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    Zenbook U500 Announced: 15.6" HD IPS, GT650M, Quad-Core i7...

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by kanuk, Aug 29, 2012.

  1. PickyPurchaser

    PickyPurchaser Notebook Geek

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    ASUS Expands ZENBOOK
    Official Details

    • ZENBOOK™ UX42VS
    Despite a slender profile that tapers to 6mm and a low 1.9kg weight, the ZENBOOK™ UX42VS features an internal optical drive for enjoying DVD movies on its brilliant 14” HD display. Available with an Intel® Core™ i3, i5 or i7 ULV processor and 6GB memory, the UX42VS also features powerful NVIDIA® GT 645M graphics with 1GB GDDR5 VRAM and up to 1TB high-performance hybrid hard drive storage.

    • ZENBOOK™ UX52VS
    With an Intel® Core™ i5 or i7 ULV processor, 10GB memory and up to 1TB high-performance hybrid hard drive storage, the ZENBOOK™ UX52VS is an ultraportable powerhouse. Powerful NVIDIA® GT 645M graphics with 1GB GDDR5 VRAM give outstanding visuals on the 15.6” Full HD display too, all in a sleek design that weighs just 2.2kg and measures 6mm at its edge.

    • ZENBOOK™ U500VZ
    The ZENBOOK™ U500VZ is a premium ultraportable with incredible amounts of performance, thanks to a powerful Intel® Core i7 quad-core standard-voltage processor and 8GB memory. NVIDIA® GT650M graphics with 2GB GDDR5 VRAM gives incredible performance with demanding professional applications on the brilliant 15.6” Full HD display, while optional capacitive multi-touch gives intuitive fingertip control with Windows 8. The U500VZ also features dual 256GB SSD storage with RAID 0 for near-instant app launching and the external subwoofer provides cinematic sound — all in a sleek design that weighs just 2kg and measures a mere 6mm at its thinnest point.
     
    PickyPurchaser, Oct 23, 2012
    #1051
  2. [-Mac-]

    [-Mac-] Notebook Deity

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    [-Mac-], Oct 23, 2012
    #1052
  3. ceffect

    ceffect Notebook Consultant

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    Sony S Series can have 12GB.

    I don't see a problem.

    There are two versions on ASUS' website. Perhaps Engadget forgot to put that the U500 has a touch version.
     
    ceffect, Oct 23, 2012
    #1053
  4. raazman

    raazman Notebook Consultant

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    Why not?

    Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
     
    raazman, Oct 23, 2012
    #1054
  5. cotolay

    cotolay Notebook Evangelist

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    He is asking about the math on ram sticks. Since it has 4GB soldered.
     
    cotolay, Oct 23, 2012
    #1055
  6. nunomoreira10

    nunomoreira10 Notebook Consultant

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    8 + 2 lol, it yould be quite weird to have 2gb soldered

    645m ddr5 seems to be quite a nice card
     
    nunomoreira10, Oct 23, 2012
    #1056
  7. Frozer

    Frozer Notebook Guru

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    Well the UX52VS is not the U500VZ so we do not know if it has a different memory configuration. It might have all 10 GB soldered.
     
    Frozer, Oct 23, 2012
    #1057
  8. Ctrain24

    Ctrain24 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ctrain24, Oct 23, 2012
    #1058
  9. alfling

    alfling Notebook Deity

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    I'd like to know if there is a SSD+HDD configuration...
     
    alfling, Oct 23, 2012
    #1059
  10. [-Mac-]

    [-Mac-] Notebook Deity

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    Usually there are 2 slots, and for what I know memory bank of 5GB (2x5GB) or 6GB (4GB+6GB) don't exist.

    Inviato dal mio GT-I9100 con Tapatalk 2
     
    [-Mac-], Oct 23, 2012
    #1060
  11. nipsen

    nipsen Notebook Ditty

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    ..already done, in the "owner's lounge" thing. What happens in the nb-review test is that the unit hits the hardware limit at 105 degrees. None of the other units anyone have tried, in other reviews, people on the forum, whatever - have actually managed to hit the 105 degree limit.
     
    nipsen, Oct 23, 2012
    #1061
  12. [-Mac-]

    [-Mac-] Notebook Deity

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    This combination is so absurd that I don't have considered it LoL

    Inviato dal mio GT-I9100 con Tapatalk 2
     
    [-Mac-], Oct 23, 2012
    #1062
  13. dillonbrannick

    dillonbrannick Notebook Enthusiast

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    so are those $2000 preorders for the touch screen version? Without touch will it be much cheaper?
     
    dillonbrannick, Oct 23, 2012
    #1063
  14. helpmedecide

    helpmedecide Notebook Guru

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    Oh... now we're talking. Now I see Asus's game plan. The UX52VS is a little heavier than the UX51VZ, has a weaker graphics card, processor, slower hard drive and probably inferior display with lower build quality, as seen with the UX31A and UX32A. However, the price will be much lower for those of us who don't require a quad-core IPS SSD unibody ultra high end laptop. The graphics card isn't even much worse - the 645M should be close to the 650M. I've given up my hopes for the UX51VZ, but the UX52VS looks like something I could afford.

    I still think the UX51VZ is going to fail hard, but I think the UX52VS could succeed. Just depends on the price. I would have to guess $1300-$1500 at launch, as Asus wants to play profit margins like they always do. Still, $1300 would be a major improvement over the $2000 for the UX51VZ.
     
    helpmedecide, Oct 23, 2012
    #1064
  15. qwerqwer99

    qwerqwer99 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I don't think that the non-touch will be cheaper. Possibly the touch one will be more expensive. And is it still a matt IPS Panal, despite touch?
    And I bet there is no more HDD/SSD Version.
     
    qwerqwer99, Oct 23, 2012
    #1065
  16. Quix Omega

    Quix Omega Notebook Evangelist

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    This looks pretty good, let's see what the reviews say. I think I'd be able to live with the GT 645M if it means less thermal issues. GDDR5 all around is a nice plus. Touch? I'm not sure I care but I might get one to help me develop Windows RT apps.

    Anyway it looks like all will be doable in my $2500 budget, exciting.
     
    Quix Omega, Oct 23, 2012
    #1066
  17. dillonbrannick

    dillonbrannick Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think I could go with the 52vz but only if the screen is still good.

    Also is there a huge difference between the processors in 51vz and the 52vz?
    I'll be doing Animation 3D and 2D on it plus HD video editing and such. the full voltage would surely be a better choice, but I'm just wondering if the low voltage version will be able to do all of this stuff with ease
     
    dillonbrannick, Oct 23, 2012
    #1067
  18. helpmedecide

    helpmedecide Notebook Guru

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    Ah, never mind. The UX52VS is available for 1620 CHL ($1735 US) here. I guess I was being too hopeful about the price.
     
    helpmedecide, Oct 23, 2012
    #1068
  19. [-Mac-]

    [-Mac-] Notebook Deity

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    This is not a ridiculous presentation, Asus has presented some notebook and there aren't pictures of this event.
    Who knows aspect of UX52 or UX42?
    The specs in Zenbook site are complete? Where is GT650m?
    Price with or without touchscreen?

    This is a joke
     
    [-Mac-], Oct 23, 2012
    #1069
  20. nunomoreira10

    nunomoreira10 Notebook Consultant

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    If your going to use the laptop for that then you defnetly going to want a quad core, even the i7 ulv has just around half the power of an quad.
     
    nunomoreira10, Oct 23, 2012
    #1070
  21. [-Mac-]

    [-Mac-] Notebook Deity

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    I had thought that 10GB was a mistake, but it seems that Asus wants to sell a notebook with 8GB+2GB ram
     
    [-Mac-], Oct 23, 2012
    #1071
  22. cotolay

    cotolay Notebook Evangelist

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    Ah man ULV is not the CPU for that. You need the most CPU power for animation, and 3D work. Most people think they need a strong GPU. But thats not the case.
     
    cotolay, Oct 23, 2012
    #1072
  23. zooot

    zooot Notebook Consultant

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    The specs for the U500VZ/UX51VZ seem fine to me. So now I just want to know whether touchscreen versions will come on the market at the same time as the non-touch versions, what the difference in price will be between them, whether the touchscreen is glossy, what the thermal characteristics are, how we can tell what model we're buying when everyone including Asus seems to have the model numbers and specs all jumbled up, and whether anyone intends to sell this laptop in Canada!
     
    zooot, Oct 23, 2012
    #1073
  24. dillonbrannick

    dillonbrannick Notebook Enthusiast

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    CPU and RAM is what is most importrant I guess. No harm in having a gpu, although woud HD4000 be able to handle all this stuff, or should some sort gpu be inside?
     
    dillonbrannick, Oct 23, 2012
    #1074
  25. Quix Omega

    Quix Omega Notebook Evangelist

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    NCIX, Tigerdirect, Newegg.ca are all likely to stock this and maybe Futureshop as they sell the smaller Zenbooks.
     
    Quix Omega, Oct 23, 2012
    #1075
  26. OsoAlgo

    OsoAlgo Notebook Consultant

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    OsoAlgo, Oct 23, 2012
    #1076
  27. cotolay

    cotolay Notebook Evangelist

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    You do need a dGPU but not the really high ends, like GTX 680m. So anything higher than 640m LE will work.
     
    cotolay, Oct 23, 2012
    #1077
  28. zooot

    zooot Notebook Consultant

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    You have to hand it to Apple for managing product launches well. Today they gave a press conference where they announced new models, and today the full specs and prices of their new models are on Apple's web store for everyone to see. Asus, by contrast, keeps making announcements and after each announcement there is no change to their website, no follow-up information, a profusion of Zenbook-themed microsites on Asus's website (some more up to date than others, some only half complete) and confusion among retailers about the model numbers and specifications. I don't even know what kind of warranty these machines will come with. I have to think this will be losing Asus a few potential customers who will find Apple's offerings altogether more transparent.

    I don't mind that Asus sells more models than Apple - this can be good for finding a machine that more closely suits your needs. But do they have to have names like UX51VZ-DH71 (or is it U500VZ-DH71?) that seem designed to be hard to remember or transcribe?
     
    zooot, Oct 23, 2012
    #1078
  29. [-Mac-]

    [-Mac-] Notebook Deity

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    [-Mac-], Oct 23, 2012
    #1079
  30. dillonbrannick

    dillonbrannick Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks really appreciate your help, so this laptop would be perfect bar the price.

    This really does seem like a bad tactic by asus and something that could definitely have been improved, they should of had their site ready to launch with all the info for today, its nearly like asus aren't sure what's inside.
     
    dillonbrannick, Oct 23, 2012
    #1080
  31. PaKii94

    PaKii94 Notebook Virtuoso

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    ok i just got back from class and am confused. what is the model number for the original one we were looking at that is competitor with rmbp, doesnt have optical, has 650m, has fhd screen (and i hear it has touch also?), 2 hdd bays. and what is the pricing for that model with the lowest harddrives (either ssd+hdd/2x128gb ssds) touch panel and all the other goodies
     
    PaKii94, Oct 23, 2012
    #1081
  32. [-Mac-]

    [-Mac-] Notebook Deity

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    It seems the U500VZ like at the orign :D
    ZENBOOK
    But on its site Asus doesn't speak of GT650m :eek:
     
    [-Mac-], Oct 23, 2012
    #1082
  33. Jako

    Jako Notebook Evangelist

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    U500VZ with touch panel has edge to edge glass.
     
    Jako, Oct 23, 2012
    #1083
  34. dillonbrannick

    dillonbrannick Notebook Enthusiast

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    It's the U500VZ/UX51VZ
    This model Asus UX51VZ-DH71 has 2x128, we're not sure if this one has touch or not though, but the pricing is about $1900-$2000.

    I haven't seen any pricing that explicitly has touch as a spec, but that's probably because it was only announced today.
     
    dillonbrannick, Oct 23, 2012
    #1084
  35. raazman

    raazman Notebook Consultant

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    It will have the 650m. Don't worry about that.
     
    raazman, Oct 23, 2012
    #1085
  36. [-Mac-]

    [-Mac-] Notebook Deity

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    This means that we don't ever seen one :D It's too funny, and maybe this glass it's a Gorilla Glass?
     
    [-Mac-], Oct 23, 2012
    #1086
  37. PaKii94

    PaKii94 Notebook Virtuoso

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    hmm i was thinking of selling my envy 15 for one of them asus ones but idk if the price jump is worth it. and the envy dont really have much resell value. this might change since its off the market now and its still a beastin laptop :D
     
    PaKii94, Oct 23, 2012
    #1087
  38. Jako

    Jako Notebook Evangelist

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    New windows sticker if someone interested

    aceraspire7600u35472871.jpg
     
    Jako, Oct 23, 2012
    #1088
  39. Gigante

    Gigante Notebook Consultant

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    Please, please tell me the U500VZ is matte...
     
    Gigante, Oct 23, 2012
    #1089
  40. miansi

    miansi Notebook Enthusiast

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    According to the Press Release:

    "NVIDIA® GT650M graphics with 2GB GDDR5 VRAM gives incredible performance with demanding professional applications on the brilliant 15.6” Full HD display, while optional capacitive multi-touch gives intuitive fingertip control with Windows 8."

    Plus official prices:

    "PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

    https://www.asuswebstorage.com/navigate/s/97190A70E0F34732B9C38D4701AC7E94Y

    The full ASUS ZENBOOKTM family will be available from November, with prices ranging from US$699 to US$1999. Full specifications are available at zenbook.asus.com"
     
    miansi, Oct 23, 2012
    #1090
  41. qwerqwer99

    qwerqwer99 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Right: "[...] plus internal optical drives on the ZENBOOK™ UX42VS and UX52VS" -> klick

    What I have missed to read at the first moment:
    "The expanded ZENBOOK™ range features models with 11.6”, 13.3”, 14”, and 15.6” Full HD displays that are ideal for working with multiple windows side-by-side and enjoying high-definition movies in crisp detail. IPS display technology is standard across the range too, giving a bright, vibrant image with accurate colours and 178° wide viewing angle."

    This meens IPS+touch.
     
    qwerqwer99, Oct 23, 2012
    #1091
  42. [-Mac-]

    [-Mac-] Notebook Deity

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    Someone has already downloaded the ZENBOOK Family Photos.zip
    From this Asuswebstorage site:
    https://www.asuswebstorage.com/navigate/s/97190A70E0F34732B9C38D4701AC7E94Y
     
    [-Mac-], Oct 23, 2012
    #1092
  43. nipsen

    nipsen Notebook Ditty

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    Oh. Nice sticker.
     
    nipsen, Oct 23, 2012
    #1093
  44. miansi

    miansi Notebook Enthusiast

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    So... Technically... If you can trust press release dual 256GB SSD storage with RAID 0 + touch screen will cost no more than $1999. Or maybe without touchscreen as it is optional while dual 256GB SSD is standard. :)
     
    miansi, Oct 23, 2012
    #1094
  45. Stormsys

    Stormsys Notebook Enthusiast

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    19/10/2012 18:59 17,458,980 ZENBOOK Family _B.jpg
    19/10/2012 14:15 24,009,639 ZENBOOK Family_A.jpg
    17/10/2012 16:50 10,354,690 ZENBOOK U500VZ Touch_A.jpg
    17/10/2012 16:56 5,897,527 ZENBOOK U500VZ Touch_B.jpg
    17/10/2012 13:47 4,474,462 ZENBOOK UX21A_A.jpg
    17/10/2012 13:50 3,528,833 ZENBOOK UX21A_B.jpg
    17/10/2012 13:47 4,188,750 ZENBOOK UX31A Touch_UX32VD_A.jpg
    17/10/2012 17:02 4,286,044 ZENBOOK UX31A Touch_UX32VD_B.jpg
    17/10/2012 13:46 6,528,108 ZENBOOK UX42VS_A.jpg
    17/10/2012 13:49 4,464,412 ZENBOOK UX42VS_B.jpg
    17/10/2012 13:47 6,980,749 ZENBOOK UX52VS_A.jpg
    17/10/2012 13:49 5,725,450 ZENBOOK UX52VS_B.jpg


    its just photos as they say, nothing special, nothing we havnt seen scattered over several news articles, no extra information. id like to know a more accurate release date + uk suppliers ASUS really didn't mention anything like that.
     
    Stormsys, Oct 23, 2012
    #1095
  46. miansi

    miansi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just click on Where To Buy
     
    miansi, Oct 23, 2012
    #1096
  47. oneforwall

    oneforwall Notebook Consultant

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    Verdammt! :eek:
     
    oneforwall, Oct 23, 2012
    #1097
  48. Stormsys

    Stormsys Notebook Enthusiast

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    Stormsys, Oct 23, 2012
    #1098
  49. miansi

    miansi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Actually it confirms that U500VZ have glass screen.
     
    miansi, Oct 23, 2012
    #1099
  50. alfling

    alfling Notebook Deity

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    Ok, I hate Asus and their fuc*ing choices for pus*ies: I've been without laptop for 5 months and waited 2 more months because in August they promised the heaven. Now they come out with a laptop which has not the promised ssd+hdd configuration (seriously? Is it so hard to make a laptop listening to people's needs? Not even ONE hybrid configuration??) but of course you can have a totally useless DEFAULT raid 0 SSD configuration, with 512GB of SSD storage (!!), and a touchscreen, just to play with the Metro (like there's not enough playing with smartphones and tablets). All this just to add + 1000$ to the price with features that only minority of possible customers will need. And after all these months they don't even now the exact specs yet. So frustrating that OEMS keep trying to copy Apple's marketing without copying their efficiency first.

    Sent from HTC HD2 with Tapatalk
     
    alfling, Oct 23, 2012
    #1100
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