Asus B23E business ultraportable

ASUS sneak attacks the business world with 12.5-inch B23E laptop -- Engadget

What's this? It looks exactly like my UL-30VT but in all black and with a Core i5 or i7. Wonder if it will have any dedicated gfx card options. I like that the webcam has an on off switch. Neat.

 

Some discussion of it starting here

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...u24e-review-owners-lounge-19.html#post8253787

 

Nice strong little notebook. I think it can be what I've been waiting for

I wonder about couple of things:

1. HDD access and port. Will it be easy to replace for SSD and how about SATA 3.0 support?
2. Will it run more than 8GB RAM. There is written that it has 2x SODIMM socket, so 2x8GB shouldn't be a problem, true?
3. Battery life
4. Noise level under load
5. Have any review been published yet?
6. Where can I order it safely into EU?

Anyone knows an answer to any of above?

 

I doubt it will ever have a dedicated GPU.

1. HDD/SDD access cannot be determined based on available pictures, yet, also nobody here owns one. I don't see why it would be a problem even if you had to crack open the case. I hope because of the Intel QM67 Express Chipset that SATA3 works correctly (unlike in my current U24E HM65). If you look at my 3rd picture, you can see what appears like a DOOR or SLOT next to the exhaust vent. That could be the HDD/SSD access port.

2. The Intel i7-2640m is specified to use up to 16GB of DDR3 1333 RAM. 2x8GB should not be a problem. You can probably utilized up to 32GB if you used an i7-2820qm or similar. That CPU is able to use up to 32gb of DDR3 1600 RAM(2x16gb).

3. Battery life is a great unknown. We have no findings or any published data available. The 3-Cell 4400 mAh 48 Whrs battery is rather small considering were powering a 12.5" display and a standard voltage i7 cpu. Just as reference, my U24E-XH71's 6 Cell 5200mAh battery with i7-2620m lasts an average of 5-6hrs (dependent on usage, wifi, display brightness, battery save, etc.)!

4. Noise level is another unknown. One user in the U24E Owner's Lounge said he would buy the B23E instead of the U24E but we have not heard back from him or if he ever found the B23E. Whatever the case, I hope fan noise is very much like my current U24E, silent!

5. No reviews have been published yet (that I know of).

6. The person who said they were going to buy the B23E said they were from France, so maybe you can look into getting into contact with that person? Sorry I cannot provide any further assistance than this.

 

The battery is a Boston Power Sonata battery which uses a different technology, so the 3 cell is not the same as a regular Li-ion 3 cell.

 

What's so "special" about a Boston Power Sonata battery (in comparison to a traditional LI battery)? Are they that much better?


I found this:

Sonata® Long Life Battery Powers Asus® B Series Commercial Notebooks | Boston-Power

ASUS Selects Boston-Power?s Sonata Lithium-ion Battery for New Line of Notebook PCs | Boston-Power

 

Interested in this as well, anyone knows the price range for this?

 

@davidricardo86:
Thanks for reply. Obviously there is still many unknown.
I'm subscribed here and I'll post if I know anything.

@Geekz:
I checked availability near me and there is a seller which offers B23E for about ~815$ (3212 PLN without VAT). However it's weak config: i3-2330 2.2GHz with 2 GB RAM

 

Thanks, hopefully the i7 versions are reasonable enough.

edit: seems gentech pc is getting ready for this, starts at $979
http://www.gentechpc.com/config.asp?config_id=B23E-XS71

 

From Gentech's site i noticed this:

Hard Drive 500 GB 7200rpm 2.5" 9.5mm SATA II 16MB
Optical Drive 8X DVDRW Super Multi

I hope this computer can use sata3 storage devices.

I've been seeing that some of the B23Es have an optical drive. Judging from the pictures I didn't think it was possible but maybe the optical drive door is at the back of the notebook where the battery usually goes and the 3 cell battery is that side door next to the exhaust vent. It's possible.

 

How long have they been combining usb with eSata, I never noticed that before. Wonder how easily it can be broken, like how dc jacks tend to come loose over time.

 

Hello guys
I bought this machine.
The hard drive is easily reached through a hatch on the side.
He works with SATA III SSD withe crucial M4 128GB ....
The fan is very quiet and smooth under load ....

I intend to change the core I5 2430m with a core I7 2630QM, and put 8gb of ram.

I would give you more information later

pics : http://www.hostingpics.net/slideshow,EnRouge,86114.html

 

I wonder if the connector where the wi-fi card is is m-pcie or m-sata. m-sata would be awesome .

 

@ tijo

I'm not sure, but I w'll try to fit short blade ssd next week....

manual :
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Commercial Notebooks- ASUS B23E

 

@keeepc
And how about an optical drive, does it have any?
I don't think so...

@all
I've ordered from GenTechPC. It's pre-order so still need some time to wait...
Oh, GenTech offers wide customisation options. I'm waiting for my Piece with i7-2670QM and Intel's 520 SSD. I wonder won't it heat to much. 12.5" with 4 cores... burn baby!

 

@tamashumi
There is no CD/dvd player on the model B23E

 

Awesome photos! Can you snap more photos of the keyboard and display (close-ups)? The matte display is welcomed. Have you tested to see how long it last on one full-charge?

I like the b23e and it uses SATAIII devices correctly (unlike my u24e).

Please test to see if mSATA SSD is possible on this machine!

 

I think that keyboard is exactly the same size as the U20A, so a backlit keyboard mod might work. It's obviously mounted from the top of the case (I can see the clips).

@keeepc feel free to PM me if you are interested.

 

@ALLurGroceries,
Thank for your message, but I d'ont need backlit keyboard....

Cpu, wifi, and ram upgrade.....

DISCLAIMER: I will not take any responsibility for any actions you take here and within. By following this guide and attempting this mod, you take full responsibility and liability for anything that may happen to you, your laptop, etc.
http://[url=http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=809442P1000581.jpg] [/url]

If you want to upgrade your laptop asus b23e this is to help you do it ....
B23E is easy to disassemble with patience and skill ...
A Phillips screwdriver, a plastic credit card, your fingers and a couple of hours.

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Remove the keyboard by pressing the notches with the corner of the card facing the keys esca, F5, F11, delet.
Beware the keyboard is stuck with double-sided tape. Pull gently.
[/url][/IMG]
There are several naps to gently remove keyboard, headphone jack, touch pad, finger print ...

Close the screen, return your pc. On the right side opens the door of the hard drive, pull gently with the black ribbon. Remove the ram, opens the door and unplug the wireless card antenna queues.
Unscrew all the screws of the panel. Open the screen and remove the 4 screws under the keyboard. With the credit card disassemble the top panel.

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You have the motherboard, top right unplug the cable from the daughter card on the screen, lower right side disconnect the speaker, top left unplug the fan. Gently pull the nap of the screen with black ribbon, unstick from the fan.
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Remove the nap of usb and taken off the fan support.Unscrew the two screws that hold the motherboard in the top right, bottom and middle. You can then pull the motherboard.
[/url][/IMG]

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Disassemble the CPU, replace Intel I7-2630QM. and assemble your pc.

My pc works fast and well now. Some results:
[/url][/IMG]

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Original values

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New values ​​of functionings
[/url][/IMG]
Operating temperatures

All pics : http://www.hostingpics.net/album/keeepc-87972.html

 

I've finally got mine B23E from GenTechPC.
It's has upgraded CPU to i7-2670QM, Intel's 520 SSD, 180GB and 8GB of RAM.

I haven't done much on it yet but I feel already it was a good choice
if anyone has any questions I try to answer in spare time. What I plan to do first is check for compatibility with Ubuntu.

BTW. GenTechPC has really patient and helpful customer service, one can trust them


EDIT: One of bought units has headphones jack malfunction. The one with CPU upgraded.
When headphones connected no detection occurs. Sound still plays from speakers. I tried to reconnect connector responsible for microphone and headphones jacks, touchpad on/off and switch scene buttons, the one to the left of those two those two (not visible on the photo)
The only thing achieved was some strange corrupted sound from headphones without stereo under linux. I mean both headphones played no matter if sound was played for left or right channel.
My 2nd B23E unit without CPU upgrade works fine with headphones.
I wonder is it some factory problem or damage/incorrect connection during upgrade from GenTechPC. Can this be fixed at home or I need to RMA? :/

 

Hi...


To reassemble you need to replace the wire connection jacks to here ....

 

@keeepc,
Thanks for info.
I think I've found the guilty. Headphones mini-jack has two dry joints, so I guess it's factory problem. I'm going to get some work done with soldering iron this evening. Unless I broke anything else while was disassembling the unit all should be fine. Wish me luck

I would like to add here, that it's easy to damage headphones jack or even worse when one does this part improper.
The jacks PCB is screwed into top panel so 1st of all you need to release two clasps under battery slot - both right side. Then work with credit card on both left and the right side and then start taking off the panel form the side of the screen. Slide the panel gently a bit the direction to the screen so the microphone and headphones jacks get out of the bottom part of the laptop case. Front part of the top panel will get loose itself while you will sliding to the screen direction.

Oh and there are 5 screws under the keyboard, not 4

 

I'm here to update.

I'm happy with my new B23E notebook. It's nice piece of rig and works well with new Ubuntu 12.04 without hardware issues.

However after some review and professional service opinion it has seemed that my headphones jack was damaged during CPU upgrade at GenTechPC. The two dry joints I mentioned before seems to be non soldered by purpose but the jack plastic was broken and two other pins were broken too (I haven't mentioned about that before as I wanted to see GenTechPC statement about that first).

Well stuff happens, but it have appeared also that the GenTechPC's CPU upgrade void warranty.

Despite GenTechPC claims warranty is still valid if they upgrade, local Asus service do not confirmed that. Moreover local Asus service checked this with they HQ at Taiwan and they are sure that warranty is 100% lost after GenTechPC cpu upgrade always! At least when Europe are considered.

I was happy about GenTechPC's customer service until those facts.

So if you plan to order from GenTechPC, feel free to do it but better do the upgrades yourself unless you don't know how. It will be cheaper and safer
Where is the seller responsibility for the damage made during the upgrade not to mention that I paid for notebook with recoverable OS which does not work after upgrade to SSD by GenTechPC.

Now GenTechPC stopped reply to my emails and I'm left with expensive notebook with damaged headphones jack, no valid recovery partition and no warranty.
I will handle that myself but it is truly uncool :/

 

tamashumi, Usually when resellers do a major modification/upgrade at the time of sale, they handle warranty repairs instead of ASUS directly. You can contact Ken from GenTech here on the forums and explain your situation.

A damaged headphone jack might be cheaper to repair locally than to ship it from Europe to the USA. A recovery partition doesn't really matter - you can just clean install using an OEM windows image and the COA sticker on the bottom of your notebook: http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html and get the drivers from http://support.asus.com/download/

In fact, on my U24E (close cousin of the B23E), the recovery partition never worked, even out of the box (stock hard drive). I think there is an error at the factory from ASUS because I took a look at their installation scripts and they reference files that don't exist.

 

Hi,
I'm about to buy a new B23E, and I plan to change the hard drive with an SSD.
My question is: the original 500GB hard drive that comes with the laptop, is SATA III or SATA II? Because I want to buy an external hard drive case for it.
Thank you.

 

You can buy a Sata II or III external case and it won't matter, it has the same exact connector for both. Plus you can't get better transfer speeds from a Sata III hard drive + case if you're planning to plug it into USB 2.0 anyway. The Sata II and III drives and cases are all compatible so hope that gives you the answer you were looking for.

 

Thank you micman for your answer.

What I want to know if the hard disk that comes from factory, inside the B23E supports SATA III, if so I will buy a USB 3.0 case to use with the USB 3.0 port that the B23E has.

All I know about the hard disk is "500GB" as I plan to buy this one:
ASUS B23E-XS71 12.5" LED i7-2640M 2.80 GHz 4GB 500GB Windows 7 Black | eBay

Does anyone know the exact hard disk model ?, and the RAM? because I also want to add 4GB more.

Gino.

 

Even if the drive is SATA II, you will benefit from a USB3.0 caddy. There is absolutely no way a mechanical drive will saturate SATA II, not even the fastest HDDs available right now.

The exception is hybrid drives because of the SSD cache. Just go ahead and get a USB3.0 enclosure, you won't regret it.