ASUS Zenbook UX303LB (Nvidia GT 940M)

Alright, the Zenbook UX303LB from Amazon.de finally arrived today.
It is QWERTZ, but in Windows I switched it to QWERTY, I know where all the keys are so I don't mind.
Physically it's perfect, the screen is gorgeous.
Only complaint is that the left shift key is a little too short my my liking on the QWERTZ style keyboard, I might modify the "<" key next to it to also act as a shift key since it's just a duplicate key.


Now I'm waiting on my Samsung 8GB stick of RAM to upgrade it to 12GB.
I've already added the Samsung 850 Pro 512GB, and will also add a 128GB mSATA Mini SSD as well.
Followed by a fresh install of Windows 7 x64 (criticize me if you wish for my OS choice).

 

What OS you use is really up to you to be fair, it should certainly be a nice rapid portable machine.

 

yellow screen?

 

Does the hinge feel sturdy and does it make any popping noises when you open and close the lid? I'm asking in the hope that the widespread issue with the hinge has been fixed on these.

 

If they fix the yellow screen and hinge issues, this is one little gem of a laptop. I ended up frying my 840m version So am looking to replace it with the 940m version.

 

I hope electro_chef responds about what he thinks of the screen. However, while ASUS has not officially released a fix for the yellow discoloration, there is a makeshift fix. It's a little long-winded, but the results are apparently significantly better.

Scroll down to the third post in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/asus-zenbook-ux303-nvidia-gt-840m.746873/page-160

 

This is the FHD 1080p screen, not the qHD+ 3200x1800p display.
With that being said, it is gorgeous with absolutely no color distortion.
It's very vivid, bright, accurate and has an only about 5% back-light bleeding on the very bottom, as compared to my old UX32VD which had what I'd say 30% back-light bleeding in the top right and bottom left.

In regards to the hinge, it works great with no issues, however after opening it up, I noticed that the assembly is different from the UX32VD.
The UX32VD hinge looked more simple and sturdy, while this one has some complex rotators that look more fragile.
I haven't had problems with it, and it stays stiff regardless of angle, but I'd avoid opening it from any other part other than the very middle, use one hand to hold the bottom down while lifting the lid.
The lid is a little annoying to lift open since it doesn't have a lip that sticks out a bit like the UX32VD had.

Here are 2 pictures of the laptop with the screen brightness set to 100%, in comparison to 2 monitors with brightness at 70%:
http://i.imgur.com/Or25Lkd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4OEvGM2.jpg
Great screen, even better in person. Imported it specifically so it would be 1080p and matte (non glossy).

You can also view the internals here:
http://i.imgur.com/sb7OdtC.jpg
It originally arrived with a 128GB Micron M600 SSD (I purchased the cheapest option since I wanted to upgrade it anyways).

 

Oh yeah. Would be nice if USA got 1080p version. I don't like the European keyboard, the "ENTER" key especially. I like my backslash above the enter key, otherwise I'd order from Amazon.de.

 

Here is a review of the UX303LN FHD version in german:

http://www.notebookcheck.com/Test-Asus-Zenbook-UX303LN-R4141H-Subnotebook.127931.0.html

If the the screen in the UX303LB is the same model than you will be very happy with it. The review reports high contrast, around 340 nit, 97% sRGB coverage and 64% AdobeRGB coverage.

I will maybe get this machine for myself, because the screen is good and it has enough performance for graphic design. Except for video editing.

 

@electro_chef - Is the keyboard backlit? Thanks.

 

Yes, it is.

 

I am very pleased with this machine.
I just tested Battlefield 4, and I was getting a constant 40 FPS at 1920x1080p with everything on Medium.
In comparison, the UX32VD with the Nvidia 620M only got around 35 FPS with 1366x768p and everything on low.

 

Hey!

My name is Moudy, live in Canada, and I just returned my UX303LN due to color issue with the yellows. I do photo editing and color grading so sRGB accuracy is very important. I got a full refund and considering the UX303LB version from Amazon.de which can ship to my location or the Xotic PC pre-order.

My question is 1) What happens if I need to service the laptop I bought from Amazon.de in Canada? And the power adapter that comes with laptop from Amazon.de can I charge it here?

2) Xotic PC preorder still has QHD+ screen, will the yellow issue still be present on that UX303LB with QHD?

 

To answer your question #2, ASUS has a problem where all their screens of resolutions higher than 1080p have color distortions. This is generally true of almost all laptop manufacturers, with some exceptions like the Dell XPS 13.

So to answer your question: yes. I recommend 1080p since it is best for smaller laptop monitors. It also doesn't have blurring issues and uses up less battery life.

 

I don't think there will be a version for USA with 1080p, at least there wasn't with 840m version.

 

@electro_chef - What is your spec exactly? I ordered one from amazon.de on Friday with i7, 8GB, 128GB since I plan on swapping out RAM and SSD myself too. However, I just noticed this comment:
"Leider versendet dieser Verkäufer nicht in die Vereinigten Staaten Siehe Details" which translates to: "Unfortunately, this seller will not ship to the United States See details"

I swear that wasn't there when I ordered and the order went through just shipping is still pending, but it's the weekend. I'm just hoping that was posted AFTER I ordered, otherwise it would have to be the i5. I know there's not a huge difference but really want the i7 and 1080p, and the i7 256GB version is out of stock for 2-4 weeks. Why can't Asus sell the 1080p version in the US too? Why do they think everyone wants 3k touchscreen?

By the way you can order a US keyboard from Asusparts.eu: http://www.asusparts.eu/en/Asus-90NB04Y1-R31US0

Will cost about $125 with shipping. It says it's for UX303LA but shows compatible with UX303LN and see no reason why it's not compatible with UX303LB. Let me warn you though that you have to completely disassemble the laptop to replace it. It's not just the keyboard, but the whole top cover comes integrated with the keyboard. I have a UX303LN US keyboard, so if I do get the German UX303LB I plan on swapping it and will do a video on what I did in case interested. Hopefully it works, because I can't live with the German keyboard.

 

I live in Canada, but thanks for 1080p question answer. I still need an answer to my first question...

What happens if I get laptop and screen is cracked or cracks, or key falls off or it won't turn on or the hard drive crashes?

 

I believe Asus has international warranty.

http://www.asus.com/in/About_ASUS/Warranty/

 

Did you buy it directly from Amazon.de or one of the other two sellers? (All three have the same price, and "notebooklieferant" comes up first on the product page)

 

I believe it said "Prime" next to it when I ordered, but now it doesn't. That doesn't mean anything of course, because they change suppliers all the time. Otherwise I may have to go with the 256GB version or go for the i5. I have the RAM and SSD to put in there so really didn't want to spend more than I had to.

I could buy one from USA reseller, but the only thing that Asuspats.eu doesn't sell is the 1080p LCD assembly which is what I want. They said I would have to get directly with Asus if I wanted to purchase the 1080p LCD assembly. I really don't want touchscreen or 3k or glossy. The 1080p IPS matte that comes with this is perfect.

Just it's cheaper to get the 1080p one from Europe, strangely enough. The 1080p i5 128GB only costs less than $1000 with shipping.

Just kind of frustrating that you have to go through these kinds of measures to get the laptop you want.

 

I'm also struggling to buy the UX303LB i7 128GB. However, I got the UX302LA i7, and I am unsure whether I want to sacrifice the better design to a dedicated graphics card.
Since I'm living in Germany I could buy the Laptop for you and send it to the United States

 

Thank you for the offer. I may consider it. But then there would be VAT as well right?

 

That you would have to check yourself. I think so if the price exceeds 350€.

 

i bought it too and i confirm the screen is gorgeous and the computer is very quiet for a laptop so powerfull.
I have the I7 5500/8GB ram/256 SSD i'm from belgium so i bought it for 990 € in promotion
electro chef i would like to upgrade the ram like you.
Can you give me a link on amazon for the ram that you added so i buy the same?
thanks a lot

 

Very nice.

Get this one, its the same as the included 4GB one, only its 8GB.
Its high quality Samsung RAM.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00J8U549K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1433225778&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&keywords=samsung 8gb 1.35 ddr3l&dpPl=1&dpID=510-1L4I6yL&ref=plSrch

Buy it from A-Tech since its cheaper, not the default seller.

I also got a 128 GB mSATA SSD.

 

thank you very much

 

Anyone try to game with the 940M?
I know it's a entry level card but if it can do 30FPS at 720p for most games at low to medium settings it would be fine.
I had a older laptop with a 650M and it should be pretty comparable ( I think ) but was wondering what results owners get.
Thanks.

 

I am very disappointed I cannot purchase UX303LB with FHD screen. :\

 

Yeah, it sucks here in America. But I think German Amazon is selling this laptop with FHD. You can try that, but you'll have to remap the keyboard to QWERTY.

 

For those who purchased this Zenbook from the German Amazon and found the Left Shift key on the keyboard to be a little on the small side, I have good news.

When using QWERTY the key right of the Left Shift key is a duplicate key to the last one on the top row left of the Enter Key, which is a "#" key.

What I did is download this program:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/keytweak.html

You then go to Teach Mode > Half Teach Mode.
Click on Scan, then on your keyboard click the key right of the "Left Shift" key "<", I believe it will be 86, and then from the drop down menu select "Left Shift".
Click Remap, then Apply.
Restart your computer and now you have 2 Left Shift keys.

It may sound unnecessary, but it makes it the "normal" QWERTY length and is much easier when typing.

 

Mine shipped! Should be here Friday unless it gets hung up in customs. I plan on doing the keyboard swap and adding RAM and SSD.

 

Plenty of pictures please (as if I had to ask ) I look forward to your thoughts.

 

Can I ask what's you usual battery life estimator at?

If I switch to integrated graphics an enable all power saving features it only shows around 4 hours remaining which is pretty weak considering it says it should last 8 hours.

 

Of course! I'll do a full analysis. Have G-Sync Clevo coming too, so it will be a busy weekend, even though I have so much other crap to do around the house. It may just have to wait.

 

On a side note what Clevo model are you getting?
I'd be great to see how the 940M can handle some games.

 

If you want to see how the 940M performs on some games, take a look at Notebookcheck's analysis and scroll to the middle of the page. Being an entry-level card, it performs well for low-medium settings on most games.

 

Seen that already just wanted some eyes on feedback from owners, while notebookcheck is great it doesn't always tell you the full story.
Thanks anyway

 

I just got my UX303LB from Amazon.de. Wow the screen is really nice. I did swap the keyboard with an American one and it works just fine. You have to disassemble the whole laptop, but if you're methodical and track the screws, it's not too bad. Got it back up and running in no time, installed my 512GB MX100 SSD, and away we go. With latest 353.06 nvidia drivers can overclock and get about 2820 3DMark score with +135MHz GPU and +200MHz vRAM. Looks like there's a little more headroom because CPU is only running about 79C and GPU about 72C. Gonna see if I can get the vBIOS unlocked and see how far I can take it. I realized that 3DMark 11 score is as good as a GTX 670m, as funny as it sounds. Plus the fans are so QUIET. I can't believe how quiet the fans are.

I don't know WHY Asus doesn't offer the 1080p version for the N.A. market. Is 3K / 4K really a market desire for 90% of users? They already offer the 1080p in Europe, why not bring it to USA as well?

Here's my 3DMark11 Overclock run:

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/9912487

 

Awesome!
Mind posting a picture of the keyboard you removed and the one you replaced it with?

Does it fit into the holes properly? Since the Enter key is a different shape.

 

The keyboard is part of the top panel. The whole top panel has to be replaced including touchpad. I pulled this one from a dead UX303LN unit. You can order it from asusparts.eu. I am assuming it comes as a full assembly like this one. They do sell a separate touchpad so you might have to swap that out too from your current laptop.

 

Pleased to hear!
This will be my next project then.

 

Be wary, there are a TON of screws, and different sizes.

I took a photo of the inside of the laptop after I removed the bottom cover, printed it out, and then just put the screws on photo where they belonged. Also note that you have to remove the rear most bumpers. They are sticky taped in place so you may have to pry it up. Just note that there is a notch on the lower right corner (if you look at laptop oriented as in image) that you don't want to pry from there, it will break the rubber foot.



You will need a T5 torx screwdriver for all the bottom panel screws, and a small philips head screwdriver for the ones under the rubber feet, and internally. You will have to disassemble EVERYTHING. The battery connector, you pull UP on, and recommend you disconnect that first before doing anything else.

 

Being a bit pedantic I suppose, but would Asus accept this for warranty if something went wrong now that you have changed the entire top housing and all? Being a unit with a non-touch screen, wouldn't it be quite obvious to the technician if you are in the US? I'm specifically thinking of the hinge problem (unless of course they have fixed it on this new model - if possible could you confirm?).

 

The only "warranty if void" sticker I found was on one of the heatsink screws. They probably would not honor warranty especially with a self swapped keyboard. But I give it a thorough test before I swapped to make sure everything was running properly before I swapped it.

You would have to replace the keyboard anyhow if the hinges went, if that is where the failure is. If it's the hinge itself, then you can replace the hinge without having to remove the motherboard.

Warranty void sticker is at the arrow.



Not that I condone this sort of thing, but you could always soak the screw in alcohol and remove the sticker entirely and play dumb like the sticker was never there. But it's the kind of sticker that breaks apart and sticks to everything, just so that it's hard to get off.

You can almost remove the whole motherboard without removing the heatsink, but there's two screws hidden under the heatsink pipes along the back edge.

 

Interesting.. so if you did run into the dreaded hinge problem you would have to swap everything back over to get warranty?

 

Thanks for the information and great instructions electro_chef and HTWingNut. It has pushed me into pulling the trigger on ordering one from Germany and should be here in a week or two.

I have two questions if you don't mind, and hopefully they aren't silly. Does the AC adapter shipped with the laptop have an adapter for the US outlets? And HTWingNut, do you have to break the heat sink warranty sticker to change swap the keyboard? Thanks!

 

It only comes with a Euro plug. You will have to order a separate power supply or get an adapter. Yes, you have to remove the heatsink to access two screws to remove the motherboard in order to replace the keyboard.

It's an involved process and technically will void warranty. I would only do it if you're confident in your PC repair skills. Take your time, be methodical, track your screws, and it isn't too difficult, and don't pull on anything that's "stuck". There's likely another screw or cable that needs to be unplugged.

The only part that I needed to use a little bit of force was sliding the motherboard out from the side USB ports. Also pay attention to the flat cable connectors, some pull out, some have a flip up bar, some have a pull out bar, but they're delicate so use due care. As long as you don't use any excessive force you should be fine.

I was going to do a video, but I had a short time span (well, about an hour) to get it done because my kids were pre-occupied, so I didn't have time to set up the camera and everything. Maybe if I feel brave one day, maybe I'll do a how-to video.

It seems that the UX303LB is no longer listed at Amazon. It may never make it's way to USA, so Amazon.de may be your only option unfortunately. If warranty is a concern then you might just not want to bother.

 

It uses a swappable lead from brick to wall so you can use a local cable of the right type.

 

I thought it might be too. Mine is not swappable, unless I'm missing something. It doesn't turn or pull out or anything of the sort to remove it.

 

Oh wow, what input voltage range is the brick rated for?