Asus UX31 Ultrabook

Ah smckenna, I think half of my fun in this thread has been replying to you. It's fun to make fun of one comment perhaps, but you completely ignored the person whom mentioned no problems even with a Mac sitting next to him. Quoted below for posterity.

On a serious note, have you ever tried to share a movie from Netflix on a Macbook Air? In a dark room the display of black tones doesn't pass muster, and the system has to be very close (e.e. crammed) to your faces to have hope of discerning visual details to various plots. Not a fun experience.

Since it's so important, help me understand why extended angles on a small screen are a priority. Seriously. Why should I started proclaiming it as a missing necessity?

 

I'll have to try sharing a Netflix movie with my MBA and get back to you. For now, since there wasn't enough pixels on the MBA for me to do software development, and coincidentally my daughter's lappie broke, I've given the MBA to her and now I'm once again on the hunt. My latest object of desire is the new Sony Z22 with Intel Core i7-2640 + 8GB RAM. It sports a true 1080p display (1920x1080) somehow on a 13 inch laptop. The owner's lounge forum for that computer seems to be filled with pretty satisfied people. The big downside is the price (around $1900 for the one I'm looking at), but I chatted with Sony online and they are willing to knock about $150 off the price, depending upon my final configuration.
13.1" Ultra-Portable Custom Laptop | VAIO Z Series Configure-to-Order | VPCZ2290X CTO | Sony USA

 

No electric shock when plugging in USB hard drives, optical drives or other gear. I'm in a warm climate and it's not heating/static electricity season just yet, which *migt* make a difference.

 

Maybe no additional crapware from Best Buy?

 

I have the 1600x900 rather than the 1920x1080 version of the Z21 but I have to say that vertical viewing angles on my display are really, really limited. There's only one magic spot where a white screen is consistent from top to bottom. Otherwise you can see variation in brightness on either top or bottom of the screen.

On the upside, when I've got the screen in the right position, it's easily the highest contrast laptop screen I've used. And it's matte finish too without any apparently downside.

 

I read another review of the Z21 that said pretty much the same, that if you didn't mind re-adjusting the screen vertically whenever you adjusted your seat position, the display is really sweet. Horizontal viewing angles were very good, though.

 

Just got my UX31-DH53 from amazon.
Such a beautiful laptop.
Currently doing some installs of the stuff that I use then will comment on user experience.

 

if it is really benefit some people, then why not?

 

Just checked out my own laptop. I don't have a problem with the viewing angle that everyone is complaining about. The viewing is for myself and only myself. Perfectly fine for me since i'm the only one viewing it!

As for the keyboard, yes a few miss keystrokes. Nothing too major or something to complain about. I think it's just my typing habit. I give it a day or two to see if it changes.

 

-DH52 in da haus.

It is very snappy and responsive with the 120Gb SSD, and contrary to our also brand-new N55SF, I love the keyboard despite its small size as the keys are distinct, unlike the N55's flimsy crammed-together full keyboard.

I note the fan venting is very unusual, upwards through the hinge due to how thin and shallow the shell is, there's no point in trying to vent down or to the rear.

PS- I really don't see (lol) the viewing angle issue? How often are you sharing such a tiny screen? This is one area where the N55's 1080p DEFINITELY does stand above the Zenbook though - it has a clearly wider angle of view, and is much brighter. Despite the size and weight and better keyboard, given a choice between these two new units in our office, I will take the N55. The Zen is an executive showpiece for some light computing and remote access.

 

Nice picture! I will post my own later tonight or tomorrow.

anyone do a fresh install of windows? Just realized that home premium can't let me add chinese language pack... WEAK
Also did anyone backup their system using AI recovery upon first reboot before installing anything? What happens if I installed a bunch of stuff before running AI recovery, does that mean the recovery disc that I make will include the new software that I already installed?

 

The best buy model does not have the 1 year of accidental damage protection warranty, otherwise I believe they are identical. ADP is pretty valuable I suppose, it covers pretty much anything you manage to do to your laptop...


For those who bought their UX and don't want to keep it, a 15% restock fee is pretty harsh. I listed mine on an overseas Ebay site and sold it for $1450USD after just paying $1099.

I'm now using a not so slim but much more usable Toshiba T235 upgraded to an SSD and it's just as fast for basic web/word functions and cost under $400. No regrets whatsoever, I miss looking at my UX31 but I don't miss using it.

 

15% is pretty harsh. You should be able to get out of it through Amazon though if you claim that there is manufacture defect. Many would claim that it is a problem, but it haven't got on my nerves yet. I do notice the problem when I'm typing and I'm trying to see if it will become a long term problem. As of right now, I don't see it to be too problematic. Touchpad hasn't been much of a problem either. I don't expect it to be like Macbook smooth, but it is workable and usable. It doesn't jump left and right as many people claim previously.

 

Here's a dedicated thread for the UX21: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/622422-asus-ux21-ultrabook.html#post8047103

Here's a German UX21 review by Notebookjournal:
Asus UX21E im Test Asus bittet zum Ultrabook-Kampf auf notebookjournal.de

 

Day five using my U31 and I definitely enjoy it so far.

The problems I've had, are similar, though more specific, than those that others have mentioned.

Keyboard: Only when I'm pressing a combination of keys simultaneously do I occasionally miss keystrokes. I could blame my weak pinky for not pressing Ctrl hard enough whilst making combination keystrokes. But if the keys were more rigid inside of their chiclet containers, without as much give, I probably wouldn't have to hit the keys so accurately to register a higher percentage of keypresses.

Trackpad: The ONLY problem I've had with my trackpad is multi-finger scrolling. I've noticed that the speed at which two finger scrolling works isn't as precise at it ought to be, supposed scrolling more quickly than others. Also, while attempting to two-finger scroll, I would, on occasion, accidentally beginning the pinch-to-zoom feature. Pinch-to-zoom is FAR from usable, and a pain to simply restore a page to its previous scale. As such, I disabled this feature altogether.

Anyone else concur? Or have better remedies to these (albeit minor) issues?

 

Where do you notice this?

I notice that on my Sony SE in the Chrome browser this tends to happen because Chrome has its own multi-touch response and combined with the trackpad action... it tends to get confused.

 

Ahh, very interesting. Yes, I've only noticed this in the Chrome browser. Do you think I would therefore not experience these issues in another browser? Could this also explain some of the issues others have had with the trackpad? And finally, is there a way to adjust settings within Chrome to prevent the conflict?

 

Do anyone know which file on asus website is the Turbo technology thing? I'm doing a fresh install but i don't know if I installed the turbo enhancement yet. This is the one where the system automatically speeds up the processor! thanks !

also why are there two elantech drivers on the website? Those don't support our notebook right?

 

You don't need any turbo software. The CPU will speed up automatically.

 

So that widget is just a gimmick?

 

Yupp, it just shows the usage of turbo feature.

 

so basically as long as i installed th eintel drives, i should be fine!
did you clean install your computer too?

 

Does anyone have a slim, USB powered DVD-burner they would recommend to use with the UX31?

I'm looking at some on Newegg, but most look like they require two USB connections. This concerns me because the two ports on this ultrabook are on opposite sides and I'm afraid the DVD-packaged USB cables won't be able to reach both ports with the relatively small Y-connectors included.

*Does the "high-speed charging USB port" satisfy the large(ish) power requirements typical of these drives with only a single connection?

 

I use the Asus Slim Blu-Ray SBC-06D1S-U, works with single connection

 

Alright so I'm seriously considering returning this laptop myself as the keyboard is indeed hard to type on. Seems like the travel on this keyboard is definitely shorter than other keyboards. Also another problem that I saw with this keyboard is that the side of the keys do not have any support where it monitors the clicks on it. So basically when typing and you press the side of the key where it's not the middle, you will not get a registered stroke.

hmm!!!!! return or not return! DAMN, i really love this laptop too.

 

Is it possible to order additional A/C adapters for the UX31 anywhere?

Or are any of the 3rd-party A/C adapters (those with multiple tips, such as from Targus) compatible with this sublime Ultrabook?

Also, completely unrelated, does the UX31 include WIDI functionality - which allows wireless video projection onto a suitably equipped TV screen?

 

Here's two videos that I made
Enter Key - Asus ux31 keyboard problem - YouTube
Hinge problem - Asus ux31 hinge loose - YouTube
Dead pixel - Dead pixel Asus ux31 - YouTube

 

I'm pretty sure the Atheros wireless card can't do WIDI.

 

Thanks.

Makes sense, since I think WIDI is an Intel-developed feature.

I wonder if the next (first) Ultrabook refresh would include an upgraded wireless card that includes WIDI.

Or perhaps whenever the Ivy Bridge (possibly coincident with the next refresh?) comes out.

Actually hoping rather than wondering.

 

Yea...I was hoping the UX31 would have WIDI when it was first introduced (for future proof), but it's not a dealbreaker for me since my TV doesn't have built in WIDI support yet. =p

If you want an ultrabook that has WIDI now, the Lenovo U300s might be what you're looking for: http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-10802B...PEYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320465700&sr=8-1

 

Thanks.

Very informative link - especially the extensive review of the U300s therein.

Now I'm torn between the UX31 and the U300s - and newly curious about the soon-to-be-released Toshiba Z830 which has a backlit KB.

From what I gather, in comparing the UX31 and U300s, the former appears to have superior SSD and display while the latter has the advantage of WIDI and better WIFI, along with superior touchpad & KB.

We'll soon see what Toshhiba brings to the table - apparently on 11/11/11.

Tough to decide.

 

I'm away from home so I am approaching nearly two weeks of using the UX31 as my sole computer. No problems so far, loving this machine! I like the Power4Gear processor/battery controls. I usually only need a max processor setting of 80%, but when I need that extra juice, I crank it to 100% and can play 1080P videos without a hitch. So awesome

Amazon seems to have a decent supply of them now, so good news for any interested customers

 

I know exactly how you feel. I couldn't live with it, and gave up on this.
What I don't understand, and what piisssses me off is that this would have been evident in any kind of testing they did before release... so why bother releasing it?

Funnily enough, the amazon customer review for the u300 is from a former ux31 owner...

 

Did you check out the videos I made? I posted them above!

Can you check my video and test that the problem?

 

Yep, looks like you had it worse than I did. The main k/b issue seems to be you have to hit it dead on centre or else hit it hard enough anywhere on the key such that it makes the centre go down enough to register the keystroke.


Reading the comments from someone in that U300s amazon listing, they say the Toshiba will start at $799. Is that for real? That's an amazing price cut over the other models for a lighter computer with a backlit kb

 

i'm still an asus fan! i'll wait til revision 2 model! I PM-ed the asus tech on the forums and hope to hear back from him!

 

First time poster here. Been lurking the forums for a while now, and in particular this thread. Really thinking about purchasing the UX31; one thing I'm hesitant about is that I'm not a big fan of two finger scrolling and actually prefer edge scrolling. However, the pocket lint reviewers claim that edge scrolling doesn't work with the UX31.

Are any of the owners able to confirm whether or not edge scrolling works with the touchpad? I actually also am a fan of the circular scrolling that seems to be in most Dell laptops these days but am assuming that's not a possibility with the UX31.

Thought about posting this in the UX31 owner's lounge but that thread doesn't seem too active. Feel free to direct me over there if more appropriate though...

 

Please let us know if you get an answer.
I am now returning my second UX31 due to horrible WI-FI issues.
After changing to the recommendet power settings and updating drivers it still cuts out.
The longer it is you use the worse the problem gets.

 

HQ Video of Keyboard Issue - ASUS UX31 - Keyboard Issue (HQ)! - YouTube

 

I remembered seeing an option for edge scrolling when I shut off the pinch-to-zoom gesture, so I just went back and found it. However, it seems that even when I check the box to allow edge scrolling and apply the changes, I'm unable to get edge scrolling to work. Is this consistent with other reviews? It seems strange to me that they would present the setting without it being functional. I feel bad, I was excited to quickly confirm that your desired functionality was present, but I was unable to make that happen ha.

Your videos may be doing a better job of disproving your opinion than proving it. By ever-so-gently tapping a tiny piece of the corner of a large key, one would expect very few key presses to register, no? Watching that video made me realize that if I am missing key presses on my DH72, it's probably more my own fault than the fault of the keyboard.

 

When your typing fast, how do you guarantee that your always hitting the dead center of the key? Esp those keys like enter, shift, and etc... I'm just proving a fact that hitting the side doesn't register. I think I've proved my point! If the key is press then it should register! FN + F11 in the test shows this problem. FN is already pressed but it's not registering it.

Also, I've tested on two different keyboards and this doesn't happen to any of them. For example, my ASUS Ul30 doesn't have this problem when I do the exact same test.

If I press the keys, I want it to work! Same logic, if I move my mouse, I expect it to move. Keyboards have been around for ages, it's not a new technology...

 

Here we go again....

 

Haha, I didn't believe people who were complaining until I saw the problem myself and tested the problems myself. The videos I made validly prove a point! I'm sure you agree with me! LOL

 

Ha ha you two crack me up.

It's funny that you two seem to imply that I haven't used the computer myself, when in fact I clearly do and have myself stated my own experiences with the keyboard: Link to my earlier post

You clearly missed my point; while your video(s) may seem to prove your point to yourself, as a viewer, they do little, if anything, to demonstrate the issues. Maybe it's the lack of sound to better explain what is happening. Perhaps it's the dim lighting that prevent me from seeing more clearly how a key is pressed. This goes for the last, HQ, video, as the first three vertical videos are unarguably useless.

I never denied the issue's existence. Instead, I suggested that your video could have done a better job of demonstrating them. It appears in your video like you aren't pressing the keys down at all, only so gently pressing a corner that they aren't even in their sunken position.

 

You want me to prove a point right? Fine.
I'll remake a video for you... This time in bright light and let you see the keys are pressed!

 

Yes, I do.
The picky keyboard is actually a "feature" in that this laptop is really a training device to make you a better, more accurate typist.

 

Thanks for the quick response majalo; that's pretty much exactly what the pocket lint review reports as well. Too bad. Maybe/hopefully it will be addressed in another driver update.

 

Hey guys I have the UX31 and I am typing this on it right now.

I am very impressed with the computer and am having difficulty replicating issues that other people have!

The keyboard is fine once you get used to it. They keys do travel slightly less than other laptops I've used but it's really not a big deal and you don't notice it after you use it for a while. I have no problems with the keys not registering either.

The trackpad DOES have some issues BEFORE you update the drivers. Once I updated them the trackpad works great! It actually has the best two finger scrolling I have ever used on a PC laptop.

The audio is INSANE, It's the best I've heard out of ANY laptop.

The screen is bright and the 16x9 resolution is nice for productivity purposes.

Wireless connectivity is above average, I get decent speeds upstairs, though my other laptop with a 3x3 wireless card in it receives the signal more robustly.

If anyone has any questions let me know!

BTW I am still deciding whether or not to keep the laptop or switch to a u300s when it comes out! I'm waiting to hear more on the U300a

 

Update for Canadians

So I bought 2 UX31 from NCIX. They are on their way. Right now they are stuck in the UPS center in Lachine for the weekend. Should be here Monday.

NCIX is out of stock.
Amazon.ca is out of stock
Tigerdirect only have the 1199$ UX 21 in stock
MemoryExpress still have a 6days countdown with Preorder but they are Out of stock for the 256GB UX31....

 

Are you able to replicate the problems in the videos I posted? I want to know if my keyboard is the one that is having the problem. I really want to keep this laptop or get a replacement if I can do so.