ASUS U Series Bamboo Collection Owners Thread (U33JC/U43JC/U53JC)

Do you think my local best Buy will receive the laptop first or will I with my already pre-order?

 

"Hmmm ... I think you'd all do well to read the reviews again on the UL30/80's and the U30Jc concerning the speakers."

Quatro, is this this UL80 you are referring to: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+...1218206200334&skuId=9964891&st=ul80&cp=1&lp=1
If so, my local best Buy has this model in stock. Would the UL80J that I posted a link to be a good indication on whether or not I could live with the speakers in the U43JC?

 

Exactly, and yes, I do think the speakers in the 14" UL80J would probably be similar to the speakers in the 14" U43JC. As for front angles, here's the comparison:

UL80J



U43JC



Of course, this is all an educated guess since there are no U43Jc reviews that I'm aware of ... and not everyone reviews the speakers except with general comments like "good" or "tinny" or "okay for their size", etc.

As a small test, while typing with my U30Jc in my lap, I've had WinAmp playing some of my MP3's and I've needed to turn the sound down to concentrate. They are plenty loud for me. That DID take some tweaking of the sound after I began to use the laptop.

And they actually sound tinnier (less bass) when I lift the front end up toward my face because I've gauged the sound (set the equalizer presets) in WinAmp to soften the bass & increase the treble so that the bass is increased by the small muffle of my lap.

But usually, I prefer to use earbuds or external speakers for better bass & treble/fuller sound.

More on the speakers HERE.

 

If the laptop is lying flat on a surface, then the character of the sound will be strongly influenced by the resonance of the surface. My laptop is sitting on linoleum floor, so the only effect is deflection. When I'm traveling, I try to put my laptop on more resonant, sympathetic surfaces, such as a beer case or a lampshade encased in sopping undergarments. Whatever I have lying around. This is not to say you should buy the laptop based on the ubiquity of such surfaces, but rather to say that Quatro's and my laptops probably have the same cheesy Altec Lansing speakers (probably the same as the forthcoming U43jc speakers), and our experience of them is influenced by what we've got them sitting on. I did notice in Sprinkler's link that the underside of the U33jc has a suspicious vent right under the trackpad, parallel with the speaker vents. It may be that they've done something new with the speakers in these models, but like Quatro stated, we'll have to wait and see.

 

Out of curiosity, I've posted the side lip angle of the UL30Vt and the U33Jc:

UL30VT

U33JC



Though the tops are not the same, I think the lower lips are similar angles ... so I propose if they are the same size Altec Lansing small speakers at the same angle, they're probably going to sound about the same.

So go over and read some reviews on the UL30Vt's speakers & sound and you may get an idea of the U33's sound.

 

speaking of speakers, if you want that, check out the Asus N43, N63 and N73 Entertainment Notebooks with Nvidia Optimus Graphics and Bang & Olufsen SonicMaster Audio. For me, it I don't get the U33/43 this will definitely be the model I get, they are beautiful laptops IMO

 

Here is a link to a few more pics of the bamboo

Asus Bamboo available in USA | Laptop Review Shop

and the N53JN (with video)

Asus N53Jn Review (video) | Laptop Review Shop

 

Damn....I have to say, the more pictures I see of these models, the less sure I am that the bamboo is attractive to me. It gives off a manly grandpa vibe...like it would be great in someone's carpeted home-office on their antique cherry-wood desk...but for me, a 22 year old girl, I'm not so sure...I think I prefer a brushed metal finish.

I really want that USB 3.0 and long battery life though! Otherwise I'd be looking closer at the U35JC or the N82JQ. Meh. Why must this decision be so hard?!

 

I don't know if I think it looks like "grandpa" versus looking like one hell of a unique and classy laptop but be sure to check out the review above for the N53JN.

N53JN Asus Strengths:

+ Nvidia Optimus and USB 3.0,

+ audio system Bang&Olufsen ICEpower and SonicMaster technology ,

+ elegant, attractive, robust and use of quality materials.

 

Hi, I've been looking at getting the U33JC from the UK for about a month now.

Couldn't find if it had been posted (must have flicked through 20 pages and gave up) but I just got off the phone with Asus UK and the release date of the U33JC has been confirmed as 23rd August.

Hope this helps someone!

Cheers

Edit:- Phone number is +44 20 7720 0820 in case anyone needs to get in contact.

 

Thanks for the info...I believe the only people who have issue with this are the college bound for some reason

 

I think I'm going to preorder the U43JC. I've been looking at the different vendors, and it seems to be the cheapest at J&R with 5% bing cash back (which ends july 31st). This puts the price at $1026 compared to the $1062 at GenTech and XoticPC. Am I missing anything here? Here's the J&R link.

ASUS U43Jc-A1 14" Notebook PC - Bamboo in PC Notebook Computers at JR.com

 

FYI, I just heard back from XoticPC on the ETA's they have from ASUS:

Posted by XoticPC

• U33jc-end of August
  
• U43jc-end of August
  
• U35JC-end of August
  
  [*]U45jc-should be in stock next Tuesday/Wednesday of this week
  
  Trying to figure out when the models will actually be in stock(besides the U45jc) is a little tough. Asus has already pushed the ETA out once and on the JT models they even took away the ETA all together.

So there is some hope for those wanting the U45 before school.

 

And for those concerned about the speakers on the U33/43/35/45Jc notebooks, I was saying earlier that they are probably of a similar quality to the UL30/80Vt (& U30Jc) speakers due to size, location (front, downward-facing) & type of the speakers (Altec Lansing).

So here are a few quotes from UL30/80Vt reviews that should give you a fair idea on the speaker quality of the upcoming U33/43/35/45Jc's:

"The speakers are poor despite the Altec Lansing branding. They do not get loud enough and are very tinny. The headphone jack is fortunately static-free and the best way to get audio out of the notebook." -NBR on the UL80Vt

"The speakers on the UL30VT are slightly worse than on the UL80VT. They output below average volume and have no bass and only minimal mid-range sound. In an quiet room, they will sound okay and be clearly heard, but if there is any other loud noises, don’t expect to be able to hear them well. Part of the problem is that the speakers are located near the front so that when the laptop is on your lap the speakers are muffled. I’d say you only get about 75 percent volume when on your lap compared to when it is on a table. The speakers were about the same as on the UL80VT, but the front of the UL30VT has more of a slant so that the speakers are more muffled when the notebook is on your lap (compared to the UL80VT)." - Expert Laptop on the UL30Vt

"Most thin and lightweight notebooks sacrifice speaker location for other more important aspects of the design. The ASUS UL30-series offers lap-firing speakers, which sound tinny at best, muffled at worst. When you have the notebook sitting up on a stand or on a flat desk surface they sound average compared to other notebooks of this size, but once you put it on your lap or a soft surface they are completely muffled. Headphones would be highly recommended for this notebook." - NBR UL30a review

"though the speakers aren't the greatest we've ever heard." - Engadget on UL80Vt

"And the audio, though slightly tinny as it emanates from two front-firing Altec-Lansing speakers, delivers enough mid-range clarity that you won't instantly reach for headphones." -PCMag on the UL30a

"Speaker performance is lack-lustre. Headphones are a must if you want to listen to music on this notebook. " -EMOIZ on the UL30a

 

With the exception of the U45JC, GenTechPC has also posted the (more accurate) ETAs of these particular notebooks a few pages back, but of course, knowing Asus's past history of release dates, these estimates can change without notice, and it often does.

 

Yes, I'd noticed that GenTech were more detailed on the ETA's, but thought it would be interesting to hear from the "other guys" on dates.

Yet there is a big difference between Aug 4th and "the end of Aug" for the U33, though GenTech puts in a caveat as well.

I like GenTech's effort to pin things down. Xotic may be trying to cover their bases by leaving dates as merely "end of".

 

Very true; it's always good to hear from different sources to get a better understanding of the situation. I'm not sure if I would put more weight on either one of the resellers since it is more than likely GenTechPC and XoticPC acquires their notebooks from different Asus warehouses and/or Asus distributors. I'm not sure where XoticPC get their notebooks from, but I know GenTechPC gets them from an Asus warehouse just down the street from their office. Either way, thanks for sharing the info. I'm eyeing on the U43JC-A1 myself as an upgrade from my UL30VT.

 

And I'd imagine both are getting supplies from an ASUS distributor who's getting them direct from Taiwan ... so both must wait until Taiwan actually ships them.

 

Thanks for finding out. Fingers crossed they don't delay it any further!

 

Indeed, but what I was trying to get at is even if Asus Taiwan ships their inventory to all Asus distributors on the same day, it is possible that these distributors will receive their shipment on different dates (probably a few days apart at most, depending on their location). Hence, each reseller may post a slightly different ETA. This is of course, just my speculation and I could be entirely wrong

 

That makes sense (the possible differing arrival dates from the distributor, not your being wrong! )

 

Just pre-ordered my U33JC from gentechpc Hopefully the ETA of 08/04 is right. My F6V needs a replacement, even though it never let me down and still works reliable...

 

Congrats So will you be selling your F6V?

 

Hehe, maybe "grandpa" wasn't the right term, and it is classy and unique, but perhaps not my style?

The N53JN does sound and look very nice, but it's 15.6'' (I was hoping for something smaller and more portable) and I haven't actually seen it for sale or pre-order anywhere.

Eh, you can't really tell for sure until it's in your hands, right? I'll probably end up getting the U33JC and keeping my fingers crossed until it arrives, heh.

 

Writer.of.Fictions: There's always spraypaint.

 

No, I give it to a friend who needs a smaller laptop and appreciates a reliable machine that maybe doesn't look so pretty but works flawlessly

 

And as an update from GenTechPC now on the new ASUS U33/43/35/45Jc:

Quote from GenTechPC

• Most of the U models are going to be delayed until the end of August except the U45JC.
  
  I am still waiting for the confirmed ETA, I'll let you know as soon as I have them.
  __________________
  Ken Lee

 

That's sucks big time

 

Is this normal for Asus, because this really sucks

 

Go and read the threads for the UL80vt or UL30Vt, or the thread for the MUCH-longer awaited UL30Jt (showcased in January and expected by Feb and here we are in July), or when the U30Jc was awaited and then even when it finally came out, there was a constant shortage for the first month or so while people tried to find it in stock anywhere.

Could be holdups in processor supply/demand or who knows? But it seems common enough.

 

Welcome to the world of Asus

 

It's official. The asus U45JC is available in xoticPC to order now!

 

Wow, I am absolutely gutted. I can't believe this. What's next? Mid September? October? 2011!?
CRAZZZYYY
Mid-Late July. August 4th. Late August.... *to be continued*

 

yea im pissed off. the u45jc is available but i wish it was the u35jc

 

Im waiting for the u43 to ship. And the only reason im not pulling the trigger with the u45 is lack of USB 3.0, bluetooth and the webcam. Look wise i actually like the aluminum. But i whatever i guess i might as well hold out since i do have 2 external usb 3.0 HD ready to go. Wouldn't make sense since i plan on getting a SSD so my main storage would be the External. And i just can not live with usb 2.0 speeds.

 

heard it form me first told you guys late august.

 

yea im waiting for the u35jc. ill be pissed tho if it doesnt come in end of august topS! i need a laptop to go back to school!

 

Btw, any idea if its better to ship from XoticPC or GenTech?

 

Yep, another 4 weeks, but hold on. It will come.

There's nothing to be p*ssed off about. I'm sure this isn't a nefarious plot by ASUS to frustrate you. They probably are trying to get it to market as fast as possible as well. Some things, like chip supply, can be out of their control as well.

 

im not truly pissed off because i only need a laptop in september for school, but i just dont like it how it wont come till end of august, then another week to process my money order, then another week till it gets to canada. So i wont get it till..mid september??

 

Frustrating indeed.

 

I went with GentechPC because they are located in California. I live in San Diego so the shipping should be fast

 

Haha, I live in CA too, but I ordered from XoticPC so I don't have to pay the tax . I am not in a hurry.

 

Smart move....I forgot about that....oh well....speed has its price I guess;-)

 

My guess is that even if you choose standard shipping, you'll most likely receive your laptop in 1 business day

 

Quatro: I called both my local Best Buys and neither of them have the Asus UL80j on display (for me to test out the speakers as you mentioned they are most likely similar to the U43jc).

I have a huge, huge favor. Is there anyway possible you could help me out and go by your local Best buy and test out the speakers on this Blue Label Toshiba?: Toshiba - Satellite Laptop with Intel® Core™ i5 Processor - E205-S1904

I need to know if your Altec Lansing speakers on your laptop is as horribly quiet on volume as that Toshiba. Pretty Please

 

Hi! I hope I'm not asking a redundant question- just wanted some advice. How are the keyboard and display on the U series? I've only been able to preview the UL30 in my country (Indonesia), and the screens and keyboards on those have me concerned. Screens seem a bit dark even at maximum brightness, while the keyboard is very squishy and flexy. I'll be typing quite a bit so that's a huge problem. Is there a different build quality for the U series?
Thanks!

 

The keyboard will probably be similar to the UL30 series. If the keyboard is an important feature to you, I'd suggest looking at the Lenovo Thinkpad series. Thinkpad keyboards are generally regarded as the best notebook keyboards in the industry. At the moment, I don't believe any Asus notebook will have a keyboard anywhere close to what the Thinkpads have to offer.

 

im concerned about the screen of the u45jc. Ddi you guys see that damage they inflicted on the screen by just lightly bending the lid? Scary!

 

Lightly bending? No way. Don't believe everything you read.

He had to have put significant force on it to do that. His lid is essentially the same as mine and I would have to really be bending it a ridiculous amount for the screen to crack like that.