Looking for an ultrabook...

a15927492 · 06-12-12 at 02:10 PM

Hi,

I'm going to need a laptop to last me 4 years at uni.

I'm thinking of getting an ultrabook, and more specifically, the ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A.

I had a 13" Acer Timeline before and it started off well but after 8-10 months, it started becoming very slow and then screen broke. I don't want this to happen with a similar thin laptop, though obviously the spec on the ASUS is latest spec whereas the spec on the Acer was terrible.

I basically just want a reliable, portable, powerful (desktop replacement) laptop.

Do you think that the ASUS will handle anything (I don't need high end gaming), and last 4 years (reliable)?

thanks!

**cazmajor** · 06-12-12 at 02:40 PM

You will need an adapter to connect it to a monitor/tv.

a15927492 · 06-12-12 at 02:49 PM

Oh that was ages ago, I replaced the screen fine. I'm more looking for opinions on the ASUS

**PhenomIIX4** · 06-12-12 at 07:02 PM

An Ultrabook isn't a desktop replacement. If you want a desktop replacement then you need a 15.6" or 17" high performance laptops.

Alternative to an ultrabook is a 13" or 14" notebook/ laptop with an Intel 2.5" SSD. You still get portability and long battery life but you don't get its thinness.

**PhoenixBSD** · 06-12-12 at 07:22 PM

Quote:

I basically just want a reliable, portable, powerful (desktop replacement) laptop

with PhenomIIX4 that ultrabooks aren't suitable as desktop replacements. Go with a decent laptop instead. Good luck!

**blaxroze** · 06-12-12 at 09:59 PM

I'm not a fan of Asus but I got a friend that have problems with his Asus laptop, his fan died. Currently I'm using Acer laptop more than 2 years and still no problem for hardware. The best Ultrabook spec I've ever seen is from Acer, I cant remember the model though but it is the first Ultrabook I've saw with a nVidia car, GT640M. I know its not that powerful but it has 384 cuda core!!! Lower clock of course

**DarnLiina** · 06-13-12 at 07:46 AM

I have some different opinions on that specific ultrabook. My friend has the same one and loves it to death! Fast, reliable, and all bundled into a sleek design. It would be nice especially for school since they're incredibly light. Just make sure to get a nice protective case for it just because it is a luxury purchase.

Dhuang · 06-13-12 at 08:20 AM

Dude

My close friends own an i7 Asus laptop. After 6 months using it 12 hours or more per day in air-conditioned environment the fan still died. It was sent to claim warranty, then again after few months fan died. Now he modded his lappy fan by having an outside fan only then the laptop is ok. Thus the conclusion is, IMHO, Asus laptop is not recommended.

Acer also suffers a bad image here in Malaysia to be exact since it's the cheapest laptop around. Being the cheapest but with the most advance tech really blinded so many ppl here but unfortunately it's also the most broken down laptop in the market.

Nonetheless, it's just my 2 cents. Take it as it is.

**rolfixek** · 06-13-12 at 08:27 AM

I've never had a problem with my Macbook Pro 13" after year at Secondary School and now a year at Uni. No overheating, flawlessly capable of running apps like photoshop, lightroom, CAD, office, etc. all day.

Everyone will tell me how it's pricy and useless anyways. But if I had to buy a new laptop for work & school I'd go for a Mac again. (But now, I'd get the new one with Retina display)

Winther · 06-13-12 at 10:28 AM

I have the ASUS Zenbook..
I've have it for 4 months now and im very impressed to be honest.. and as far as Asus goes I havent had any of their products before but I know a few people in the computer business that praises Asus alot, and from what I can read most places asus is liked aot. but ofcourse one can always be unlucky with hardware.

Anyways to get back to the Zenbook. its very fast and the battery life is impressive too, especially considering the relativly small battery. easily 8 hours when using word and internet. (of course some internet activity will decrease that)
but like other people have said its not a desktop replacement, and in my personal opinion tablet, ultrabook, notebook or laptop can replace a desktop, but I guess I will always be a fan of the power of a desktop..! :)

And btw I have the same model you are reffering to. (and another thing to add, it looks GREAT!!)

**crag.castle** · 06-13-12 at 10:42 AM

a15927492, I have an important question: what is your price range. From personal experience, I know that University students are not filthy stinking rich. So an Ultrabook is pushing it a little. You are paying a lot just for thinness, but the same price could give you a better performing laptop.

I personally use Dell computers a lot. They have been very reliable for me. No problems until now. I am using an XPS 15z and had been awesome for the last year that I had it. It is slim and small enough to carry everywhere.

For gaming, I have an M17x R2. I splurged...

My dad has the XPS13 and it has worked great for him in the last 3 months.

As for my mother she has an Acer AspireS3 and it is only 3 months old also. Has worked great for her.

But these laptop all cost me between 1200-1500/each. So your choice.

a15927492 · 06-14-12 at 12:41 PM

thanks for all the responses!!

I don't want a macbook.. just sayin'

My price range is around 1000 but I can go upto 1500 - though I know thats unnecessary.

I want/ need an i7 processor, min 4gb ram (preferably more obviously but it will do), average graphics - won't be playing any games on it. SSD and 1080p screen are preferred. Portability is a big factor, and reliability. I have also heard great reviews about ASUS and loads of people had them at my 6th form and noone had any issues with them.

I think I'm going to go for the Asus. If anyone has any decent alternatives, please share!

Also, does anyone actually know when the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A is going to be released?! I believe it has been released in Germany? and possibly US too? (I'm in the UK)

There's also the UX32VD which is more of a hybrid with a nvidia graphics card, but its not as thin and there's no SSD drive - but it is slightly cheaper I believe

**PhenomIIX4** · 06-14-12 at 01:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by a15927492

thanks for all the responses!!

I don't want a macbook.. just sayin'

My price range is around 1000 but I can go upto 1500 - though I know thats unnecessary.

I want/ need an i7 processor, min 4gb ram (preferably more obviously but it will do), average graphics - won't be playing any games on it. SSD and 1080p screen are preferred. Portability is a big factor, and reliability. I have also heard great reviews about ASUS and loads of people had them at my 6th form and noone had any issues with them.

I think I'm going to go for the Asus. If anyone has any decent alternatives, please share!

Also, does anyone actually know when the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A is going to be released?! I believe it has been released in Germany? and possibly US too? (I'm in the UK)

There's also the UX32VD which is more of a hybrid with a nvidia graphics card, but its not as thin and there's no SSD drive - but it is slightly cheaper I believe

If you want a 1080p screen on an ultrabook, you need to wait about 6 months or more for some companies to make 15.6" ultrabooks to support that resolution otherwise the highest you can get is 1600x900.

What's your currency because people will assume it's in US dollars?

a15927492 · 06-14-12 at 01:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by PhenomIIX4

If you want a 1080p screen on an ultrabook, you need to wait about 6 months or more for some companies to make 15.6" ultrabooks to support that resolution otherwise the highest you can get is 1600x900.

What's your currency because people will assume it's in US dollars?

The ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A which I think I'm going to get has a 1080p screen which has some Full HD IPS 'thing' with incredible brightness - basically all the reviews are raving that its an incredible full HD screen so yeah...

£ so about 1500-2000 USD

06-13-12 at 10:42 AM	#11
crag.castle Apprentice Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 254	a15927492, I have an important question: what is your price range. From personal experience, I know that University students are not filthy stinking rich. So an Ultrabook is pushing it a little. You are paying a lot just for thinness, but the same price could give you a better performing laptop. I personally use Dell computers a lot. They have been very reliable for me. No problems until now. I am using an XPS 15z and had been awesome for the last year that I had it. It is slim and small enough to carry everywhere. For gaming, I have an M17x R2. I splurged... My dad has the XPS13 and it has worked great for him in the last 3 months. As for my mother she has an Acer AspireS3 and it is only 3 months old also. Has worked great for her. But these laptop all cost me between 1200-1500/each. So your choice. Last edited by crag.castle; 06-13-12 at 10:44 AM.

06-12-12 at 02:40 PM	#2
cazmajor Elite Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,646	You will need an adapter to connect it to a monitor/tv.

06-12-12 at 02:49 PM	#3
a15927492 Newcomer Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 29	Oh that was ages ago, I replaced the screen fine. I'm more looking for opinions on the ASUS

06-12-12 at 07:02 PM	#4
PhenomIIX4 Banned Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Socket AM2+ Posts: 3,569	An Ultrabook isn't a desktop replacement. If you want a desktop replacement then you need a 15.6" or 17" high performance laptops. Alternative to an ultrabook is a 13" or 14" notebook/ laptop with an Intel 2.5" SSD. You still get portability and long battery life but you don't get its thinness.

06-12-12 at 07:22 PM	#5
PhoenixBSD Luminiferous Ether Sailor Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Thailand Posts: 1,615	Quote: I basically just want a reliable, portable, powerful (desktop replacement) laptop with PhenomIIX4 that ultrabooks aren't suitable as desktop replacements. Go with a decent laptop instead. Good luck!

06-12-12 at 09:59 PM	#6
blaxroze Expert Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 950	I'm not a fan of Asus but I got a friend that have problems with his Asus laptop, his fan died. Currently I'm using Acer laptop more than 2 years and still no problem for hardware. The best Ultrabook spec I've ever seen is from Acer, I cant remember the model though but it is the first Ultrabook I've saw with a nVidia car, GT640M. I know its not that powerful but it has 384 cuda core!!! Lower clock of course

06-13-12 at 07:46 AM	#7
DarnLiina Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 302	I have some different opinions on that specific ultrabook. My friend has the same one and loves it to death! Fast, reliable, and all bundled into a sleek design. It would be nice especially for school since they're incredibly light. Just make sure to get a nice protective case for it just because it is a luxury purchase.

06-13-12 at 08:20 AM	#8
Dhuang Novice Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Malaysia Posts: 96	Dude My close friends own an i7 Asus laptop. After 6 months using it 12 hours or more per day in air-conditioned environment the fan still died. It was sent to claim warranty, then again after few months fan died. Now he modded his lappy fan by having an outside fan only then the laptop is ok. Thus the conclusion is, IMHO, Asus laptop is not recommended. Acer also suffers a bad image here in Malaysia to be exact since it's the cheapest laptop around. Being the cheapest but with the most advance tech really blinded so many ppl here but unfortunately it's also the most broken down laptop in the market. Nonetheless, it's just my 2 cents. Take it as it is.

06-13-12 at 08:27 AM	#9
rolfixek The Only One Who Can ™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Corner of Luck and Stupidity Posts: 2,672	I've never had a problem with my Macbook Pro 13" after year at Secondary School and now a year at Uni. No overheating, flawlessly capable of running apps like photoshop, lightroom, CAD, office, etc. all day. Everyone will tell me how it's pricy and useless anyways. But if I had to buy a new laptop for work & school I'd go for a Mac again. (But now, I'd get the new one with Retina display)

06-13-12 at 10:28 AM	#10
Winther Newcomer Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 15	I have the ASUS Zenbook.. I've have it for 4 months now and im very impressed to be honest.. and as far as Asus goes I havent had any of their products before but I know a few people in the computer business that praises Asus alot, and from what I can read most places asus is liked aot. but ofcourse one can always be unlucky with hardware. Anyways to get back to the Zenbook. its very fast and the battery life is impressive too, especially considering the relativly small battery. easily 8 hours when using word and internet. (of course some internet activity will decrease that) but like other people have said its not a desktop replacement, and in my personal opinion tablet, ultrabook, notebook or laptop can replace a desktop, but I guess I will always be a fan of the power of a desktop..! :) And btw I have the same model you are reffering to. (and another thing to add, it looks GREAT!!)

06-14-12 at 12:41 PM	#12
a15927492 Newcomer Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 29	thanks for all the responses!! I don't want a macbook.. just sayin' My price range is around 1000 but I can go upto 1500 - though I know thats unnecessary. I want/ need an i7 processor, min 4gb ram (preferably more obviously but it will do), average graphics - won't be playing any games on it. SSD and 1080p screen are preferred. Portability is a big factor, and reliability. I have also heard great reviews about ASUS and loads of people had them at my 6th form and noone had any issues with them. I think I'm going to go for the Asus. If anyone has any decent alternatives, please share! Also, does anyone actually know when the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A is going to be released?! I believe it has been released in Germany? and possibly US too? (I'm in the UK) There's also the UX32VD which is more of a hybrid with a nvidia graphics card, but its not as thin and there's no SSD drive - but it is slightly cheaper I believe

06-14-12 at 01:10 PM	#13
PhenomIIX4 Banned Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Socket AM2+ Posts: 3,569	Quote: Originally Posted by a15927492 thanks for all the responses!! I don't want a macbook.. just sayin' My price range is around 1000 but I can go upto 1500 - though I know thats unnecessary. I want/ need an i7 processor, min 4gb ram (preferably more obviously but it will do), average graphics - won't be playing any games on it. SSD and 1080p screen are preferred. Portability is a big factor, and reliability. I have also heard great reviews about ASUS and loads of people had them at my 6th form and noone had any issues with them. I think I'm going to go for the Asus. If anyone has any decent alternatives, please share! Also, does anyone actually know when the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A is going to be released?! I believe it has been released in Germany? and possibly US too? (I'm in the UK) There's also the UX32VD which is more of a hybrid with a nvidia graphics card, but its not as thin and there's no SSD drive - but it is slightly cheaper I believe If you want a 1080p screen on an ultrabook, you need to wait about 6 months or more for some companies to make 15.6" ultrabooks to support that resolution otherwise the highest you can get is 1600x900. What's your currency because people will assume it's in US dollars?

06-14-12 at 01:40 PM	#14
a15927492 Newcomer Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 29	Quote: Originally Posted by PhenomIIX4 If you want a 1080p screen on an ultrabook, you need to wait about 6 months or more for some companies to make 15.6" ultrabooks to support that resolution otherwise the highest you can get is 1600x900. What's your currency because people will assume it's in US dollars? The ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A which I think I'm going to get has a 1080p screen which has some Full HD IPS 'thing' with incredible brightness - basically all the reviews are raving that its an incredible full HD screen so yeah... £ so about 1500-2000 USD