life minutes)
Despite its poor battery life, the S6's superb performance and compelling design make it worthy of your consideration -- just as long as you can shoulder the cost.
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
blueeyy
30/10/2007, 10:39 PM
rating
6/10
can anyone play games on it? like counterstrike, gunbound?? .. and can anyone play bin. files on it?
Report offensive comment
lory
28/10/2007, 01:30 PM
rating
4/10
If you need a new laptop battery, I suggest you could puechase one from http://www.batteryfast.com , which would shipping to yu fast and the quality is satisfy satisfied.:)
http://www.batteryfast.com/asus/
Report offensive comment
migleycow
08/03/2007, 09:02 PM
rating
10/10
Very good performance for such a small laptop. The laptop was designed to be SMALL (for travellers?), so it shouldn't be a surprise that its screen is only 11.1 inch, and the keyboard is packed.
You can adjust your performance mode (max performance, high-performance, battery saving, cd-player, gaming, office work) based on your needs. The battery life can double~triple depending on what mode you use.
This is the near-perfect laptop for travellers.
Pros: small - light
compact
good performance
stylish design
comfortable keyboard
Cons: leather can get dirty easily
few keys (arrows and the left ctrl) are too small
draws too much attention
high pricetag
Report offensive comment
Herbert
15/02/2007, 07:34 PM
rating
10/10
Used the S6F now for 6mths hasn't missed a beat. Fast enough for all my applications, the screen is a delight excellent definition. Looks and feels QUALITY!
Pros: Compactness and sheer portability, in the office I connect to a monitor and wireless keyboard so easy to live with.
But when on a plane or airport lounge its so so portable and comfortable.
Cons: None really except when using as an office machine I found the monitor and k-board more practical. Would reccommend getting the 9v battery to give you 6-7 hrs constant use.
Report offensive comment
Davo
19/10/2006, 09:15 PM
rating
8/10
Nice one ...
Who want's to work for more than 1.5 Hr on a flight anyway?
Packaging was a really pleasant surprise, easy get in and setup, the way it should be.
Pros: Great form factor - work's for me.
Cons: Having trouble geting the Bluetooth up and running.
Don't like ASUS Live update running surreptitiously in the background ...
Same ole with placement of some oft used keys (Fn vs CTL) - tis is probably me more than the machine
Report offensive comment
Spast
27/08/2006, 12:06 AM
rating
10/10
niceeeeeee
Pros: all accept the cons
Cons: only 11 inch widescreen
Report offensive comment
king kong
24/08/2006, 08:21 PM
rating
5/10
very nice
it is the first of it kind. and the rest well flaw
Pros: leather and weight
Cons: leather colours and no Ati and nVidia chip
Report offensive comment
Owen
23/08/2006, 07:01 PM
rating
10/10
The No.1 NB in the world! It's the best!
Pros: The leather touch is so great! I love its superior design and quality apart from its 2 years international warranty and pick-up-return service! This must be very outstanding quality so ASUS is the only brand provide such touching service
Cons: Can ASUS provide more panel size ranges for us to choose? 11" is not enough size for me though I enjoy its ultra light weight.
Report offensive comment
21/08/2006, 01:56 PM
rating
8/10
S6F more than a notebook
Pros: the leather feels fantastic, I cant keep my wife away from it, she feels like its part of her leather collection
Cons: alittle small for my fingers, but as mentioned my wife loves it.
Other downside is that it does not come with a bag only a carry pouch for the laptop. How am i to carry my extras when travelling
Report offensive comment
Calais
16/08/2006, 04:34 PM
rating
10/10
Great Got mine from NotebooksRus
Report offensive comment