Asus UX31 Ultrabook

[noxxle99]

Any of you experience an issues similar to this?: MBA 11" Floppy Hinge - YouTube

[1oclock]

I would just like to know how well the ux31 performs for 3D drawing softwares and also autocad? Really interested in getting the ux31 if it can handle moderate use of those softwares with the i5 setup

[noxxle99]

I would just like to know how well the ux31 performs for 3D drawing softwares and also autocad? Really interested in getting the ux31 if it can handle moderate use of those softwares with the i5 setup

It should perform as well as any other laptop with the Intel HD 3000. When gaming, my UX21 gets similar frame rates to my x220 (same graphics card).

[makryger]

What will you get instead? Toshiba?

I'm sad about it too... I really really wanted to like the Asus. I've been watching news about it for months now.

The Toshiba is the next logical candidate. I'm looking at some reviews of the predecessor to the Toshiba, the R830, and it looks like in general, people are happy with build quality. Looks like the keyboard and touchpads are a bit more mature, although the screen is apparently not particularly bright (although it can be matte). I like the fact it has all the ports build in, (no dongles needed), and it'll be a bit lighter and longer battery life. It has a backlit keyboard, too, although I didn't care about that much. And possibly 3 yr warranty. But this time, I'll probably try before I buy.

[twe90kid]

There's a champagne version of this laptop?
Notebooks

[jhall006]

I need to report that after flashing the BIOS to version 206, the ASUS update utility finally pulled down the touchpoint update, allowing the installation of the Sentila drivers available from the MFRs website. Between the BIOS update and installing the touchpad's software, all keyboard issues seem to be corrected. No more cursor jumping to another area while typing, and surprisingly, the reduced travel of the chicklet keys is no longer an issue.

Odd, this was the first thing I did and experienced no improvement at all in the keyboard, and only marginal in the touchpad.
I can't live with the keyboard either, it's awful. I'd also be surprised if a software update could change the keyboard pressure required?

[ctoyer]

Yeah, I'm thinking that no update would be able to fix that. I only found the usability to skyrocket once the touchpad issues I experienced were taken care of. That allowed me to no longer have to hover my hands awkwardly above the kb. Now, without the false touches on the pad, the typing seems quite normal, except for the occasional non-registered key hits, which I'm going to chalk up to a learning curve for typing with a little more authority. I have to admit, all the touch screens in my life have spoiled me by registering a keystroke with just a glancing blow.

[Xe0n]

Is b&H a reliable place to order and ship to canada? It seem to be the only place that has the ux31 in stock and that can ship to canada.

[smckenna]

Thanks for doing this. That was a really good video review.
You seem pretty happy with the machine. Have you found any negatives yet?

Actually, there is one stinging regret that I have going with the MacBook Air. I regret not having the 1600x900 screen real-estate (the MBA only has 1400x900). However, I would not want to jump to the higher resolution if it comes at the cost of the display not having great contrast, or having very narrow viewing angles as some have reported with the UX31.

[pjc123]

I'm sad about it too... I really really wanted to like the Asus. I've been watching news about it for months now.

The Toshiba is the next logical candidate. I'm looking at some reviews of the predecessor to the Toshiba, the R830, and it looks like in general, people are happy with build quality. Looks like the keyboard and touchpads are a bit more mature, although the screen is apparently not particularly bright (although it can be matte). I like the fact it has all the ports build in, (no dongles needed), and it'll be a bit lighter and longer battery life. It has a backlit keyboard, too, although I didn't care about that much. And possibly 3 yr warranty. But this time, I'll probably try before I buy.

I have to agree. When I started looking at laptops about a year ago, the many reliability reports pointed to ASUS, Lenovo and Toshiba as being the winners (And that still is the case). Apple has high customer satisfaction, but unfortunately has high failure rates (Shows how much perception and advertising counts more than reality). I originally was really excited about the Lenovo X220 because of the high end processors, small size, matte screen, easily upgradeable components, fantastic keyboard, and Linux compatibility. But you have to understand that I grew up with "IBM" thinkpads in the corporate world as super reliable laptops, not Lenovo's current crummy "Chinese Home Depot" versions these laptops. The forums massive complaints of this laptop are nothing short of disturbing. So I got excited about the Toshiba R830, then saw many complaints about heat problems with that laptop. So, I got really excited again about the ASUS UX31. But the problems are starting to show up again. So now I am looking at the Toshiba Z830. Honestly, as much as a light/portable/ultraportable/supermegapoopaportable laptop with a powerful processor would be ideal to me, I am starting to give up hope.