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After enjoying our time with the Asus U36JC, we really hoped that the Asus U46SV would be a worthy update, packing similarly strong performance into another light and slender chassis. However, when we pulled the U46SV from its box, it wasn't quite what we expected.
We liked
We certainly weren't disappointed with the performance. The Intel Core i5 Sandy Bridge processor can multitask with the best of them, while a dedicated Nvidia graphics card copes with video editing and gaming.
Despite the powerful components, you can still enjoy movies for almost six hours before the battery dies. This is one of the best results we've seen in a long time. Movies look good on the bright 14-inch screen, even if colours are occasionally saturated.
If you'd rather bash out a novel or chat with friends online, the firm isolation-style keyboard will keep you satisfied. You can store plenty of files on the 500GB hard drive, and you get a decent range of ports, including USB 3.0.
We disliked
Performance impressed, but the build of the Asus U46SV is a letdown. While the Asus U36JC had a sleek ultra-portable body, this update has a chunkier chassis and weighs a meaty 2.3kg. It's still portable, but we expected this laptop to be just as light, if not lighter.
We were also disappointed by the build quality. The lid flexes far too easily under pressure, and the design isn't too appealing. There's also a lack of exciting features.
Verdict
While the Asus U46SV is powerful and its impressive battery life makes up in some part for the bulky build, we'd recommend holding off for the upcoming Asus Zenbook instead.
