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    UX32VD as desktop replacement?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by BrianRunsPhilly, Jun 27, 2012.

  1. BrianRunsPhilly

    BrianRunsPhilly Notebook Enthusiast

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    Currently have a Dell xps 15,which is way too heavy and has had several QC issues that resulted in replaced parts. I do like the speed as it's an i7 quad-core CPU.

    Thinking about the Asus as a desktop replacement. The screen, GPU, and form factor seem ideal. However I am concerned about the CPU and ULV, as the i7-3517U has a Passmark of 4116, and the current CPU in the Dell, a i7-2630QM, has a Passmark of 6337. That's a huge difference. I do some computationally intensive work (molecular modeling) about 20% of the time, so that is a concern.

    Thoughts? I'd immediately add 8gb memory and possibly swap the hybrid drive for a SSD.
     
    BrianRunsPhilly, Jun 27, 2012
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  2. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    I am not sure if anyone has tested thermals with the lid closed, maybe with an appropriate laptop cooler it would be OK. It has only 10/100 ethernet, you would need to find a USB3 gigabit adapter if that was a concern.
     
    ALLurGroceries, Jun 27, 2012
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  3. pcdo

    pcdo Notebook Enthusiast

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    If you don't mind the screen downgrade, consider the i7 version of the U36 computer. It's very thin and light but has an i7 at 2.7Ghz instead of 1.9Ghz. If your work requires intensive computational work you might want that better processor.
     
    pcdo, Jun 27, 2012
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  4. Zer0 C00l

    Zer0 C00l Notebook Consultant

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    ultrabooks are still to underpowered to be a desktop replacement but thats just my opinion. The m18x now that's a proper desktop replacement.
     
    Zer0 C00l, Jun 27, 2012
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  5. Deltido

    Deltido Notebook Consultant

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    These things are actually pretty powerful. according to this it gets 4112 on PassMark, that's actually quite a bit of power. That actually is on the level of some decent desktop processors of last gen.
     
    Deltido, Jun 27, 2012
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  6. Zer0 C00l

    Zer0 C00l Notebook Consultant

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    its graphics power is not even 20% of a desktop maybe not even 10% of a desktop gtx680 system. It cannot replace everything a desktop can do, therefore i don't consider it a desktop replacement.
     
    Zer0 C00l, Jun 27, 2012
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  7. Deltido

    Deltido Notebook Consultant

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    I guess it depends on which desktop you're replacing.
     
    Deltido, Jun 28, 2012
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