ASUS Zenbook UX303 (Nvidia GT 840M)

I have the UX303LA and it does not flex near as much as the video. I have to watch very closely to see any flex.

Jim

 

Today I visited the shop to test the flex. Even with a large amount of force there was next to no flex. However, on one position in the middle there was a little flex. Looking closer at this position revealed that the metal was very slightly bending. You have to look quite closely to notice it. Happens directly on F and G keys. So this might be a problem in some units. I have some pictures of it.

I don't know what you guys think but I think after the F and G key the keyboard goes higher then the left side of the keyboard (before F and G keys are met)

 

Today I noticed a sort of high pitched, buzz/screeching sound coming from the right side of my UX303LA's keyboard around where the headphone jack is. Tried plugging in headphones, muting, etc, it doesn't fix anything and sounds like an electrical problem. The noise is noticeable in a quiet room and is super annoying because it isn't constant and will buzz and pause the entire time the computer is on. I couldn't tell where it was coming from until I put my head to the keyboard. Is this normal, does anyone else have this problem?

Also, the usb ports are extremely tight and I feel like I have to use too much force to get a usb in and out. Is this normal?
Edit: The sound seems to become a bit deeper and constant when the unit gets warm and fan is running at a decent speed (or I just cant hear it anymore).

 

Initially my Asus UX303LN also showing the ASUS logo for quite some times before loading into Window. After 2 weeks time, my laptop went blank screen and cannot enter window.
As per checking by Asus service center, my laptop CMOS battery got problem so they change a new CMOS battery for me. Now my laptop boot into Window in less than 2 seconds.
But i just wondering, my laptop only use for 2 weeks how come the CMOS battery will have problem. Seriously doubt the ASUS quality control.

 

do you think its possible to take the laptop apart and put something under the keyboard so it doesn't flex?

 

I don't notice any difference with the F & G keys, but I do notice very slight flex with the U & I keys. Maybe something different between LN an LA models?

Jim

 

The flex is so slight on my LA it wouldn't be worth any effort to "fix" it. I have to look very close and then the flex is just barely visible.

Jim

 

Maybe you are onto something. LA is similar to LN but without NVIDIA part, which creates some void right in the middle, under the center of keyboard. NVIDIA chip with heat pipe, etc adds sturdiness to the middle of the laptop.

 

So I got the replacement laptop today and the new one boots in around 7 seconds it was definitely a hardware issue


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I agree with ZugZug about the flex with U & I keys. I think the flex on the unit I saw between the F & G keys was due to the metal bending (and causing F & G keys to be elevated) which creates space for flex to occur. I have put a box around picture (2) where I noticed this. Therefore I think without this issue, LN models should have no flex anywhere. What do you think?

 

Yeah, it definitely looks like a slight bulge of the F & G keys in the photo. Is that where the Nvidia unit is located?

Jim

 

No I think the bump at the F & G keys is a defect. Are there any bumps like this on your keyboard? The place where U & I keys are is around where the Nvidia GPU is located so that would explain the flex you are getting on your keyboard.

 

Anyone? please? Can you hear a weird electrical noise when putting your head near the headphone jack/enter button or should I try to exchange the unit?

 

Did you guys downloaded the bios updates here: http://www.asus.com/tr/supportonly/U303LN/HelpDesk_Download/ and installed them? I'm not having any problems related with the issues adressed in the explanations and the rule is, if it is not broken, dont fix it, but still wondering if you guys did them?

 

It works like a charm, and the tests I ran confirm it (very good results !).
But, there is one problem, it's not easy to have your Windows key recognized after the upgrade and I struggled a lot and nearly lost everything.
Make several backups of your system, and also in the end try to use the ASUS software to make a backup DVD of your system (you will lose many files but at least it should work) and use it to install the SSD.
I did differently to recover everything but in the end I had to use Microsoft Toolkit to be able to validate the key...

No noise at all for me.
One of the user on this thread had an electric problem on this side of the laptop and coulf feel the electricity.
So I would advise you to change it before it gets worse.

 

No, my keyboard is flat. I don't see any bulges or dips. Just the very slight flex at the U & I key location. The flex is so slight that I can't see it unless I look very closely and press much harder than normal.

Jim

 

Thanks for your feedback! I've just order the M550 1TB and now I'm optimistic it'll work flawless...

Regarding the Windows Key: I am not sure where your problems resulted from... Normally I grab the key from the preinstalled Windows or from the UEFI/BIOS MSDM-table (with the right collection of tools at least the last source ist always accessible after a clean windows install), check the sku of the key, switch the hdd/ssd, make a clean install of windows 8/8.1 (use media with the sku of the key) and finally use the microsoft-tool "slmgr.vbs" to install the product key. -> never had one single problem with that procedure.
But you transferred the whole disk to the new ssd. Perhaps Windows got a hickup with its activation because of the changed SSD/Hardware. I believe a reset of the Windows activation and reapply of the Windows Key (from UEFI/BIOS MSDM-table) would have solved that...but I'm not sure - never did it that way. If you still have a problem with the windows activation I would try to help you: simply write a PN to me! :hi2:

 

It should be ok but thanks a lot !
If I had done a clean install I wouldn't have had any problem for sure, I had found the key with a key finder. The slmgr.vbs technic couldn't work, none could, only Microsoft Toolkit.
The UEFI is a ty system, I don't like that the key is that linked to the hardware.

 

Has there been any updates on the color fix via a bios update, etc for the QHD+ screen? I have applied the fix that was mentioned previously in this thread and it seems to have improved but it is just not quite there in my opinion. I have checked and not seen any updates from Asus. Figured they would have posted something by now. Thanks!

 

About to exchange my LA and I checked and notice the bulge on the left side. I just thought it was like that because the computer is so thin? But I don't see anything major on the f and g keys

 

I can't see it on yours. Can you put a box around it?

 

Is there anyone that sells a 1080P of UX303LN I7 with graphics? Like is it a model that exists?

 

Search for Asus UX303LN 4147 (Australian variant) or Asus UX303LN 4259 (Indonesian variant). The model exists, just not in your country maybe.

 

When I went to test the flex of the UX303LN last time in the shop, something just didn't look right about the keyboard and I couldn't quite figure out what it was at the time. I went back and this time found out what it was. The middle section of the keyboard was bowing. Would this be due to the back cover being in the incorrect shape? Maybe its not bending enough so as to allow enough space inside causing itself to push too much into the center resulting in the keyboard being pushed up? I think this may be the reason because I remember when I opened up my UX302, the bowing would go away with the back cover taken off and would return only a little bit with no screws in place.

Do any of you have this in your units? Thing is it would also be putting stress on the motherboard.

 

I think mine is bending also extremely slightly, but more on the left part of the keyboard, around the D/F key.
It's very very light though.

 

Hey guys,

I’ve been looking around for a 13” laptop to replace my Vaio z12, and from the specs sheet the ux303 seems to be the only reasonably priced notebook to come close to what I’m looking for. Despite eying this computer for a few months now, I just haven’t been able to click the buy button for some reason. Is there a reason why this laptop has such a big form factor for a 13” notebook? (12.70 x 8.80 vs 12.4 x 8.3 for my 5 year old vaio z)… It’s almost like they put a 13” screen on a 14” chassis. The color issues of the QHD+ screen seems a little disconcerting too. I’m sure they will address it at some point with a bios update and color accuracy isn’t too important to me, but you hate to make compromises when spending over $1200 on a computer.

On the other hand, love the fact it has a discrete graphics chip and both a mini display port and hdmi port, both of which are necessities for me. I haven’t found any other reasonably priced 13” computers with these two characteristics.
Are there any rumors of new models on the horizon (from any manufacturer) that may compare to the ux303? I know many manufactures are expected to announce laptops with the new Intel Broadwell family of processors at CES next week… I just can’t seem to definitively decide whether to buy this computer or wait. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

Greetings,

I am about to receive my UX303LN-C4100H, which, unfortunately, has the slow 5400rpm HDD. I'm considering the purchase of a half-size mSATA for it, as there is supposed to be a mayor difference between the slow HDD and the SSD.
So first question: to what extent is the SSD faster, is it worth the extra hassle?
Second question: I'd like to use it as my primary drive, I'd like to move the OEM Windows 8.1 to it. But I have heard that using the recovery USB key, which can be made using a Windows feature, will not quite be helpful in this situation, as it does not allow reinstalling to the SSD. I'd like to keep the HDD as a storage, so I'd like to delete every trace of Windows, including the recovery partition from it, and use only the SSD for this purpose. If the recovery feature will, in fact, prove to be useless, is there another option available? Does ASUS provide OEM images somewhere that could help, or something similar? The computer is splendid in every way, the only thing that bothers me is the slow HDD. If I put W8 on the SSD, will the HDD turn off when idle, like external HDDs do? I don't want to buy W8 again, I'd really like to use the OEM version that is bundled with it.

Thanks for the advice in advance, cheers.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the 1TB HDD that comes with the config, also has a 16 NAND (SSHD), so as I saw on websites, it's pretty fast but I can't seem to find any comparison with SSDs.

 

me too. very slightly

 

Ok so clearly the one I saw at the shop was not normal.

 

Received my notebook with the new panel. Yes it is indeed new. Yes they claimed to replace the panel, flex cable and updated the firmware.

Conclusion: it looks exactly the same as the fix posted by eclipse, but they're convinced its been improved (it hasn't been).

Looks like I just wasted 3 weeks of my own time. Oh well.

Thanks Xawen for your ICM profile. Giving it a try, but thinking about buying a colormunki too.
Finally most thanks to eclipse for making this available to the community.

 

so it is useless to ask Asus for 'repair'

 

damn... im upset. hope there still will be some other patch in the future.
at least i have managed to get the "non-bios" fix.

 

Guys, I gotta say that after the EEPROM fix I'm happy. Windows scaling to QHD sucks at times, but that'll come along and isn't an issue specific to this panel. The yellow issue is definitely fixed enough that I don't notice it unless I'm doing editing of photos in poor light (goofy white balance). The combination of the fix that Eclipse_lite posted and running a calibration with a hardware colorimeter really did make a big difference. At mid level screen brightness, I'd call it 85% better, at full brighness I'd call it 90+% better. That's pretty well in line with the reports from the Yoga users with the fix that Lenovo released for the same screen panel. My biggest complaint about the fix is that no one knows it's out there unless they read this thread constantly. I'm insanely grateful that Eclipse_lite put in so much time to get it from support.

For reference, I use this laptop for 8+ hours a day as my primary work machine. If I had to buy another computer right now, I'd get the same machine.

As far as wishing for a BIOS level fix, I'm not sure what extra that would get us. The current fix is applied at the hardware level. It actually reflashes a physical controller chip...which is why we all said make sure you're plugged in with sleep/hibernate disabled.

I just wanted to add some love to the thread for the LN with the QHD screen. To me it's a fantastic machine with one significant issue that's pretty well patched.

 

I owned z11 and UX303 does not feel too large to me. Very comfortable 13" laptop. The next iteration of UX from ASUS (UX305) does not appear to have discrete graphics card.

I loved z11 screen, perfect colors. I've also owned 15" VAIO SVS since. it exhibited "orange" color where it's supposed to be pure red. I've found it not to be a real issue so long as I used external monitor for color work. Which is not often since I operate numbers more than doing it by eye. As usual, YMMV.

 

I suggest you wait till it arrives, set it up, and see how long it takes to boot. That will give you an idea on how fast SSHD is.
Technically SSHD is similar to a regular HD with a small SSD for Intel Smart Response technology (SSD caching). So adding another SSD for caching won't help.

Still, it should be possible to migrate partition from SSHD to half-size SSD so long as data fits into SSD size. Migrating should preserve Windows license/key, you'll only need to switch boot device in BIOS. Note that I can only speculate as I have not done this myself.

 

Is a noise coming from the CPU while it is working, say scrolling, on Google Chrome, or opening programs, normal? It is a different noise than I was experiencing from before, only happens when putting even the lightest load on the cpu.

 

Mine is absolutely silent. Are you talking about fan noise?


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I dont think so. I hear the hum of the fan. I also hear a faint clicking noise when the cpu is working but it doesn't happen all the time. It sounds like the hard drive on my old laptop when it was loading.

I also held the laptop up to my ear on a bit of an angle (with the charging cord side facing up) and I began to hear some sort of current-like(?) noise running through the laptop. I thought this was weird as well as my old laptop didn't do this. Couldn't find any info on this, is this normal? I've recorded the sound if it isn't normal and anyone wants to hear. I'm just beginning to believe there might be something wrong with the models shipped here as this is my second unit.

 

Does yours comes with a hard drive or a SSD?


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128gb SSD. But the noise is coming from where the cpu is. It isn't loud enough to be picked up by a recording.


I think I will be returning anyways. Here is the other noise I hear when tilting the laptop to the left side.

Vocaroo | Voice message

 

It definitely sounds like fan blades are hitting a wire or something


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+1 to xawen for a very fair post. Couldn't have put it any better myself.
I consider the problem "patched" as well. For general usage mid-brightness the problem is 80% fixed for me. Noticeable but not annoying. Any Photo editing work (Lightroom) will require full brightness to get the right white balance and color temperature.

Thoughts of taking a hit to sell the QHD laptop for a 1080p screen isn't necessary anymore. However if I had a choice to buy again, it would be FHD 1080p panel without a doubt. This is a fantastic and upgradable laptop as it is.

 

I had also Z1 , Z2 and now I still have Vaio Pro . I got the UX303 256SSA at very atractive price . Matte screen , 13" and good price made me do it . I have been using it since last 3 weeks. I miss the old Z2 . UX303 feel very resistant laptop (being made of aluminium instead of plastic or carbon) . But display is worst than the 3 VAIO I told you about. I still have the Vaio pro non-touch mate screen with second battery under it ... that little baby can allow me 12-14 hours of work without charging ! UX303 only last 5-6 hours . I think that the bad thing in UX303 experiece for me is windows8 . I had to disable this , change that and make it work faster... but it still gives me some bad messages from time to time.

The best thing abou UX303 compared to the older laptops I had is the Geforce 840M . That baby made me install few games and all run perfect! Some I played at 1600x900 some in HD . Flawless work from the i7 + Nvidia.

Even with the small things that I don't appreciate in UX303 I'm still going to keep it until the end of summer 2015 . If no other great laptop from VAIO (or SONY who knows they start doing laptops again) then my next laptop will be Lenovo X1 2015 model . They announce it yesterday and Fx keys are back (not virtual anymore!). Yes will be with onboard video card instead of Nvidia but 10+ hours of working + less kg to have in the suitcase will be ok for me . I hope also that latest X1 will allow downgrade to win7 as my pro allow .

That's my thoughts about UX303 coming from premium laptops of other brands

 

Good Morning, all;

Where is the EEPROM fix? My UX303 is RMA'd, currently, and when I get it back I want to apply the fix.

Thanks.

 

This is the post where you find explanation and download links.

 

Thanks for the feedback! I did see that Lenovo announced an updated X1 carbon this past weekend which looks intriguing. It may be worth some extra bucks for the battery life and Lenovo quality . Do you know if the X1 carbon allows for dual monitor support via the on board mDP and vga port? Dual monitor support is one of the main features that drew me to the ux303 in the first place

 

Guys, whats your average CPU temperatures?

when i am surfing internet and streaming some music my CPU temp is about 55-65 degrees Celsius.
When its idle, the tmps drop to about 46 degrees Celsius.

isn't that a bit on the hot side?

me previous laptop - asus u53j had average of 45 degrees and the lowest around 35-38.

P.S. i have ux303ln with QHD and SSD.

 

This happened again and now I will reinstall the touchpad drivers to see if the issue will be solved.

edit: Yeah it did solve the issue. I am now just wondering what is causing it. If I should describe further: the touchpad waits for the next 3-4 multi-finger inputs to process the first one I'd love to troubleshoot the issue next time it occurs(if it does), but I just have no idea how.

 

Hello Voinea;

have you read the previous pages of this topic? because the battery runtime has been discussed for quite a long time, and I manage to squezze 10H in office mode,
and about 8/9 in battery saving/ standard use, it's clear you have to tweak (software speaking) a little bit but it's quite easy to get there.
I have a UX303LN with QHD display Core I7 and GT840M so everybody should be able to do so and even more (Core I5 w/o the geforce)

 

I've noticed something weird. When I plug in my computer and it's off (to be fair, it's hibernated), the computer powers on again by itself. Has this happened to anybody?

Any idea how to stop it? I have the LN.