U30JC discussion thread

I'm actually quite happy with my UL80VT. The U30JC is a replacement for my girlfriend's U6ep. Based on initial use, you'll get about 3-4 hours of use from the 6 cell battery. If Asus makes an 8 cell battery available, this would be a great notebook. For now, I don't think I can go to work with the U30JC without bringing a power adapter.

From a build quality perspective, I still think it's a vast improvement over the UL series, especially the aluminum exterior/palm rest. The aluminum also made the chassie much stiffer. I can carry the U30JC around with one hand and not feel the chassie flex. The touchpad is also slightly indented, so for those of you who can't stand touchpads that are flush with the palm rest, you'll like this generation of Asus. I was one of the UL80VT owners with keyboard problems and the U30JC does not have that problem.

As for Nvidia Optimus, I'm still not quite sure I like it. It did switch over to the G310M when I launched Dawn of War 2 and the overall gaming experience is slightly better than the UL80VT, but I wish there is a quick way to manually force Optimus to use the discreet or integrated chipset.

One last thing, Asus Express Gate isn't available for the U30JC.

 

What about the context menu option? See here.

 

Google Translate seems to do a better job in translating that site.

http://translate.google.com/transla...igi.tech.qq.com/a/20100315/000972.htm&prev=_t

Won't get my U30JC until Monday :\.

 

I really hope that the US versions will have an option for the i5 processor, but it doesn't look like any of ones available for preorder have it.

 

eugenes or McVla,

if one of you guys have the time, do you both mind reporting the temperatures of the system using HwMonitor?

Here's link
http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

 

ASUS U30JC-A1 Pre-Order up on Amazon for $899.

Intel Core i3-350M Processor (2.26 GHz)
Nvidia G310M Graphics Engine with 512MB DDR3 Dedicated VRAM and Optimus technology
4GB of DDR3 1066MHz DRAM (2GB x 2 slots), 4GB Max; Wireless 802.11 b/g/n
320GB Hard Drive (5400 RPM); Super Multi Optical Disk Drive; Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) Operating System
13.3-Inch HD (1366x768) LED Display; 0.3MP Webcam; HDMI Port; 8 cell 5600mAh battery

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-U30JC-A1-13-3-Inch-Laptop-Silver/dp/tech-data/B0036ZEANO/ref=de_a_smtd

 

Thanks for the info, I was really hoping for an i5 option as well...Hmm, if it has average battery life, average CPU, low end graphics, then the only thing this has going for it is the size and look? In that case the Acer timeline might be a better buy? (Probably same CPU, same sizes, better graphics and better battery life..no word on price or release date in the US) Any thoughts.

 

and supposedly up to 9.5 hrs battery life

 

Thanks, missed that part.

 

I was trying to do the math to find estimated battery life but the 9.5 hrs seems impossible to obtain given the specs posted on Amazon. Perhaps it's a typo?

correct me if I am wrong! I found out how to do this yesterday so I may be doing it wrong lol

Battery capacity can also be measured in Watt-Hours. Watt-Hours are calculated by multiplying Volts x Milliamperes.

14.8 Volts (that's the # it usually is) X 5600mAh (5600 mAh is equal to 5.6 Amperes).
Is also equivalent to:
14.8 x 5.6 = 82.9 Watt-Hours

In order to get 8 hours, it needs to draw only 10 watts. isn't that what ultra low voltage processors get?

 

U30JT will only run 9.5 hours if you let it sit on the desk with the screen/wifi turned off. Aim for 6 hours and you might not be disappointed.

Looks like the US model is missing bluetooth again, but I'm definitely picking up the 8 cell battery when it's available separately.

 

What does Asus USA have against bluetooth? It baffles me that any notebook would get released without bluetooth these days.

 

I'm kinda hoping that the Bluetooth module is not soldered into the board, but more like a Wifi so we can install it later on. One can only hope.

 

There is no easy way to access the BT module. The two compartments on the bottom only gives access to ram and hdd. Wifi is provided using a half size mini pci-e card, located under the keyboard. Two antennas this time (see the thread on wifi issues with UL30) and the card can be swapped out.

I'm guessing there is another pci-e slot open for the BT module, but you'd have to take apart the notebook to access it.

 

u can always use that $2 usb bluetooth dongle found on ebay

 

Nice to hear that the wifi comes with 2 antennas

For BT modules, they'll most likely be a small module like the ones found in other Asus laptops instead of a mini PCI-E form. I'll bet there is a small space somewhere underneath the palm rest where the BT module can be tucked in.

 

After seeing the official laptop specs etc. For me personally I would prefer if it did not have a ODD (providing it would make it thinner, lighter and possibly have some more battery life) But I am liking the i3-350

 

It looks like some reviews have been posted for the U30JC, suggesting it gets battery life on par with the 6 cell TimelineX. The TimelineX has a 9 cell option, better performance (especially the HD 5650) and is lighter, but the price would be higher, so the U30JC is not as useless as I thought.

 

agreed. i am surprised the battery life lasts so long.

from pcmag, http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2362132,00.asp
:

now i just have to see how rigorous this mobilemark 2007 battery test is. but 8 hours? if that's with wifi on and light browsing no flash, this will most likely be my next laptop

 

here is another review
http://hothardware.com/Articles/Asus-133-U30Jc-Notebook-Review/?page=9

"Even during our taxing battery test, the machine lasted just over two hours with the GT 310M GPU enabled, and around an hour more with the integrated GPU on. This is also with Wi-Fi enabled and screen brightness locked at 65%"

 

aw definitely disappointing. the link you provided provides a more reasonable battery life test than the one quoted in mines.

refer to cheese's post below

 

Battery Eater Pro seems to eat battery a lot faster than other programs of its sort. I don't put much stock by those results, unless you want an estimate for how long the U30JC will last while you're playing games. For example, they tested the ASUS UL30A at 5 hours, but it often gets more like 10.

 

Thanks, I was just about to post the same thing.

Our very own notebookreview has the review up and it quotes a longer battery life:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5591&p=2

 

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/asus-ul30jc-1a.aspx

laptopmag quotes 7hrs of battery life (Web surfing Wi-Fi) of moderate use.

 

Where are we supposed to buy this thing? It says it was released today, but no stores are even selling them yet...

 

xoticPC and amazon have it, and another i saw earlier

 

Amazon has it on pre-order, but Newegg let's you add it to your cart...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220717

I'm going to wait and order from Amazon.

 

Those are just preorders. Xoticpc has had that since January.

edit: Nevermind. I just saw Darells post above mine...

 

This laptop is definitely the one I will buy in late July. But knowing technology, I won't be surprised if something better comes out by then.

 

I've had mine on preorder with Xoticpc for a few weeks now. Initially the sales dept told me they would have it two weeks ago and supposedly Asus delayed the shipment on them until yesterday (Apr 5). So I think it's another week or so until the retailers have it on hand.

 

is the Core i5 version available? i can't seem to find it anywhere.

 

I'm pretty sure the i5 version won't be available in NA. Any reviews I've seen with i5 have been from Asia.

 

Hey guys, first post here, been reading a lot though =)

Anyway, I ordered this laptop yesterday, should arrive on Thursday, I'll post a mini-review with some benchmarks, etc.

 

Letros, where did you order it from? Still not in stock at Amazon.

 

Newegg had it in stock yesterday.

 

Letros, please post the specs of the battery when you receive your U30JC. I'm curious to know what voltage the 8 cell battery operates at. Thanks.

 

For those waiting, here are some high rez close-up shots of the laptop.
http://hothardware.com/image_popup.aspx?image=big_u30jc-whole-unit.jpg&articleid=1481&t=a

 

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/asus-u30jc-a1/4505-3121_7-34043767.html?tag=mncolBtm;rnav

This review said 4hrs when running a test with the Discrete GPU off?

 

I am in the US, and I really like this laptop. I was hoping for a i5 model, but the i3 seems to do pretty well. Will a new version come out in a month or so (x1 maybe?)? I know with the UL30VT, the silver version came out about a month later... if another model comes out, any idea what it would have?

 

4 hrs of video playback is really awesome

 

This laptop is now in stock and shipping from Amazon.

 

I see that. I'm stuck with what I should do. I have preorder for XoticPc for $869 (free shipping) but they don't have it yet. Amazon has it now for $899 free shipping. Is the $30 worth it... hmmm

 

so will this laptop be available with the i5? ive only seen it with the i3 so far.

 

According to the leaked magazine articles it should be available... I think i'm going to wait for the U33JC because it's essentially UL30JT but with a non CULV processor.

 

sooo many laptops. kinda wish they gave them easier more recognizable names. If i can get an i5 in there and can get it for under $1500 Australian dollars then im all in!

 

im with your random guy. im keeping my eye on this lappy for my site work.

 

ugh...this laptop is so nice looking. just wish i could get my hands on a Core i520m version.

 

At least its out. Now to see the release of the U33 Bamboo, preferably customizable with the Core i7-620

 

From the benchmarks, I honestly can't see how the current u30jc is better then the ul30vt (or the 14" with optical) esp considering the price? Looks like it has less battery life, very slight cpu performance gain, graphics are very VERY close on 3dmark scores/fps but the shell of it has real brushed aluminum vs painted plastic.

 

Biggest difference are that it does have a better processor. It has Optimus. Comes with an optical drive. Graphics are still better. The screen doesn't seem to have the same vertical problems that the vt has. Has a better build since it's not all plastic. All those considered it makes the price higher. Simply a better machine, with optimus being the feature of it.

It's said here that the i3 "crushed" the culv processors. http://hothardware.com/Articles/Asus-133-U30Jc-Notebook-Review/?page=6