Computer Tech, Gaming & Electronics THIS SPACE OPEN FOR ADVERTISEMENT. YOU SHOULD BE ADVERTISING HERE!
Silicon Valley.
Tips & tricks, tech support, home theatre, online gaming, reviews, latest news... |
 | 
01-02-2013, 11:27 AM
|
#1 | | I don't like cheese but I love milk!
Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Van
Posts: 1,980
Thanked 895 Times in 243 Posts
Failed 105 Times in 49 Posts
| Asus Zenbook: UX31A or UX32A? Comments?
Looking to get a cheap ultrabook and I sort of narrowed it down to the asus zenbook after looking at most of them in-person
Right now I am kind of debating between the UX31A-DH51 and UX32A-DH51 (Both "on sale" at NCIX for $999 and $899) ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A-DH51 Intel Core i5 3317U 4GB 128GB SSD 13.3IN BT Widi Windows 8 Ultrabook ASUS Zenbook UX32A-DH51 Intel Core i5 3317U 6GB 500GB 13.3IN Bluetooth Widi Windows 8 Ultrabook
For just $100 more the UX31a has a 1080p IPS screen, and a full 128GB SSD (compare to 768p and 24GB/500GB HD on the UX32a)...but my biggest gripe is that it only has 4GB memory...(The cheaper UX32a has 6GB)
Normally, upgrading notebook DDR3 is dirt cheap, but I think the zenbookk (UX31A/32A) has non-upgradable memory??
I've never used a 1080p screen...does it make a big difference. Is it worth the $100 extra and sacrificing the the lower ram??
| 
|  | |
01-02-2013, 11:39 AM
|
#2 | | Revscene.net has a homepage?!
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Montréal
Posts: 1,295
Thanked 1,036 Times in 276 Posts
Failed 29 Times in 17 Posts
|
I have a few friends who have the Zenbook and they swear by both, however the more "techy" of them says that with the integrated graphics or Intel 4000 or whatever it is, the 1080p screen isn't really worth the additional money, however I'd say the SSD would be worth it in terms of speed and increased reliablity and battery life, the thing is 128Gb is quite small :/
| |
| | |
01-02-2013, 11:44 AM
|
#3 | | I WANT MY 10 YEARS BACK FROM RS.net!
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 22,120
Thanked 9,906 Times in 3,932 Posts
Failed 881 Times in 421 Posts
|
Can you upgrade SSD in zenbook?
If so I would go for the cheaper option then buy a better SSD when they go on sale.
I doubt most people can tell the difference btw 768 and 1080 at 13"...but at the end of the day it's only a $100 difference and you probably get a better resale value with the 1080p model if you decide to upgrade few years down the road
| |
| | |
01-02-2013, 12:15 PM
|
#4 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 5,444
Thanked 3,171 Times in 1,345 Posts
Failed 46 Times in 26 Posts
|
The IPS screen on the UX31A makes all the difference. It is one of the best screens on the market, and the SSD is FAST!
Spend the extra $$ and don't be disappointed with the UX32.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by PeanutButter  Damn, not only is yours veiny AF, yours is thick AF too. Yours is twice as thick as mine.. That looks like a 2" or maybe even 3"? | | |
| | |
01-02-2013, 12:30 PM
|
#5 | | :inoutugh:
Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: ඞ
Posts: 9,995
Thanked 5,855 Times in 1,847 Posts
Failed 970 Times in 279 Posts
|
I was debating between the two in September, decided on getting the UX31A over the UX32. Ended up with a macbook air.  | |
| | |
01-02-2013, 12:44 PM
|
#6 | | To me, there is the Internet and there is RS
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nanaimo
Posts: 16,912
Thanked 8,028 Times in 3,760 Posts
Failed 1,511 Times in 649 Posts
|
Is 128 GB going to be enough space for you that's the main question you should be asking yourself.
__________________
Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. | 
| | |
01-02-2013, 12:53 PM
|
#7 | | Got MOD?
Join Date: May 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 7,919
Thanked 519 Times in 444 Posts
Failed 5 Times in 4 Posts
|
I'm using the UX31A. The 1080p IPS screen is amazing compared to a regular 1366x768. Zenbook UX31A is capped at 4gb because it's soldered on to conserve space. The UX32 with the regular spinny hard drive is upgradable in both HDD and RAM. If I were to do it again I'd get the UX32 1080IPS with Nvidia card which gives you the best of both worlds: ASUS Zenbook UX32VD-DH71 Intel Core i7 3517U 6G 500G 24G SSD GT620M 13.3IN Widi Windows 8 Ultrabook | |
| | |
01-02-2013, 01:21 PM
|
#8 | | I don't like cheese but I love milk!
Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Van
Posts: 1,980
Thanked 895 Times in 243 Posts
Failed 105 Times in 49 Posts
|
thanks for input!
The 128GB will be enough for me..(I have been using a 128GB SSD on my x201 for 2 years w/o any problem)
Exactly how much nicer is the UX31A screen? I went instore to check it out last time and they don't look too different...everything looks smaller lol..but then I was only looking at the window background because there is no photos inside.
I am definitely happy to pay $100 more to get the nicer screen and SSD, but I am just concerned about the non-upgrable 4GB ram especially on window 8...
I actually found a noticable speed improvement when I upgrade my thinkpad from 4GB to 8GB ram using window7
I wonder why asus decide to put only 4GB ram on a supposedly "high-end" ultrabook tho...
Even a $350 budget notebook I brought last month has 6GB ram...
| |
| | |
01-02-2013, 01:23 PM
|
#9 | | I don't like cheese but I love milk!
Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Van
Posts: 1,980
Thanked 895 Times in 243 Posts
Failed 105 Times in 49 Posts
|
If needed...how difficult would it be to replace the UX31A memory if I am adventurous enough to open up the laptop and work with a solder...?  | |
| | |
01-02-2013, 01:27 PM
|
#10 | | Got MOD?
Join Date: May 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 7,919
Thanked 519 Times in 444 Posts
Failed 5 Times in 4 Posts
|
The UX31 screen is much nicer. You should also know that in addition to the higher res screen it's also IPS screen meaning the colours and viewing angles will be way better. But if this isn't important you might be able to forgo it.
The ram is soldered by precision machinery. It'd be pretty damn hard to do it by hand. I wouldn't even suggest it.
| |
| | |
01-02-2013, 02:54 PM
|
#11 | | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: East Vancouver
Posts: 2,605
Thanked 966 Times in 248 Posts
Failed 39 Times in 17 Posts
|
I recently bought the UX32VD that !MiKrofT posted and the screen is definitely much better then your average screen, although i do notice a bit of back light bleeding on the sides under certain conditions
| |
| | |
01-02-2013, 03:01 PM
|
#12 | | I WANT MY 10 YEARS BACK FROM RS.net!
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 22,120
Thanked 9,906 Times in 3,932 Posts
Failed 881 Times in 421 Posts
|
I didn't realize 768p was of lower quality panel....then IPS + higher res + 128 SSD is definitely worth the extra $100
I dont think you'll notice a significant difference btw 4GB vs 6 or 8GB on Win8...but I havent used a laptop in a while so take this with a grain of salt
| |
| | |
01-02-2013, 05:11 PM
|
#13 | | 14 dolla balla aint got nothing on me!
Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: richmond
Posts: 676
Thanked 280 Times in 59 Posts
Failed 71 Times in 17 Posts
|
i just picked up the ux31a from ncix and it's been great so far, definitely worth it for the price. If you want more ram and and upgrade options, however, I'd go with the ux32vd that Peturbo has. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you can get a max of 10gb ram out of that machine. It is a bit thicker and more expensive though so there is a bit of a payoff.
| |
| | |
01-02-2013, 07:35 PM
|
#14 | | RS has made me the bitter person i am today!
Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Coquitlam
Posts: 4,846
Thanked 722 Times in 275 Posts
Failed 86 Times in 38 Posts
| | |
| | |
01-03-2013, 08:17 PM
|
#15 | | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: East Vancouver
Posts: 2,605
Thanked 966 Times in 248 Posts
Failed 39 Times in 17 Posts
|
The UX32VD also had to downsize the battery to fit the video card as well. If battery life is important for you, go with the UX31a.
| |
| | |
01-05-2013, 12:34 AM
|
#16 | | Everyone wants a piece of R S...
Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada
Posts: 363
Thanked 71 Times in 41 Posts
Failed 4 Times in 3 Posts
|
UX31A Touch is coming out. Well, it's already out but currently exclusive at US Bestbuy
| |
| | |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:04 PM.
|
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
The banners on the left side and below do not show for registered users!
