Hopefully they will take Anand's advice and use a better SSD before shipping. I doubt it though. They could at least use a standard mSATA connector so we could replace it with an aftermarket one.
A different model *is* an option, as the previous generation UX31E had an ADATA SF-2281 based SSD. Given the issues seen with non-Intel 520 SF-2281 SSDs, though, it's not too surprising ASUS didn't ship those out for the preview. We'll see what happens when the final retail launch occurs.
Hi Anand, In future teardowns, can you note the type of battery specified for each ultrabook? I am asking because integrated batteries are difficult/expensive to replace, and some manufacturers are specifying 1000-cycle batteries (against the typical 300-cycle).
Apple began the trend with the Macbook Pro, I think, but I don't see them touting it anymore. Dell Latitude ST has a special "Long-life" battery inside. Samsung Series 9 Tablet makes 1000-cycle battery a selling point in marketing material. Do Asus and Acer use better batteries, or are they scraping by (again) with cheaper look-alike alternatives? (and to think Asus pushing their proprietary SSD interface is just laughable). And what's inside the Z830, if/when you review the Ivy Bridge version?
Thanks.
I think the Long-life Li-ion battery is a major differentiator between a disposable MbA wannabe and a solid investment in portable computing.
Is there any way to tell (other than spec pages/marketing information) whether a battery is using better cells or not? I'm guessing, though I could be wrong, that most Ultrabooks are still using the lower grade cells.
Do you have any further information on an Asus UX21A with a touchscreen? In searching for hands-on videos on youtube I stumbled across this video showing the UX21A with a touchscreen:
All the coverage I've seen to date for the Asus Zenbooks has only mentioned standard non-touch screens. Any idea on if this is just a proof of concept or if we may actually see this for sale soon?
I got the UX31A today and it has the 256GB ADATA XM11 Sandforce SSD! the package has the Sandforce Driven by LSI sticker. Also on the aliminium case. The model is UX31A-R4003V Turkish model with i7 cpu, FHD IPS Panel and 256GB SSD. I do not know if sandisk versiona exist. It was a nice surprise, I was worries about Sandisk U100 but it turns out to be Adata Sandforce :)
Wow! That's great news! If you can show any photo proof that would be great. Preferably here where everyone is dying to see this. You're already famous.
@urbanglowcam Have you already "tested" your new Book, read at T-break about bad fan noise, others don't mention this, would be interesting to know from real consumer and not preproduction samples. maybe anyone else can report something about that. if its such a great issue i will order the 900x3c from samsung.
Could you fugure out if there is an internal USB connection and room to solder in a USB memory stick pcb? This could expand the meagre 128 Gb that is only available in the Netherlands. Rick
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DigitalFreak - Sunday, June 3, 2012 - link
Hopefully they will take Anand's advice and use a better SSD before shipping. I doubt it though. They could at least use a standard mSATA connector so we could replace it with an aftermarket one.Taft12 - Sunday, June 3, 2012 - link
"The SSD is a custom interface and form factor"A different model is not an option. Is this Sandisk model all that much worse than alternatives in mSATA or smaller form factor though?
JarredWalton - Monday, June 4, 2012 - link
A different model *is* an option, as the previous generation UX31E had an ADATA SF-2281 based SSD. Given the issues seen with non-Intel 520 SF-2281 SSDs, though, it's not too surprising ASUS didn't ship those out for the preview. We'll see what happens when the final retail launch occurs.SignalPST - Sunday, June 3, 2012 - link
As always, thanks Anand for the great post.I'm super excited about the Zenbook Prime!
mooninite - Monday, June 4, 2012 - link
Tell ASUS to ship the 8GB model. I'd buy it.If not, I'll probably wait until they do have one. 4GB is not enough these days.
JLaCroix - Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - link
Really? 4GB isn't enough? What do you plan on doing with an ultrabook? It's not targeted towards AutoCAD/Photoshop users.fmcjw - Monday, June 4, 2012 - link
Hi Anand,In future teardowns, can you note the type of battery specified for each ultrabook? I am asking because integrated batteries are difficult/expensive to replace, and some manufacturers are specifying 1000-cycle batteries (against the typical 300-cycle).
Apple began the trend with the Macbook Pro, I think, but I don't see them touting it anymore. Dell Latitude ST has a special "Long-life" battery inside. Samsung Series 9 Tablet makes 1000-cycle battery a selling point in marketing material. Do Asus and Acer use better batteries, or are they scraping by (again) with cheaper look-alike alternatives? (and to think Asus pushing their proprietary SSD interface is just laughable). And what's inside the Z830, if/when you review the Ivy Bridge version?
Thanks.
I think the Long-life Li-ion battery is a major differentiator between a disposable MbA wannabe and a solid investment in portable computing.
JarredWalton - Monday, June 4, 2012 - link
Is there any way to tell (other than spec pages/marketing information) whether a battery is using better cells or not? I'm guessing, though I could be wrong, that most Ultrabooks are still using the lower grade cells.cwcwfpfp - Monday, June 4, 2012 - link
The news on the SSD is a bit disappointing, though I'm guessing won't make a huge difference for everyday use?I would also LOVE an 8GB RAM option but not getting my hopes up on that...
filly - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
I prefer the UX32VD Series because of the swapable HDD and RAM.Sure, it doesnt feature a unibody but its still preatty good.
cwcwfpfp - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
Do you have any further information on an Asus UX21A with a touchscreen? In searching for hands-on videos on youtube I stumbled across this video showing the UX21A with a touchscreen:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t90bvx7-e3Q&fea...
All the coverage I've seen to date for the Asus Zenbooks has only mentioned standard non-touch screens. Any idea on if this is just a proof of concept or if we may actually see this for sale soon?
memin1857 - Friday, June 15, 2012 - link
I got the UX31A today and it has the 256GB ADATA XM11 Sandforce SSD! the package has the Sandforce Driven by LSI sticker. Also on the aliminium case. The model is UX31A-R4003V Turkish model with i7 cpu, FHD IPS Panel and 256GB SSD. I do not know if sandisk versiona exist. It was a nice surprise, I was worries about Sandisk U100 but it turns out to be Adata Sandforce :)urbanglowcam - Saturday, June 16, 2012 - link
Wow! That's great news! If you can show any photo proof that would be great. Preferably here where everyone is dying to see this. You're already famous.http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/659073-ivy-br...
simmi91 - Saturday, June 16, 2012 - link
@urbanglowcamHave you already "tested" your new Book, read at T-break about bad fan noise, others don't mention this, would be interesting to know from real consumer and not preproduction samples. maybe anyone else can report something about that. if its such a great issue i will order the 900x3c from samsung.
Rick NL - Saturday, September 8, 2012 - link
Could you fugure out if there is an internal USB connection and room to solder in a USB memory stick pcb?This could expand the meagre 128 Gb that is only available in the Netherlands.
Rick
radu - Monday, September 21, 2020 - link
i am interested for a mainboard for ux21A-K1010Dcontact me at [email protected]