Ivy Bridge Zenbook with FHD IPS screen UX21A UX31A UX32A UX32VD

Not to be offensive, but I don't want to take anyone's word on the warranty. Has anyone asked asus directly about it? Or are we all just going off of rumors...

 

Just pulled the trigger on the UX32VD. Adorama has it for $1279, no tax or shipping in US outside of NY. Also gets 2% back through Fatwallet. Samsung 830 is here and now I'll order the RAM. Great thread and thanks for everyone's perspectives.

 

I don't know about the other machines, but with the UX32VD the card only inserts about halfway into the slot. I don't think it is practical to leave it in all the time.

 

I have the same issue. Each time I reboot I have to turn off the backlit keyboard. Also when I wake up from sleep or hibernation, the backlit keyboard is on, no matter if it was off before putting the laptop in sleep mode.

 

Unless you break warranty stickers your warranty is still good, unless there is obvious damage to the inside of the machine. In some countries even the warranty stickers won't matter.

Basically unless there is clear evidence that the machine has been tampered with, and it is related to any hardware problems, it is fine.

Even in cases where the warranty stickers have been removed or broken, only that component and attached interface will be said to be no longer covered, barring any other obvious damage done to the machine by the owner. I have seen more people comment that their broken stickers didn't matter than get rejected because of them.

What I said above only applies to ASUS itself and their ASPs, not retail outlets that handle "first line" repairs like Best Buy, etc.

 

to all the people waiting for the ux32A 11 inch one
i can confirm is a sandisk hard drive no a data in the one i saw

 

So I got my UX32VD today, created the restore discs, then swapped in my Samsung 830, then restored the discs back to the new drive.

No backlight bleed, trackpad seems to work fine, and keyboard flex is pretty minimal. Is it possible that I got the one UX32VD with no defects?

 

Awesome! Thanks for putting that together!

 

I have to ask again because it is kind of urgent. If I buy ux31a or ux32vd, can I use 2560x1440 (or 2560x1600) resolution monitor with it?

 

The UX32VD uses a GeForce 620 graphics card: From Nvidia's website:

Display Support:
Up to 2560x1600 Maximum Digital Resolution
Up to 2048x1536 Maximum VGA Resolution

 

Hi everyone, i've read a lot on this topic about the warranty. Because i finally doesn't have an answer i did contact Asus directly.

I'm from belgium, so i did specify it in my question, but the answer from the belgian asus support was the following :

In English, it means this (sorry for my bad translation) :

So for me, in belgium, i can modify the asus whitout loss of warranty, but i have to put back everything in if sending it back for SAV.

 

I thought it can only use the intel chip for output through the HDMI and WIDI?

 

you need dual link dvi or display port if you want to power a 2560x1600 monitor. HDMI only works up to 1920x1200. Since this laptop has VGA and HDMI you cannot do that. It is a small let down but i use my m18x as my desktop connected to 27" 2560x1440 monitor so I don't need my portable laptop to do that.

Am pleased to report installation of ram and ssd went well. I have the OS on the 32GB internal SSD but I am going to try it on the crucial m4 as well and see if the enhanced speed of the crucial makes a noticeable difference from a slower ssd, I'm thinking it won't though.

Also I agree with everyone else that it does suck that you have to keep turning the backlight off. Maybe Asus will give us a bios update that remembers the backlight setting.

 

I know that both nvidia 620m and intel hd 4000 supports those resolutions but is HDMI capable for that.

For example my u36jc has 310m and specifications say that it also supports 2560x1600 from digital output but people say that 1920x1200 is maximum I can get with HDMI. (I haven't tested bigger resolutions).

Maybe I just have to buy expensive monitor and hope it works ;-) Would be nice if someone could test it.

 

Have you changed any/added components to your laptop? Have you updated your bios?

 

Were you able to get it where it stayed off?

 

Not yet. I am trying to find out what changes were made to my ux32vd that made it have this problem. I am very sure that one of the laptop(if not both), did not have the problem.

Both laptop were in default setting in to regard software and no hardware components were added, when I did not have this problem.

 

Are you sure everyone has reported, that the backlit turns back on. What hardware defects did you have?

 

The faulty one had a few dead pixels next to each other forming a very short but noticeable line.

If anyone who is on default setting (out of box) could confirm this issue, I can put my mind at ease and say I was wrong.

EDIT: Another thing in regard to temperature. My temperature hovers around 45 Celsius Degree. It seems the fans triggers at 47. My current ambient temp is 22.

How is yours?

 

How do I check for temp?

 

It is working now!

All you have to do is turn off the light sensor! :O

FN + A turns off/on the ambient light sensor.

I honestly did not know it had this feature...

I use [core temp] which polls me the highest temperature on cpu and shows temps in process line. Alternative is to use a HWMonitor.

 

Hmm, good to know, thanks.

It is an SDXC card specifically that you have tried?

 

omg, please don't spread false information if you're note entirely sure. According to hdmi specifications, your info is old, and newer hdmi ports that support revision 1.4 support a resolution of 4096 × 2160p... That's quad HD (albeit at 24hz), 2560×1600 at 60hz was supported in version 1.3 as long as your color depth is set to <30bit. The ux32vd should not be limited by the hdmi port in anyway, it will be limited by what the gfx card can output...

 

My 32vd's (i7, m4 512 SSD and 10gig Vengence RAM.) fans turn on slight use of the system, web browsing, office stuff...they go nuts when I play games..BTW MW3 runs Smooth @ 1080P, special ops the line runs well also on medium..

Is there a fix for the fans? I'm on BIOS 206..please they are driving me nuts..

Thanks

 

Well I see you are correct. Probably didn't work for me because of the 32 bit color depth.

dual link dvi and display port are still better for that resolution as they can handle 32 bit but if you dont mind 24 bit i guess the hdmi will work.

 

yes, this is annoying. Has anyone tried the MiniSD adapter with a MicroSD card?

thanks!! this is great to know.

 

You are welcome!

 

I've never seen a short adapter card that would not stick out. The adapters I have for micro- or mini-SD to standard SD are all the same size as a standard SD card. I expect that it might be possible to manufacture one (I'm not sure if there really is enough room) but it wouldn't be good for general use - in a normal slot you'd need to push it in so far you'd never be able to get it out (unless you attached a leash).

My "test" was with a 16GB SDHC, but since they are all the same size I don't think it would make a difference.

 

Hey All !

Do you suggest overclocking the CPU from 13W @ 1.9GHZ to 17W @ 2.4GHZ using the power options?

Also, can someone explain to me if doing this will cause any significant damage to the computer components? Does it void warranty? I'm wondering if and whens the right time to actually use this option.

Thanks in advance.

 

If you think the fan runs a lot now..just wait.

 

Thanks great find buddy.

 

Anyone try listening to music via the headphones jack? I've noticed that when I am surfing the web or switching programs, basically when memory is being processed, the sound will stutter for a second. I have only noticed it via the headphone jack, but might be on the speakers too. Happens once every 1/2 hour, not that common.

ux31a windows 7 that came with it... I did uninstall the realtek manager program

 

Any idea when this is being released to more retailers? I can't find it on newegg or the Microsoft store. Checking out Best Buy tonight after work.

 

What is "this"? BestBuy has the UX31A in two flavors ship to store. Stores will have the smaller one in a couple of days on display. Staples also has a UX31A in stock but I don't know if it is in stores.

 

No problem, I am glad we are all done with the problem.

 

Yeah i noticed that too on my laptop, is that common? is there any solution to this?

 

SIAP but those having problems with the trackpad clicking when typing should try touchfreeze: touchfreeze - Utility for Windows that disables touchpad automatically while you are typing text - Google Project Hosting

Worked wonders for me. Wish asus/elan could have had this feature baked in but an easy and seamless install nonetheless. Probably have to disable though if the touchpad clicking and typing is needed at same time like flash games.

 

Thank You! I could not find it on their site for some reason until searching for the model number you gave me..


I ordered the i5 128GB version and it should be here Tuesday! I will be exchanging it once the i7 model is available. Should be able to get ~200 for the xbox on ebay to ease the pain on my wallet haha.

Edit:

Anyone have any luck upgrading the memory on the UX31A? Will this void the warranty? seemed to be some disagreement in previous pages concerning this.

 

Thanks for that info about the Fn + A
I've been reading this thread since the start and many people have posted messages asking how to get the backlight to stay off and no one had an answer.

 

i tried it with a micro xc 64 stick and it works
just sticks out to much

 

AFAIK this is not possible with the Unibodies

 

The feature is there it just isn't working.

 

You are welcome! Glad this annoying problem is over. I should see how the light sensor responds to various ambient light. So far it seems it does not take any immediate action to ambient light.

 

meh. One would think that a fully functional SD card reader (such as the one ThinkPads have, with the card fully hidden in the slot) is a basic requirement, especially in the case of UX31A and UX21A, where the drive is non-replaceable.

 

Well, I picked up a ux31a with 128gb ssd from microcenter the other day and have been checking it out. I really like the form factor, its alot like a macbook air in that regard and to me the killer feature of the ultrabooks is the instant on.

Unfortunately mine has alot of light bleed, so its either going back or getting exchanged although from what ive read it seems like the light bleed is a common problem so not sure if ill be able to find a good one or not. Has anyone got a ux31 WITHOUT light bleed? wondering if its just by design or if its an over tightened part like the youtube vid on how to fix it suggests.

Since the store doesn't have any more of them I decided to install my dtp and dev tool setup on the notebook so I could do some work and see how it fits my daily routine. I'll see how that goes monday.

I did find one really odd thing though that others here have encountered... the SD card slot only lets cards go in about 1/3 of the way. They seem to work fine but its not the typical all the way in spring loaded slot... its more an insert/remove slot with the card sticking out. This prevents me from doing something id really hoped to do... since you only have 128gb I had planned to put a high speed 64gb sd card in the slot and leave it there as a document drive. Well that doesn't look like its going to happen.

Really like the unit but im not sold on it 100%... there a few other contenders. The previous generation toshiba z830 is going for 699 it doesn't have the screen but doesnt seem to have issues either except for the screen being delicate and the new 845w from toshiba with its extra wide screen looks promising as well.

The machine im really surprised that it doesnt get more attention though is the HP dv6t7000 with the $50 32gb mssd performance cache. Its over 5lbs so its not an ultrabook but it has ultrabook like boot/restore times and can be had with a 2gb 650m cpu and 1080p screen for about the price of a ux32a if not cheaper.

How do people like their ux31a machines? I was all jazzed about it until i got it home and had light bleed now im not so sure.

 

Does anyone have pictures of the UX31A motherboard? Or any disassembly guide available? How easy is it to upgrade the SSD? Also can someone just confirm with me that the memory can't be removed? or can it?

 

Working for me also! Thanks!!!!

 

has anyone successfully gotten a replacement because of light bleed?

 

I haven't yet but I plan to. I got mine locally at a microcenter store and have made them aware of the light bleed on mine. They said there wouldn't be any problem with an exchange.

So when they get more in stock im going to be exchanging it for a new one hopefully with a better screen. Its in their best interest to do exchanges... think about it... you can return and rebuy anyway.

 

I've only had mine a couple of days but I'm really enjoying it. I also have the light bleed issue, sounds like most do. It doesn't bother me as I only notice it when Windows boots up. Otherwise the screen is fantastic.