Not as small as the Eee PC, the Asus U2E offers more power in a slightly larger form factor that still manages to compete with the other ultra portables in the market.

I wish we had our own review to offer you guys, but for now, a full review of this baby is available at PC Perspective and based on their tests, while it does manage to offer a decent set of features, there’s no hiding the fact that performance-wise, it’s a bit disappointing. However, as the author is quick to note in his conclusion, given its size, price and target market, it’s still very competitive in terms of design and functionality. It’s powered by an Intel Core Duo 1.06 Ghz processor and runs DDR2 667 Mhz RAM with 32 GB SSD storage. Unlike the Eee, this comes loaded with Windows Vista and various connectivity options uncluding Bluetooth, WiFi and a fax/modem. If also features a fingerprint scanner for security.

A warning though for those who have grown accusomted to the price of the Eee PC, the U2E is in a different class of its own. It may be a compact device, but the leather clad body and chrome accents on its exterior speaks of class and sophistication which, in my mind, already merits the additional figures in its price. It is yet to be available locally, and if any Asus reps are reading this, we’re definitely waiting for a review unit so that we can gie our two cents on this latest model.