Asus Zenbook UX31 (Macbook Air killer)

Jimmy Bottles

Just wondering has anyone purchased one of these yet. Appear to be on sale with about 2 weeks in the USA at least. Can't find them anywhere here in Ireland.

Cheaper than the Macbook Air with similar stats. Would love to hear anyone impressions who have actually used one. The one with the 256GB HD seems to be going for $1,300. Anyone hasten a guess as to the eventual Irish price ?

A few pictures to boot.

Jimmy Bottles

One other issue is the lack of a DVD drive in the laptop and I don't want the expense of having to buy an external one.

However, I have a Dell DVD+RW drive from a Dell D830 laptop which detaches fairly simply from the old laptop.

It appears to connect to the D830 via e-sata. Would it be possible for me to attach this to the UX31 via a usb to e-sata converter and then would it work with the new laptop. I presume I would just need to install the Dell driver and it would work ?

AlmightyCushion

Jimmy Bottles wrote: »

One other issue is the lack of a DVD drive in the laptop and I don't want the expense of having to buy an external one.

However, I have a Dell DVD+RW drive from a Dell D830 laptop which detaches fairly simply from the old laptop.

It appears to connect to the D830 via e-sata. Would it be possible for me to attach this to the UX31 via a usb to e-sata converter and then would it work with the new laptop. I presume I would just need to install the Dell driver and it would work ?

It should work. You shouldn't even need a driver. Even if it doesn't an external dvd drive is relatively cheap.

Jimmy Bottles

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

It should work. You shouldn't even need a driver. Even if it doesn't an external dvd drive is relatively cheap.

Excellent

Jimmy Bottles

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

It should work. You shouldn't even need a driver. Even if it doesn't an external dvd drive is relatively cheap.

Quick question.

Do you think this would also work with a Macbook ?

Jimmy Bottles

Guys. Anyone know when this is on sale in Ireland.

I've emailed just about every on-line supplier and they've just come back to me with waffle.

Baggly

Bump

Interested in this laptop - are there any people around who have bought/used it at this stage?

shizz

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Asus_ZenBook_UX21E_Ultrabook_1129138.html

Not Ireland but this is where I got my Laptop. Think You have to pay 9 pound on top because for some reason they don't recognise Irish debit cards as debit cards.

Edit: Sorry just realised it's not the exact same model but maybe you are interested.

Jarren

I think that the cheapest option is to get one from US
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Zenbook+Ultrabook+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+/+13.3%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+/+128GB+Solid+State+Drive+-+Radiant+Silver/3757001.p?id=1218429942878&skuId=3757001&st=Asus%20Zenbook%20UX31&cp=1&lp=1

Forwarding address - http://www.viaddress.com/

you maybe be charged with VAT,taxes,import duties;)

Baggly

Just to check back in and bump the thread,

I bought one of these and love it. Very powerful, stylish, portable and sturdy.

A few driver updates after purchase meant it was running above and beyond expectations.

Would recommend so far.

Alanstrainor

Pter wrote: »

Just to check back in and bump the thread,

I bought one of these and love it. Very powerful, stylish, portable and sturdy.

A few driver updates after purchase meant it was running above and beyond expectations.

Would recommend so far.

deadly!

Keith186

Fairly tempted myself!

Where did you buy it? And do you know what type of touchpad you got?


There is a new version out with a few bug fixes and *maybe* a backlit keyboard. Looks like it in the pics anyway.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/asus-ux21-ux31-laptop-hot-pink-elan-touchpad-ces-2012/

Overheal

Jimmy Bottles wrote: »

One other issue is the lack of a DVD drive in the laptop and I don't want the expense of having to buy an external one.

Lol yeah that extra $30 for a USB disc reader is such a PAIN when you're dropping $1000 on an ultrabook :rolleyes:

Nevermind that the average person rarely if ever uses disc media anymore.

-Installing windows
-Ripping Music

That's about it. I find them to be a waste of space.

We sell this little guy. It's gorgeous, and its Solid. Not flimsy unlike it's Toshiba Portege neighbor. I would highly reccomend it. Haven't seen many sold only on account of the season. Back to School time, ultrabooks will be bought by the pallet. A small, light, keyboard-friendly laptop that wouldn't be crushed in your bookbag, cold-boots in 20 seconds (thats before tweaks) and has an 8+ hour battery life? College students everywhere salivate. Including this guy.

wipednwired

Pter wrote: »

Just to check back in and bump the thread,

I bought one of these and love it. Very powerful, stylish, portable and sturdy.

A few driver updates after purchase meant it was running above and beyond expectations.

Would recommend so far.

Hey Pter - I have been researching this one to death, and was thinking of getting a friend to bring one over from Canada, because I can't find a 256GB SSD version here. But if I might be able to live with the 128 version if everything else is working. Can you tell me which touchpad you have (sentilec or elan)? Is everything working well? And finally - did you get it at PCworld, or is there somewhere else I'm missing... Thanks!

Baggly

The 128 version works for me because i have it linked up with my desktop which has 1TB on it - i homeshare so that i dont really keep big files on the laptop.

I have the sentilec touchpad. It was shocking when i first got it - jumpy and inconsistent and all the rest you will read in reviews. However, 2 hours into owning the laptop i updated the drivers on everything and it is now as good as most touchpads.

The edge of the touchpad is close to the edge of the bottom of the laptop, so if, like me, you lie in bed with the touchpad near your stomach, your jumper might make the mouse jump - but to be honest, this hasnt happened to me since i updated the drivers.

Its a very good laptop - i have no regrets - the battery is great and it works just as well on/off the battery. It can run games like skyrim, mw3 etc etc and the keyboard just takes a little getting used to....other keyboards now feel weird to me.

I bought it at pcworld but i thought elara or komplett or someone also had them.....currys website do too (i know they are the same as pc world).

If you go into pcworld (ask in the boards pc world section or ring the store ahead) they will let you know if they have one in, and they will open the box to let you play with it - which i would recommend before purchase.

Im still in love with this laptop.

Alanstrainor

I've been thinking about getting a new laptop. Tbh, i'll probably wait for the next gen of ultrabooks at this stage. Might end up with a Mac...SHOCK HORROR:D

Baggly

Im not mad on macs - im liking the stuff windows are coming up with to compete as well (W7 is good and W8 looks great too).

Windows set the bar for Asus on this laptop and methinks it worked out.

Joseph

wipednwired wrote: »

Hey Pter - I have been researching this one to death, and was thinking of getting a friend to bring one over from Canada, because I can't find a 256GB SSD version here. But if I might be able to live with the 128 version if everything else is working. Can you tell me which touchpad you have (sentilec or elan)? Is everything working well? And finally - did you get it at PCworld, or is there somewhere else I'm missing... Thanks!

FYI I've also been searching like mad for the 256 i7 model, finally found it, Komplett has just got stock of it:
http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_02PC/02_ULTRANO/productdetails/80004112/Asus_13_3_UX31E_RY010V_i7_2677M_4GB_256GB/90N8NA115H1531VL133Y/default.aspx

td2008

New ivy bridge models coming out soon, better display & backlit keyboard aswell
http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/12/2864340/asus-ux31a-ux21a-ivy-bridge-ultrabook-specs-exclusive

wipednwired

Thanks Pter for the response, it does sound like a great machine. I also saw the news about the UX31A (new version) coming out soon, so I guess I'll wait. I hope they upgrade the solidity of the keyboard (in addition to adding the backlight) because I tried one out at PC world the other day, and I do find it mushy. If I see the new version listed for sale in Ireland, I'll post it here.

wipednwired

PS has anyone tried the HP Folio 13? Most of my research put the Asus Zenbook on top in terms of Benchmarks, but I've read quite a few reviews that give top marks to this HP one. I'm also curious about Dell's 13" ultrabook - called XPS 13 to confuse things -- but I am so reticent about going with Dell again after my XPS m1330 turned out, like most of them, to be a dud.

Torqay

wipednwired wrote: »

Most of my research put the Asus Zenbook on top in terms of Benchmarks

No shlt, Sherlock.

wipednwired wrote: »

quite a few reviews that give top marks to this HP one

I can't see how the HP could possibly hold a candle to the Zenbook. The i7 2677M should be running circles around the i5-2467M.

Other than that, Ultrabooks are all pretty much the same, most have SSD, all come with DDR3 1333 memory and Intel HD3000 graphics. What is there to benchmark, except the CPU?

wipednwired wrote: »

I'm also curious about Dell's 13" ultrabook

Could be a serious contender, the i7-2637M scores actually higher than the i7-2677M, although on an average calculated from much less samples.

Overheal

Torqay wrote: »

No shlt, Sherlock.



I can't see how the HP could possibly hold a candle to the Zenbook. The i7 2677M should be running circles around the i5-2467M.

Other than that, Ultrabooks are all pretty much the same, most have SSD, all come with DDR3 1333 memory and Intel HD3000 graphics. What is there to benchmark, except the CPU?



Could be a serious contender, the i7-2637M scores actually higher than the i7-2677M, although on an average calculated from much less samples.

Got to figure most Ultras run the i5. Some run the i7, while some others run the i3.

The other thing to benchmark is the SSD. Look at the Sandisk SSD in the HP Envy 14 and compare it to the Sandforce SSD in the Zenbook. The Zenbook is twice as fast, wakes from sleep and boots much quicker - relatively speaking, since all the ultrabooks blow the pants off a standard PC or Laptop.

You then also have battery life and any little optimizations the MFG can make on the motherboard.

Then of course theres more to your pick than the benchmarks. Not everyone necessarily needs the fastest one, maybe they want something with a better display, or richer sound, lighter weight, sexier looks or a more durable body, a backlit keyboard. etc. theres lots to choose from. I recently had a choice between the Zenbook and the Envy 14 Spectre and went for the Spectre. Not an easy choice to make, but there were some definitive pros and cons in the decision making process.

wipednwired

More info on the new version of the Zenbook (UX31A/Zenbook Prime). Includes benchmarks that put it way past the Macbook Air.


http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/asus_zenbook_prime_ux31a.aspx

Jarren

Talking about Ultrabooks

Excellent value atm in Pcworld.uk

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/toshiba-satellite-z830-10u-13-3-ultrabook-metallic-grey-11486165-pdt.html

PcWorld.ie http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/TOSHIBA-Satellite-Z83010U-133andquot-Ultrabookandtrade-Metallic-Grey/308875/301

thorbarry

I installed Windows 7 Pro 64bit on a Macbook Air 13'' in work. Looks the same as the acer!

It runs great, I was buying a macbook and doing it at home, but this looks a much better option