Ivy Bridge Zenbook with FHD IPS screen UX21A UX31A UX32A UX32VD

Agreed. With both stock install and fresh install (both bios versions 203 and later 206), I've had no issues with my fan or wifi either. Even when gaming the fan works, but isn't super loud. And I hear it ramp down gradually after I exit the game. Core temp shows reasonable temperatures.

 

I'm waiting to get the 31a 72, but I'm hesitant now with all the issues people are bringing up. Wondering if maybe they'll be resolved in a few months.

Just seems like a lot of issues for a premium laptop like this.

 

Does upgrading the RAM and SSD on the UX32VD void a warranty you purchase?

 

Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A Review - Laptop & Notebook computers

CNet Australia was getting 2:15-3:21 on an i7. I wonder why the spread is so large? Battery inconsistencies?

 

According to this review Asus has explicitly stated that upgrading RAM and HDD doesn't void the warranty.

Review Asus Zenbook UX32VD Ultrabook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews (about 1/8 of the way down, under service)

 

What if I were to purchase an accidental damage warranty? Does anyone have experience in this area?

 

Just received my UX32VD, but I'm having an issue I want to run by you guys who have the same computer.

When plugged into the charger I get a "tingeling feeling" when lightly moving my finger accross the chassis. It stops as soon as I put my other hand on the chassis. So to me it seems to be a grounding issue. It sucks having to return it, since I've been waiting a month for to be released...

Anyone having the same issue?


By the way I'm not very impressed by the flimsy touchpad and keyboard flex either...

 

The tingling is not an issue. It's simply an effect of the metal chassis. I just see it as the 'zen' part of the book

It's not harmful.

 

Is there anybody out there with a ux31a that confirm that they have no stuck or dead pixels in their display? I'm trying to determine if I'm just unlucky getting my initial and replacement ux31a-db51's both with stuck pixels.

 

Ok, so you're saying it's expected... well I'm coming from a macbook pro and it never happened there

But if won't be sorted with a replacement I'll get used to it I guess...

The sceen is just wonderful. Seems the backlight bleed is very minimal on my sample.

Will get my SSD and extra RAM tomorrow, and it is a needed upgrade. The standard installation on the 5400 hard drive don't do it justice

 

RAM and SSD arrived today, but it seems Newegg didn't get the laptop shipped until AFTER 3pm, and from NJ at that... so I won't get that till tomorrow it seems.

My Crucial SSD is the CT512M4SSD1. But it seems the more common part number is the SSD2. Anyone know the difference?

 

SSD1 should be the correct 7mm you need.

 

Cool. Just found that to be the case as well. Thanks!!!

 

I have none.

 

Just wondering all of your opinions on this. I just got my ux32vd and it seems that whenever I go from a light screen to a dark screen, I can see very slight flickering for about 3-4 seconds. It is very faint, but I can notice it if I look closely. Does this sound like a defect or are other people experiencing the same thing? Thanks.

 

Sounds like a defect to me...I have never noticed that on my 31A and I am sure I would if I was getting that.

 

So would I contact Amazon about this or Asus?

 

Checked that you're running your display at 60hz? Some have reported that the VD can come shipped with it set to 40hz. A simple settings change would solve this.

 

While it was set to 40hz, I changed it and the issue wasn't resolved. I can almost see lines running up and down the screen when switching from light to dark colors. It is very faint but I can notice it.

 

Yes, they are set at 40 from the factory.

Follow this guide and change it to 60 Hz. Chances are it will make a difference.

Screen Refresh Rate - Display Settings - Windows 7 Forums

EDIT: Sorry just saw your last post. If you are seeing lines sounds like you might have a hardware defect.

 

I think they all come at 40..my 31A did.

Send it back to Amazon..they will replace it or refund your money with a defect like that.

 

I got my UX32VD as well earlier this week (Monday). Plopped it open and put in the Samsung 830 256GB, Corsair Vengeance 8GB module (CAS9). Silly me, I actually followed the video online and did not unplug the battery, which I never do. Fortunately, nothing happened. Like others, I recommend unplugging the battery and hitting the power button to flush out any static charges stored on the capacitors on the computer. So far here are my observances:

Screen
-Better than MBA (gf haas one, MBA w/Sandy Bridge). The screen for MBA turns yellow for a certain off white color, but does not for the UX32VD's IPS.
- resolution is incredibly sharp
- Bleeding is like what others observed. Noticeable during Windows bootup (black screen). It's on the bottom right for mine, but completely livable and mild.

Fan
- no fan issues

Touchpad
- probably one of the worst touchpads I have used. The click feels like it belong on a $0.99 mouse, not a $1000 laptop. MBA's click is far superior

Hard Drive
- Installed Samsung 830 256GB - straight forward, no issues. Perfect fit

Memory
- Used Corsair Vengeance 8GB 9CAS - confirm running at 1333mhz. Will be exchanging for CAS11 modules.

I followed dunce's guide here http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/672616-guide-ux32vd-how-install-windows-7-integrated-32gb-ssd.html#post8642587 in terms of installing the drivers. The only thing I've noticed is that FN-F2 that used to switch the wifi/bluetooth on/off does not work like before whereby when you press the button combo, you can select to turn wifi/bluetooth on/off. All it says now is wireless on/off. Is anyone else having this issue?

Overall, I am very happy with this laptop. I am coming from UL30VT with a 120GB Sandforce Gen1 SSD.

 

LOL +1 on the cheap trackpad. I really thought about returning it just due to the trackpad. It does feel cheap as hell. Its really bothering me.

I also have a MBA right now and without question, the trackpad is far superior. I even like the keyboard better on the MBA.

 

Where is the ASUS live update program? I cant seem to find it.

 

It's in the tray.

 

What tray? On my Homescreen there is no tray, the only ASUS programs I have are,

ASUS, ASUS Web Storage, Emanuel, Asus Tuto, Asus Vibe Fun center and Intel R Widi.

EDIT I understand what your saying. When I go to my tray and click Show Icon notifcations I get this "This notifacation icon is currently not active, it will be shown the next time it gets active."

 

Everybody has a tray...the icons in the lower right hand corner is the tray.

 

Ah, I did not know that the FN-F2 should cycle the bluetooth as well. You should have a bluetooth tray icon at least, which allows you to connect it to devices. I'll look into it if it's possible to solve.

Yeah the trackpad could have been better, it's accurate enough and all - but the most annoying thing about it is that it does not feel absolutely firm. It's rattling a bit when doing touch-clicks.

I'd much prefer to live with that before stepping down from the wonderful 1080p IPS screen, and the dedicated Nvidia graphics though.

 

About fan noise > Asus Zenbook UX32VD Fan / Lüfter - YouTube
and quality > Asus Zenbook UX32VD Quality - YouTube

What you think ?

 

lol..if I had anything that sounded even remotely like that it would have gone back in the first hour.

And do you really think that every zenbook out there is like that? It is still cheaper to replace the few that get through then to hire another 1000 clerks to check each one that goes out the door...it is the business model of choice these days.

 

The only reason I cycle through is because I don't use bluetooth (most of the time) so that I would prefer to have it shut off so that it saves some battery life, but you are correct in that you can disable it from the tray icon.

Also agree completely on the track pad. I hate the way it clicks (a bit too soft on the bottom left and right corner, and doesn't click at all when it's more than 2/3 of the way up). So I end up using tap/touch click most of the time, and it does exactly what you say, rattle slightly so it feels very flimsy/cheap. The MBA is much more sturdy. Maybe it's the result of a non-uni-body?? Can someone with a UX31A/UX21A chime in on the quality of the touchpad? I didn't seem to see it when I read through the thread.

 

Guys I am currently typing on the UX31 (old gen) and wondering if the trackpad has a flex to it? Also I feel like if I stick my fingernail in the edge of the trackpad I can pull it right out! Does the new models have that issue?

 

I think this guy is either extremely unlucky or he has an uneven table, or both... lol. But yeah, that would annoy me greatly if the thing doesn't sit flat and is making that whining noise with the fan.

Overall, there are definitely areas of improvement, and does not feel as solid as a MBA (somewhat an unfair comparison b/c MBA is unibody). But the ability to expand with SSD, upgrade memory and the amazingly beautiful IPS screen (albeit w/some backlight bleeding) outweighs those flaws. And it's a PC!

Also, can someone host the default UX32VD Zenbook Prime wall paper? Asus doesn't seem to have it on its website, and I don't want to re-install my HDD just to get the picture. Thanks!

 

Could someone who received their UX32VD do a big favor for me and check the BIOS to see if there is an option to disable the Nvidia Optimus so it runs with the Intel graphics only. Linux has problems with Optimus and I plan on running various flavors (Fedora, Centos, Ubuntu, etc.) multi booting with Windows, so I want the option to enable or disable it.

On a side note, If the issues that are popping up with this laptop (Slow wireless, fan problems, backlight bleed, etc.) are fixable in BIOS or fixed in later shipments, I may consider this machine. I am waiting a while to see how things pan out.

 

FYI - for those that are looking to upgrade the memory, I found another one that should work. Samsung CL11 1600mhz ddr3. The cost is $23.99+2.29 for total cost of $26.28. 4GB module. So you get 6GB total. Not too bad. This is also a 1.35v like the Mushkin one.

Disclaimer - I have not tried this memory, and can not guarantee it will work. However, the specs are fairly standard, so I can't see why it wouldn't. I figured I would share it for people who want to upgrade but don't need the additional 4GB.

Link
Samsung MV-3T4G3/US Laptop Memory Module - 4GB, PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, 204-pin SODIMM, 1.35V, CL11 at TigerDirect.com

 

When I go to my tray and click Show Icon notifcations I get this "This notifacation icon is currently not active, it will be shown the next time it gets active.

Please help, so I can update the drivers/BIOS.

 

I Have the UX31A and there is no mush or rattle in the trackpad..that said I still don't like the click so I turned on 2 finger tap and now use tap pretty much exclusively. I would add that I have a 2011 MBA 11.5 and the build quality of the UX31a is every bit as good as that it with the exception of the slight bleed during boot. Still, as has been said I wouldn't give up this screen for anything short of the new MBA Retina display which costs at least twice as much and has not been rated in some quarters as high as this has.

 

I find the touchpad clicking to be VERY similar to our MBA. "It doesn't click when more than 2/3s up" Our MBA is very hard to click if at 1/2 or 2/3 up also. It is like BOTH these pads are hinged at the top and float at the bottom.

Try to get a click on EITHER the MBA or Zenbook at the very top. It doesn't happen. On either. So not a defect, this is the way they are made.

I didn't like this at all on the MBA when we first got it.

Now, we just use 'tap to click' on both and you can do that anywhere, so this is not a problem.

One thing I DO like better on the MBA is the 2 finger slide left or right for Forward-Back in Safarii. On the Zen book it is 3 fingers slide for forward-back (had to enable in touchpad setting) The MBA is better here because 2 fingers go up-down, back, forward while browsing. 2 fingers do it all. On the Zenbook, it is 2 fingers up-down, but 3 FINGERS forward-back.

Let me guess, Apple probably patented 2 finger forward-back swiping. Stupid software patents.

 

This is why I'm opting for the UX31A-DB71. Linux doesn't tend to play nice with switchable graphics.

 

There is no option to disable the nvidia card that I can see. See below w.r.t. linux.

Those of you that are complaining about backlight bleed - in Windows, set your desktop background to be a solid black color and look at it. When I do so, I can't see any background bleed whatsoever.

Well ....

I've successfully booted Ubuntu 12.10 beta, and things work just fine there from a graphics perspective. Since I booted from USB and didn't install, I didn't bother to try to get function keys working or anything like that.

Bottom line: the graphics worked just fine in 1920x1080.

 

That is an option, but I like the features of the UX32VD much more, especially the ability to replace various components (That is also one of the reasons that I am looking at the Lenovo X230, as well as the fact that it uses full power processors). Ideally I would like to see a UX32VD model without optimus, and no other features or options removed or degraded.

QUOTE There is no option to disable the nvidia card that I can see. See below w.r.t. linux.

Thanks for that quick response. That sucks.

 

Absolutely, but it's just running off of integrated, right?

And I can definitely understand that the want to switch out parts would lead some linux users to the UX32VD, but it's not on my list. (Unibody!)

 

Amazon's page for the UX31A-DB51 has an interesting notice:

I wonder what this is about? Too many people complaining about light bleeding and returning the item?

 

Really? Are people returning for this? Wow. It is really not a problem for me, as I have to FORCE a dark screen to come up and then LOOK for it. And yes the bottom 1/4" up shows a little light. Big deal. If this interferes with my watching a DVD, it was a pretty bad movie to start with if all I care about is how dark the shadows at the bottom 1/4" of the screen are.

Seems really blown out of proportion.

 

Read the reviews and their comments - it gives some insight. I'm seeing "QA" and "dead pixels" as greater concerns than bleed and fan.

 

For those installing an SSD in the UX32VD, what are you doing with the small 30GB drive, just another partition for data? Did you turn off the express cache as well, i suppose its not needed when you swap the hard disk for the SSD.

 

Orders my ux32 from Amazon on the 24th and it shipped out tonight for tomorrow delivery. First estimated ship date was July5th

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

Also I got my ASUS ZENBOOK UX32VD-R4002V (Northern european model) today

Most thing is like expected, and satsfying

Here is a video I made of the keyboard flex if anyone's interested:
Keyboard flex ASUS Zenbook UX32VD - YouTube

What's actually annoying me most atm, is the pointing device... I'm used to use the left hand for clicking, and right for pointing. On this device, all the area is sensitive, so I'm therefore accidentally pointing with the left hand... Anyone who knows if It's possible to disable the lower part of the area, so I can use it only for clicking (like I've used to from HP Compaq 6735b)?

Actually the blu light I can see from above is more annoing than the blacklight bleed, someone else having this?

Other Pictures:

Blacklight bleed

Configuration of Norwegian keybord

HWiNFO32 summary:

 

I am having this as well. I assumed this is what the "blacklight bleed" was that people were talking about.

 

guys, so far whats the verdict on the WIFI issues being reported?

is this drop in signal isolated to just one signal? what are the speeds dropping down to?
is this suspected to be hardware related and probably permanant?