Ivy Bridge Zenbook with FHD IPS screen UX21A UX31A UX32A UX32VD

That is really the question..it's brand new and this is the first batch..there will obviously be some bad units and the people assembling they are only now learning how to do it..is it all of them? Is it a few? Is it both screen types? Both 31a and 32? Nobody has been able to answer any of these..one or two videos on utube doesn't make a disaster yet...

 

Adorama has the UX31A-DB51 available for USD$1030

Asus Zenbook Prime Series 13.3" IPS Full HD Notebook UX31A-DB51

 

In light of our earlier discussion, thought it would be useful to know:

Adorama does NOT allow returns/refunds for opened/unwrapped laptops.

 

Holy crap, this thread shot up like 20 pages in a day. While I catch up on the new posts, was anyone able to open up the UX31A bottom cover and confirm that memory and SSD is NOT upgradable?

I know UX32VD will upgrade fine because it has 1 sodimm slot and uses standard SATA for the SSD, but UX31A has soldered memory and non-standard SSD. I just need the pictures for reassurance.

 

The Stock SSD is soldered on the motherboard, in form of a BGA chip. Non-removable. It is slow, so there is not much use for it when you put in a good modern SSD, just some extra storage that is slower than your modern SSD, but faster than the HDD you just replaced.

 

It shiped! (Finally) should have my VD from Amazon tomorrow (in theory).

Suppose I should start looking into the details of which RAM to order exactly.

 

One thing I would like to know from the people with IPS screens... are the reds orange?

 

When did you order? You in US?

 

UX32VD in stock at newegg for 1299
Newegg.com - ASUS UX32VD-DB71 Notebook Intel Core i7 3517U(1.90GHz) 13.3" 4GB Memory DDR3 1333 500GB HDD NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M

 

Shame they aren't doing the free Xbox on this model

 

Does anyone know if the 24gb on the UX34VD is usable if I wipe the drive clean? It would seem to be a perfect size drive for a *nix install.

Are there any specs on the speed of this hybrid drive (is it even a hybrid or two separate?)

 

I'm trying to perform a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate in place of the OEM Home Premium but I've run into a big problem. Since both USB ports are USB3, the installation environment cannot read the external CD drive that I've inserted.

I'm fried. Can anyone dispense any advice on how I could go about successfully performing a fresh install? Thanks in advance!

 

Crap I don't want to pay $30 for next day shipping when I can get it for $3.99 on Amazon. I can do ShopRunner free for 30 days....

 

You do realize that in the very beginning of the video he says the unit is a pre-production unit, right? Let's wait for a large enough sample size to get out into peoples' hands before we start crying foul.

 

Use a (>4GB) thumbdrive. You can do so using Microsoft's Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool
Microsoft Store Online

 

Yep, US.
Ordered from Amazon.

Amazon "implied" I could get the xbox, after 8 days they would review the order and send me some clde or something odd... But it was pretty wishy-washy...

 

Yes, you can use it. It is a separate on-board SSD. The BIOS sees it as just another Sata 3 drive. You can find my AS SSD benchmark of it here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/659073-ivy-bridge-zenbook-fhd-ips-screen-ux21a-ux31a-ux32a-ux32vd-74.html#post8630757
Score: ~120. Not great, but better than a HDD.

Oh, yeah: it is 32GB in fact, just ExpressCache partitions it for 24GB, so you dont see the rest until you go into Disk Management.

If your *nix system can handle GPT partitions and UEFI BIOS, you are cleared to take off!

 

If it is 32 then why only 24 used for cache? Is that an attempt to allow the memory room to entropy as it wears out or something?

 

Thanks jedighost... that is really not the performance I would want from an SSD... I'm assuming the ADATA in the 128gb version is 2-3x+ faster?

I wish these forums were easier to follow.

 

We really need a sort of FAQ for known items, RAM compatibility, ssd info, install options, etc...

 

Just bought it! Will post a review when I get it... very excited about this!

 

Bah. Thanks but I got around it. What a pain in the posterior that was!

 

The Notebookcheck.net review of the Asus UX32VD says it has DDR3 1600 memory (PC3-12800), but NewEgg says DDR 1333, so is NewEgg wrong?

 

Just placed my order on Newegg for UX32VD shame no XBOX deal maybe I will try to call them up and have them do it.


Also if you're buying from NEWEGG use this code FB1MTHANKS7 get 10 dollars off its not much but its something and no tax and most places and free shipping YAY..

 

Adorama has the UX31A-DB51 for $1029.99, availability listed as "on the way to our warehouse and is expected in a few days."

Asus Zenbook Prime Series 13.3" IPS Full HD Notebook UX31A-DB51

 

Okay, so I just got back from Future Shop where they had the Samsung Series 9, as well as the Sandy Bridge (old) version of the Zenbook. I wanted a good feel and test of each before I got too attached to either.

Now, I know that the construction of the new Zenbook Prime is likely far better than its predecessor, but the SS9 was just so... solid and sleek. I'm afraid I'm smitten, even if the Zenbook's specs are so much more.

Anyway, just wanted to thank you folks for the discussion and expertise going on here. The Zenbook is awesome, but I was swayed by a pretty thing! Cheers all.

 

wonder when we will see some ux21a availability

 

There's a few listings on amazon.de now (such as this one).

 

I hope your right, I was looking very closely at the display video from that german guy, and his display seems to be perfect: Asus Zenbook UX32VD - Display - YouTube

its in 1080p and he displays many dark images and even cranks up the camera ISO around 2/3rd of the way though.

there is hope!

 

I got a 90 day return policy for the UX31E, will return and pick up the new UX31A near end of August! Prices should drop a bit or at least become stable, hoping for about $1049 on amazon, other site was selling for $1029 no tax and free shipping.

 

Yeah, we discussed this since we're in the same predicament. I agree. I was set on the SS9 for so long, then heard about the screen on the Prime, which made me sure I was going to get it. But with what you said about the quality of your current Asus being shoddy, and the fact that my QX410 Samsung is solid, I might not go with the Asus. Not to mention the quality issues we're hearing with the light bleed, keyboard flex, and other problems some have been having. Comparing the SS9 and Zenbook Sandy Bridge models, it was clear the Samsung just felt better. Not to mention looks better with the thinner bezel.

If Samsung had a 256GB I'd go with it, but since they don't, I'm likely going to be waiting for the next best thing. I have high hopes for the Lenovo X1 Carbon even though the screen won't live up to the Asus IMO. I know that the quality should be excellent on it based on the ones I've handled.

I hope everyone that purchases the Zenbook Primes get them in great shape and enjoy it. I'm looking forward to more feedback from everyone as I might still consider it.

 

What is the price of the SS9? I can only find the sandy bridge config, I am interested in basic UX31A specs on the SS9 such as just i5 and 128gb, 4 gb etc... and screen is 1600x900?

I believe the UX31A should be stable on amazon soon to $1049 as other retailer is selling for that price.

 

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack this thread with the SS9. Reddd, check this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/656442-13-3-samsung-np900x3c-ivy-bridge-cpu.html

(Specs are in my signature.)

 

It's $1300 on Amazon. There aren't any variations for the 13" I believe. The 15" felt good, but the screen was more dull than the PLS on the 13"

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-NP900...d=1340259711&sr=8-5&keywords=samsung+series+9

So the Samsung's more expensive, but does have a great screen. The build quality is great too, though just the hinge feels a little cheap. On the other hand, the display on the Asus is probably better in every way and even has a higher resolution. It's just that I'm afraid of the quality and design. Tough call. Again, I hope the Lenovo lives up.

 

I already had the "bleed light" issues in my previous laptop but I don't know why people are so highly sad because of that...

I don't really see the problem, we usually don't use our laptop in the way to see this bleed light and it will not reduce the duration life of the laptop screen...
So why are you complaining about that ? (isn't whine just to know why thanks)

 

I was waiting for someone to justify this. I mean it is a bit of nitpicking, but I just don't think I want to spend $1300-1500 for a laptop with this issue. Not everyone will agree with me, but the fact that certain manufacturers don't have this issue on their premium laptops is why. I have a midrange Samsung QX410 right now that doesn't have any quality issues whatsoever. I expect the same or better on a high end device.

I think the overall fit and finish of the Zenbook SB model was good when I played with it and will give the IB model another chance in person. I may not have completely ruled out the Zenbook Prime, but I definitely won't be ordering it online before playing with it in person now. How minor/major the light leakage in the screen and keyboard flexing is in person will come down to how it is in person.

I am a Windows guy all the way and have never bought an Apple product in my life. However, from a hardware perspective, you gotta give it to them. By now, other manufacturers should offer the same build quality with their high end units.

 

What exactly is this screen bleed? I did watch the review at 3:02 and didn't notice anything, can someone give me a dumb down explanation? And the ss9 looks nice but another 150 - 200 more.

 

ASUS UX32VD Backlight Bleeding - YouTube
Look on this video at the bottom of the screen, you will see a light, it's the screen bleed.. ( @21s.)

 

Wow that sucks, someone mentioned it would be noticeable say watching a movie, well I hope they fix it I believe that is the same reviewer who had the prototype model, well Asus has til end of August to take my money, if not I'll grab the spectre xt.

 

So I woke up two hours ago and checked my email. Then I read engadget and deal news. The mention of an ASUS on sale somehow lead me here, where I discovered the 32 with its dedicated video and 1080p screen, and I think I'm sold. I'll probably upgrade the RAM, and it should be pretty tight. Thanks to chic geek who's spec table made seeing which I'd want SUPER easy, and thanks to everyone else for the greats posts. Awesome thread, and this is definately the best site for laptop info I have found. Cheers!!!

 

That video is pretty extreme, but it important not to confuse bleed with IPS glow, which you can see when viewing black at an off-centre angle on any IPS screen.

In that video, when looking head on at the start, its the regular spaced light sources along the bottom, and a couple of others around the edge, when he tilts it, just pay attention to the thin bright stripe in the corner, and not so much the huge bright areas.

 

In my UX32VD the factory ram is DDR3-1600, I confirm.

When ExpressCache is manually installed, you can see the settings window, it gives you a few options, how big the Cache partition could be. Biggest is 24, it does not give 32 as an option. I just guess that you are right, it leaves empty space for possible wear out and faster recovery from a lot of writes in case.

A modern SSD should be at least 2-3x faster, but not in sequential reads/writes, but the 4k reads/writes, which actually GIVES the snappiness of a system.

 

Regarding the issues of light bleeding out through the screen, what are the negative impacts of that exactly?

In that video: ASUS UX32VD Backlight Bleeding - YouTube at ~21 seconds in, it looks a little odd when viewing the screen from directly above the screen. I can see how the white light is leaking through the inner frame of the panel.

However, I'm going to be sitting in front of the monitor, not standing over top of it and looking down from 2" away at a nearly 90° angle.

What exactly is the downside?

All the reviews said this was one of the best IPS monitors out there, depth of black, color reproduction, etc...?

 

Just like you said UltrabookFanBoy

"However, I'm going to be sitting in front of the monitor, not standing over top of it and looking down from 2" away at a nearly 90° angle."

 

Screen bleed in bad cases and low light situations can make dark scenes look cloudy.

That video was really bad in just one corner. TV's have the issue all the time and for most people it is really not that big of a issue.

 

Howdy folks!

I want to start by saying that this thread has been exactly what I've been looking for this past month while I've been watching for the Primes to make their appearance.

I wanted to buy an ultrabook to replace my old HP 8510w that I bought about 5 years ago, but I couldn't bring myself to purchase anything, no matter how nice it looked, when the Ivy Bridges were just around the corner. Well, unfortunately for my computer buying dreams, I got hit with a deployment to Afghanistan on short notice at the end of May. Now that the Primes have finally been released, I can't even order one directly here, due to a blockage of all things containing batteries through the post office to AFG.

Anyhow, to get to my point, I've switched back and forth between the UX31A and the UX32VG (1080P or go home) probably close to 50 times. Just over the course of reading this thread I've probably changed sides 5 times today. What seems to me is that for the price of slightly sleeker lines, I have to give up the ability to have anything other than the factory SSD or 4GB of ram, which is/could be a huge bottleneck. It also seems the fact that the UX31 is shipping with a much-better-than-anticipated SSD almost nullifies the advantage of being able to swap SSDs. Am I missing anything?

 

Anyone else ordered the UX32VD from Newegg. I ordered mine last night and have free two day shipping so I am hoping it ships out today and maybe get it tomorrow.

 

For those of you considering the SS9, I just wanted to give my two cents, as I briefly owned the Sandy Bridge version of the notebook. Build quality and aesthetics on the device are definitely amazing, and it does feel extremely sturdy. However, the key travel on the keyboard is quite limited, and it takes a while to get used to. That might be a dealbreaker for some of you, although I was fine with it. The biggest issue with the S9 though is that the Ivy Bridge updates no longer have Samsung SSD's and instead all contain the dreaded SanDisk U100. I was eagerly anticipating the Ivy Bridge S9 and was ready to buy until I heard that information. However, I believe it's been confirmed that the SSD uses mSATA and can be swapped, so if money's no object, then it may be the notebook for you. Another thing to note is that the RAM is soldered on in the 13 inch version but is user upgradeable in the 15 inch version. Hope this helps!

 

Yes I ordered mine last night from NewEgg with free 2 day shipping as well. It is still in the "Packaging" phase.

 

Same here, spoke to CSR about the Free xbox deal no go since its on the promotion page. Ughhh..