Ivy Bridge Zenbook with FHD IPS screen UX21A UX31A UX32A UX32VD

I was thinking about purchasing this laptop...but would you guys think it'd be wise to wait a few months to see if they come out with a version with TB?

 

Unless you want to just continuously wait and wait and wait for newer models, you have to pull the trigger at some point.

 

No.
(I'm guessing you're looking at the UX32VD-DB71?)

 

UX31A-DB51 back to $1099 - Amazon.

It is actually a price from Data vision, at the Amazon site. Free shipping. amazon has it for 1,118,98!!!

 

Very nice, what resolution (full 1920x1080)?

Also what settings for graphical options did you pick inside the game, etc, etc?

I haven't had a chance to stress mine with anything intensive yet, did it warm up, fan become annoying, anything like that?

 

Except that is not Amazon selling it, it's DataVision..another bad returns policy with restocking fees.

Now I see Amazon themselves have finally dropped it to 1118.98, it's a start.

Amazon has also dropped the AB71 by $50..they must know others will have in the next couple of days.

 

For Diablo3 I have try at 1920x1080 and high settings it runs but not smooth.
All on medium is fine at the begin (only try to play like 2mn..)

Tryed League of Legends now, all on very high and 1920x1080 full screen not smooth average 37fps...
Then I changed to all on medium and still 1920x1080, smooth perfect, always 60fps without any slow or move from 60fps

 

UPS just dropped off my UX32VD from Amazon. Need to do some surgery soon - update the RAM to 10GB. Can someone recommend a tool I should purchase for the screws so i can pop open the case and conduct the surgery? I am not familiar with these type of screws.

 

It's usually this: Torx - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Don't try it with a regular screwdriver - get the right tool.

 

Wow that sucks! If I install a 256 SSD I would probably use, let's say the rest of 56GB, easily! I don't have a copy of win7 to start from scratch so I'm going to live with my crapware and eventually uninstall .. Should I wait for the 512GB another year for the price to come down or should I go for 256 now?

By the way what are you guys using the SSD (soldered 24/32GB) for primarily? What does it consists when you get it off the box??

 

First review on Amazon.com for the UX32VD

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member...=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview#R2MJUA7E7O8RSV

 

Quick question for those who have dealt with Amazon in the past --

My DB51 just arrived today, and of course I notice now that the price went down $30 from when I bought it. I know technically Amazon doesn't have a price guarantee anymore, but was wondering if it would be prudent to ask for a price match NOW or wait a while (within 30 days) to see if they drop it further. Would hate to have one shot at a price match and do it now, while it's still above the market price, but I feel like the sooner I do it, the more compelling it would be for Amazon. Thoughts?

 

I would ask now and every other time it comes down in the next 30 days. You may not get it but you should try now.

 

$1119 let it go down more, retail value is $1100, but amazon should have it cheapest + no tax so it should be $1050, just wait til best buy comes out at retail value of $1100, then we should see $1050 or $1080 at least.

 

NewEgg.com has price matched me before for things like Memory. I'm sure if Amazon drops the price, you can just start up a chat with NewEgg and they will give you a credit.

 

Staples has had it on their site for weeks at 1049 (of course its not in stock) and buy.com when they were selling it themselves had it at 1049 or less. I would expect 1049 to be the most expensive once everybody has it in stock.

BTW, which SSD did you get?

 

Yo Jedighost,

I've been onto some midsummers eve celebrations, so sorry for the delays. I totally agree that a sticky would be real cool for all the new Ux32VD users.

Your version of the guide looks good, but I'm not sure of some steps. A regular Windows format will probably get rid of the GTP partition table, but it's still untested. I'm not too much into these new UEFI motherboards as well.

Then we don't know if Windows will get confused if you install Windows 7 on the integrated SSD, while still having the C: Windows 7 partionion intact. I think it's always best to first format that partition, prior to installing Windows 7.

What we know and can confirm thus far;
- Both the integrated 30GB SSD and the 500GB HDD is GPT partitioned as stock. Windows won't install on GPT disks, but they can be converted to MBR.
- The 30GB Sandisk i100 ExpressCache SSD can be successfully used as a regular SATA disk. Thus the UX32VD has in fact two harddisks, a SSD and a mechanical HDD.
- The SSD can be converted into a MBR style layout. It's confirmed that Secure Erase through Parted Magic can do this. I'm not sure if a Windows format will do it, but it should. We should probably stick to Parted Magic until it's confirmed that it can be done from the built in Windows tools.
- When the SSD is in MBR layout, it will show up as a 30GB disk in the installation process when you boot from the Windows 7 install disk (by holding in ESC while booting), and Windows 7 will install on it. It will also show up as a bootable disk in the bios. It will not show up as a bootable disk if it's in the stock GPT layout. Windows 7 will boot directly to the SSD drive if installed on it. When booting the Asus bios logo screen will flash by, an underscore will flash briefly in the upper left corner of the screen and Windows 7 proceeds to boot an instant later. (at least when the OS is installed on it while not existing on any other partition)
- The SSD works great as a main OS disk. Windows will install on it after it is coverted into a MBR style layout. It has pretty poor 4k write speeds, BUT it's still 7x faster than any mechanical HDD. Windows 7 will load in 8 seconds or so when it's clean and optimized. That is from boot to when desktop is available, a couple seconds more and it's fully responsive. It gave me 7.6 in Windows Experience Index, better than my Gen3 SandForce disk for my stationary computer (although that is probably because WEI won't account for 4k speeds as much). Still, the SSD has a quick responsiveness.
- When the OS is on the SSD, the HDD will go into sleep which saves battery, reduces heat and lowers noise. A great added bonus!
- The HDD activity light works for both the SSD and the HDD.
- TRIM is enabled by default on the Sandisk i100. I've checked on my active Win 7 install on it.
- After installing Windows 7 and the bare bone suite of applications (vlc, flash, adobe reader, skype, filezilla, firefox etc.) AND disabling the Hibernation, System Restore, and lowering the Page File to 1024MB - it will have used 15GB of the 30GB available. Thus having 15GB headroom for allowing the Windows 7 install to grow and installing minor programs. More than enough!
- The Asus "2 Second resume"-program on the stock install is BS, and even after disabling the hibernation file it will resume before you even have time to rise the lid up. It's instant! Hibernation works perfectly, and lightning quick on the SSD.

What is unconfirmed as of yet;
- Can the SSD be MBR formatted in the Windows Disk Manager?
- If Windows 7 is installed (from booting from the disk) on the SSD while still existing on the mechanical HDDs C: partition, will it create a dual boot and will the dual boot disappear if you later delete the original Windows install?
- My fan works pretty sporadic after doing this, it sometimes turns on and off in a seconds span. Gets quite annoying in silent environments. I updated the bios to 206, but no improvement. I have installed the Power4Gear driver, anyone knows if any other driver affects the fan?

I will write a guide soon, probably tomorrow. But I will initially write it as securely as possible, so that no one bricks their new shiny pieces.

So, thanks again Jedighost for pioneering an awfully cool way of using the SSD in the Ux32VD. Together we've made this ultrabook into something really special

EDIT: To make this clear for new readers of this thread. The UX32VD comes with an SSD cache disk of 30GB, which is by default an ExpressCache for the mechanical disk. BUT the SSD can be formatted and used as a regular harddisk - and Windows can be installed on it! This will in effect give you a setup of a 30GB SSD OS disk and a 500GB mechanical HDD for programs/media/whatever. This has a number of advantages; 1. Windows 7 works lightning quick on the integrated SSD. IT's another dimension from the preinstalled Win7 on the mechanical HDD, that's also bathing in bloated crapware. 2. When you browse and use the OS on the SSD, the regular HDD will sleep which gives you added battery time, lowers noise and cuts temperatures. 3. You can change the HDD while keeping the OS, so you can upgrade to a 1TB 7200rpm drive or whatever later, and not having to reinstall the OS.

 

Can someone make a guide of this on youtube? I mean it gets more and more advanced when I read the step by step for Newbies!

 

Thanks for this info, I really am on a budget, I had a n61jq which kept overheating but great piece of hardware sold it a month ago for $625 looked brand new, now I got the original zenbook with 90 day return from SAMs club so I will be getting the prime soon in near end of August and will be using it everyday for a few years.

 

This is night and day better than the original UX31..better display, better processor, better keyboard by far, better graphics, better USB and Bluetooth and probably a couple of things I'm forgetting.

 

On the RAM upgrade - from previous posts looks like folks are using the CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3. Question on the pics folks have posted - there looks like a thermal shield - some type of foil on top of the RAM. Does this slip easily off and onto the new DIMM replacement? Any info on this operation would be appreciated.

 

Thanks dunces and Jedighost! I'm looking forward to your guide. Can you also direct us to where you got the drivers when you put together the guide?

 

Silly aesthetic question: do the stickers (Windows, Intel, etc) come off cleanly and easily?

 

Yup considering mine came up to $930, who wouldn't pay an extra $100 for the newer model. Just hope when I buy in near end August they don't come out with a refreshed model a month after.

 

do you know what torx size is on the ux32VD? t1, t2?

 

Yeah, I think it'd be perfect for my needs.
1080p IPS really has me going

I do have one question with it though...and that is how exactly the keyboard feels/types. I really want something that is solid versus flimsy .

 

The keyboard is excellent! I've used my UX32VD for a couple days now, and the keyboard feels just right - it's very solid and accurate. I could start writing with great speed from the get go.

The sag of the keyboard visible in some youtube video is misleading. I can't get mine to sag the least, it feels totally stable. No sag/swaging is noticeable at all.

I would definitely recommend the UX32VD for those who are concerned with getting a high quality keyboard.

 

Awesome, I feel alot more confident about buying it now

 

Yes, I have not had any issues with the keyboard at all.

I do STRONGLY suggest you DISABLE touch clicking using the touchpad otherwise it gets tapped all the darn time while typing.

Cursed Elan driver doesn't have an automatic disable while typing option... sigh.

You can also enable a lot of the features that for some twisted reason ASUS disabled in the Elan controls, but using PalmCheck didn't really help much.

To do that copy and paste this into a new text file, rename the .txt to .reg and double click it:

--------start copying below this line-----

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Elantech\SmartPadDisplay]
"Button_Display"=dword:00000001
"Tap_Display"=dword:00000001
"TwoFingerScroll_Display"=dword:00000001
"Zoom_Display"=dword:00000001
"Rotate_Display"=dword:00000001
"Drag_Display"=dword:00000001
"MAG_Display"=dword:00000001
"Swipe_Display"=dword:00000001
"FastKey_Display"=dword:00000001
"ThreeFinger_Display"=dword:00000001
"Palm_Display"=dword:00000001
"STV_Display"=dword:00000001
"SmartMotion_Display"=dword:00000001
"EdgeScroll_Display"=dword:00000001
"Light_Display"=dword:00000001
"Momentum_Display"=dword:00000001
"SmartArea_Display"=dword:00000001
"FourFinger_Display"=dword:00000001
"EdgeZoom_Display"=dword:00000001
"Cover_Display"=dword:00000001
"EdgeSwipe_Display"=dword:00000001

 

Congrats on getting it. Since you opened it up, can you please post a pic of the internals? Specifically take a pic of the SSD and let us know if it's an odd-shapped SSD or standard 2.5" form factor?

 

Here's a PCMark7 benchmark of the UX32VD when running the OS from the integrated Sandisk i100 SSD (as mentioned in earlier posts).



Not too shabby! The preinstalled Win 7 OS on the mechanical HDD gets 2535 points (according to the NordicHardware review - it got a 'Recommended' award by the way).
Way ahead of the late 2011 Macbook Pro for instance - that one got like 2400 points.

A nice boost no doubt

Notebookcheck only got 1934 points, but that is perhaps because their pre-production version had an i5-3317u instead of the i7. My score of 3308 is in a whole other league.

Edit: I will probably mount a 4GB Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz SO-DIMM ram in the next days so it totals 6GB. It will be interesting to see how if it improves the PCMark7 score any. WEI reports 5.9 for the memory currently, which is kind of weak. Perhaps the preinstalled 2GB module is slow in some way, or WEI is simply misleading.

 

Sorry if this has been asked and answered but does the UX31A-DB51 not have a DIMM slot for expansion whereas the UX32VD does?

 

yes this is correct. only the ux32 models can be expanded.

http://usa.asus.com/Notebooks/Superior_Mobility/ASUS_ZENBOOK_UX32VD/#specifications

http://usa.asus.com/Notebooks/Superior_Mobility/ASUS_ZENBOOK_Prime_UX31A/#specifications

 

battery - has anyone gotten over 4 hours in normal usage (typing, wording, browsing?)

heat - with those high temperatures while gaming, is this laptop going to destroy itself after a while? realistically do you think the heat gives this laptop a lesser lifespan than a macbook air?
a macbook air can get hot too. but can it get this?



keyboard - how much travel is there? is it comparable to sony vaio z or macbook pro? those have the best island keyboards ive tried. you really feel like your pressing down the keys. on some keyboards its all shallow. there is little feedback and that makes typing less fun.

nice. have you tried running 6dmark06 and 11 to see if you got same scores as them in those?

 

Cool, Dunces, your guide is nicely shaping up! I'm gonna chime in on some details:

Windows defaults to MBR unless specifically told to use GPT. This is why after your Secure Erase, either Gparted in PartedMagic, or Windows Disk Management will create an MBR partition table on an empty disk. (Gparted asks, but he lists "ms-dos" type of disk as deafult, which is MBR in other words.)

Windows cannot change MBR to GPT or vice versa with any partitions on a disk. But with an empty, unallocated space, sure it can. Just right-click on the Disk itself in Disk Management, and you have the option: "Convert to GPT" or "Convert to MBR" depending on its state. As long as you have partitions, this is greyed out. Also, on the same list, the lowest option is Properties or something, in the new windows it opens, everybody can check the present partition table style of that disk.

Sooo, delete 2 partitions, convert to MBR - all this within win7 - and your i100 is set!

I also loved how the HDD went to sleep, saving even more battery.

My HDD led was active when using the SSD, are you sure yours isn't?

The reason I'm not sold on the idea of formating C:, is that there is a folder with all drivers, saving lots of time and hassle for newbies. Just need to give them a list on what-not-to-install. Also, they have a backup win7 system to fall back to in case of an emergency.

There is a super program, EasyBCD. It can create all kinds of boot settings. It can help making sure the Boot Management is done on the SSD. If the HDD gets formatted later, it can help to delete that option (booting the HDD win7) from the Boot Menu. Again, not for newbies, IMHO.

Fan noise: critical point. My solution: it is VITAL to make sure all these drivers are installed:

ASUS - Notebooks- ASUS ASUS ZENBOOK UX32VD (for beginners: Choose Win7 64 bit on the list)

From " Others" section:
Intel® Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework Drive
Intel Management Engine Interface

From " Utilities" section:
ASUS Power Option
ATKACPI driver and hotkey-related utilities
Power4Gear Hybrid Utility
Keyboard Device Filter Utility
Nvidia PhysX Utility

From " Chipset":
Intel INF Update Driver

From " VGA":
Intel Graphics Driver
nVidia Graphics Driver

From " USB":
Intel USB3.0 Driver

Why? They have to do or might have to do with Thermal Management (especially the first 3 sections above, the rest is just important as chipset drivers). All special keyboard combos need to work, especially for Power4Gear, secondarily because they are useful!

If someone studied it (open Power4Gear window's options), Quiet Office lets the CPU slow down when not under stress, compared to Performance Mode. This might be the make-break point in CPU temps and fan noise.

If all these don't help, ASUS will have to come out with a newer BIOS to correct the fan speed/CPU temp relation curve.

I did not experience loud fans through normal usage. It is summertime on the Northern hemisphere, it is 28°C in my room at 2.a.m. when I'm writing this. You can imagine the daily temps Aussies have an advantage now! By the time it is summer for them, ASUS have fixed this!

In worst case, we would have to come up with a unique Power Profile Settings in Win7, but I doubt it.

It would be great to know, if Asus Live Update works on a fresh Install on i100 or not. Then it would be just ticking the right items and you are set with the drivers, etc.

 

Dammit. If only the UX32VD could be expanded to 6GB of RAM or more, I'd consider it seriously.

But the limitation of a dual-core CPU also stops me. And the lack of an optical drive.

For $30 more I can get a quad-core Clevo with 12GB of RAM, a GeForce 670M, and an optical drive.

Of course, this looks quite pleasing. And its ASUS, the firm which has such a low failure rate.

 

The memory on the UX32 can be upgraded, just not the UX21/31. It has 2GB on board and another slot that includes a 2GB stick which you could replace with an 8GB stock - for a total for 10GBs

 

??
You can go up to 10 GB of RAM on the UX32VD, it is the thinner UX31a that can't be upgraded.

I ran the built in recovery DVD creator and backed those up.

I'm thinking now I can go and format it all (per guide above) and install Windows to the 32 GB solid state chip.

I still can't help but wonder if I'm missing out on anything at all by disabling that express cache.

Or if I were to only use 20 GB to install Windows and leave the rest free for caching or "Something"????

 

I fully understand your needs. I also love powerhouses. But a true-4-core CPU's heat would kill this ultrabook. The fans would drive you crazy. This is not a workstation, as the Clevo probably is. Ram: you can go up to 10GB (2 on board + 8 replacable). Optical drives are getting extinct. My clients use them maybe twice a year. An external would just do.

So this is a gem. It is almost something you "wear", and not "have", it is so stylish. Clevo is very powerful but usually very far from beautiful, I hope I didn't hurt your feelings. it is just amazing, how much power is still packed into so little space in the Zenbook, and still 7 hours on battery, now that is a WOW...

UltrabookFanBoy: no, you are not missing out. Your system will be much faster as the whole thing will be on the SSD. 20GB will not be enough for win7, it will be almost immediately full after install. Highly recommended to use the full SDD as 1 big partition for win7 for practical reasons.

START!

 

someone try BF3, for the lols

 

Ah, my mistake on the RAM.

As for the quad-core, I do think there may be an ultra-low-voltage variant, but I'm not positive. I know Sony crammed a quad-core into their ultra-small laptops as well.

But yeah, that's certainly a heat/power issue.

Also, as for the optical drive - I do actually use it. I like to mess around with different OSes, and often burn discs. A burner is a necessity for me.

However, I do have a top-notch desktop, which fills these needs.

But I do, personally, find it very hard to purchase something for the same price which is inferior in internal power and is only aesthetically more pleasing/has better battery life.

Bah. So confused.

 

Can anyone comment on the fan noise that the first reviewer on Amazon stated? My UX32VD is getting delivered tuesday. Also, can someone post a step-by-step guide on how to format the internal SSD and do a fresh install of windows for newbies? I was reading something about Secure Erase and Gparted?

 

My fan is running right now and it is not even as loud as a desktop fan.

Not as loud as my other laptop's fans are either... so I'm not sure where all the fan complaints are coming from... ?

I mean it runs, but it's a fan, not an "OMG XBOX HUGE LOLZZZ" type fan where an airplane is taking off in your living room.

 

1) The sony you are refering to is the Vaio Z series, an insanely premium and expensive machine. Which is not a Ultrabook mind you (price!)

2) Ultrabooks are about being instantly on, and are about being taken everywhere, they are not desktop replacements(your primary computer), but intended to be accessory anywhere your go. thats why there is a priority on mobility, low weight, battery life and finally price. Using the small chassis for something as trivial as a ODD is silly.
most consumers use it to install programs when they are at home, and then its not in use. its footprint space that is much better served for battery and more power to make a better machine. physical media is dying. and fast.

3) Then you misunderstand the purpose of this product. your paying for mobility. this product is intended for people who need to carry around a machine with them a lot. that Asus you referenced before would be money-out-the-window for people who need this class of machine. because its heavy and bulky and big and they would never use it outside their house, and they might as well have build a real desktop then instead of getting some crammed over expensive brick of a machine.
that doesn't make that machine bad. But apples and oranges. People have different needs.

 

Can someone recommend a SSD that will fit into the UX32VD to replace the HD?

previous videos show it 10 cm x 12 cm?

 

Just upgraded my UX32VD to 10GB (Delivered Yesterday from Amazon US)

Used a torx size 5 the smallest in my set to remove the base cover.

Installed the cheaper Patriot 8GB cas 11 8GB Sodimm to match the cas 11 motherboard memory as the Corsair was out of stock when I ordered.

Removed the silver foil/plastic wrapper from the 2Gb sodimm & wrapped it around the 8GB no problem.

Windows experience for Memory went from 5.9 to a 7.2 & more importantly everything seems much happier and snappier than before.

P.S I do have screen bleed along the bottom edge you can see the leds every inch or so. You can make it move by sliding finger along the too flexible bezel. Not really noticeable unless your watching dark scenes though

 

there has been the same complaints about the vaio SA series. people describing it sounding like a Jet.

 

What are you doing on it? I'm using my Macbook Air right now, for light surfing and there is no fan noise at all...Is the fan always spinning on it?

 

What 8GB RAM should i buy for my UX32VD, not looking for anything expensive but something decent.

 

About to make a purchase on Amazon for this! ... One thing I don't think anyone has asked about yet is the wireless card. Does the UX32VD's wireless card support packet injection? (for use with linux distros like backtrack) I am going to be using this for network analysis and security auditing.

Secondly lets just clear up a few things about the fan since you are hearing it right now. When the computer is in idle or just doing general desktop things, does the GPU fan spin up and become bothersome? Or does it spin up only when crunching numbers?