Ivy Bridge Zenbook with FHD IPS screen UX21A UX31A UX32A UX32VD

Well, the Sony (if S13/S13P) is also low weight, sports a better dedicated GPU and a non-ULV CPU, but you still consider that a contender, why?

Never heard of Vizio until now, but I think their distribution in quite poor in Scandinavia. They do have a 14" model: Amazon.com: VIZIO Thin and Light CT14-A1 14-Inch Laptop: Computers & Accessories

TuxDude: Thanks for the quick reply, I could understand that it's not advisable, I'll just accept the gpu as it is.

 

Welp, I just ordered the $979 deal from Amazon. I'm usually on the Lenovo forum here (have a T520) and decided to sell my iPad 3 and will travel with the Zenbook Prime.

The first thing I usually do with my Thinkpads is a clean Windows 7 install. Is that something people around here do with Asus'? Is it even possible/necessary?

Thanks!

 

You can OC the GT620m, but you have no access to voltage or fan control. I overclocked my GT620m to run at 788 core/1575 shader/1000 mem under load and the max temp it hit was 88 C. I think that temp is perfectly fine for a mobile Fermi GPU.

 

I think he is referring to the Vaio Z, not the S13.

 

Certainly could be the Vaio S. The Vaio S 13.3 has an Nvidia GT640M LE (except base model), full mobile CPUs, optical drive and weighs ~ 3.6 pounds. The Vaio Z doesn't have an internal GPU, but it's available embedded in the separate portable media dock. It weighs 2.5 lbs!

 

Yes, the Windows key is located on the AC Adaptor and you can just re-install Windows 7 using the USB method.

 

Thanks. So I would need a clean .iso from, say, here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...r-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html#post7822528

Then go to Asus' site for drivers? I really don't want any bloatware on this thing. Especially with 128 gigs...

Also, I have an external DVD drive, so I don't need the USB method.

Reviews seem to say you can't combine the restore partition with the rest of the SSD. What's with that? I have never in my life needed a restore partition. I want those 10 gigs back!

 

I only included Sony because it has a great screen as the ASIs does but the price makes it hard to consider a competitor.

 

You won't even need the key as it will automatically activate using the slic which it extracts from the bios. You only need a key if you change windows versions.

 

You can combine them but you will need the free Easeus or something similar to do it because the 4gb and 10gb partitions are gpt partitions.

 

So as long as I keep my key from my power supply, I should never need the restore partition right?

 

For some reason, it asked me to enter the key for activation. Then I had to do the telephone activation to complete the process.

 

Is it not possible just using Disk Management? Not very familiar with GPT. Would I just run Easeus in windows to delete the GPT partitions before I re-install? or would I have to boot to it?

Thanks.

 

So it sounds like the first order of business is to merge the partitions to one and do a clean Windows 7 install. What's the easiest way to add the required Asus drivers? Will wifi work on stock Windows (then I'd go to Asus' site to download everything)? Does Asus have a utility like Lenovo's software update that will identify and download everything you need for the hardware?

 

So just go my brand new Asus UX2VD and I have to say it it is amazing. Was wondering if you guys could help me out with a couple of things though. What is some good software for the trackpad, especially to deactivate it while Im typing as it can get annoying when I keep palm swiping. Also any other nifty programs I should get? And lastly I would like to replace my HDD with a SSD and put new ram in. I know i need a 7mm profile for the ssd and I know i need ddr3 1600mhz with CL11 on the ram, but does it matter if I get 1.35V or 1.5V on the ram?

 

it's not possible to use disk management. use Easeus (free) as recommended. i've done it, deleted recovery partition and merged the drives. after merging you could do the clean install. for me, i didnt do the clean install just deleted the recovery and merged the partitions to have more space.

 

I would be very grateful for that. I've been trying at it, but it doesn't seem to like the drivers whether I have them on a USB key I'm installing from, or on the SSD itself. Some people have recommended rewriting the Win7 USB key, but I've used the same one on multiple other machines with no issues. Tried the cancel, swap usb ports, and click install again, but I can't seem to get past the cd/dvd driver missing message. Using a usb 2.0 thumbdrive if it matters. I may just borrow an external dvd drive from work at this point to see if that makes things any easier.

Explanation of prep work and the MBR/GPT issues, and any needed drivers not found through asus would probably be helpful. I don't know what kind of difference in performance the clean install will make on this particular machine, but getting the crapware off would be nice.


As a side note, I bought my UX31A in a Best Buy store, and it does have some significant bleed, and a slight bright spot in the bottom right. Sandisk SSD. Gaming performance is as expected, not too great, especially at full resolution, but passable if you play windowed or bring the resolution down to 1366x768. Aside from the screen bleed issue, the build quality is superb.

 

I also bought the BB model (yesterday in fact). On opening it/setting up windows I found the d, backspace, delete, and left arrow keys didn't work. I'm assuming this is just a defective unit, but has anyone had similar problems?

 

yes, easeus is just a partition tool but it sup[ports deleting gpt partitions. What I did was delete them and then go into windows disk management and extend the C partition. I still would leave that 200MB partition at the front of the drive alone as deleting that may cause a problem but the 4GB and 10GB are fine to delete.

 

Neither wifi or usb will work on windows after the install. You will need to put the usb driver on your stick and point to it to install so the windows install itself can run. I would have the wifi utilities there too. Once you have wifi and usb working you can get the rest as you said.

 

You did add the $100 gift card to the order so you get the gift card free, right?

 

Of course!

 

Anyone get any estimates on there UX32VD orders yet?

 

As far as shipping estimates or cost estimates? As far as shipping estimates go I have received none and I placed my order with Amazon on June 25.

 

Does anyone know if Best Buy or the Microsoft Store plan on selling the UX32VD anytime in the near future?

 

Can anyone comment on whether Asus will fix screens with light bleed?

My thinking is that it doesn't make sense to get a replacement from my retailer -- they're all sold out and might be for some time. Maybe Asus can replace my screen faster than I can get a replacement. And that's if newegg will cooperate in the first place.

Would really appreciate any advice on this, if you all have any.

 

Yes make sure you do this, I didn't follow directions, usually these things are automatic, but you actually have to add it to your cart.

I called Amazon last night and they processed a $100 refund for me, thanks Amazon!

 

Yes I was asking about shipping... I have a UX31A from best buy right now but will be returning it. Hope we get them before August lol..

 

frustrated that no one has it in stock!

 

Does the SD card stick out of the port ? I read on some websites it was a full sized one, so I'd be able to put one SD card 'forever' in it as complementary storage.

 

has anyone tried dual booting with windows 8? the scaling for 7 is poor, but curious if it's improved.

 

Yes, from what people say it sticks out significantly. You'd need to mod it, if it works at all.

 

Does it matter whether the ram that is put into the laptop is 1.35V or 1.5V?

 

On the UX32VD, the card sticks out half way. It is not a good option for permanent storage. If you have another machine in mind, I'd mention the specific machine so that you can get an accurate answer.

 

Thanks for the reply!

Great clock speeds, seems to be on par/above of the GT630M. Which software did you use to clock? I haven't OC'ed anything for years, last time I OC'ed my GPU I used Rivatuner.

And isn't it so that you shouldn't run it permanently on OC speeds to avoid damage to the GPU or is this nothing to worry about?

Alternatively is there a way to clock up the GT620M when using gpu demanding tasks and take it back down when it's not? (preferrably automatically and not manually)

 

So I checked 4 different UX31A's at 2 different Best Buy's today and all 4 of them had the Sandisk sticker on the outside

Is it confirmed that Amazon's UX31A-DB51 is shipping with only ADATA drive? I really don't wana end up with the Sandisk.

 

Got it from the service, I'm not sure if I'm "allowed" to send the link...

 

The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is profiles.

 

Does anyone know where I can find this in Canada?

Also, since I'm going to the US soon, can someone tell me where it would be cheapest to pick one of these up? (Online link too if you have it)

Also, how is the battery life on these?

Thanks.

 

Thanks for this! I hope Amazon drops it price down permanently exlcuding the gift card, though I could use the gift card, its just I am not in the market to purchase the ux31a this month, next month preferably or early September and will want the adata drive.

 

I was thinking about the UX31A but it's probably the same, maybe even worse because it's thinner..
I'll keep using a classic external hard drive with it then

 

I ordered the 71 from Amazon yesterday I'll let you know tomorrow if it has adata or the SanDisk.

 

Personally I hope Best Buy is the dumping ground for the SanDisk machines

 

I've asked Future Shop and Best Buy and they'll have some models for sale (perhaps online only) either this week or next. (Poor result, but at least it's coming.) Keep an eye on NCIX, too.

https://twitter.com/futureshop/status/223945582048317442
https://twitter.com/BBYCanadaDeals/status/222799641379475456

 

UX32VD-DB71, I assume.
(Availability of UX31A-DB71 has been virtually non-existent...)

 

You're thinking of the 72 which I had on order but canceled and switched to the 71.

 

See here

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00863L3K4

 

Sweet! I hope they give some kind of discount and include the xbox360 deal. Not really counting on it as we Canadians are always on the back end of deals

 

Is anyone have random shutdown issues with their UX31A? I reformatted the day I got it, and got all the drivers up and running no problem. But twice in the past week, the computer just unexpectedly lost power, no blue screen or anything. Once I wasn't even touching the machine. I'm not sure at this point whether it's a software or hardware issue. The event viewer log just lists a critical error saying it lost power unexpectedly...

Anyone have a similar problem or advice?

Thanks

 

I am on my 4th ux31a. The first 3 had an unacceptable amount of stuck pixels on the display. I finally get my 4th and the display is perfect..

..BUT IT HAS THE $&*#(*@ SANDISK! The first 3 had the mx11, and when my current machine was booting up for the first time, it was taking noticeably longer. I didn't give it much thought until I went into device manager and saw what drive it was.

I have no words for how pissed off I am at this point. I did not get this particular machine from Best Buy, I got it from a reputable online retailer (not Amazon). Why are these SanDisk units still littering retailers inventories? Now I am stuck with it unless I want to pay a $150 restocking fee.

I don't know if I'll be buying ASUS in the future after this ridiculous experience.