Asus has loaded the U36JC with lots of utilities. Some are useful, but others are mysterious and undocumented. For instance, when I clicked on Asus VirtualCamera, nothing seemed to happen. I searched the Web and by looking in forums headed by questions like "Asus Virtual Camera: how does it work because when I click on it nothing happens," I found a page on Asus's site that claims that VirtualCamera allows for live videoconferencing with up to four people simultaneously. The page doesn't describe how you'd make that happen with this cryptic utility and the U36JC's electronic manual doesn't mention VirtualCamera at all.

Asus's manual at least mentions Express Gate, a utility that boots into a simple Linux environment so you can quickly check email or go to Facebook without booting up Windows. But that mention is only a reference to the Express Gate User's Manual ... which isn't included on the U36JC. But Express Gate is at least somewhat intuitive. When the laptop is shut down, you can press the Express Gate key above the upper left corner of the keyboard. In about ten seconds, I was able to open up a browser window and start surfing. The interface is utilitarian at best -- the windows, fonts and display anomalies will take you back to your days working on Windows 98. If all you need is a quick inbox check, Express Gate may be useful, though most people now will just use their smartphones.

If you don't want to spend a lot on an ultraportable, the Asus U36JC offers decent power, an attractive screen and good connectivity. But don't expect the kind of attention to detail and clear documentation you'll find on more expensive laptops. And given the terrible touchpad and button, you should only buy this laptop if you're willing to use it with a mouse.