Gigabyte U2442 Series

Processor: Intel Core i5 3210M, Intel Core i5 3230M, Intel Core i5 3317U, Intel Core i7 3517U
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M, NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M
Display: 14.00 inch
Weight: 1.5kg, 1.6kg, 1.69kg, 1.7kg
Price: 900, 1000, 1200, 1300 euro

Average Score: 77.65% - good
Average of 23 scores (from 28 reviews)

price: 70%, performance: 89%, features: 77%, display: 71%, mobility: 63%, workmanship: 73%, ergonomy: 81%, emissions: 81%

Gigabyte U2442V

The Gigabyte U2442V was intended to be a gaming ultrabook. So, it should deliver a lot of performance in the lightest and thinnest body possible. Its price is extremely attractive, which make you wonder how all this was possible at such a low price. At first glance, it does not disappoint. The slim design is minimalist and classy. Its weight certainly matches up to its portable aims at 1.59 kg. Then we come to the first glimpse of cost cutting in the form of the previous generation Intel i7-3517U processor which clocks in at 1.9 GHz. However, paired with 8 GB RAM it is blazingly fast and great value for the money. In addition, the laptop features a 128GB SSD and an Nvidia GeForce GT640M 2GB graphics card. Most games can be played at higher settings with no problems at all.

But all this brings focus to two of the biggest disappointments of the Gigabyte U2442V, which are the display and the battery life. The 14 inch 1600x900 resolution matte LED display is lackluster with narrow viewing angles and the colors are washed out. For a gaming machine, this letdown may be hard to swallow. The battery life is absolutely dismal. Despite the downsides, it certainly is good value for the money when compared to the competition out there. If display quality and battery life not important aspects, the price is certainly right.

Specifications

Notebook: Gigabyte U2442V
Processor: Intel Core i5 3317U
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1600 x 900 pixels
Weight: 1.5kg
Sold in: Anglo-America
Links: Gigabyte homepage

Pricecompare

Average Score: 78.5% - good

Average of 4 scores (from 6 reviews)

Reviews

70% Gigabyte U2442V review
Source: Trusted Reviews English

Archive.org version
Great performance and value are the Gigabyte U2442V's trump cards. It has a few rough edges that mean it's not an outright recommendation, but for the right person this is good option.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/11/2013
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 90% performance: 90% features: 70% display: 60% mobility: 50% workmanship: 70% emissions: 70%

80% Gigabyte U2442
Source: Hexus English

Archive.org version
Gigabyte's desire to craft a high-specification Ultrabook is manifested in the £910 U2442. Well-built and easy on the eye on first glance, the Taiwanese firm marries the tastiest 17W Intel Core i7 chip to a genuine gaming-grade mobile GPU from NVIDIA, whose pretty pixels are served up on an above-average HD+ screen. Keeping the goodies rolling by using a fast SSD, the specification sheet is undeniably impressive.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/07/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Gigabyte U2442 Ultrabook review
Source: Techradar English

Archive.org version
A very strong showing out of the blocks from Gigabyte, the Gigabyte U2442 Ultrabook has a lot to recommend it. Gamers and power users will appreciate the Nvidia graphics and 8GB RAM, while everyday users will respond well to the lack of bloatware and clever features such as Smart Manager. It's true that both usability and style have been done better elsewhere on the Ultrabook scene. But the Gigabyte U2442 remains a powerful, portable Ultrabook that would do more than satisfy anyone who purchases it.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/04/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%

Hands on: Gigabyte U2442 Ultrabook review
Source: Techradar English

Archive.org version
The 14-inch Gigabyte U2442 Ultrabook is a more accessible Ultrabook than the smaller Gigabyte X11, and should make a bit of a splash for the Taiwanese company when it lands in the UK in September.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/30/2012

Gigabyte U2442 Ultrabook pictures and hands-on
Source: Pocket Lint English

Archive.org version
Overall it looks like Gigabyte has pretty much a one-off product here - at least until we hear what the competition has planned for later this year when Intel will officially unveil its new Ultrabook platform.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/06/2012

Foreign Reviews

84% Gigabyte U2442V
Source: Notebookinfo German

DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/13/2012
Rating: Total score: 84% performance: 85% display: 80% mobility: 80% ergonomy: 70% emissions: 90%

Gigabyte U2442N

Specifications

Notebook: Gigabyte U2442N
Processor: Intel Core i5 3210M
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M 2048 MB
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1600 x 900 pixels
Weight: 1.69kg
Price: 1200 euro
Links: Gigabyte homepage
U2442N (Model)

Pricecompare

Average Score: 76% - good

Average of 8 scores (from 10 reviews)

Reviews

81% Review Gigabyte U2442N Notebook | Notebookcheck
Ultra-mobile without Compromise? Ultrabook-slim yet high performance? The new Gigabyte U2442N promises just that and it delivers thanks to a HDD-SSD combo and the GT 640M graphics card.

80% Gigabyte Notebook
Source: Gadgetspeak English

Archive.org version
A name I know for powerful PCs, here a notebook running Windows 8, it does however not have ‘touch’. So is it a desirable thing to have a fast powerful notebook that runs an operating system that uses a front end that restricts it? This Gigabyte Notebook measures 33x27x1.5cm and weighs 1.7kilos.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/19/2013
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 60% performance: 100%

80% Gigabyte Notebook
Source: Gadgetspeak English

70% Gigabyte U2442N review
Source: Trusted Reviews English

Archive.org version
If we were going by specs and price alone, this game-worthy Ultrabook with its innovative dual storage system would get our recommendation. Unfortunately, the Gigabyte U2442N’s average design, mediocre if high-res screen, indifferent touchpad and poor battery life put a spoke in that wheel. If you’re after a powerhouse ultraportable that you can play at least some games on and are willing to live with its faults, then the U2442N is definitely worth considering. For the rest of us, we’ll just have to hope Gigabyte’s next slim gaming effort improves on this admirable but ultimately flawed effort.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/14/2013
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 80% performance: 90% features: 80% display: 70% mobility: 50% workmanship: 70%

70% Gigabyte U2442N review
Source: Trusted Reviews English

Foreign Reviews

63% Gigabyte U2442 im Ultrabook Test
Source: Ultrabook King German

DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/22/2012
Rating: Total score: 63% price: 60% performance: 80% features: 70% display: 60% mobility: 50% workmanship: 60%

63% Gigabyte U2442 im Ultrabook Test
Source: Ultrabook King German

91% Klassisch, schlank und leistungsorientiert
Source: Notebookinfo German

DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/26/2012
Rating: Total score: 91% performance: 90% display: 85% mobility: 75% ergonomy: 85% emissions: 85%

91% Klassisch, schlank und leistungsorientiert
Source: Notebookinfo German

DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/26/2012
Rating: Total score: 91% performance: 90% display: 85% mobility: 75% ergonomy: 85% emissions: 85%

Обзор Gigabyte U2442N: мощный и недорогой игровой ультрабук
Source: Hi-Tech Mail

RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: The price; aluminum case; 14-inch matte screen and high resolution; excellent SSD-drive; sufficient memory; powerful discrete graphics. Negative: Battery life.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/10/2012

Обзор Gigabyte U2442N: мощный и недорогой игровой ультрабук
Source: Hi-Tech Mail

Gigabyte U2442F

Specifications

Notebook: Gigabyte U2442F
Processor: Intel Core i7 3517U
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1600 x 900 pixels
Weight: 1.7kg
Price: 1300 euro
Sold in: Anglo-America
Links: Gigabyte homepage
U2442F (Model)

Pricecompare

Average Score: 83.83% - good

Average of 6 scores (from 7 reviews)

Reviews

80% Gigabyte i7 Notebook U2442F
Source: Gadgetspeak English

Archive.org version
The Gigabyte i7 Notebook U2442F measures 33.5x23x2cm, the last figure is thickness and the figure quoted is at the front add another.5cm at the rear. Gigibyte are best known for making motherboards for both desktop and notebook computers. They also make rather good notebooks as the motherboard is itself perhaps the single most important component in the notebook.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/04/2013
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 60% performance: 80%

85% Gigabyte U2442F Ultrabook Review
Source: Techspot English

Archive.org version
Without question the Gigabyte U2442F is cutting edge stuff when it comes to ultrabook performance. Armed with a 3rd-Gen Core i7 processor, plenty of memory, and a quality SSD, the U2442F is as capable as a high-end desktop. If you are looking for a powerful, high quality ultrabook capable of both work and play then the Gigabyte U2442F should fit the bill nicely.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/13/2013
Rating: Total score: 85%

80% Gigabyte U2442F Extreme notebook
Source: Good Gear Guide English

Archive.org version
Gigabyte's U2442F is a very good notebook overall, and except for a couple of issues with its build quality, we think it's well worth considering. Its configuration is the stand-out feature and it's an Ultrabook that will leave many similar-sized competitors in the dust, especially when it comes to gaming. Indeed, if you're looking for a gaming machine that's an Ultrabook, or if you're just looking for a powerful Ultrabook in general, you should go for it.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/06/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Gigabyte U2442F review
Source: Techradar English

Archive.org version
Overall, the Gigabyte U2442F is certainly worth considering. Its form factor makes for a far more appealing system than your average gaming laptop. The core components are spot on, and while the SSD is a little on the small side for a gaming machine, it certainly keeps proceedings running smoothly - you'll be the first into your games while your opponents are still loading. Our biggest beef is with the materials and build quality - we simply expect much more than what we've got here for the money. You shouldn't hear a rattle when you tap a £999 / US$1,099 / AU$1,499 laptop.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/11/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

83% Review: Gigabyte U2442F Ultrabook
Source: PC Authority English

Archive.org version
Not only is the U2442F a great performer for the pricetag, but it feels like it could be the start of the company becoming a serious player in an area in which it has always been second rate, and focused on gimmicks over functionality and performance.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/12/2013
Rating: Total score: 83%

95% GIGABYTE U2442F Ultrabook Laptop Review
Source: Tweaktown English

Archive.org version
It eventually all works down to price and that is something that you'll have to ask yourself. Do I really need all of these features and premium options? What am I really going to be using the system for? $1299 is a lot of money to spend on a system that can be outperformed by similarly priced systems. But if you need portability and performance in the same machine, look no further as the machine fits that bill perfectly. Because of the above and the fact that the performance of this machine absolutely kills the other Ultrabooks we've tested, I'm awarding it TweakTown's Best Performance award.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/04/2013
Rating: Total score: 95% price: 80% performance: 95% features: 95% workmanship: 95%

Foreign Reviews

14''-Ultrabook im Vergleich mit Apple MacBook Air
Source: Hartware German

DE→EN Archive.org version
Positive: good workmanship; good hardware configuration; very good performance Negative: heavy weight
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/06/2013

Gigabyte U2442D-CF1

Specifications

Notebook: Gigabyte U2442D-CF1
Processor: Intel Core i5 3230M
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1600 x 900 pixels
Weight: 1.6kg
Price: 1000 euro
Links: Gigabyte homepage
U2442D-CF1 (Model)

Pricecompare

Average Score: 60% - poor

Average of 2 scores (from 2 reviews)

Reviews

60% Gigabyte U2412 review
Source: Techradar English

Archive.org version
Performance issues aside, the Gigabyte U2412 is ultimately a flawed device. Both the screen quality and the weight of the thing seriously compromise it as a tablet proposition. That's only going to become more obvious in the coming months. We're expecting rapid progress in the tablet convertible market, partly driven by Intel's new Haswell processors. If the Gigabyte U2412 feels off the pace today, six months from now it's going to look positively antediluvian.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/30/2013
Rating: Total score: 60%

60% Gigabyte U2442D-CF1
Source: Computer Shopper English

Archive.org version
Gigabyte isn't a household name when it comes to laptops, but the U2442D may turn some heads. Under a generic ultrabook chassis lies the heart of a solid ultralight gaming system. Alas, this 14-inch portable is otherwise bland and its keyboard and touch pad leave a lot to be desired.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/25/2013
Rating: Total score: 60%

Gigabyte U2442T-CF1

The Gigabyte U2442T-CF1 does not stand out from the crowd of 13 inch ultrabooks currently on the market. It looks like any other machine with its brushed metal lid. But it is a little heavier at 1.8 kg. It is well built, keyboard and touchpad are responsive and comfortable to use for long periods. The display sports a 1366 x 768 resolution, most similar machines at similar price points feature a full HD screen. Under the hood is the third generation Intel Core i5-3230M processor, 8GB of RAM and the Nvidia GeForce GT 730. Also included is a combination of a regular HDD for storage and a SSD as a boot drive which means ultra fast boot times. With the discrete graphics from Nvidia, this ultrabook slightly sets itself apart from others in terms of gaming and handling other more graphic intensive tasks. This is also the machine to consider for those who need a machine for graphic editing. The Gigabyte U2442T-CF1 might performs great overall, but unfortunately it’s powered by a third generation Intel Core, which means it has none of the power saving goodness of the Haswell architecture. The battery will only last approximately 5 hours of moderate use. This is decent enough, but won't do for users who will be working away from power outlets for most of the day. Overall, the Gigabyte U2442T-CF1 is a nice enough machine, but there are better options out there.

Specifications

Notebook: Gigabyte U2442T-CF1
Processor: Intel Core i5 3230M
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixels
Weight: 1.7kg
Price: 900 euro
Links: Gigabyte homepage
U2442T-CF1 (Model)

Pricecompare

Average Score: 80% - good

Average of 2 scores (from 3 reviews)

Reviews

80% Gigabyte U2442T-CF1 review
Source: IT Reviews English

Archive.org version
The Gigabyte U2442T-CF1 has most of the features that a high-end power user wants, including multimedia and 3D benchmark performance, a 10-point touch screen, and comfortable keyboard and chassis. It's up to you to decide if the few tradeoffs are worth it, or relegate the system to also-ran status.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/02/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Gigabyte U2442T-CF1
Source: PC Mag English

Archive.org version
As a power users' system, the Gigabyte U2442T-CF1 is a good choice, though the tradeoffs that that had to be made show through if you focus on any given feature. The screen resolution is far lower than the Editors' Choice Acer Aspire S7-391-6411, necessitated by the inclusion of discrete Nvidia graphics by Gigabyte. The U2442T-CF1 had to fit in an ultrabook chassis with a smaller screen, so it doesn't last as long on battery life as the Vizio CT15T-B1. To save a little money here and there, the U2442T-CF1 doesn't have 5GHz Wi-Fi. To be sure there are welcome niceties as well, like the two-year warranty and lack of bloatware. The Gigabyte U2442T-CF1 is a very nice laptop, but not necessarily the best, so the Acer Aspire S7 holds on to its high-end ultrabook crown.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/30/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

Foreign Reviews

Touch-14-Zöller mit GT 730M
Source: HardwareLuxx German

DE→EN Archive.org version
Positive: sound 14'' notebook Negative: unremarkable design; low display quality
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/20/2013

Comment

Gigabyte: Gigabyte Technology is a Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer founded in 1986, best known for its motherboards and graphics cards. Gigabyte offers a wide range of products including motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, monitors, systems and components. Gigabyte's laptops offer gaming and creative features on the go. Gigabyte monitors offer 4K Pro Gaming.

Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M: Middle class graphics card of the 600M series based on the 28nm GK107 chip (Kepler architecture).

NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M: A mid-range GPU and the fastest GeForce GT as part of the 600M series

NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M:

Rebranded GeForce GT 645M/640M with minimal improvements to power consumption. Can also be based on the slower GK208 chip (only 64 bit memory interface).

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

Intel Core i5:

3317U: Ivy-Bridge-based ULV-CPU in Q2 2012. Offers a core clock of 1.7 - 2.6 GHz and an HD 4000 GPU (350 - 1050 MHz). The TDP is rated at 17 W.

3210M: Fast Ivy-Bridge-based dual-core, includes HD 4000 GPU, core clock 2.5 - 3.1 GHz

3230M: Fast Ivy-Bridge-based dual-core, includes HD 4000 GPU, core clock 2.6 - 3.2 GHz

Intel Core i7: The Intel Core i7 for laptops is based on the LG1156 Core i5/i7 CPU for desktops. The base clock speed of the CPUs is relatively low, but because of a huge Turbo mode, the cores can dynamically overclock to up to 3.2 GHz (920XM). Therefore, the CPU can be as fast as high clocked dual-core CPUs (using single threaded applications) but still offer the advantage of 4 cores. Because of the large TDP of 45 W / 55 W, the CPU is only intended for large laptops.

3517U: Fast Ivy-Bridge-based ULV-CPU in Q2 2012. Offers a core clock of 1.9 - 3.0 GHz and an HD 4000 GPU (350 - 1150 MHz). The TDP is rated at 17 W.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

14.00:

14 inch display size represents a middle ground between the small subnotebook formats and the screens of the standard 15 inch laptops.

The reason for the popularity of mid-sized displays is that this size is reasonably easy on the eyes, provides good resolutions with usable detail sizes, yet does not consume too much power and the devices can still be reasonably compact.

In the past, 14-inch devices were very rare, but now they are the standard for laptops after the 15-inchers.

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.

No weight comment found (one expected)!

77.65%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.