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    ASUS ZenBook UX32VD Review Discussion

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by Jerry Jackson, Aug 15, 2012.

  1. Jerry Jackson

    Jerry Jackson Administrator NBR Reviewer

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    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2015
    Jerry Jackson, Aug 15, 2012
    #1
  2. Micaiah

    Micaiah Notebook Deity

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    It's not easy to get to (But no better or worse than a Macbook), but the RAM is upgradeable.

    This is a very tempting purchase. Is the screen as good as the second generation Vaio Z's in terms of brightness and viewing angles?
     
    Micaiah, Aug 15, 2012
    #2
  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    The Asus website indicates that the RAM is 2GB on board plus a socket so the "non-upgradeable" is presumably because the back has to be unscrewed rather than the RAM being soldered (as on the 13.3"Samsung Series 9 and, I think, on the Lenovo X1).

    I also wonder how anything apart from the palmrest and display can be squeezed into 0.2" thickness. Where did they put the battery?

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 15, 2012
    #3
  4. cknobman

    cknobman Notebook Consultant

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    Why would anyone choose this model over the ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A?

    That model has same IPS 1080p screen with a 128/256 SSD, larger battery, and is ~$250-300 cheaper.

    I know the Zenbook Prime does not have the Nvidia graphics but considering this model only gets a meager 620 I dont see the reason to spend almost $300 more for it especially considering the HDD solution is inferior.
     
    cknobman, Aug 15, 2012
    #4
  5. lysdexic

    lysdexic Notebook Enthusiast

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    A. The only ultrabook to have a dedicated gpu, you pay for that privilege

    B. It's the only one of the line to be upgradable as it does not have a unibody build. Putting another 8gb plus a SSD (which I did) makes this thing blazing fast.
     
    lysdexic, Aug 15, 2012
    #5
  6. Bronsky

    Bronsky Wait and Hope.

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    You need to get out more. Gigabyte U2442U and Acer M5 are classified as ultrabooks. They kick the crap out of the anemic GPU in the Asus. I have never understood Asus' habit of putting weak GPU's in its notebooks, starting with the UL30VT. Why bother? They are not as efficient as notebooks with integrated GPUs and can't really handle 3D gaming. It seems like such a misfit pairing. I think the OP was correct, why would anyone choose the VD (odd initials :rolleyes:) over the Zenbook.
     
    Bronsky, Aug 16, 2012
    #6
  7. Cableman

    Cableman Notebook Geek

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    There are some really good reasons why the UX32VD is the better version and for me that has nothing to do with the dGPU (I would buy that model with the HD4000 only if that was an option) - the fact that you have user replaceable parts is crucial because a lot of people need more than 4Gb RAM and would like to install their own SSD. I am on the market for something light and powerful, I need at least 8Gb RAM and if I end up getting a Zenbook, it would be this one without a doubt.
     
    Cableman, Aug 16, 2012
    #7
  8. Cableman

    Cableman Notebook Geek

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    I forgot to add that with the UX32VD you can also easily replace the battery if it craps out. I think these are good reasons to choose it?
     
    Cableman, Aug 16, 2012
    #8
  9. Rylandjohnson

    Rylandjohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have jut ordered the extra 8GB of ram plus a samsung SSD. Lets see what happens then?

    Ryland
     
    Rylandjohnson, Aug 16, 2012
    #9
  10. Bronsky

    Bronsky Wait and Hope.

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    The Samsung 830 is an incredible SSD for the money.
     
    Bronsky, Aug 16, 2012
    #10
  11. Daybreak

    Daybreak Notebook Enthusiast

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    Howdy,
    If the Asus Zenbook UX32VD came from the factory with 8gb ram, and a standard 2.5" 7mm SSD, then you would have a perfect pairing.

    The UX31A is stuck where its at. (proprietary ssd drive on a stick) non upgradable memory.

    Happy with my modified UX32VD with a Intel 520 240gb SSD, and 10gb 1600mhz memory
     
    Daybreak, Aug 16, 2012
    #11
  12. wii

    wii IPS Rules

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    The screen is not glossy, it's matte, or do you have another version of the UX32VD ?
    As far as I know, all the new Zenbooks have matte screens, the old ones were glossy :)
     
    wii, Aug 17, 2012
    #12
  13. jillian

    jillian Newbie

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    Yeah, who wouldn't love to but those ugly, bulky machines, including bad screens....
     
    jillian, Oct 17, 2012
    #13
  14. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    These are just machines, guys; no need to get argumentative about them ...
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Oct 17, 2012
    #14
  15. Nick

    Nick Professor Carnista

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    I just purchased one after having seconds thought about my L521x that is arriving tomorrow.
     
    Nick, Oct 29, 2012
    #15
  16. Knowbody

    Knowbody Newbie

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    Seems like the UX32VD is the only ultrabook with a combination of:
    • replacable RAM
    • replacable hard drive
    • replacable wireless card
    • a resolution higher than crappy 1366x768 (the 1080p IPS display seems really nice)
    • dedicated GPU

    Unfortunately only one DIMM is replacable, which limits it to 10GB (2+8GB) as opposed to 16GB (8+8GB). Which probably means sacrificing dual channel mode, too.
    And I would like to have an option without the dedicated GPU aswell (should be cheaper).

    Still, I think I'll probably get one, put 10GB RAM in it, and possibly an 802.11ac 1300mbps mini PCI-E wifi card if I can find one (though this will also require installing a third antenna)
     
    Knowbody, Feb 14, 2013
    #16