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

The UX52VS does have hybrid drive.

 

Yes, and a ULV CPU and 1GB gpu....

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The extra video ram is meaningless, the GPU isn't powerful enough to need it. I'm not sure why you're so hung up on the hard drive + ssd thing, no one ever promised such a configuration. You can get a Sony S15 and replace the ODD with an SSD, if you really want that. You'll save a tonne too.

 

There still is the ULV thing, and everyone wrote that at IFA they promised a 128+ 500 GB configuration. Unfortunately Sony has crappy audio and crappy display, and a 640m LE is really too weak even for occasional gaming

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Is this because the U500VZ image seems to have glare on it, whereas the UX52VS does not? Since the touch is option, hoping the non-touch is matte, and maybe the Touch all-glass.

 

Both the images in the press release show a reflective glare(u500vz), and yes the UX52VS does not appear to have the glare.

give me a second and il re-size all the images and attach them...

 

I think that hybrid version with SSD+HDD would not have ​​much sense in trade terms.
If you search the price of 128SSD and of an 500GB 7mm HDD you could see a 10€ of difference, so if you see an 1699€ 2X128SSD RAID0 and an 1689€ 128SSD+500HDD what would you choose?
Touchscreen is an option, so if you don't want it then you don't choose it.
U500VZ starts with a 2X128GB not with 2X256GB.

 

Original press release:

Flexible storage choices mean the ZENBOOK U500VZ can meet a variety of application needs. Dual SSD drives deliver outstanding performance with up to 512GB capacity, while the combination of a 128GB SSD and 500GB hard drive offer the perfect balance between high-performance and high-capacity storage.

So maybe eventually it will be an option? Otherwise, might be stuck is SSD. I could be wrong, but I think all-SSD is the best option for most people. Can never make everyone happy.

 

Luckily, from what I can tell, there is no image of U500VZ non-touch (both are labeled touch). So I'm hoping for the best. Glossy kills it for me and I've been waiting for Asus 15" zenbook for a while, come on Asus.

 

Sony S15 display is the same of Asus U500VZ, so if it's crappy display then even the Asus display is crappy.
If Asus U500VZ has throttling then S15 could have better performance than U500VZ.

 

sorry gonna have to attach these images over 2 posts due to 6 attachments per post limit...

 

and the last 6

 

I'd still choose the hybrid configuration, because HDD is much more reliable than SSD for data storage, and the raid 0 set-up adds even more risk: you don't know exactly where a file is stored and if something screw up your drive you'll lose everything you have.

Unfortunately it's true, there must always be compromises, but I think that ONE (just one) hybrid option wouldn't have been too much to ask... Especially since changing drive is not a PITA for them and doesn't involve additional costs.

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It can be the same display on the paper, but Sony's has orangegate, while the doesn't. Besides, even if U500 throttles, it's evident from Mike's preview that performance will be more than enough good for this type of thin laptop (and for me too), while I know for sure that 640M LE is too weak for me (especially because I have to keep running a laptop for 4-5 years)

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If you have this fear so you could use a backup software like True Image or Norton Ghost.
If you don't use backup software you can always loose your data, but maybe in U500VZ there is some BIOS setting to set RAID 0 in RAID 1 configuration (best solution for data reliability) or instead use SSDs like 2 separate unit.
Last solution: price of 500GB 7mm HDD is around 60€ so you can downgrade your U500VZ without problem.

 

It's very strange that UX52VS in these pictures is announced as 15" while U500VZ as 15.6", and in fact in picture where both are present U500VZ seems bigger than UX52VS.
(I think that this is a mistake, but after touchscreen surprise everything seems possible).

 

Good observation. i don't think this is a mistake judging by the picture size, i noticed the size of the U500VZ in compassion to the UX52VS when fist looking at them but didn't think much of it - or should i say i put it down the to the perceptive of the picture..


What i want to find out though, since the touch-screen is listed as optional, will it come on the U500VZ-CN032H - i hope so for the price(£1500)...


Edit:
Acutally, this says otherwise..

here

 

no if/and/or buts about it.....this whole scenario is a fiasco and their website is no help.

 

To add to the confusion, they list a model of processor that I have never heard mentioned in connection with this laptop before. And Asus seem to be utterly failing to clear up confusions - in fact, every half-baked announcement they make just adds to people's confusion.

 

thats a ulv cpu

 

So according to today's announcement, the model advertised on PC World should not exist?

 

and that ladies and gentlemen is what happens when you poorly manage a release.

 

At least twice, so far.

 

Yes, despite a big win on the hardware, the marketing and release has been very poor. Even on the Asus website, it's still being shown as the UX51 on some pages and the U500VZ in others with mis-matching specs.

I sure hope they sort it out and get it straightened out with the retailers, because even we had to jump through hoops to just get the proper specs right.

 

Better to have poor marketing and good products than have great marketing and mediocre and unexciting products (cough* iPad 'mini'/13 inch retina mb *cough).;-)

 

Well to be honest I think it might be PCWorld that just have poor copy paste skills. They also have this text in the description of U500VZ: "The brand new Genuine Windows® 8 operating system is here and included in your Asus ET2300IUTI-B005K 23" Touchscreen All-in-One PC."

 

yo guys what is the lowest price u guys are finding for the premium one (Not the one that is heavier and less quality)

 

In Denmark most retailers have the U500VZ-CN046H for 14000 DKK/2440 USD. Though two retailers have it up for 13000 DKK/2260 USD. So far I have only been able to find that one model for sale and none of the retailers list touchscreen on it.

I would like to know the model number of the touch vs non-touch. Also the Anandtech had a small Hands-on with the new Asus line up: AnandTech - ASUS VivoTab, VivoBook, ZenBook and Transformer Book Hands-on

They write this about the Zenbook:

They seem to quite like the touchscreen so maybe it is worth it to get that one instead of the non-touch. If I just knew how to tell which is which . . .

 

This is my experience as well. If only ASUS would relase some information about these computers. Their local webpage (asus.dk) does not have any information on either UX51 or U500.

If they come out with a touch screen one sometime soon (read: November or December), and it is more comfortable / better than the touchpad - I might wait for that one, god knows I've waited long enough for this one already. But I will probably be using mice anyway so maybe it won't matter.

 

Well, if it is really possible to downgrade I guess I can always sell one ssd (I've heard something about different connectors?). Or maybe if it's possible to use the two SSDs like separate drives I may do this

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Hmm very interesting. There is a U500VZ and a U500VZA listed on the Asus Support page: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Search

Sadly both models have broken specification links

The U500VZA already had a BIOS update:

 

Anyone notice how the DH71 and CN025H both have the same hardrive configuration, maybe one of these is non-touch and one is touch, unless do Asus have different model numbers for europe and united states?

 

That is what I am thinking that the model number might have to do with both specs and geographical features like different keyboards.

 

i think its likely more to do with location the product is sold, it seems that most regions have different model numbers such as the DK vs DE vs UK vs US.



i would like some clarity though on the correct specs for the UK model(U500VZ-CN032H) :/ emailed ASUS but i'm doubtful on any new information they might be able to tell me.. pc-world seems to have really messed up the spec list, eg: hardrive 256gb ssd 5400rpm... (ssd with moving parts? nice...) not to mention the description fail, and why the hell it has a ULV cpu.

 

personally i am a little bit worried....cooling design on the razer blade looks the best for me but the price is just ridiculous.

 

I'm worried about price: it's true that on the internet the difference between a 500GB HDD and a 128GB SSd is minimal, but OEMs tend to charge very high premium for SSD drives, and here we have 2 of them. And let's forget the usual Europe screwing price habit..

 

The price premium typically isn't as pronounced when the drives are standard.

 

Prices were already determined before this presentation.
You can see it on Amazon.de and they are 1699€ for 2X128GB version and 1999€ for 2X256GB version.
I think Italy prices could be major or equal to Amazon prices.

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Damn, I was hoping to buy it for 1600€ (another reason why I was hoping for hybrid drives ). I guess I will have to keep searching something else.

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OEMs charge price of every option, not only SSD, for many reasons, but I think if SSD is a standard spec they don't need of high recharge.
For me Asus has done the right choice doesn't suppling hybrid version that would have the same price of Raid0 SSD version.

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I'm not great w/ video card/resolution stuff, but can anybody give me their best guess?

From what I can tell, if I pair this laptop with a Dell Ultrasharp U2713HM and this laptop does indeed have the 650M, then max resolution I can get over VGA will be 2048x1536 (I assume this means I can't get 2560 x 1440 over VGA) but with HDMI I should be able to get up to 3840 x 2160 (easily maxing out the 2560 x 1400 of the Ultrasharp monitor). Is this correct?

Also, on Asus site, I noticed specs list "1 x HDMI 1.4 (1080p support)". HDMI 1.4 spec has higher resolution, so I'm assuming they most likely aren't saying that it's capped at 1080p, right?

Thanks for anybody that can shed some light.

 

Vivobook and Taichi are on Asus' website! Maybe U500 will come later today?

 

Looks like there is a version with a ULV processor... ASUS U500VZ-CN032H 15.6" Laptop - Silver - Free Delivery | Currys

 

Strange, there is already UX52VS with ULV processor, and it has GT 645 (almost equal to gt650).

 

It also has the slowest SSD ever: 256 GB SSD, SATA III, 5400 rpm

It also mentions a Kensington Lock, but from pics it has I do not see one (and from what I've found none of the 15" Zenbooks will have one, although I wish they did).

So who knows what you can trust in that spec list.

 

Yet we still don't know whether these are touch or non-touch, or whether it's going to be possible to choose between touch and non-touch at launch, or when exactly launch will be. Some correlation of specifications to model numbers would be useful, but that must be far too difficult for Asus to organize.

Do we even have an answer to the basic question of what physical size the drives or drive bays are? I'm not even sure whether I should search for "U500VZ" or "UX51VZ" at this point. Seems like it's the UX51VZ unless it's at a press conference.

 

Optical disk drive - DVD SuperMulti

Totally trust worthy.

 

ASUS and You. Incredible Together.
There's a count down of 1 day and 8 hours on that page.

 

1 day and 15 hours here. Looks like it's just a countdown to Windows 8 launch (and guessing when you will be able to buy a number of the new Asus products (or when many will ship).

 

1 day 12 hours here. I guess Asus can't even get that quite straight. And it's not clear what it's a countdown to, though I'd guess Windows 8 launch. Whether that means anything in terms of availability of the U500/UX51, who knows. Still not a single retailer in Canada mentioning it.