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Date added: 09/04/2011 ThisIsMyNext - ASUS UX21 ultrabook hands-on, plus 13.3-inch UX31 confirmation

There’s a simple reason that ASUS’s ultrabook entry has proved the most elusive at this year’s IFA tradeshow: the prototype that debuted at Computex in May has since conked out. The 11.6-inch UX21 machine I finally tracked down wasn’t a working model, and had clearly been through the ringer (no, those scratches on the lid aren’t a feature). Still, while I wasn’t able to turn it on, I was impressed with the build quality of the machine. It’s pure aluminum, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the TSA eventually decides it’s a weapon — it’s heavy and tapered enough. There’s zero flex to the screen, and the hinge is reassuringly solid. The keyboard isn’t my favorite, however: the keys have shallow travel and mushy springs. Of course I couldn’t use the trackpad, but it’s nice and large and made of glass. One thing worth noting is that while the UX21 is one of the thinnest laptops I’ve ever held, it’s also challenging the MacBook Air in terms of port stingyness. There’s no SD card slot, and the HDMI and DisplayPort are both the of the mini variety.

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