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    Asus UX31 Ultrabook

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by pear-i, May 31, 2011.

  1. pear-i

    pear-i Notebook Guru

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    pear-i, May 31, 2011
    #1
  2. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

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    The UX is supposed to be a whole line up (or so I've read), so there will likely be even bigger models.
     
    Jayayess1190, May 31, 2011
    #2
  3. Riddhy916

    Riddhy916 Notebook Deity

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    thank god i really wanted a 13 inch model but i hate the bigger thick bezel whats up with that?
     
    Riddhy916, Jun 1, 2011
    #3
  4. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

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    I thought the Ux21 was a 13" laptop until I read more info. This is the laptop I prefer instead of the Ux21, that's more like a netbook.
     
    Rodster, Jun 1, 2011
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  5. jtay

    jtay Notebook Geek

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    so whats the difference between this and the u36 other than the better battery life of u36sd, thicker size of u36 and the dedicated gpu? a bit confused of how the company seems to be dishing out 2 laptops to the same type of 13" market?
     
    jtay, Jun 1, 2011
    #5
  6. pear-i

    pear-i Notebook Guru

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    Ux31 is gonna have a slim form factor like the macbook air
    While U36SD is going to be much more performance oriented -- w/o sacrificing much of the svette formfactor;

    The U31 is more budget friendly w/ the thin formfactor too (no optical)
    while U30 is kind of your standard 13.3

    There's a lot of options but they each hit their niche market -- with the first 2 being the on the high end **
     
    pear-i, Jun 1, 2011
    #6
  7. jtay

    jtay Notebook Geek

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    cool thanks. im really looking fwd to the 36sd for the time being ;)
     
    jtay, Jun 1, 2011
    #7
  8. vasra

    vasra Notebook Enthusiast

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    Will it still have the silly 1366x768 res? I know it's an ultra-portable, but a nice screen res would not be such a bad thing.
     
    vasra, Jun 2, 2011
    #8
  9. pear-i

    pear-i Notebook Guru

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    pear-i, Jun 2, 2011
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  10. your mother

    your mother Notebook Guru

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    Do you know a single Asus notebook with a high quality screen?

    This notebook would be unrivaled if it had a decent screen, and I would buy it in a second but Asus never invests in a good screen.
     
    your mother, Jun 3, 2011
    #10
  11. finduz

    finduz Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've heard that the 13" will have 1600x900
     
    finduz, Jun 6, 2011
    #11
  12. go0gle

    go0gle Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would love to see the same built quality with a detachable touch screen (like the asus transformer) and windows 8 on board : )
     
    go0gle, Jun 7, 2011
    #12
  13. msknyc

    msknyc Notebook Enthusiast

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    Wow....if this thing has a decent screen I'm going to have a hard time deciding between this and the new Sony Z-series.

    Choices, choices....

    Hoping to see more Ultrabooks from other OEMs before my W3V finally bites the dust;-)
     
    msknyc, Jun 27, 2011
    #13
  14. ThreeD

    ThreeD Notebook Evangelist

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    if it will be less then 2000 $/€ it and really has as 1600x900 resolution it is the laptop to go with. but it seems that the display is glossy, which is a no-go...
     
    ThreeD, Aug 30, 2011
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  15. EXcaliberPC

    EXcaliberPC Company Representative

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    ASUS will be hosting an ultrabook launch event in New York in about a month or so, 5-6 models will be introduced based on the Ivy Bridge platform and price ranges from $899 up to $1999. What screen size is likely to be the most popular for an ultrabook?
     
    EXcaliberPC, Aug 30, 2011
    #15
  16. Bronsky

    Bronsky Wait and Hope.

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    Bronsky, Aug 30, 2011
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  17. 0x29A

    0x29A Notebook Evangelist

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    1600x900 is fine. 13.3 is still a small screen. Higher resolution and things get too small for convenient use.
     
    0x29A, Sep 7, 2011
    #17
  18. huai

    huai Notebook Consultant

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    Any word on US release date for the UX31?
     
    huai, Sep 7, 2011
    #18
  19. Bronsky

    Bronsky Wait and Hope.

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    It was originally slated for September, then it was going to be early October with Asus' other ultrabooks, now word is that it could be as late as November. Classic Asus.

    Looks like the Lenovo X1 might be getting a 1600 x 900 display as well. If it keeps its 350 nits display, it should be better than the display in the Asus. Things get more interesing all the time.
     
    Bronsky, Sep 7, 2011
    #19
  20. huai

    huai Notebook Consultant

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    I'm looking for a light premium 13" laptop to replace my Dell Adamo XPS. Do any of you know if any ultrabooks have a confirmed release date, and if so what's the first one?
     
    huai, Sep 7, 2011
    #20
  21. Bronsky

    Bronsky Wait and Hope.

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    Toshiba and Lenovo have anounced their units' release in November. Asus originally said October, but it's Asus and the can never get new products to market on time. Acer will be first. Probably in a couple of weeks. But, I like the other three better and would wait. There are suppose to be 5 so I'm forgetting one.
     
    Bronsky, Sep 7, 2011
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  22. wow400

    wow400 Notebook Consultant

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    wow400, Sep 14, 2011
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  23. 0x29A

    0x29A Notebook Evangelist

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    0x29A, Sep 14, 2011
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  24. prepseb

    prepseb Notebook Evangelist

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    What's the release date?
     
    prepseb, Sep 14, 2011
    #24
  25. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    There is an article on FT from late August that implies there are supply chain problems: Intel’s Ultrabook likely to miss first sales target, says Asus chief | FT Tech Hub | FTtechhub - Industry analysis ? FT.com

    Here's another article, this one from digitimes in early September, about the rumored October release and further rumors of an April release for the Ivy Bridge equipped models: Login to DIGITIMES archive & research

     
    ALLurGroceries, Sep 14, 2011
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  26. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Phil, Sep 18, 2011
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  27. 0x29A

    0x29A Notebook Evangelist

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    Weren't the drives originally supposed to be Sandisk's? Those A-Data drives look good enough anyway, so no problem there, e.g. Intel 25nm NAND used.

    A-Data XM11
    A-DATA Demos SandForce-Based mSATA SSDs by VR-Zone.com
     
    0x29A, Sep 18, 2011
    #27
  28. thetoast

    thetoast Notebook Evangelist

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    I guess I now know the answer to the question "what manufacturer on earth would put a SandForce-powered drive in a laptop?". Was nearly my dream machine until I saw that. Sigh.
     
    thetoast, Sep 18, 2011
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  29. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Yeah you're right. I guess these are all pre production versions so we don't really know.

    It sounds unlikely to me any manufacturer would use Sandforce because they're return rate is substantially higher than Samsung or Intel for example.
     
    Phil, Sep 19, 2011
    #29
  30. 0x29A

    0x29A Notebook Evangelist

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    It's been Marvell all along here so far, because I was indeed skeptic about Sandforce controllers. However, if only Adata writes their own firmware and the drives, as it may seem, are designed with special care/special utility in mind, it may be okay. It's not like every single SF drive is faulty. In most cases it's about using controllers with original SF firmware not exactly suitable for hardware used or buggy (custom or not) firmware at all.

    The time will tell. Yet, saying "oh my god Sandforce!" is kinda silly.
     
    0x29A, Sep 19, 2011
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  31. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    not silly all the firmware are made in part by sandforce, and the controller + firmware is problematic.

    for example corsair uses pure sandforce firmware (or did in the last F series), and those arent quite good, nor where.
     
    Karamazovmm, Sep 19, 2011
    #31
  32. prepseb

    prepseb Notebook Evangelist

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    So... for those who don't know what is SandForce... it is bad?
     
    prepseb, Sep 19, 2011
    #32
  33. 0x29A

    0x29A Notebook Evangelist

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    The point is they could do better. I don't disagree with that.
     
    0x29A, Sep 19, 2011
    #33
  34. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    Sandforce is the company that makes the controller and the firmware

    Controller:
    Flash memory controller - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Other good companies that do it are: Toshiba, Intel, Marvell, Samsung, Indilinix (now bought by OCZ)

    Problems with sandforce controllers:
    -BSOD
    -Hangs in read and write scenarios
    -BSOD when returning from sleep (only in certain models, I had this with my past laptop, with this mbp I dont have it)
    -and some others
     
    Karamazovmm, Sep 19, 2011
    #34
  35. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    My educated guess is that Sandforce drives have a real world return rate between 4 and 5%. Crucial, Intel and Samsung have less than 2%, perhaps less than 1%.

    It would be suprised if Asus took such a risk because it can lead to more returns and warranty claims.
     
    Phil, Sep 20, 2011
    #35
  36. Bronsky

    Bronsky Wait and Hope.

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    Hopefully, they'll offer this with an option for a conventional drive. Unless Asus offers a great SSD in the UX31, I'd rather put in my own SSD anyway. My wife has been looking at the 13" MBA since it was refreshed. She would have already bought it, if not for OSX. We are seriously looking at the UX31 for her. Hopefully, Asus can get its act together on this unit and get it out in early October.
     
    Bronsky, Sep 20, 2011
    #36
  37. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    I too have been eyein' the MBA, and I too would have bought it already if not for OSX (as hard as I try, I just can't bring myself to do it). But I'm liking the upcoming Toshiba Ultrabook, either the Z830 or Z835. Any reason why you're looking at the Asus and not the Toshiba?
     
    SoundsGood, Sep 20, 2011
    #37
  38. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    That's why I'm not really considering the Toshiba. Plastic vs. aluminium.

    Another reason would be the 1600x900 screen that UX31 offers.
     
    Phil, Sep 20, 2011
    #38
  39. 0x29A

    0x29A Notebook Evangelist

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    This isn't going to happen. The device is too thin. All we can count on that e.g. Intel will launch a line of SSDs which will have the dimensions of XM11 so the drive will be replaceable.

    BTW, European users, I watched an youtube german video from some recent computer exposition in Berlin, and it was said, that UX21-UX31 will cost 900-1300 EUR and should be available after Christmas 2011. That's all that was said, and I guess this was about a version prepped for German market (so e.g. qwertz keyboard). I hope to see UX31 in Europe sooner than this, talking "US International" keyboard versions (which I'd like anyway).
     
    0x29A, Sep 20, 2011
    #39
  40. 0x29A

    0x29A Notebook Evangelist

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    That's exactly right. Aren't even the keyboard buttons made of aluminum? I think they are.
     
    0x29A, Sep 20, 2011
    #40
  41. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Both good points. I guess I don't mind too much if it's plastic. And in my case I'm very often hooked up to the external monitor, so the resolution doesn't matter *quite* as much to me. One thing I would like, though, is a backlit keyboard, and the Toshiba's got it.
     
    SoundsGood, Sep 20, 2011
    #41
  42. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    It's not only the resolution by the way. Screens with higher resolution tend to have better contrast too. Let's hope Toshiba is using a high quality panel but I doubt it. Whether Asus uses a good screen remains to be seen too.

    I also read some reviews that said the Toshiba felt flimsy.

    Even though I don't like OS X I would probably prefer the Macbook Air over the Toshiba. It's well built, strong and uses a pretty good screen.

    I do like the fact that the Toshiba only weighs 1 kg though.

    Edit: I was wrong about the materials of the Toshiba. It uses an aluminium frame with magnesium housing.
    http://tweakers.net/reviews/2271/2/...n-lenovo-en-toshiba-toshiba-portege-z830.html
     
    Phil, Sep 20, 2011
    #42
  43. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    I actually would have preferred the 1440x900 / 16x10 screeen found on the 13" Macbook Air. But other than that, here are some reasons why I really like the Toshiba:

    * Backlit Keyboard

    * Very lightweight (2.45 lbs)

    * Non-Glossy screen

    * Separate left and right buttons on the touchpad (I prefer this)

    * Dedicated Home / PageUp / PageDown / End buttons (I very much like having these buttons)

    * Full size HDMI port (not Micro-HDMI)

    * Full size Ethernet port

    * Most ports are in the back of the laptop (from past experience I know that I like this)

    It's not perfect (nothing is) but it has a lot going for it.
     
    SoundsGood, Sep 21, 2011
    #43
  44. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Not sure if you know but the MBA has backlit keyboard too. The screen is semi glossy and is hardly reflective. Contrast and brightness are (most likely) much higher than the Toshiba screen.
     
    Phil, Sep 21, 2011
    #44
  45. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    I love the new MBA. Love it. I've played with it A LOT at the Apple store, and came very close to buying one. But there are too many "little things" that always seem to keep me from actually doing it. I'm just more comfortable overall with a Windows machine.
     
    SoundsGood, Sep 21, 2011
    #45
  46. Bronsky

    Bronsky Wait and Hope.

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    Backlit keyboard came with the last refresh and Sandybridge processors. Apple - MacBook Air - It thinks and acts like a full-size Mac. The MBA is a beautiful, nearly perfect notebook. The main problem with it is OSX. :mad:

    The 16:10 1440 x 900 display is beautiful. It is not matt, however and shows a lot more reflection than a Lenovo Thinkpad for example. The UX31 is an unabashed knock off of the Air (Apple is already suing Samsung for copying the IPhone 4, it Asus next?). It is a decent option for someone wanting to stick with Windows.
     
    Bronsky, Sep 21, 2011
    #46
  47. prepseb

    prepseb Notebook Evangelist

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    2012 will be the year of ultra-thin laptop
    2012 will be the year of the tablet war
     
    prepseb, Sep 21, 2011
    #47
  48. benbronco

    benbronco Notebook Consultant

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    you can install windows 7 on the MBAs.
     
    benbronco, Sep 22, 2011
    #48
  49. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Yep and it works well. Especially since Apple fixed the battery life issues and there's a good third party trackpad driver for Windows.
     
    Phil, Sep 22, 2011
    #49
  50. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    I thought about doing this -- or at least installing Parallels or VM Ware.

    Crazy as it sounds, one of the big stumbling blocks for me is the keyboard. I am SO accustomed to the Windows keyboard layout and shortcuts that I find it very difficult every time I attempt to use a Mac keyboard. I much prefer the placement of the Ctrl key on Windows to do many keyboard shortcuts (it's just easier and more comfortable for me on a Windows keyboard) and I really prefer having dedicated Home and End keys.

    I know it sounds silly to many people, but I'm an old dude that's pretty set in his ways. I've been using computers since the TRS-80 and Commodore 64, so I'm very, very comfortable with a "regular" Windows-style keyboard.

    :)
     
    SoundsGood, Sep 22, 2011
    #50
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