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

The U33JC-A1 has bluetooth. The U43JC-X1 that Amazon sells has no bluetooth. The U43JC that BestBuy sells not sure about....

 

That's great news
By the way, are you using Windows 7 or a Linux distribution? Someone pointed out in the U35 thread that he had the noise under Windows but not under Ubuntu.

Anyone located in the UK? Do we really have to wait a month to get this laptop?

 

I got my machine from Amazon and I definitely get the high pitched noise. A coworker of mine also bought from Amazon and has all of the same problems that I've mentioned before. With regard to the noise, it's basically a constant high pitched tone that is quite apparent in a dead quiet room. Depending on your desk/room arrangement, it can actually echo around a bit and become even more noticeable (as it is in my case). It's certainly possible that we've stumbled on a statistical anomaly, but I think there are definitely some QA issues from Asus. I am likely going to ship this back to Amazon for a replacement, then judge if I want to stick with the U43 or Asus at all. In from Asus' obvious QA issues to their utterly embarrassing support website, I'm not particularly confident with their abilities right now.

For my U43, I'm getting around 6 hours on a full charge and no activity beyond basic web browsing. This is way way off the 10 hour mark, but I'm guessing that figure was obtained by running the computer with minimal background tasks, no actual user input, display at minimum, and wifi turned off.

 

Anybody order U33Jc off Amazon and actually receive a unit yet?

 

@atypicaljoeee: Have you read the post above yours

 

I thought bigdoof has U43?

 

Sorry my bad

You should have replied "What about you, did you read that post?"

 

Keep my fingers crossed that you get a U43 without problems. The u33jc has a i3 processor the u43 has a i5 right? Maybe that's the problem. Just a guess.

 

HAHA. No worries. I prefer to avoid antagonizing people when I'm looking for help.

Anyway, anybody get their U33JC yet from Amazon? Thanks!

 

You can only order the U43-X1 by now from Amazon but not the U33JC-A1 or the U43JC-A1.

 

I received my u43jc from Amazon yesterday, I have not experienced this issue so far.

I plan to do fresh reinstall Windows 7 Home Premium on it, and dual boot to linux and Win7.

 

I have a bootable flash drive from when I did a clean install on another computer. Unfortunately, it isn't working on my U33. I downloaded an iso for the windows 7 disc and am going to try to format the flash drive again. Quite frustrating. Can't really set anything up until I get the clean install done.

 

Maybe a stupid question but have you looked in the bios if it "looks"
at USB memory sticks for bootable devices?

 

Have any of you guys ordered from XoticPC before? My U33JC has been charged but it is in "New status: Phase 2 (Sent for Custom Building / Testing / Burn In & Final QA) 3-7 Business Days." What could they possibily be doing with a new stock laptop with no upgrades/customs.

 

I haven't ordered from them. Give them a call and ask. They should ship it out earlier when they don't do any changes....

 

I haven't found a setting to tell it to look for flash drives, but it does list my flash drive in the bios as a boot option. If I press escape it brings me to the boot menu. If I press F2 it brings me to the bios where I can also choose which device to boot from.

When I choose the flash drive it definitely seems to try to boot from it, but for whatever reason the computer isn't finding whatever file initiates the install. Very puzzlin, especially since it works fine on the HP I've been using.

I purchased my U33Jc through GenTech. They were great through the whole process. If you shoot them an email, Ken will probably get back to you within the hour, although I've never waited more than 5 minutes for a response (even at 1am!).

 

LOL. That's exactly what I tried to explain: it's called boot options. Too bad that I wasn't able

That's indeed puzzling that it works on your HP but not on your U33. You tried all 3 USB ports? Just to be sure that it is not caused by a faulty USB port.

 

I can't remember whether the u33jc had bluetooth 3.0 or 2.0? I know it has a usb 3.0 port though.

 

Bluetooth 2.0

 

Ah shame.. The new phone i am thinking of getting. Unless anything better is released in the UK soon has 3.0. Can you get those tiny usb-bluetooth adapters that slot into the usb slot for 3.0?

 

Yes you can buy them here in the States for 30 dollars so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

What purposes will a bluetooth 3.0 connection between a laptop and a phone be beneficial? Compared to 2.0 that is.

 

Got my U33JC today from Gentech, it's churning and burning away some recovery DVDs (external dvd writer) and as such I have not used it much but my first impression is very good. Battery came mostly charged. It feels very solid and so far is working fine. Will report back later after doing some more substantial work on it. So exciting after waiting a month and a half

 

This phone can have like 30/40-60+gb space on it. Can also record HD play HD movies etc. Big files, lots of songs, tv shows, movies whatever

(it's faster to transfer is my point)

 

But it will still be 200x slower than USB 3.0 and slower than wifi for such types of transfers, no?

 

Yeah? Maybe i'm not thinking straight. I don't think the phone is usb 3.0 compatible.. i dunno tho.. i'm confused!

 

usb 2.0 shoudl still be about 20x faster than bluetooth 3.0

 

Ah. I'm not sure why i expected bluetooth 3.0 to be so fast. I guess it's the tiredness from travelling for 12 hours today! Thanks for clearing that up. So now not having Bluetooth 3.0 on the u33jc is no longer a draw-back it is still my likely choice unless something better comes out before i can get it in the UK.

So besides syncing is bluetooth useful for much with a smart phone?

 

There are two things I can think of for the bluetooth that I would ever use. First: sending custom ringtones to my phone. Second: wireless headset.

One drawback I can think of: If you leave it on for some reason without noticing, you lose a measurable amount of battery power.

It's nice to have but imho totally unecessary. Worst case, if you really need it, you can get a dongle that sticks out of one of your usb ports less than the amount your power cord sticks out.

 

Yeah i've been looking a lot into the battery drain and will be optimising that. I take it if the phone is bluetooth 3.0 capable it is also bluetooth 2.0 capable. Meaning it will work with the laptop. I also have a usb-bluetooth 2.0 converter atm.

 

Yah, many of the U series have bluetooth 2.0, so it will be fine for those rare occasions.

 

Are the webcams good on Asus laptops? I know this is 2.0mp but i've heard sometimes this doesn't matter. Hoping it will be good for skype.

 

Anybody have recommendations for an anti-glare screen cover for the U43?

Thanks in advanced.

 

Can someone with a U33JC read me the model number of the Asus power adapter so I go ahead and order a spare? Thanks.

 

I have an ASUS netbook with a 1.3 MP webcam and an ASUS U30Jc notebook with a 0.3 MP webcam. There is a real difference between the two in Skype especially in picture clarity and light sensitivity (the 1.3MP is much better.)

So the 2.0 MP should be MUCH better in Skype.

 

Model: PA-1650-66
Input: 100-240V~, 50-60Hz 2.0a
Output: 19V ---- 3.42A

Okay, a little update. I FINALLY got my clean install to work. YAY! For whatever reason, it worked when I re-created the bootable drive from a new ISO I downloaded. I ended up doing a 40gb OS partition on the C drive and the rest is for my D drive.

As for build quality, while the inside is VERY solid, I have found some weaknesses in the screen. At the bottom of the back of the screen where the thick chrome strip is there is quite a bit of flex. The top of the bezel is quite stable though which is seems more important. Other than that I would say I am quite pleased.

I am still trying to figure out what driver I need to get multitouch gestures. I know one of the reviews stated it was possible but I can't find the driver. Any ideas?

More coming but I am still barely getting all of my drivers and programs installed.

Ah yes, and for what it is worth...

From U33Jc

Perhaps 3.97lbs without the battery?
I did just get that scale today but it issupposed to be a pretty good one.

 

Thanks Case1. My guess is that the original U33JC was suppose to come with two size batteries, and the ligther one would have made it <4lb.

 

That is a good guess, isosunrise. It isn't that big of a deal for me as the dimensions concern me more than a half lb. It is easily the sleekest notebook I have owned.

Going through the Asus Utility and Bloatware Guide I came across Net4Switch software. I love this thing (at least in concept, haven't had the chance to put it to use yet). It will automatically switch all of my static IP address settings when I'm home, and use the normal auto configuration when I am at school and whatnot. Neat. I hate having to change that every time I switch wireless networks.

So I am getting close to having things the way I want but I just wanted to give my WiDi impressions. I jumped right to the extended desktop mode to really see how this thing performs. I figure this should be the most strenuous test. I grabbed my small portable (read: slow) HDD and loaded up a high def MKV of Sin City and dragged the video to the extended desktop which shows up on the 61".

So how is playback? I have been watching for the last 45 minutes and 95% of the time playback is flawless. In fact, the last 35 minutes have been flawless. It really seems to have a lock now. Video is perfectly synced with the audio and picture quality looks great. Perfermance seems to be entirely independent of what I am doing on my computer screen. It doesn't matter if I go to Gizmodo, IGN, notebookreview, or Cnet, the WiDI just does it's thing. When it does get choppy it seems to be for its own reasons. CPU usage is about 30-40%.

Anyway, I'm sure audio will be no problem and video is definitely satisfactory.
I did just do another firmware update for the Push2TV adapter before I started my test.

 

Can anyone tell me if any of the U43JC models have bluetooth at all?

 

Currently in the US, the U43Jc-A1 has bluetooth.

 

Congratulations! Could give me your impression of the on/off button? Do you think it is very sensitive? Case1 and I think that you have to press the button quite deep and thoroughly to turn it on.

 

More U33JC impressions:

Regarding the people that were concerned about the sound quality of the speakers. I am quite impressed with the quality. They don't sound tinny and thin at all. In comparison to my old F6V it is so much better.

There is one small think that is a bit odd. The placement of the the status lights for power, hdd, battery charging and Wifi. They are located on the underside of the palm rest and are not visible while sitting at the computer. You have to lean backward for a couple of feet to see them. They should have placed them on top just above the keyboard.

In the next couple of days I will test some older games. Sorry I am not a hardcore gamer and always a bit behind. I will try to play Deep Space (2008).

 

Hi, Case1. I was wondering if the discrete GPU was on while you were using WiDi? A friend of mine suggested that you could only use the integrated Intel HD GPU when running WiDi but I've seen otherwise for computers with Optimus. Thanks, and glad you are enjoying your new machine!

 

Yeah, it uses the integrated intel GPU for WiDi.

 

Okay, Case1, I'll try not to be jealous. It looks like a pretty awesome notebook and VERY classy looking.

Out of curiosity, remember the discussion long ago about most revierers saying the speakers were located above the keyboard and then a few saying it was in the front edge below the palm rest (like the rest of the ASUS models)?

So where are those speakers actually?

I'm glad to hear mgymnop say the sound isn't tinny. The sound on my U30Jc is pretty tinny. Adequate, but I mostly use headphone earbuds or external speakers, so I don't notice.

 

This is what i'm hoping for. It's just looking around i've seen a lot of discussion: 'that 1.3mp or even 0.3mp, Provide better quality for skype and other things than 2.0mp due to the low skype resolution in order to minimize the bandwith needed. Also better in low lighting??!! :S and that any movement on 2.0 is captured very slowly :S. '

You Follow.

 

I would say they are below the palmrest. Not above the keyboard. I really had difficulties to locate the sound first. So I understand the confusion.

 

Can anyone recommend a good laptop sleeve for the U33JC?

 

I have also been considering this, i think a black/brown leather would be nice but i can't find any affordable ones.

 

I believe somebody mentioned this sleeve a while back...

Zeroshock

Never used it but I was thinking about getting this once my laptop gets in. Anybody have experience with it?