The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous pageNext page →

    Ivy Bridge Zenbook with FHD IPS screen UX21A UX31A UX32A UX32VD

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by Mech0z, Apr 25, 2012.

  1. CompUG

    CompUG Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    CompUG, Jun 8, 2012
    #251
  2. rieuk

    rieuk Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    It's just listed, right, you can't actually buy anything yet. So does it really mean anything...we already knew it was coming out soon...
     
    rieuk, Jun 8, 2012
    #252
  3. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    748
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Nice! But I'm getting worried with no UX32VD showing up in listings. It is on international stores though. Hope it's not an indication of there being a staggered launch with the UX32VD coming later.
     
    urbanglowcam, Jun 8, 2012
    #253
  4. notebookhelp

    notebookhelp Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    144
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I wish the version with just the hd+ screen was IPS since 1080p on a 13" would be too small for me.
     
    notebookhelp, Jun 8, 2012
    #254
  5. badmann

    badmann Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    UX31A video here;

    Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A inceleme - YouTube

    Not sure yet what language, may be Turkish .. ?

    I ordered my UX31A, got mail and scheduled for delivery 13.6 (!) no actual shipping and tracking number yet but got a mail update regarding deliverydate. Nordic shop.
     
    badmann, Jun 8, 2012
    #255
  6. rieuk

    rieuk Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    where did you order from??
     
    rieuk, Jun 8, 2012
    #256
  7. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    748
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Where are you from? Have any specific regions released any of the Zenbook Primes yet to public?

    It's looking more and more like they will launch next week.
     
    urbanglowcam, Jun 8, 2012
    #257
  8. CompUG

    CompUG Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Me too. 10 charrr

    ASUS ZENBOOK Prime HD Ultrabook - Computex 2012 - YouTube
     
    CompUG, Jun 8, 2012
    #258
  9. CTM Audi

    CTM Audi Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    58
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Dual channel will work with different size dimms.


    Cant decide which model to get. Obviously I want the IPS 1080P screen, but dont know if I care for the 620m. Wouldnt exactly be gamable at 1080P with that card anyway. But I do have a 512GB Crucial M4, and a 128GB Samsung 830 that need to find a use, and from what I gather, the slimmer UX31A doesnt have a normal HDD/SSD SATA setup right?

    So if the UX32VD can play a few things decently, then Ill use the 512GB M4, if not Ill just use the Samsung. Is there a way to remove or disable the SSD cache when you install a real SSD?
     
    CTM Audi, Jun 9, 2012
    #259
  10. sev*

    sev* Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    as far as i know the cache is in the hdd storage, so there shouldnt be any problem switching with a real ssd...

    its said that the only laptops, where u can switch the hdd/ssd are the UX32's due not having a unibody.

    35fps on medium settings on 1366 x 768 resolution with the 620...
     
    sev*, Jun 9, 2012
    #260
  11. breakdown234

    breakdown234 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    49
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    hope your right ,thou i wonder how much ram you can upgrade to ;)

    p.s: so only the bottom is plastic on the ux32vd then ?
     
    breakdown234, Jun 9, 2012
    #261
  12. sev*

    sev* Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    "With the UX32, Asus will offer a lower cost alternative to the unibody case of the UX31. Using a conventional clamshell construction, the UX32 combines an aluminum base plate with a plastic-aluminum composite frame."

    Review Asus Zenbook UX32VD Ultrabook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

    read something about up to 6 gb ram official supported
     
    sev*, Jun 9, 2012
    #262
  13. WaryWolf

    WaryWolf Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    you can swap the ssd in the ux21a, theoretically, anand pulled it out in their teardown:

    ASUS Zenbook Prime (UX21A) Teardown

    However, there doesn't appear to be any other SSD that matches the connection used in the ux21a/ux31a, so being able to swap the drive doesn't matter anyway :(
     
    WaryWolf, Jun 9, 2012
    #263
  14. CompUG

    CompUG Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    CompUG, Jun 9, 2012
    #264
  15. xeofreestyle

    xeofreestyle Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    At least it is a mixture of the two, instead of just plastic.

    This might be useful even though its about Macbooks. From my understanding Macbooks are made with plastic cases, while the Macbook Pros are made from aluminum:

     
    xeofreestyle, Jun 9, 2012
    #265
  16. Niren

    Niren Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Niren, Jun 9, 2012
    #266
  17. CompUG

    CompUG Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I doubt it will cost that much. Laptops tend to to be more expensive in Europe than U.S
     
    CompUG, Jun 9, 2012
    #267
  18. badmann

    badmann Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Keep cool, Asus is probably waiting for Apples announcements tomorrow before letting the new models into the wild.

    My bet is that Apple will be doing the Air 11 and 13 with bumped specs with ivy + retina at same pricing + killing the Pro 13 and buffing up the Pro 15 with some serious hardware

    Oh, and the new Macbooks will probably not start shipping before august so Asus will have a good edge going into this battle
     
    badmann, Jun 10, 2012
    #268
  19. CompUG

    CompUG Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Interesting theory. I hope they do release it soon, Samsung Series 9 13 inch will start shipping out on June 15th according to Amazon. Also Apple is known for releasing their laptops on the day they announce them. Wouldn't be surprise if the new MBP and MBA go on sale this week. Hopefully ASUS releases it this week as well or else there really going miss a huge market.
     
    CompUG, Jun 10, 2012
    #269
  20. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    748
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Right. I have a strong feeling Asus will release them this week. Yesterday, Staples didn't mention being out of stock. It now says it's out of stock again though. But I have a feeling they're getting ready to launch them this week. I just hope the UX32VD is released too.

    http://www.staples.com/Asus-UX31A-R...422268&CID=AFF%3A3640576%3A3640576%3A10422268
     
    urbanglowcam, Jun 10, 2012
    #270
  21. Inios

    Inios Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Asus is also probably waiting for WWDC with the Air announcement to determine their pricing options/strategy.
     
    Inios, Jun 10, 2012
    #271
  22. CompUG

    CompUG Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    Yeah I hope the UX32VD is released this week. HP has released their new IB ultrabook so has Sony and Samsung series 9 releases this week.
     
    CompUG, Jun 10, 2012
    #272
  23. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    748
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Yeah. I'm pretty confident it'll be very soon. I'm ready to drop my money on the UX32VD as long as it's not much more. I'm even hoping it's somehow cheaper than the UX31A due to the HDD instead of the SSD.

    I'd just like some confirmation that the SSD/RAM can be swapped. I saw on Anandtech's review of the UX21A, it was possible but restricted with a proprietary SSD connector, but what about the UX32VD? I'm still confused though I'm hearing it is possible.
     
    urbanglowcam, Jun 10, 2012
    #273
  24. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

    Reputations:
    2,365
    Messages:
    9,422
    Likes Received:
    200
    Trophy Points:
    231
    not likely at all.
     
    Karamazovmm, Jun 10, 2012
    #274
  25. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    748
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Actually, I think it'd be smart of Asus to strategize based on where Apple is marketing themselves. As a consumer, I'm waiting to see what Apple is showing to get better perspective. I could only imagine this is much more important to Asus.
     
    urbanglowcam, Jun 10, 2012
    #275
  26. CompUG

    CompUG Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Why you think so?
     
    CompUG, Jun 10, 2012
    #276
  27. breakdown234

    breakdown234 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    49
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    sounds good to me , thou wouldve liked 8gb atleast support for the ux32vd, kinda pissed there being no option to choose between clamshell vs unibody thou, not a big fan of plastics -.-

    waiting for some serious reviews on this sexy thang first ;)

    p.s: thou its kind of a joke you gotta admit the 32 got the top specs but gets the lowend case and hdd xD , makes you wonder what asus is thinking sometimes -.- , was hoping for a 680m gpu and dual hdd option , perhaps even a slot-loader blue-ray , all in a sleek ,sexy and minimalistic profile ,asus almost had it perfect , guess one can only dream , perhaps a couple more years for that
     
    breakdown234, Jun 11, 2012
    #277
  28. CTM Audi

    CTM Audi Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    58
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    If you want the smallest, sleekest case possible, you have to sacrafice hardware. No way a disc drive, dual HDD, etc.. will fit in an ultrabook. They have slim profile "sleekbooks" with more power though.



    The UX32VD starts at $800, but thats with Sandy based CPU and low end screen. Add in that nice 1080P IPS and Ivy CPU, and itll end up being $1100-$1200+.
     
    CTM Audi, Jun 11, 2012
    #278
  29. breakdown234

    breakdown234 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    49
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    and where would i find such a sleekbook? if i may ask? ;)
     
    breakdown234, Jun 11, 2012
    #279
  30. Inios

    Inios Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Another link from notebookcheck (originally in german): Asus: Ultrabooks der Serie Zenbook Prime UX21A und UX31A ab 1.100 Euro - Notebookcheck.com News

     
    Inios, Jun 11, 2012
    #280
  31. barquito

    barquito Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    how come the 21 have the hd webcam and more cell batteries?
     
    barquito, Jun 11, 2012
    #281
  32. kayrune

    kayrune Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    kayrune, Jun 11, 2012
    #282
  33. CKtalon

    CKtalon Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Apple just announced that the Retina display 2880x1800 will only be on the 15" Macbook Pro. I'm going for the UX31A afterall.
     
    CKtalon, Jun 11, 2012
    #283
  34. Deathalo

    Deathalo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    130
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Yeah, MBA underwhelming, but the new MBP are pretty sweet. I'd get one if I could remotely afford it, but perhaps my job will upgrade to the new MBPs (I hope). So, probably 32VD for me, but I'll wait for final reviews first.

    *oh and Apple releases them today, so GET ON IT ASUS!
     
    Deathalo, Jun 11, 2012
    #284
  35. shadvich

    shadvich Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Yeah disappointed that no refresh on the display for any other model. Just need the UX31A to come out, anyone hear any news?
     
    shadvich, Jun 11, 2012
    #285
  36. kayrune

    kayrune Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    My UX31A is reported to ship in 2 days, this is in Norway thou.
     
    kayrune, Jun 11, 2012
    #286
  37. clarkdale661

    clarkdale661 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    clarkdale661, Jun 11, 2012
    #287
  38. shadvich

    shadvich Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    shadvich, Jun 11, 2012
    #288
  39. badmann

    badmann Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I would go for a Macbook Pro 13 but that 1280 screen + DVD-rom is just so outdated. The MBA 13 is still sexy...

    Glad i have pre-ordered UX31A and really looking forward to is
     
    badmann, Jun 11, 2012
    #289
  40. badmann

    badmann Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    badmann, Jun 11, 2012
    #290
  41. CompUG

    CompUG Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Now where is the UX32, taking too long..
     
    CompUG, Jun 11, 2012
    #291
  42. rieuk

    rieuk Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Wayy too long...
     
    rieuk, Jun 11, 2012
    #292
  43. jellycow

    jellycow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    86
    Messages:
    49
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I would be happy with a concrete availability date so I can plan accordingly...
     
    jellycow, Jun 11, 2012
    #293
  44. CodingTom

    CodingTom Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    CodingTom, Jun 11, 2012
    #294
  45. jellycow

    jellycow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    86
    Messages:
    49
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    jellycow, Jun 11, 2012
    #295
  46. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    748
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Could be legit since it says "Ships from/sold by Buy.com" but I'm not sure.

    Dang. Looks like the UX32VD is actually more than the UX31A by a good amount. Makes it harder for me to choose it. I really want that dedicated card and the ability to expand the SDD/Memory though. But isn't the i7 supposed to be a 1.9GHz? Hmm..
     
    urbanglowcam, Jun 11, 2012
    #296
  47. kayrune

    kayrune Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    hmm... thats odd, in EU the VD is about 20% cheaper than the A.
     
    kayrune, Jun 11, 2012
    #297
  48. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    748
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Exactly. I'm thinking this might be the i7 model and that's why. The SSD and all aluminum unibody frame in the UX31A should be worth much more than the HDD and plastic components on the VD. The VD has a dedicated card but I don't think that makes as much of a difference. Hopefully more stores like Amazon pop up with them shortly.
     
    urbanglowcam, Jun 11, 2012
    #298
  49. clarkdale661

    clarkdale661 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Can anyone confirm that the memory is upgradable via sodimm slot rather than soldered on memory, and also the SSD (or hybrid HD/SSD) has a standard SATA slot rather than a proprietary slot?

    Aftermarket upgradable components will win me over, otherwise this will lose to the new Samsung Series 9.
     
    clarkdale661, Jun 11, 2012
    #299
  50. urbanglowcam

    urbanglowcam Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    748
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    31
    From what I'm hearing, the UX31 / UX21 have proprietary slots for the HDD/SSD. The UX32VD should be standard SATA though, but I'm waiting to get more confirmation on that before ordering.

    As far as RAM, I've heard the UX31 / UX21, again, cannot be upgraded but UX32VD can. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me. This is important to me too.
     
    urbanglowcam, Jun 11, 2012
    #300
← Previous pageNext page →