Ivy Bridge Zenbook with FHD IPS screen UX21A UX31A UX32A UX32VD

I wont hand out 507,82 USD for m4 512...I just wont do it! Price is insane in DK!

But you havent told me how the ssd is being locked in place!?

Is it being contained with a metal plate envelope!?

I am getting myself Samsung 830 256gb instead, just what is cheapest between m4 and samsung

 

That is the exact one I ordered. Did the order on Sunday with one day shipping. I was issued a tracking number Sunday night. Maybe they only had a few in stock and I got lucky.

Checking the bottom of the machine, it uses torx screws. I don't have a torx driver on hand at the moment. I will check it out later tonight when I get home and have my tools on hand.

 

Opening this case is NOT for beginners, let me start with that. Right now I don't know if it voids warranty. You should write to Asus Support to find out.
Otherwise a small torx screwdriver is needed and a small Philips one.
Ram upgrade: almost simple, you should reuse the antistatic blanket of the old one. I don't know how hard it is to take it off though.

HDD-->>SSD swap instructions: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/659073-ivy-bridge-zenbook-fhd-ips-screen-ux21a-ux31a-ux32a-ux32vd-67.html#post8627563

Again, I don't know about the warranty.

As for reliable vendors or products, I leave this to others, depends on taste and budget.

 

Is anyone going to be using these laptops for enterprise use? Looks like the processors that come on the primes are missing the following features:

Intel® vPro Technology
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology

Oh and BTW, Excaliberpc.com has its information wrong. They are claiming the UX32 comes with a UE processor..

http://www.excaliberpc.com/617888/asus-zenbook-ux32vd-db71-13.3-ultrabook.html#TabSpecification

NewEgg is saying something different:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230469

Asus.com confirms NewEggs specs:

http://zenbook.asus.com/zenbook/?c=prime_ux32

For fun:

http://ark.intel.com/compare/65714,64893,65713

 

Is anyone seeing backlight bleed like this: ASUS UX32VD Backlight Bleeding - YouTube ?

Most interested in low brightness (10% and below)

 

Where did you order yours from? What processor is in it?

 

It's not my video, I'm still just a prospective buyer weighing up the UX32VD vs Sony S13A

 

Amazon will save me ~$60 in tax and free two day shipping or $4 overnight with prime. I don't know if the other online stores tax but I don't think Amazon's price is that bad.

 

The Sony VAIO S13A looks nice. Lower resolution but a lot more functional and a better processor. It is thicker and a bit heavier as well.

I still like it. Any idea of when it will be sold on sites like Amazon?

 

Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium SP1 install on Sandisk i100 SSD:

now we're talking! Bootup-time: ~35 secs, until SSD stops activity, all system parts are loaded, not just the icons. System absolutely ready for user input and commands.

I only installed neccessary drivers, no games, and other bloatware.
Recycle Bin limited to 512MB.
Page File: 200MB (the min.)
Hibernation, Hybrid sleep: off.
All updates applied, few browsers, Flash, Java, few utilities.
After boot Used Ram: 34% (!!! compared to 67% on Asus factory image).
9.6GB free from 29.6GB, enough for Office and a few more programs.
Documents Folders will be moved to HDD.
For average use, this will do. No need for more RAM or a new SSD.
Sandisk i100 SSD supports TRIM, I confirm.

 

35 seconds...that is terrible

 

Just ordered the S13A Premium from Sony.com. Got a 10% student discount and free PS Vita.

I now have 3 laptops, ThinkPad T430s, Zenbook UX32, and now this Sony one. I will have to return two of them.

This sony is the best of all of them. You can dock it, has ton of features, M processor, good resolution, looks nice. I'm excited about this sony. Its more Business focused and thats what I need!

 

But how do the screens compare on all of them? I'm looking for something that is matte, has the best color accuracy possible, and the sharpest picture. I haven't seen anything that really beats the Asus for the size.

 

Depends. Compared to HDD, not so terrible. Compared to HDD/SSD hybrid factory solution, still much better.

I recommend putting it to SLEEP. Over 12 hours, the battery drained less than 4% in Sleep mode. Wakeup is practically instant, like 2 seconds from pressing Power to be at Desktop fully ready.

And I haven't even tested Instant-On.

With a 1.7Ghz Cpu, 35 secs are just fine, IMHO.

 

How did you go about doing this? Did you put the windows 7 backup on an external harddrive and then uninstall windows 7 from the 500GB hard drive, and then reinstall it on the SSD?

 

Yes I am curious about this as well

 

Asus lists the UX31A thickness at 9mm and the UX32VD at 18mm at the rear end. That seems like a serious difference, in photos they look pretty much the same. zenbook-ux32leftside.jpg vs. zenbook-ux31a005.jpg

 

My i5 UX31e does it in 22 seconds on a cold boot, so 35 seconds doesn't seem all that bad, plus these times are cold boots, I probably cold boot it once a day and use the sleep function 90% of the time.


I want to buy the UX32VD as i have a spare 7mm ssd, but i was happy to see a member install windows on the internal ssd.

Would really like to see the notebook in person to compare the thinkness to my current ux31

 

My UX31A-DB51 has already died. It started locking up on me after about 20 minutes and got worse from there. Plugging anything into USB made it freeze. Could not get online reliably. Finally tried a factory reset and it did not even make it all the way through without locking up and starting over. Now if it turns on it is stuck in install mode.

Will be returning to Amazon. Decided against an exchange as I was not happy with the backlight bleed on the screen. I mentioned in a previous post that I noticed some in the upper right corner. When I used it in a dimly lit room, the whole bottom seam, half the right and about a third of the top were bleeding. It was not just some light at the edge either, it went in a good 1-1 1/2 inches in a couple places. I was going to take a picture of it but the machine is pretty much dead now.

I will wait and see what others report before deciding whether or not to go with this model again. I am hoping my screen was just a lemon like the rest of the system.

 

This video compares the ux31a and the ux32vd side by side at a convention, the lady taking the recording even stacks them one on top of the other so you can compare thicknesses. hope that helps

ASUS Zenbook UX32VD with Nvidia Graphics Hands On - YouTube

 

Though the UX31A becomes thinner towards the front, meaning there is a slight slope. The UX32VD does not have a slope but is straight. So the thickness of 9mm difference is most likely only to be seen at the front of it.

In the beginning I was thinking of UX32A because of thickness rather than UX32VD, but I preordered my VD!

Hope this will clear a bit up on your decision and gl finding the one you need!

 

anyone heard anything about the UX21A? i'm seeing some people getting hold of UX31As and UX32VDs (overseas, anyway), but no UX21A news to speak of.

 

hey guys, how's the built quality of the vd?

 

Thinking about getting this to try out. Can anyone confirm that it doesn't have the keyboard issue that my previous zenbook had? Video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIWRGKQ0KDU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

 

The UX32VD are available in Switzerland from today. Just ordered mine. I will maybe get it before the week-end !

 

Where have you got it in Switzerland ? Anyway waiting for ux31a too

edit: OK found it (asus ux32vd) and didn't know it have a full hd resolution screen !! Now I don't know if I'll take it instead of asus ux31a ...
The only thing better on Asus UX31A in my point of view it's the 256Go SSD... (I don't care about the thickness)

 

Don't forget the VD can upgrade the RAM and hard drive, so you could add your own SSD down the road.

 

Newegg is mad smart the only laptops that you can get a free xbox with are Sandy Bridge, smart way to get rid of SB inventory since the average consumer wont be able know the difference and will be happy with a free xbox.

 

@UltrabookFanBoy > yes I'll probably upgrade the hdd of the vd if I take it...

@chli > Have you ordered your from digitec?
Because they said it's the UX32VD-R4002X and on the description said it's full hd 1920x1080 resolution....
But on most of websites I see the UX32VD-R4002X with 1366 x 768.....
Who is wrong ? :s

I don't want to order a version thinking it's full HD then getting a 1366 x 768 screen......

 

If it has the GT620M graphics card, it should be 1920x1080. I think, at least.
My UX31A-DB51 comes in tomorrow. Unless amazon messes something up.

 

There is also a UX32VD-R3001V model with GT620M but only 1366 x 768.

In the specs presented by digitec are incorrect you will be able to return it I think...

 

for a cold boot with SSD and a clean windows 7, it seems very slow to me

 

Just ordered my ASUS UX32VD hope it will be nice ! :x
Coming Friday..

 

From where?

 

digitec, Switzerland

 

How are the idle/light desktop use noise levels on the UX32VD after replacing the HDD with SDD? Does the fan turn off completely? If so, in what kind of use does it turn on?

Also, what kind of connector does the cache SSD have? If I replace the HDD with a SDD then it should be removed but I wonder if it could be used as a normal drive ie. in a media pc.

 

I confirm, this is the EXACT model I have here. UX32VD-R3001V on the stickers, inside there is a GT620M, and screen is 1366x768.

I haven't used it enough to tell the difference regarding noise levels, but normally this ultrabook is not noisy at all. CPU and GPU temps maxed out around 70°C at full stress (Intel Burntest and Furmark, separately run though).

During normal use (office type of work), you don't hear it at all. At full fan speed, it is VERY loud, but for that you'd have to stress it hard - but again, then don't wonder: everything is so tiny in this machine, how would you get rid of the heat inside? You have no space for big heatsinks, nor big fans, the only way is through high rpm-s, think 4000-5000. And we want powerful multicore CPU's - that equals heat generated.

Cache SSD is BGA, meaning it is soldered as a chip, not removable! I could not identify it inside the case, other will disassemble it further, I'm sure.

 

Can someone confirm or not if both displays are experiencing backlight bleeding or only one type?

 

Sure, could be better, but check the AS SSD benchmark of the Sandisk U100 or i100 SSD! Results is 120-150. That is crap, really. My Good old 50GB OCZ Vertex 2 SSD gets a 380 score!

The attachment is at a slightly used state.

If you want this Zenbook to scream, you need to swap the HDD for a latest Sata3 SSD. But for Office work, for my client, this i100 will do.

 

Holy crap, those random 4k read/write speeds are terrible. Similar results out of the budget Kingston drives made when SSD's first started to come out. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/SSD/83

When and where did you buy this model? Hopefully my model comes with the a-data drive (that's what some people are reporting..?)

 

Build quality is great. No complaints.

 

Seeing this thread pile up with comments everyday made me want to make an account ASAP, as my Asus zenbook prime UX31A should arrive either tomorrow or day after, if not early next week.

In regards to the Asus zenbook prime, Ive honestly been on track with updates and stuff since day 1 of its rumoured launch, as Ive needed a laptop badly to cater towards my latter years of university.


In saying this, I have read 5-6 posts (on various sites) of people who have accquired the UX31A model, and they have fortunately found they have a ADATA Sandforce SSD. So I'm hoping thats the case with all of them.

In regards to where I ordered mine from? Im from Australia and live next to an Asus retailer so I can pick it up from their market hopefully these next coming days, so I will be able to give those that are leaning towards the UX31A model a detailed review of performance.

 

Just a wild guess based on nothing in particular but I am thinking the drives with TPM(windows 7 professional) and the drives that come with the w7hp machines are what constitutes the difference and which you will get.

 

Hmmm well this was on the quote (online receipt) the ASUS market gave me.

ASUS ZENBOOK PRIME UX31A Pro Intel Core i7 Ultrabook with Win 7 Pro

Price - $2382.9 (Due to the OS, the high prices in Australia, and Ive ordered a few practical extras like microsoft office pack and antivirus etc etc).

I'm hoping this constitutes of an A-Data SSD? However, aside from dissassembling the laptop, are there any other more practical ways of knowing?

 

Just go into device manager or download AS-SSD (benchmarking tool). Should be fairly easy to determine the model.

On a side note, I don't see the point in buying antivirus software, as MSE is quite capable, but to each their own I suppose.

 

Anyone have a spec sheet for these laptops? The excaliberpc one is incorrect. I really wish they had the TPM on the UX32VD.

 

Can any owners of the UX31A comment whether there is a mini-displayport or not?

The official spec says mini-VGA but other website specs say there is a mini-displayport. Also in this review Asus Zenbook UX31A Review Philippines - YouTube
(min 10:36) it sure looks like a mini-displayport.

 

Sure, just go into system/device manager/disk drives and it will tell you exactly who makes it and the model.

 

WINDOWS 7 install on i100 SSD cache:

As this was an experiment, i did NOT delete anything from the HDD. As a result, there are 2 Win7 installations right now on the UX32VD, with multiboot options, meaning, when win7 starts, you can choose which win7 to boot, the HDD or the SSD.

optional step: I have used Parted Magic to Secure Erase the i100, you need the latest beta version, that works right with this machine.

You can erase the existing SSD partitions from within windows 7, and create an NTFS partition for your new win7 installation, IN ADVANCE, from Disk Management.

Don't worry about the running ExpressCache software on the HDD, it will notice that it does not have it's special partition anymore and will stop caching. If you uninstall and reinstall it later, it will give you the option to recreate its cache partition on the SSD.

I had no time to try all possibilities, but both the HDD and SSD have GPT type partition tables because of UEFI BIOS in this machine (to able to boot), and it's better to leave it that way.

I actually copied all the win7 install DVD (took an OEM vanilla Win7 install DVD of Home Premium 64 bit SP1) files to a folder on the HDD, and started Setup form there. I was able to select the prepared NTFS partition on the SSD as the install target.

At the end: HDD has the boot files, but it automatically boots the SSD's Windows (you have 30 seconds to choose which win7 install you want to boot, you can set this timer lower). Fine for an experiment.

You can use an "eDrive" folder from the HDD's root somewhere where you find all the drivers, utilities.

NOW, here comes my taste: I always prefer latest manufacturer drivers, where possible. As little bloatware as possible. This means not ASUS drivers, but straight from Intel, etc.

Watch for: Nvidia has no official drivers for 620M at this moment, the Beta drivers wont install. You HAVE to use ASUS's one.
There is an "ATK package" or similar named driver, start with this, other drivers depend on this. Until this is not installed, some other drivers/utlities give an error message that they "only work on Asus machines" ... LOL.

You can activate windows with your key on the charger's sticker, or more professionals can inject the Asus certificate and Serial into the Win7 installation, as the BIOS contains the license code for win7. I won't go into further details on this...

Voilá! Test works. Now, as many of you will get your machines in the next days, experiments will begin, I'm sure there is a way to single-boot the SSD, release all possible free space from the HDD for Documents, etc.

BUT, watch for not deleting the Recovery Partition from the HDD, it might come handy in the future, and I personally have not enough experience with UEFI BIOSes, GPT partition tables, and all the little recovery, UEFI, maintenance partitions ASUS created on the HDD, to know which is needed or not, which can be recreated, what their use is for, etc.

Theoretically you could shrink the HDD Win7 installation under 32GB by uninstalling unnecessary things, disabling page file, hibernation, etc., etc., and make a perfect clone to the SSD and then empty the HDD, and then tell the BIOS to boot from the SSD. It should work IMHO. I don't see any real differentiation between the HDD and SSD from a BIOS viewpoint. Just don't let the SSD win7 install use the HDD for caching, LOL!

10GB are left on the SSD after my basic software package is installed. Better to move document folders to the HDD. The 32GB SSD can even be backed up to the 500GB HDD regularly from within Win7.

I won't be able to answer all the questions, the machine goes to the client today, leaving me. I try to help where I can, but there will be too many differenet cases. I just wanted to share my first experiences, as we were literally the first buyers of this model here in Hungary, too.

Hello, the model was bought in Hungary, where I live, it has launched here already. We were told we are the first buyers. I knew from reviews that Asus had corrected all weak points in the earlier Zenbook lineup in the Ivy Bridge series, and when I saw online that is is in stock, we walked in and bough it at a retail shop. Dell XPS 13 was a candidate too, but horrible reviews scared me away, also no localized keyboard was a no-no.

i100 SSD is originally meant for caching, it is only 32GB, it is soldered on-board the UX32VD. As far as I could tell, A-DATA gives you a SATA interfaced SSD with proper size, 128-256GB, and that is meant as a MAIN drive, not for caching. That is a big difference.

I do not think Adata will provide the cache SSD in this model. I think where you have a factory main SSD drive (from A-DATA let's say), obviously you don't need a small, slow, crappy, soldered SSD cache to "boost" it (to be more precise, slow it down), LOL.

 

Haha, sorry, didn't realize that was a cache drive on the VD, not an actual full ssd. I feel silly now.