Editor’s Note: The K42F that Intel provided for review is not identical to what will be available for consumers. The most significant difference is the processor. The system we tested featured a 2.53-GHz Core i5-540M CPU, while the retail model features the 2.4-GHz 520M. Intel claims that the performance delta is within 3 and 5 percent. Other noteworthy differences include the hard drive (500GB for our config vs. 320GB for retail model), operating system (Windows 7 Ultimate vs. Home Premium), and the 802.11n wireless card model (Intel vs. Atheros). None of these differences should significantly impact performance. We reserve the right to change this notebook’s rating once we test the retail version.
It blows away most other notebooks in every category when it comes to performance, and yet it weighs only five pounds. That’s the power of Intel’s Core i5 processor, the new chip inside the ASUS K42F (starting at $999). This CPU literally provides a turbo boost for mainstream laptops, along with technology that makes this dual-core machine ideal for serious multitasking. And with Intel’s new Graphics Media Accelerator HD inside, this 14-inch machine can easily handle Blu-ray playback and many mainstream games. The K42F picks up fingerprint smudges too easily, and we’re not fans of the narrow touchpad button, but overall it offers incredible power for the price without sacrificing battery life.
Design
The first thing you’ll notice about the 13.6 X 9.8 X 1.4-inch K42F is its attractive lid; it features a black finish with a subtle wavy pinstripe pattern. Upon lifting the lid, you’ll find that the finish extends to the base of the system (except for the strip directly north of the keyboard) for a unified look. As with other glossy notebooks, the K42F collects fingerprints and smudges, which detracts from this system’s initial appeal. Some may also be turned off by the plastic casing in an age where metal finishes are becoming all the rage. At 5.0 pounds, this notebook is quite totable, but it’s a bit heavier than some similarly sized notebooks. The Lenovo IdeaPad Y450, for example, weighs just 4.6 pounds, and the Dell Studio 14z weighs just 4.4 pounds, but that laptop lacks an optical drive.
Keyboard and Touchpad
E-mailing friends and crafting Word documents was a breeze thanks to the K42F’s spacious base and roomy palm rest area. The keyboard, however, could use some work; not only did we notice some flex, but the keys themselves had a somewhat hollow feel. On the plus side, a number of keys have special blue characters that allow you to launch programs when used in conjunction with the Fn key. Pressing Fn + space bar, for example, lets you cycle through power settings; Fn + F1 puts the system to sleep. It’s a nice way to quickly accomplish simple tasks.
The K42F has a large touchpad, but its glossy surface resulted in some friction, causing a halting motion in our finger as we dragged it across. However, navigating the desktop was better on this machine than the HP Pavilion dm3. More annoying is the single silver mouse button; it’s too narrow for our tastes, and feels a bit cheap.
