Ul30vt

I'm sure someone will have a review up today. If not, I'll have a mini review up tomorrow when mine arrives.

 

Well even though it said and still says in order not arriving before 24 dec, my order just changed to shipping soon. So it probably will reach to my friends on friday, but i wont be able to post anything till mid of dec when it arrives to me.

Btw its already in stock according to amazon ASUS UL30Vt-X1 to order it like anyother product, get it while you can

 

Looking forward to your mini-review! be sure to take lots of pictures! =)

 

Well, other than the UL30a wireless issue, and the UL80Vt build quality issue, I don't think there are any other kinks. Hopefully neither of these issues make it to the UL30Vt, nor any additional issues.

Haha.. My sig changes to reflect the many emotions that make the Capt'n, corrupt. Here are a couple:

}:^D~

{:^!~

{:^(~

};^)~

}X^[~

|:^P~

{:^/~

... and the beat goes on, my friend.

}:^)~

 

Resist the urge to play with it too much and deprive us all of first impressions! Instant rep for a quick mini review. I'm itching to find out more.

}:^)~

 

Amazon now showing in stock....!!!!

 

I intend on ordering the UL30vt from Amazon as well, but I need to to arrive at a friends house in the US by Dec 20, should I wait to see if the A1 comes out or will it be too late?

 

I haven't seen any official news about A1 will be available, im not sure they plan on releasing an A1 version, only seen one VT model per size, your best bet is probably to post on the amazon forums maybe the Asus Representative can confirm if there will be and if it will be available before dec20. The UL80VT went out of stock again in like a week at least from amazon deal, probably the ul30vt will go soon out of stock, so dont take too long if you really want it for dec20.

 

Will do, cheers.

 

Given that there has been no confirmation on an A1 model, just speculation I don't think we will see an A1 before next year. You'd be better off buying an X1 with an extra battery.

 

Found this on the X-1 discussion board on Amazon, I guess it speaks for itself.

Edit: that's from the Asus rep of course.

 

Thanks for the info.

^^ interesting...very creative (hadnt noticed)

 

so this means no?

 

I just means, "no comment."

};^)~

 

My Canadian countrymen, check this out:

If one were to buy the UL30Vt-X1 unit from Amazon.com (assuming that they'd even ship to Canada -- sometimes they don't!), then of course, we'd have to contend with multiple charges which may make the unit less desirable. There's always the expected shipping charge, but then there's the brokerage fees, and duty fees as it crosses the border.

After doing a quick calculation via thefinalcost.com, assuming a $40 shipping and handling fee, the final cost came out to $1060 CAD after exchange and all related fees. Now consider this:

The UL80Vt/UL50Vt cost around $920 before tax in Ontario. Adding a sweet 13% on top of this costs brings the total up to $1040, and that's assuming that you pick it up in a store! If you want it shipped, be prepared to pay at least $20, which would make the prices practically equal.

The bottom line? It may not actually pay to buy it in Canada. Not only do you have to wait longer, the final cost is likely to be pretty much identical to ordering it from the States, or low enough not to make a huge difference.

Here are some quick calculations assuming different prices. Assumed FedEx for international shipping.* The FINAL COST column takes into account all associated costs.
* the cost between fedex and UPS are pretty much the same

Code:

PRICE        SHIPPING       FINAL COST
------        --------       ----------
799USD       40USD          $1060CAD
799USD       60USD          $1090CAD
920CAD       0 (PICKUP)     $1040CAD
920CAD       20CAD          $1060CAD
900CAD       0 (PICKUP)     $1017CAD
900CAD       20CAD          $1040CAD
880CAD       20CAD          $1017CAD
860CAD       20CAD          $994CAD

Here's a link so that you can do your own calculations
http://www.thefinalcost.com/

Sure the gov doesn't get the taxes, but perhaps they should have thought of that before raising them so high! Food for thought... or not...

}:^D~

 

Still, duty and brokerage fees make it seem like a horrible deal. Besides, paying more than $1000 CAD for a CULV is extremely unreasonable, as other competitors (like the ugly HP one of similar spec) is much less than this.

 

Make it *seem* like a horrible deal, but after GST/PST, the price ends up being rather similar in a great number of cases. Similar enough, in fact, to weigh the cost of waiting. Of course, this is all dependent on whether or not Amazon.com would ship this item to Canada, and what those shipping charges would be. I should check this out...

EDIT: As fate would unfortunately have it, Amazon.com does *not* indeed ship this item to Canadian addresses. Unless you have a trusted friend/relative in the states that's travelling north or have it re-shipping via a friend or service, you'll have to wait for it to be released over here.

Just to let you all know there are companies that do re-shipping in case you're interested in this option:
Check out MyUS.com: http://myus2.myus.com/Memberships.aspx

MyUS.com uses DHL as their default shipping vendor, which apparently has very LOW duty fees (2.5% + 13% duty). This makes the final cost around $1098 using this method after all costs. This is just a guesstimate, though, so use at your own risk.

Put another way, the UL30Vt-X1 would have to be below $970CAD before taxes to be considered less expensive. This makes the deal much less appetizing as the UL50Vt-A1 can be had for around $1017CAD after tax; $81 less than having a UL30Vt-A1 reshipped via MyUS.com, and the UL30Vt-X1 is likely to be less expensive than the UL50Vt-A1.

}:^/~

 

Capt'n, are you getting an extended battery? I'm in BC (interior) and would be interested in your final amount if you ordered it online with the 5600mAh battery. You said tax over there is 13% as well? Good luck with ordering from Amazon.com though...

 

Hey Keaton,

I'm probably going to wait a bit. Honestly, it's a cash flow thing.

These prices assume the item is coming into Ontario. You'd have to adjust for the taxes in BC. The 13% is one of the hidden costs which is the duty thats typically paid on items coming into Ontario from the US. This is the same as GST + PST (our two sales taxes).

I would like to order a spare battery at some point, but for that I'm sure I could get it here when they become more available.

Since amazon does not ship to Canada (as per my last post), unfortunately, you'll have to have it re-shipped, have someone bring it over the border, or take a trip if you want it. Check out MyUS.com to see how much it would cost to be reshipped, and assume 2.5% duty over the border via DHL.

I would help with the calculations, but I must get back to work!

}:^)~

 

Please post some early reviews once you guys start getting your laptops. Since amazon started shipping these yesterday, I assume someone might get a UL30VT delivered today or tomorrow. So excited!

 

Ah, sorry Capt'n, I didn't see your edit. I can relate to the whole cash flow problem. I don't have much more than a thousand to spend on it, so I may just wait until the A1 comes out in Canada. I'll do some research into myUS.com and see what I can come up with, but that sounds like a lot of hassle to save a couple of days. (Here's hoping it releases in Canada as the A1 on the 18th or so)

 

I really hope someone gets it soon and writes quick review so I can see everything is okay and I can order mine.

Anyone have an idea for a good sleeve for it?

 

can't wait til someone does a full review about the laptop when they get it. Does anyone know if it comes with a basic sleeve like all asus? how about a case? I remember the higher models coming with sleeves and case...

 

i'm wondering if it comes with a sleeve. i know that asus comes with sleeves for netbook and higher models...

 

I was wondering about that as well, but when you think about it, seeing as it is a low-cost model, I doubt it...

 

how about a netbook? my asus 1000he came with one (sleeeve) not case... but my other asus that cost more came with both

 

Did not know netbooks came with a sleeve, we'll see I guess.

 

Yeah, the re-shipping is more hassle, and more expensive. If the UL50Vt/UL80Vt costs around $900, then it's $70 below the $970 threshold that would make it equal to the re-shipping method. Not to mention the added complication of buying it via this method. It makes more sense just to wait for it to come to Canada.

For those that are anxious and need it very soon, it'll cost an extra $70 - $100 for that pleasure, plus a bit of added complication in having it re-shipped.

Me personally, I'm with you, I'd rather wait.

In the meantime, I'll tide myself over with some juicy reviews of the unit!

}:^)~

 

gonna brag a little bit, so please bear with me.


i've ordered:

- ASUS UL30VT (799.99 off amazon)
- Intel x25M 80 gig SSD G2 (ebay w/ bing)
- 8C 5600mah battery for UL30, UL50, UL80 (ebay w/ bing)

(all free shipping and no tax)

discounts:
- i had 80 bucks free in paypal for no reason? (i just opened paypal after like 5 years of not using it and it was there)
- another 80 bucks (or so) rewards cashback on my CC
- saved about 35 with bing + ebay 10% cashback.


so in the end, i'm making out with a UL30vt + 80 gig intel G2 SSD + (500 gig 5400 rpm storage spare) + 5600mah battery (and a 4400 spare) for about 970 dollars.

just hope there's nothing wrong with the machine!

 

ASUS has been busy on the Amazon discussion forums today and has just posted the following comments:

ASUS says:
UL30VT-X1 will only be available at Amazon and Amazon.ca

http://www.amazon.com/UL30-ASUS-the-uninitiated-newbie/forum/Fx3CWPHY0K60V3P/Tx2TPVDU21J0GB9/2/ref=cm_cd_pg_jump?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B002XZLURC&cdSort=oldest#CustomerDiscussionsNew


Regarding the availability of the UL30VT-A1 before year end....

ASUS says:
Osman, no chance.

http://www.amazon.com/UL30VT-A1/for...m_cd_ef_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B002XZLURC

 

Brag all you want! Just give me a review (or detailed first impressions) when you get your hands on it! Way to go!

}:^)~

 

Great finds! I'm glad that it'll be available on Amazon.ca because it'll qualify for free shipping. Of course, this means that delivery won't be next day, but it's still good.

I find the prices on Amazon.ca a little on the high side, compared to other Canadian retailers. Still, it's better Amazon.ca than nothing!

I'm waiting anxiously!

}:^)~

 

How much is the bigger battery, no discount etc...
can you give a link to the ebay seller?

 

can't find the battery on ebay.... hmmm

 

Now does that mean everywhere else will have the A1? Or are they initially selling the VT only on Amazon (Perhaps until after Christmas?)

edit: this discussion is moving fast...

Sort of answered it for me...

 

Ugh, Amazon.ca lists the price of the UL30a for $930CAD! It's highly likely that the UL30Vt will be more expensive. Considering that the UL50Vt and UL80Vt cost the same amount ($980CAD), if the UL30Vt costs near that, then it'll be about the same cost if not cheaper to have it re-shipped from the states ( as per my original calculations)!

Since the asus rep confirmed that it'll only be carried via Amazon.ca, I may just order it from the states after all....

While you're pondering that, enjoy some more amazon listing boobery. I hear that 8-cell offered by amazon.ca tracks really well on reflective surfaces .

}:^)~

 

Here's a link to the one on amazon. It's the only retailer that I've seen that actually carries spares for the UL line.

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-8-Cell-L...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259789918&sr=8-1

}:^)~

 

Its very wierd a lot of people that peordered very early still hasn't shipped, but there is even one guy that ordered today and its already on his way to be delivered tomorrow. I really hope mines ships today, i coudlnt cancell to reorder it with the stock thing .

Edit i just got the email

Too bad im not in the US atm.

 

I just got my confirmation email and I pre-ordered within the first hour that it was up.

Shipment 1 of 1
Shipped
Delivery Estimate: December 3, 2009

 

Give up the wait and get the X1.

 

just cancel and reorder... i think people who went with next day air get's it ship first

 

Yours will ship soon enough.

Here's something that's very interesting:

At the end of the anandtech review of the UL80Vt, it says that bestbuy has models of the UL80Vt with a rubberized palm rest, which is supposed to be quite nice. This is a new features that wasn't in the first crop of notebooks (iirc). My question is this: Is the rubbarized handrest a new upgrade that Asus has been putting on the latest crop of black ULs? Will the UL30Vt-X1 have a rubbarized handrest?

I guess we'll find out in a few days when the units start arriving.

The review with the update:
http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3665&p=7

}:^)~

 

i'm surprised that no one got their today... people got shipping confirmation yesterday and i'm sure someone went with next day air shipping

 

ASUS says:
I believe there will be enough inventory to cover pre-orders and then some.

We sent inventory to multiple Amazon warehouses, and because some are further from the ASUS warehouse than others, they might not have all received inventory yet. If you are west of the Mississippi, roughly, then there is a chance inventory has not yet arrived at the Amazon warehouse nearest to you (ASUS warehouse is in CA). Please don't take this is an exact science though, Amazon can and will ship from whatever warehouse they want/need to. All that said, I expect all Amazon warehouses to which we sent the UL30VT-X1 to have inventory by the end of this week.
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Just got confirmation for delivery tomorrow. Will post pics when I can. I'll start a new thread in the official owners lounge.

 

You can tell the excitement is rising. This thread was on page 42 yesterday!

That's almost 100 posts in two days.... Sadly, many of them mine....

Just wait until people actually start getting units and this thread is exposed to many curious onlookers that are considering the UL30Vt. Not to mention to tons of questions and tests.

}:^)~

 

ASUS says:
I believe there will be enough inventory to cover pre-orders and then some.

We sent inventory to multiple Amazon warehouses, and because some are further from the ASUS warehouse than others, they might not have all received inventory yet. If you are west of the Mississippi, roughly, then there is a chance inventory has not yet arrived at the Amazon warehouse nearest to you (ASUS warehouse is in CA). Please don't take this is an exact science though, Amazon can and will ship from whatever warehouse they want/need to. All that said, I expect all Amazon warehouses to which we sent the UL30VT-X1 to have inventory by the end of this week.




Order confirmation arrived. Shipment on its way for delivery tomorrow. Will post some pics when I get a chance.

ALSO, ASUS confirmed that a UL30VT-A1 is a not a possibility. So I assume those that are waiting for one should look for other options.

 

I'm now afraid they'll run out of stock before I order mine, think that's likely?

 

IF you order this moment, you should be ok. ASUS rep said there would be enough for pre-orders and "then some." But don't order because all the hype. Order this because it suits your needs.

 

Well with it being in stock + confirmation of no A1 version, probably more orders will be placed, no way of knowing how many they have in stock atm.

This is good advice.

 

It does suit my needs, I have every intention of ordering it, I just wanted to wait until at least 1 person gets its and throws a quick review of it...