Asus Eee 1215N Review
PrintNext-gen Ion. Dual-core Atom. Nvidia's Optimus. This baby's got it all.
We’ve been waiting a long time for this. We first heard about Nvidia’s next-generation Ion chip way back in the first months of 2010. They were supposed to ship with Nvidia’s Optimus graphics-switching technology back in April. Okay, June. July at the latest. It didn’t quite happen—those few next-gen Ion netbooks that did launch earlier this year did so without Optimus. At long last, however, Asus’ next-gen Ion netbook—with Optimus and a dual-core netbook Atom chip—has hit American shores, just one day before September.
The Eee 1215N is sleek on the outside and powerful on the inside.
The Eee 1215N, one of Asus’ innumerable Eee PC Seashell netbooks, is the first netbook we’ve seen with Intel’s new mobile dual-core Atom chips—it ships with the 1.8GHz Atom D525, 2GB of DDR3/800 RAM, and most importantly, Nvidia’s next-generation Ion graphics chipset and Optimus technology, which enables Ion when required and switches to Intel’s integrated UMA graphics when Ion isn’t necessary.
If you’ve seen any Asus netbook in the past few years, the 1215N offers few surprises, most of them welcome. At 11.6 inches across, 8 inches deep, and 1.4 inches thick, weighing 3lbs 4oz, it’s has the same height and depths as previous Ion netbooks, but it’s thinner. Like the last Ion Eee PC we’ve reviewed (June 2010’s 1201N), the 1215N uses a full-sized chiclet-style keyboard, as well as a multitouch trackpad that sits flush with the wrist rest and has a single (right- and left-clickable) trackpad button. Unlike the 1201N, however, this year’s model swaps a glossy black fingerprint-magnet wrist rest for a slightly less grease-showing matte, and the grid-of-dimples trackpad for one delineated by metal insets. Unfortunately, the screen bezel and keyboard area (other than the keys themselves) remain glossy and smudge-friendly.
The webcam now has a sliding “privacy cover” for those paranoid about people hacking their cams to take nude shots of them playing Torchlight, which is of negligible value but doesn’t hurt.
Speaking of Torchlight, the hit action RPG from Runic: the 1215N plays it. In the game’s netbook mode, at 1366x768, we averaged 36fps—definitely playable, though framerates can drop to the high teens for a few frames if there are lots of enemies on the screen.
It also plays Portal. And Starcraft 2. Not exactly graphically intense buts, but still actual modern games. While next-generation Ion isn’t that much faster than the first-gen chip, it no longer swipes RAM from the rest of your machine—this platform’s 512MB of DDR3 graphics memory is separate from the main memory. Optimus does a great job of switching on when needed for gameplay or video acceleration. Video acceleration, you say? Yep. The 1215N’s screen is capable of 720p HD playback, and the machine itself can power an external monitor at 1920x1080 via HDMI. We were able to play 1080p Flash videos from YouTube at 1920x1080, thanks to Flash 10.1’s hardware-acceleration support. Local 1080p video will also play, depending the encoding and your player’s codec support—Blu-Ray movies played flawlessly to the external monitor from an Asus USB 2.0 Blu-Ray external drive, while 1080p QuickTime .mov files had some stuttering but 720p Quicktime files played fine.
The 1215N set records in nearly every benchmark we have: 17 percent faster than the next-fastest Photoshop score, 25 percent faster than the next-fastest MainConcept encode; 8 percent faster than the last-gen Ion netbooks in Quake 4. The only outliers are battery life—though at five-plus hours, it’s not bad—and Quake III. Averaging 104 frames per second is still triple what we get from non-Ion netbooks, but previous Ion netbooks have scored between 130 and 150fps on that test.
Once you take away all the things that hamper traditional netbooks—a slow CPU, limited RAM, Intel graphics—and add a 1366x768 screen, Windows 7 Home Premium, and an HDMI port, is the end result even still a netbook? We say yes: the 1215N is sleek and doesn’t feel cheap, but at $500, it’s not breaking the bank—or, at just over 3 pounds, your back. We defy you to get similar performance from a $500 ultraportable.
Asus Eee 1215N
Gunpowder
1080p playback; HDMI out; great build quality; decent gaming performance.
Creepers
No Bluetooth; USB 3.0 coming later. Battery could be better.
9
Specifications
| Asus Eee 1215N | |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1.8GHz Atom D525 dual-core |
| Chipset | Intel NM10 |
| Graphics | Intel UMA; Nvidia Ion next-generation w/ Optimus |
| Display | 12.1-inch LED-backlit 1366x768 |
| RAM | 2GB DDR3/800 |
| Storage | 250GB 5,400rpm drive |
| Ports | Three USB 2.0, audio in/out, SD reader, VGA, HDMI out, Gigabit |
| Wireless | 802.11b/g/n |
| Lap/Carry | 3lbs 5.4oz, 3lbs 14oz |
Benchmarks
| Zero Point | Asus Eee 1215N | |
|---|---|---|
| Photoshop CS3 | 708 secs | 470.0 (+50.6%) |
| MainConcept | 251 mins | 120 (+109.2%) |
| 3DMark05 | 710 | 3,898 (+449.0%) |
| Quake 3 | 60.9 fps | 104.4 (+71.4%) |
| Quake 4 | 3.6 fps | 36.5 (+913.9%) |
| Battery Life (mins) | 255 mins | 307.0 (+20.4%) |
Our zero point netbook is a Lenovo IdeaPad S12 with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270, 1GB of DDR2/667 RAM, a 160GB hard drive, Intel GMA950 integrated graphics chipset, and Windows XP Home SP3.
More like this
1215n_owner
November 15, 2010 at 4:17pm
I have only had the ASUS 1215n for a month and the screen cracked with little stress applied (it sat in my padded compartment of the backpack a lot). All of my other laptops have been much more durable than this one. ASUS customer support refuses to replace the product. They think its 'physical damage.' If physical damage means using the actual laptop, I think this is a lousy product with even lousier customer service. Save your money.
Calibretto
October 17, 2010 at 8:00pm
Are you guys serious? Just because it doesn't have USB 3.0 and Bluetooth, you automatically think it's not worth it? I've used USB 3.0 and while it's fast and all, I don't need it for my netbook. I can deal with USB 2.0 just fine. Plus, I have USB 3.0 on my desktop anyway. As far as Bluetooth, get a freakin' USB dongle if it's such a problem. I don't really use Bluetooth anyway, so it's not a problem for me.
As far as complaining about the 2.8GB RAM limit, just upgrade to 64-bit! It's really not that hard...
All-in-all, you're complaining about miniscule issues. It's just a freakin' netbook, not a desktop replacement.
By the way, I just ordered one of these and I'm going to like it...a lot.
Callie Fox
September 25, 2010 at 9:55am
Is it reasonable to suppose Photoshop will be OK on the Asus 1215n?
Robert E. Brown
September 14, 2010 at 9:33pm
If the ASUS 1215N doesn't have USB 3.0 ports I've totally lost interest...I won't even consider buying another netbook or laptop that doesn't have USB 3.0. Similar ambiguity about Bluetooth...no Bluetooth, no purchase from me. I note that the ASUS website does not offer to sell the 1215N...which means there's no way to choose the options...if options even exist. What a disappointment!
vig1lant3
September 04, 2010 at 8:39pm
I've been looking forward to the 1215N for a long time, but a maximum kick ass award?! I thought you guys were supposed to be a discriminating bunch of electronics connoisseurs. Let me point a couple of things out. I understand that the 1215N is mostly superior to other offerings in the netbook class at the moment, but that's like saying I'd rather eat Spam than liver.
First of all, what good is a 64 bit compatible CPU that's only capable of 32 bit addressing?
Why does Intel get to act like the spoiled kid who takes his ball home when he's upset and get away with it?!! No DMI access for ION2?!!!
To that end, lets note that ION2 sits on a PCIe 1x lane...why because Intel wants the notebook and netbook markets to be segmented and clearly defined by performance? WTF!!!
The system has a 2.8GB RAM max available to the OS (even the 1201N gave 3.25GB and that was with memory dedicated to the original ION). So with 4GB installed, over 1GB is just missing (only 64-256MB is allocated to the 3150 and ION2 has its own).
The D525 has a single channel only capable memory controller, so no dual channel memory!!
No bluetooth? No USB 3.0 even when it was advertised to be available in the U.S. market? It may be available in a later release, so all the early adopters get screwed. Could we get a decent keyboard that doesn't make it feel like typing on a trampoline?
This is a disappointing release by Asus, mostly because of limitations imposed by Intel, and the desire to maximize profit margins by cutting functionality. C'mon MaximumPC start using that editorial voice for good. We want a decent 12" laptop that isn't engineered from the ground up to limit potential, and bluetooth too; what is this 2005?!!
RevolutionaryRob
October 01, 2010 at 8:07pm
Spot on man, spot-freakin-on. Everything you wrote in the comments is what I'd expect to find out from MaximumPC. Let me be clear that while I'm letting my subscription run out, I don't go to MPC as a resource anymore because of just this type of thing.
Now the points you bring up may or may not make a huge difference for what is available to a buyer for comparable equipment. I mean I appreciate the baseline Atom 1.6 Lenovo, but how about comparing it to the Lenovo 1.6 with ION? That's available for the same $ with bluetooth and a 320gb hard drive. (And it's available for $180 less refurb from Lenovo.) With the limitations you bring up and the memory I don't get to use, I have a feeling I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between this and the same machine with an atom 1.6 single core.
Asus has a Core 2 Duo ULV 1.3ghz widely available refurbished that even the refurbished reviews are saying it's showing up DOA. I usually like Asus products, but when I see them screwing things up and stiffing entire markets on something as ridiculous as bluetooth, I guess I'm going elsewhere.
And FWIW I'm not blanketly recommending Lenovo's offerings - they randomly omit features from models but it's usually to create different products for different price points. What braniac decided a laptop in 2010 shouldn't have bluetooth. Really?
vig1lant3
September 04, 2010 at 8:38pm
I've been looking forward to the 1215N for a long time, but a maximum kick ass award?! I thought you guys were supposed to be a discriminating bunch of electronics connoisseurs. Let me point a couple of things out. I understand that the 1215N is mostly superior to other offerings in the netbook class at the moment, but that's like saying I'd rather eat Spam than liver.
First of all, what good is a 64 bit compatible CPU that's only capable of 32 bit addressing?
Why does Intel get to act like the spoiled kid who takes his ball home when he's upset and get away with it?!! No DMI access for ION2?!!!
To that end, lets note that ION2 sits on a PCIe 1x lane...why because Intel wants the notebook and netbook markets to be segmented and clearly defined by performance? WTF!!!
The system has a 2.8GB RAM max available to the OS (even the 1201N gave 3.25GB and that was with memory dedicated to the original ION). So with 4GB installed, over 1GB is just missing (only 64-256MB is allocated to the 3150 and ION2 has its own).
The D525 has a single channel only capable memory controller, so no dual channel memory!!
No bluetooth? No USB 3.0 even when it was advertised to be available in the U.S. market? It may be available in a later release, so all the early adopters get screwed. Could we get a decent keyboard that doesn't make it feel like typing on a trampoline?
This is a disappointing release by Asus, mostly because of limitations imposed by Intel, and the desire to maximize profit margins by cutting functionality. C'mon MaximumPC start using that editorial voice for good. We want a decent 12" laptop that isn't engineered from the ground up to limit potential, and bluetooth too; what is this 2005?!!
burntresistor
September 01, 2010 at 6:30pm
Yeah, heard about this on the podcast probably going to get it.
Silencer
September 03, 2010 at 6:11pm
...over an iPad.
Just checked...
CPU: 2 x 1.8 GHz vs 1 GHz (about 4:1)
RAM: 2048 MB vs 256 MB (8:1)
HDD: 250 GB vs 16, 32 or 64 GB (about 16:1, 8:1 or 4:1)
VID: 1080p vs 720p (about 2:1)Both $500.
dmonkyking
September 01, 2010 at 6:28am
hmm..that's pretty tempting for the price. Been waiting for a viable netbook that isn't so hampered.
Also, why can't MaxPC impliment a comment system like other sites have and allow us to mark comments as spam and have them automatically hidden or deleted after a certain amount of people have flagged it? I mean, clearly the Captcha isn't working and is acting more like DRM, only hindering those who are here legitimately.
Jelson
September 01, 2010 at 2:04pm
Hmm, I wish the battery life were longer. But outside of that, it's pretty good.
On a second note, I agree with you completely. FLAG THE SPAM!!!
Roykirk
August 31, 2010 at 9:39pm
What OS does it come with? Win7 Starter? Can we blow it off and put Home Premium or higher on it? If so, any effect on usability?
thatmarlerguy
August 31, 2010 at 5:34pm
This random website lists this netbook with USB 3.0 -- but for $550.
http://www.excaliberpc.com/597586/asus-eee-pc-1215n-250gb.html
stratosrally
September 01, 2010 at 8:33am
$499 now, no mention as to USB 3.0, however - just 3 USB 2.0 ports available.
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
We introduce Intel's latest class of tablet killers and review 4 of the first Ultra...
Where have all the memorable videogame enemies gone?
This month's issue
Feature
11 Hardware Hacks
Feature
Overclock Your CPU
How-To
Supercharge Your Smartphone
Build It
A Powerful $830 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Multi-Monitor Usage On The Rise http://t.co/eWfJfCEG3 hours 41 min ago
- maximumpc: Windows 8 Consumer Preview Coming On February 29 http://t.co/3Nd04FdR9 hours 29 min ago
- maximumpc: Can RIM *ever* catch a break? Not today! App World numbers not as great as previously reported http://t.co/3ERRhr311 day 5 hours ago
