ASUS Zenbook UX303 (Nvidia GT 840M)

4k off the Intel igp can be a little finicky, what display is it?

 

Hi folks

So I think I finally got the hinge issue everyone is talking about. Except its on the left side for me for some reason. I don't take out the laptop often and have only opened it once to install that mini PCIE SSD.

The screen is very loose now even though its mostly on my desk however I can't give it in cause I'm in the midst of exams until the end of June.

However, after tomorrow, I will have a short break until the 18th. How long did it take for them to fix? Even though I have completely stopped using the screen, and am keeping it constantly open, I'm worried it may get worse like it already has (feels more loose).

Any advice would be awesome.

Thanks.

 

It's a Dell (not sure the model). But can't the 850M help on that?

Anyway, the problem is that I don't even get the option...

 

Mine only stayed 2 days at the repair center, the majority of the time concerns shipping; I live in nyc, had to ship to CA, so it took 4 days in and 4 out, so in total 10 days.
Yeah don't touch it too much, once it starts getting loose and worsening it will continue to do so at an alarmingly increased pace.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oplbnjwh6ep5su3/UX303LNB-AS.206?dl=0
Maybe someone try to mod this bios gt 840 1266/ 1200(2400) mhz ?

 

The 840m is not involved in outputting any of the displays due to optimus.

The display type could be an issue.

 

Hi there!

I am a new owner of Asus UX303LN with FHD display. The computer is great and I am very satisifed with the purchase but I'm having a strange problem - every now and then (usually every 1-2 hours) the computer goes back to the metro start menu on its own (just like I would hit the windows button). It's really annoying, especially while playing online games but it happens even when the computer is on idle or I'm watching a movie. Anyone knows what it might be?

 

203 bios. rom is better than 202 and 206. They set up there higher tpd. Better holding mhz in gt 840m Unfortunately this results in high temperatures



No bios is not optimal. One could lower the voltage for the cpu and gpu certainly for example, to limit tpd 1V leaving the BIOS 203.rom and also raise trotling cpu from 85 degrees to 95 (TJUNCTION 105 ° C). Maybe a petition to Asus?

 

Thanks Tom. I emailed Asus twice about the dimensions and they keep giving me different figures (they said 4 x 1.5mm then 4 x 1.15mm. Ebay sellers keep saying 4 x 1.35. I can't find any plugs with any of those dimensions which is frustrating. I might have to buy a charger on ebay for the plug and just cut it off and solder it to a new cord. ugh

Anyone have any solutions for the smart gesture turbo boost? I just want to be able to scroll in some fashion (edge scroll would be great) without turbo boost ruining my battery life. Does anyone know who makes the touchpad?

 

Mine is by "Focaltech", and it is most likely the case for all North American ux303ln at least. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find any drivers outside from the crappy Asus Smart Gestures package.
Some people managed to code Linux drivers based on the ASM output, I wonder if it is possible to do the same for windows.

 

The monitor is a Dell P2415Q.

The maximum output I can get is 1920x1440, while the monitor allows 3840 x 2160, 60Hz (using MiniDisplayport, which I did use).

 

So I can't recall having done any Asus updates, but I noticed the turbo problem has gone away. It jumps up to 2.8 GHz (or lower) when I scroll on the touchpad but goes down right after I stop. So problem solved? I'm not sure how though unless a windows update corrected the issue...

 

Sorry to insist, but does anyone knows something about this?

 

Did you try to update to the latest Intel video drivers direct from Intel? Also, try to create a custom resolution at the 4k one listed in Intel's driver control panel.

 

I did... Nothing! I would just like to know if this is the maximum output I can get. I think it's weird if it does, specially because we we get more resolution with the attached monitor...

 

If it's DisplayPort 1.1 then that may be the issue, but not sure why they would include this older standard since 1.2 is and has been readily available. If it's 1.2 then it should be able to support up to 4k/60. I believe the HD 4400 is capable of 4k resolution as well.

 

Can you link me to the latest video drivers, just in case I have the wrong ones?

 

Hi all, do someone have problem with connection via LAN with the original adapter USB>LAN ?
I have always timeout error in browser downloading and timeout error with Android SDK Manager downloads.
While under Wi-Fi the connection is good.
Also other PC in LAN work fine.

EDIT: it's the LAN cable, I'll check the wires into the jacks.

EDIT 2: was it... Solved

 

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/se...Core™+Processors+with+Intel®+HD+Graphics+4600

Try these.

 

My touch pad was making this exact sound even when I tap with minimal force. Do any of yours make this sound? It's like a rattling noise as if the touch pad is hitting something hard underneath. In the video at 4:40

-

 

Those of you who have had your hinge replaced, has the replacement worked or is it failing as well? Mine is clearly breaking now (five month old machine). Really quite annoying. I'm wondering whether to wait until it gives up completely or take it in sooner.

EVGAFTW: My touchpad doesn't make that noise.

 

I'm about to send mine in as it has completely disintegrated. I didn't even get around to taking it apart, it just slowly fell to bits.

I don't know how they can refuse anyone as this is blatantly a manufacturing/design fault.

 

Hitting the touch pad hard will make it vibrate a bit since the whole touchpad has to rock to allow the buttons to press.

 

So what you are saying is that 5 months after the replacement it failed again ?
I've had mine replaced a month ago, we will see how long this will last.
This issue is unacceptable, we should pressure them for acknowledging the problem and fixing it for free to anybody (and not a temporary fix)

 

That's terrible to hear, I suppose it's best to let ASUS to take care of this issue since it's still under warranty. Let the rep aware of various of issues you are having so they can handle each one of the issues.

 

Yes I agree however, this noise happens every time tap to click is used. It gets incredibly irritating. I am not even hitting it very hard. Also on my first unit this noise wasn't there at all. As you said, when hitting it hard it just created a vibrating noise but definitely no metal to metal like rattle.

 

By the way, I just thought of this, is the cooling fan nearby the touchpad somewhere? When you tap the touchpad, perhaps the vibration causes the fan blade to rub against its housing? See if you can check under to verify it, and perhaps loosen it up.

 

No, the fans are right at the front of the laptop, just like in a Mac Book. Something is obviously loose, but the thing is there are no screws holding the lower end of touchpad, I could only see plastic clips.

 

No, what I was trying to communicate is that I've had the computer for five months. I haven't had the hinge replaced yet. I was wondering if someone whose hinge has broken has had it happen again.

If they just replace the hinge with a similar one, it would seem logical for it to break as well. It then becomes a question of whether to take my computer to the shop every three months (when I first noticed the problem developing), every five months (when I can now clearly see it breaking) or every X months (when it finally gives up completely). I guess I'll also need to check warranty extensions and such.

 

I'd like to know what the failure mode IS. Is it the hinge, or the screw bosses that the screws secure into fail. In either case, you can order parts at asusparts.eu and will probably be cheaper than what any extended warranty will cost.

 

It may be a manufacturing tolerance issue then, contact asus/your reseller.

 

This might be the plastic column in between that might had broke off or something.
Turn off your PC, and shake it gently, are you able to hear anything loosely moving inside of the NB?

 

Nope I can hear nothing. The touch pad is loose enough that it exhibits the rattling sound only when tapping it.

 

I also thought exactly this. I think it may be a somewhat common problem with these Zenbooks. Some people just would think it's normal I guess. I tap with less force then the guy in this video and still it makes the same sound.

 

According to some people, it is the plastic that probably is used for the screw bosses that breaks down (I do not fully know what are the mechanics behind the hinge so this might be false)...This is consistent with what happened to me. You can take a look at amazon's reviews http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX303...ll_reviews&filterByStar=critical&pageNumber=1 , more specifically in the critical reviews that have pictures. You can look at Cesar Cueva Guerra's pictures or mine (Monty).
I think that learning how to replace the hinge myself (if it is possible) would be very useful if it breaks again out of warranty.
I see that asusparts.eu has hinge replacements, but there is no pictures and several models (with the same price), so more information is needed on how to try to fix the hinge using these parts (and if it is possible).

 

It looks to me that it's the plastic inside of the hinge that runs along the whole bottom edge of the screen.

It seems to have broken away from around the metal bar that runs the length of the screen.

 

There is no metal bar that runs the length of the screen. That's just a plastic cosmetic cover. There's only two little hinges at either side. There are metal inserts in the plastic for the screws. Those hinges are small and flimsy. I think it's more the hinge itself that gives way, unless the plastic actually breaks where the screws are secured.



Here's the hinge:

 

I had a picture that was taken by someone who had taken apart the failed hinge. They found that the plastic had all started coming off inside and that the metal screw threads/bosses had come out. The metal threads are probably inserted by heating the plastic and pushing them in. I'm in college at the moment and doing a failure analysis course - I have got exams going at the moment but after them I am considering doing an analysis on this. One of the difficulties however is getting accurate dimensions of the screw threads.

 

That's pretty bad because it is stripped thus the entire plastic bezel needs to be replaced.
It's wear and tear due to frequent opening/closing of lid.
You can call ASUS and request for it, but they may provide it if it's under warranty, otherwise they will ask you to send it in and pay for out of warranty repair.

 

Thanks for the pics HT.

Right so the screws that attach the hinge to the screen mounting must have completely broken off, breaking that black plastic as I've been finding little pieces for the last few weeks.

My notebook screen stays open for weeks at a time so it's hardly from 'frequent opening and closing'.

I'll see if I can get some pics of the damage tomorrow.

 

Yep, horrible design honestly. I've been an automotive engineer for 20 years and have dealt with injection molding for a lot of that. Those metal inserts are inserted during the molding process, and are pretty robust, but the bosses are too weak to sustain the torsional loads put on it.

That metal hinge design is not very good either. That metal hinge offset is what kills it. It adds a lot more shear and torsion loads than it should see. Those screw bosses should be able to sustain a pretty high pullout force if pulled straight out (normal) to the nut. But the hinge will also put shear and twist moments on screw boss which will eventually weaken the plastic and break.

From this design they need a center hinge as well to eliminate any torsional load. It should be just like a door hinge. If I feel ambitious enough I'll mod my brokenUX303LN and see if I can improve the hinge design without too much tearup.

But yeah, @iaTa if you ever get a chance to open yours up I'd love to see the failure mode.

But you can see to fix it you need to replace the whole keyboard backplate and/or the top LCD lid. The lid will cost about $50 and keyboard about $100 and if you wanted to replace the hinges as well they cost about $10 each. So in the end will probably be about a $200 repair job.

This is how a hinge SHOULD be:



I'd even take this one:

 

Hey guys, I'm running a stock version of UX303LN, and I noticed that my Youtube videos lag when it is set to 1080p, and they lag even worse at 1440p and 4k. Is anyone having the same problem? If yes, how do I solve it?

It doesn't really happen when I'm watching a 1080p video offline on VLC.

I am running on 8GB of RAM, with no heavy programmes running at all and a 64-bit Chrome.

 

Try the following,
1. Update adobe flash player.
http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/flashplayer.html

2. Update Intel HD Graphics driver.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...HD-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-7-8-8-1-64-bit

 

What performance mode are you in? If in power saver try balanced.

 

Does anyone's offline 4k video lag when being played on your UX303LN? If yes, how did you solve it?

I am currently finding a way to resolve the lag.

Assume the offline video is properly formatted without lags.

 

John did you double check the power setting? Have you looked at disk and cpu usage during playback?

 

Hi,

I have the newer series of ux303ln with broadwell cpu and my hinge doesnt have this gap according the picture that i have taken.

It seems asus change the hinge plastic since the newer series of ux303ln with broadwell cpu.

So any one can confirm this? im really worry about this hinge issue.

thanks

 

I'm in a dilemma ATM.

In the same price range, I could either get this powerful ultraportable, or a real gaming laptop(my choice in that regard would be a Lenovo Y50). However, I'm not really sure about which one I would like to have.

Of course, the gaming laptop will offer way better GPU performance(960M vs 940M/840M is a huge gap), but at the same time it will be heavier , have a smaller battery life, have a worse display and worse build quality. But then again...do I really need that performance? I already have a very good desktop I built myself last year, so any serious gaming I am going to do on it. And it's not like the Asus UX303LN/LB can't play games. It definitely can, but it will struggle at 1080p with some more demanding ones. It's not that big of a deal , however , since I won't be playing those types of games on the laptop, as I've said before. I'll mainly be playing games like LoL, some platformers, Warframe, maybe even some Planetside 2. I also do programming (nothing intensive though, we do it at school on 2007 PC-s with pentiums so...), video and photo editing from time to time (nothing all that serious), listen to music, surf the web and watch movies, but these are things that any laptop can do nowadays.

The extra performance that would come with the Y50 would be nice, but it wouldn't be necessary. But, at the same time, I could get a laptop just as powerful as the 303LN for quite a lot cheaper (but of course, without the ultrabook's advantages).

What's your take on my situation? What should I do? I just want a good laptop that can play most games, while still having a great display, build quality and battery-life and maintaining its portability. And ,of course, the lower the price the better. Is the Asus UX303LN/LB a good choice?

Forgot to mention that for the same price the Y50 comes only with an HDD (and a caching SSD, but it still doesn't compare to a full-SSD machine). I can upgrade it later, but I'll lose the warranty so I'll have to wait 2 years probably.

 

Well, the UX303 definitely ticks all of these boxes, apart perhaps from the build quality (see above for the hinge problem which is quite a disappointment) and the battery life being all right but not great (6-8 hours, or 2-3 if you are gaming). I don't really know what the options are these days, but half a year ago when I researched this with pretty similar requirements as yours, the UX303LN seemed like the only real option.

Personally, I saw no point in going with a gaming laptop since I too have a fairly powerful desktop PC (but then again I don't even play that many really graphics intensive games). I also wanted the convenience of an ultrabook with the ability to play an occasional game every now and then, so a larger laptop or one with just an integrated GPU didn't seem like good options, either. The UX303LN isn't a perfect package (I'd prefer a 12" size, a couple of hours more battery life, larger arrow keys, etc.), but at the time it seemed like the best compromise out there.

And I can say that I have been very happy with my purchase, even with the hinge problem.

 

Ok I've taken my hinge to pieces and it's really not pretty.

Full photo album here: http://imgur.com/a/E99BQ

As suspected the plastic mounting has just sheared right off. I strongly suspect Asus tightened up these hinges for more stable touchscreen use and completely forgot to reinforce the mounting section.

What are your thoughts HT? I could attempt to use some strong epoxy glue as the plastic does follow the contours of the metal lid, but then risk losing any possibility of claiming on warranty if it fails again.

Feeling the strength and amount of torque required to turn these hinges, it's no wonder the thin plastic mount broke. They are super stiff hinges.

If there was a way to loosen this broken hinge the other side has more than enough stiffness to hold the screen in position. That way I'm sure I would be able to glue the mount back together without it getting ripped to pieces again.

If I do claim on warranty there is always the potential for the same thing to happen again depending on whether Asus have revised their design.

Such a shame as this is a great laptop apart from this major design fault.