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

I just purchased mine from Amazon.com and I noticed that the A1 only comes with a 1 year warranty. If I wanted to can I extend that by paying ASUS for a warranty that provides greater coverage?

Thanks!

 

I don't think so, though some other sellers may offer an extended warranty for a price.

Hmm ... on relooking, it looks like only Amazon is selling the U43Jc-X1 (w/ the 500GB HDD & 1-yr warranty.) The others are offering the A1 (640GB HDD & 2-yr warranty) for preorder but it is listed as not available yet.

 

I am considering purchasing this computer through Amazon to take advantage of their gift card offer (would prob use this for a printer), though I am also considering the u45jc. Does anyone know if Amazon will accept returns/exchanges of a computer if their is a defect (doesn't work properly), or would I have to go through Asus? I'm also a little concerned about the wood since I live in a very humid place.
Also, once I receive it, do you suggest that I make recovery discs before doing anything else? (How long did it take to do this if you have already done so?) Thanks.

 

HERE's Amazon's return policy on computers:

• "Computers purchased from Amazon.com, which have not been opened, may be returned for a refund within 30 days of receipt of shipment via our online Returns Center. Computers purchased from Amazon.com which have been opened are subject to a partial refund of 85% of the sale price. Computers may not be returned more than 30 days from the date of shipment receipt.
  
  All computers sold by Amazon.com are supported by the computer's manufacturers. In the unlikely event a computer appears to be defective, customers are directed to contact the customer support networks of the individual computer manufacturer to have it serviced under warranty. See manufacturer contact information below."

So Amazon gives you 30 days to return it at a loss of 15% for restocking. If it is defective, you'll have to go to ASUS for help.

Recovery discs on my U30Jc took 2 1/2 hrs to burn the 4 DVD's (!)

Ones like GenTechPC may not have the same offers ($150 gift card+NetGear Push2TV box) but they will give you a full refund, exchange or repair should there be a problem, and they do the repairs personally.

 

WHATTT?!! I didn't know that! I only got the gift card cause the site didn't say anything about the Netgear! I can't return either since I'm getting it shipped to the states and i'm only there for 2 days... I guess I will have to be happy with the fact that I probably wouldn't have used the netgear a whole lot anyways, but still, dam!

 

Oh and sorry for the double post but this time it's a question:

I bought my u43jc from Amazon with Amex. I heard that they give 1 extra year warranty. How does that work? Do I have to call them up or something?

 

Actually, Amex doubles the original manufacturer's warranty period. For details, go to American Express Extended Warranty FAQ.

 

Got an email from Xotic PC this morning. It said "At this time, we are anticipating the release sometime early-September."

 

Thanks for the info!

I've decided to get the X1 off Amazon because I want it to arrive before school starts so that I can set it up and get familiar with it before things get busy. I will be happy to do any benchmarks if someone is willing to provide tutorial for me.

I just hope the bamboo trackpad won't be a problem further down the line.

 

Thanks for the insights case1.

I broke down and bought the u43jc yesterday, and canceled my order for the u33jc at xotic. The reasons? Well, I wasn't quite sold on it with just the $150 gift card (I really wanted a 13 incher!), but when they added the widi adapter on top I was sold. Oh yea, my fiance really wanted bamboo. She was not digging on the other laptops I was showing her, I guess I'm just too good of a salesperson. She was sold on the bamboo.

What I was thinking about doing was to get a lesser/cheaper laptop and add an ssd. Case1 laid out a pretty good argument for going with a hybrid drive on page 100. I did some reading around and even talked to a friend at intel. I was told, wait! Intel (and other companies too) are supposed to be releasing some better ssd's in q4 of this year. And, the price is supposed to come down too.

For now I think I'll be happy with the u43jc and I can wait for an ssd (or hybrid). It comes with the i5 cpu which is pretty bad a$$. I also got a case logic 14 inch neoprene sleeve ($20, AMAZON). When I get everything I'll let you guys know how I like it. I'm really excited to try out the widi on our plasma, I'll let you know how well that works too.

 

Nice review....the good reviews about the U33JC are the only things that tell me to be patient....GentechPC has an ETA of 2nd of September....keep my fingers crossed that there won't be another delay....Luckily I have a functioning laptop and I don't need immediately a new one

 

Best Buy is selling the U43 for $850, in stock. Was playing with one yesterday. I hope this means the U33 will be under that price. Should be, if it's an i3 over the 43's i5.

 

Best Buy sells the version without Nvidia G310M discrete graphic card and without optimus function, without Bluetooth....that's the reason why it is so "cheap". I never like to buy there because first it looks like a good deal and then it turns out to be a bad deal with less warranty (1 year) and bad specs.

 

best buy's website doesn't have the u43jc anymore

 

Hi all,
Just want to give you guys some news about the U33JC availability. I originally pre-ordered the U33JC 2 weeks ago from Amazon.com to get in the Netgear adapter bonus thinking it would just be a week or two for the laptop to come. However, I just called them up two days ago and the CS rep. said the U33JC won't able available until 10/28. It may come before that, but the date they see now is 10/28. I immediately canceled my order and switched over to U43JC (with the $150 GC and the free netgear adapter)

 

Hello again everyone I had a quick question about making recovery disk's. If I go through with making them when I first get my PC, does that mean it will do a clean install w/o ASUS Bloatware if I want to reinstall windows?

 

No, the restore DVD's will restore the HDD to factory state, which includes all of the apps & trialware ASUS had on it when you bought it.

The best is to download a legal ISO of Win 7 Home Prem x64 (links on this forum in several threads), burn the ISO image and install from that and then install the ASUS drivers and base apps from their driver DVD.

 

Hmm I guess the extended warranty didn't apply to me after all since I have a Canadian Amex >_>. Today is not my day...

 

If that is true I give Asus my middle finger and buy a non-Asus laptop. I am over it, either it ships next week or I cancel my order. All Asus laptops that I would consider are delayed...maybe they should shrink down on their insane variety of laptops and make them at least available...

 

Had to rep this. I have no idea what Asus is doing. Way too many models that are very similar. Delays upon delays. Weak.

 

Wow, 10/28?! That is a ways away. A LOOOOONNNNNGGG ways away. Ken emailed me today saying September 6th is still the ETA. Keep in mind though that I ordered mine hours after it was available for pre order, so I like to think I would be one of the first to have one in my lap. The closer we get to that day, the better I will feel. I would LOVE to hear that Asus has a shipment on its way to the States, but that is wishful thinking.

I can't believe it is wishful thinking to hope a mftr has shipped notebooks that were supposed to come out over a month ago...

@Matrim33
That is awesome! I don't see how any couldn't be happy with that, not to mention the amazing deal. That is a very tempting offer they have going on, but I am set on the U33 no matter how painful the wait is (and I already bought a Push2TV adapter).

Interesting little note about your Intel source and the SSD's coming in Q4. I'll be watching.

 

I'm doubting the date of 10/28. That would be 2 mo away, and other ETA's like GenTechPC, do NOT indicate this date.

 

Just received my Push2TV adapter. Never thought I'd have this in my hands before my notebook. Is that a tear running down my cheek?

Going through the manual it says if you don't have the dedicated WiDi button, type in "Intel Wireless Display" and run the software. From the manual it sounds like the dedicated button you see on some notebooks with WiDi is merely a button to launch the software.

Is it silly to be hooking this thing up to my TV with no WiDi notebook or would you all do the same?

 

I thought the date is 10/28 is outrageous too, considering some people here in this thread have been ordering it since July. However, I've been waiting for a month already and I hate the delay after delay. I do like about the light weight on U33JC and I don't need a ODD because I bought one beginning this year from Amazon. But I am really pissed about having the netgear adapter sitting in my house and not getting the laptop for 2 months.

 

I asked Ken Lee of GenTechPC about this 10/28 date and here is what he said:

• "Quatro,
  
  Really? I checked with Asus they said ETA is still September 6th.
  
  They don't always get the same shipment like us so that's probably why.
  
  
  Ken
  __________________
  Ken Lee

So his ETA is still Sept 6th.

 

I am starting to look at other notebooks just in case they push the ETA of U33JC from week to week....GentechPC page says 2nd of September but Ken says 6th now. That's another week....I ordered on July 24th.

Satellite L630-ST2G01 Laptop with 512MB DDR3 ATI® Mobility Radeon™ HD 5145
Portege R700-S1321 Laptop with intel integrated graphics
Acer Aspire TimelineX AS4820TG-5637 14-Inch HD Laptop with Radeon 5650

They are all not perfect and I would prefer the U33JC.

 

That is odd that it does say the ETA is 9/02 on GenTech. Ken told me a couple weeks ago that the ETA would be 9/06. Oh well, IF (and that is a big if) the current ETA sticks, some of us only have a week and a half to go. That will go by fast, especially now that school is back in session. Just hope this is the last delay. I would almost be more surprised if it is the last delay, but I grow more confident with each day that passes.

I actually ordered mine in late June BTW. That is how long the wait has been.

 

Arg. Just noticed that. I don't mind the lack of bluetooth and the crappier camera, but the no discrete GPU kills it.

If the U43 is $999 on Amazon, I wonder if the U33 will remain at $999 when released. Amazon usually sells things at full MSRP for a while, then lowers it after initial release. It would be nice to see the U33 around $800-ish. i3 compared to i5 would at least be a bit cheaper, I hope.

I was really close to buying a UL30vt, but I'm worried about the longevity of the SU7300/G210 compared to an i3/G310. Seems like I would regret the 7300 in a year.

 

does GenTech PC deliver in Canada?

And I also think it is ridiculous for the release to be pushed until the 28 of October...
I ordered mine on Cendirect, and my ETA is September 10th, let's hope I get it by then...

 

Hey guys,
I'm close to give in, like sprinkler, the wait in the UK doesn't seem to be close to an end I was looking at some options meanwhile, what do you guys think about the Acer 3820T or 8372T? couldn't find much info about the latter, and the battery seems to stick out in some pictures!
I hope you get your bamboo soon!

 

I like the 3820T and I really would consider it. They don't sell it in the US (stupid Acer) but if, I probably would jump ship and would buy that.

 

I gave up two weeks ago and got a Lenovo Ideapad U460. I saw it as a bit of a flyer, given that I had not tested one in person. In particular, I was concerned about keyboard flex. I received the unit last week and it is fantastic. The top deck is aluminum and is absolutely rigid. Although the price is back up again now, two weeks ago $749 got: i5/NVidia 305M/4G/500G. Also has bluetooth, a finger swiper, 1.3M cam. It lacks an optical drive, and may be a bit thinner than the U33jc. I had been set on the U33jc, but this situation just became untenable. What is Asus thinking about?

 

Actually, the Acer 3820T is for sale at Amazon. I think you may be confusing it with the 3820 TG that is NOT for sale presently in the US and can sport the ATI HD5650 GPU.

 

Sorry my mistake; you are absolutely right I meant the TG model.

 

FWIW, for us Canadians, I notice infonec.ca now lists the U33JC on its website - although not currently in stock.

Infonec Computers - Computer parts Canada, PC Components, laptop computers, motherboards, processors, CPUs and much more : ASUS U33JC-A1 I3-370M BAMBOO 4GB-DDR3,500G HD,NO ODD,13.3"

Edit:

Also, Canada Computers:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?cPath=570_577_367

 

Hi guys,

I am another newbie, however I have been reading this forum thread since its creation as I really want(ed) to buy the new bamboo Asus. I am from Czech republic (central Europe) and I had to sustain the delivery delays of this notebook as well as many of you there.

I am writing just to add some information about the delivery dates of different bamboo models. Here in Czech republic the U33jc is being sold for three days now. I want(ed) the U43, which will be available probably on 9th of September. I think that the U33jc must be delivered at the beginning of September in the US and Canada. Here is the link to the official Asus reseller in Czech republic with the dates of delivery:

Bamboo serie - ASUS.AS - notebooky ASUS, netbooky Eee, LCD, komponenty a další sortiment zanèky ASUS

"V externím skladu" means that it is available in the external store.

I have read several user reviews on the amazon and I have been strongly dissappointed by the review commenting the quality of the metal trim on U43.

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: ASUS U43JC-X1 14-Inch Bamboo Laptop (10 Hours of Battery Life)

I would like to ask, what are the impressions of those of you who do own the U43 - is the quality of the "metal" (probably plastic) trim round the edges of the notebook so bad? What do you think?

Thank you very much

 

Any other owners of the U43JC-X1 or U43F notice that the metallic rim around the perimeter of the notebook can send quite painful electrical shocks to the underside of your forearms while it's plugged in?

Both of mine do this.

 

Got mine Friday from Amazon...thing is amazing and looks beautiful...as for electric shocks I have yet to receive one and mine is plugged in as we speak.

 

What country do you live in? This may be due to plugging the notebook into a home or apartment that isn't grounded.

This happened to me when I lived in Beirut, Lebanon. But once I was back in the US, the shocks stopped. So mine wasn't due to the laptop's construction but due to the electrical wiring in my apartment.

(Of course, if the outlets are not grounded, you'll get MORE shock wherever there is a metal surface or edge on your notebook.)

... and this proves (to me) that the trim on the U33Jc is indeed metal as plastic shouldn't do that.

 

Here is the latest ETA update I got from Asus today:

- U33JC-A1 = ETA 9/9
- U43JC-A1 = ETA 9/23
- U53JC-A1 = ETA 9/17

 

Thank you Ken! Even if it means I have to wait 10 days longer...I try to be patient....more because of the lack of alternatives....
at least I preordered the U33JC so I can be lucky that it is not even later.

 

FWIW, I'm loooking at a copy of ASUSWORLD magazine, issue 80, 2010.July & August edition (published by ASUSTek Computer Inc.).

On page 37, it lists the U33JC Bamboo Collection notebook (as well as the U43F/JC and U53JC notebooks).

A couple of interesting details in the included specifications (considering fairly lengthy discussions and conjectures in this thread recently):

The weight given, including the 8-cell battery, is 1.8Kg (or 3.96 lbs). There were allkinds of different weights thrown around earlier in this thread.

Among listed features is the "SuperSpeed USB 3.0 - 10 times faster data transfer than USB 2.0.

A puzzling claim, considering that m/b bus itself actually limits the speed to something less than 3 times the USB 2.0 speed - according to several earlier posts in this thread.

Also, there appear to be 2 cpu options, an i3-370M or i5-450M, both with native clock rate of 2.4 GHz, although the i5 includes Turbo Boost up to 2.66 GHz.

Would that mean that indeed the cpu is upgradable and therefore NOT soldered to the m/b - as XOTICPC seems to imply at their website?

No mention of Bluetooth nor WIDI, which I believe to be inadvertant omissions, but curious nontheless.

 

Pretty sure the CPU is NOT upgradeable, its the U33JC-RX068V with the i5, the U33JC-A1 has the i3.

I tried calling Asus today for more specific dates for the U33JC but they were too busy to take my call and by the time I got home they were closed, I'll try again in the morning as the dates just posted were for the A1 models and I'm in the UK where we get the i5 instead of the i3.

 

Thanks Ken!

For those of us who ordered these through GenTech, such as myself and the U33JC-A1, can you estimate or give a range on how much longer after these dates we can expect to receive our laptops?

TIA!

 

You solved my problem 100% Good day to you.

 

Oh, great. How did I solve your problem? Did you find a way to use it grounded or to ground an outlet?

BTW, the ungrounded shocks will be worse where your bare skin is touching a metal edge on the laptop. A plastic surface will simply give a buzzing or light vibration feel.

 

I just got my u43 today, its going to take a couple of days to get everything just the way I like it.

The 1st impression is really good. I haven't got the chance to try the battery life yet. But everything else feels great.

 

You are welcome.

It depends on where you are and what shipping methods you choose. Also any customization will take extra days to complete.

non-customize orders can be ship immediately once we receive the shipment and by Ground shipping usually take 3~5 days to deliver.

 

First time poster here! To all the contributers to this thread, thank you for posting such helpful information. I'm somewhat of a novice when it comes to the tech industry, but I've learned alot recently while searching for a new laptop. Through your help and from reading a massive amount of threads on Newegg and other related websites, I feel like I'm gaining a grasp on the important specs and tradeoffs between power/battery life as well as utility/cost.

After much research and introspection on what I want in a laptop, I went ahead and ordered the Asus U43JC-X1 this past week. Needless to say I'm excited for it's Friday delivery, but I also had some questions on how to setup/backup the system when it arrives.

From what I'm reading, every new laptop is coming with a lot of bloatware. This means I will want to re-install Windows 7, right? What is the process of this and other setup priorities? What anti-virus should I use? And how do you back-up the system before doing all of this?

Any responses are much appreciated, basically I'm looking for a beginner's guide on setting up a well-oiled computing machine.

 

Called ASUS today, was told the U33JC (i5 edition) in the UK is expected mid September.