ASUS U500vz/UX51vz Owners' Lounge!

When you format your 256GB SSDs was it still in RAID-0? if it was then switch IDE or AHCI won't work. you need to go back and changed to RAID and before you format it you will need to delete RAID array setup.

 

Hy guys.
i just put up for you the inside of my ux51vz 128 SSD+500 HDD.
The SSD is highlighted and is soldered. The laptop allso comes just whit 2GB of soldered RAM(not 4GB) so the maximum ammount will be just 10GB of RAM(2GB soldered + 8 GB DIMM)

 

Definitely a config I have not seen. Romania, eh?
nice on the additional SSD, too bad about RAM.

 

I am picking up the US Touch version (512GB) tomorrow. The MS Store definitely "negotiates" plus academic pricing so I am set (ask for PRO).

Will update you. Full return policy if the trackpad really sucks (in the store it actually seemed 1000000x better than my wifes Samsung 9 or HP Envy 15.

 

I really hate the placement of the trackpad, but I found that you can shut it off when a mouse is detected using an Asus utility (Smart Gestures I think) and not sure why , but I got the fn9 trackpad shut off working in Linux. So no trackpad for me except when I absolutely need it (airplane). Turned out not to be the deal killer I thought it was going to be.

 

Hmm with updated drivers this touchpad is second only to Apples IMO, it is even better than Synaptics + tweaked drivers. Now if one could only adjust sensitivity for individual gestures it would be near perfect...

 

Change CSM then disable Secure Boot.

 

There would need to be a controller chip, likely on the other side too, but yeah certainly not removable lol.

 

Hello, I am considering to buy the U500VZ touch, and have two questions for you (that already own it..).

Is it possible to upgrade the 2x 128GB SSD to 2x512GB without very specialized tools (or soldering)? And what kind of USB chip does this laptop have? Texas Instruments or something else?

It would be very nice if someone could check this for me, especially the USB chipset... It is probably possible to fetch the chipset name from Device Manager in Windows.

 

Is $1599.99 for an Asus Zenbook UX51VZ DH71 a good deal?

 

Wow, which store sells that model for $1599.99? Every store I've seen sells it from $1800 to $2000.

 

Canada Computers and NCIX has it for $1599.99.

 

I would look at the above posts about the SSDs.

 

Thanks!

(darn 10 character limit...)

 

I'm still on the fence about the ux51vz because of the proprietary ssd's. If only I lived in a country that offered the SSD + HDD or found a store that shipped worldwide, then everything would be perfect. Is it not as big of a dealbreaker that I think it is? Someone convince me please.

 

I'm also in the same situation. The dual-SSD models have removable SSDs, but with proprietary connectors. The combo SSD + HDD models have a 2.5 inch bay and a soldered SSD, which has failed for some people (requires a new motherboard to fix).

 

Has anyone here played SimCity with Asus Zenbook U500/UX51? Does it get good framerate/s on high settings?

 

So I guess you could say that the dual ssd version is the lesser of the two evils. I guess I'm ready to jump.

 

Anyone have tested touch glare panel? It's a good panel? Black level is better?

 

Hi Docace911 (and anyone else with the touch version). I'm also looking to get the touch (UX51VZ-US71T) and was wondering if you have any updates regarding this model vs the -XH71.
1. Have you had a chance to test battery life. I'm wondering if the touch screen, and different processor affect battery longevity significantly.
2. How is the screen quality? Any light bleeding like the other panels? Color reproduction? Brightness?
3. Is the screen glossy as suggested by others? If so, how bad is the reflectiveness?
4. Specs show this version to be the same thickness but 0.2 lbs heavier. Is it true that the form factor is the same?

Finally, you said you negotiated with the microsoft store. I am also a student so I will get the 10% discount. You said you also got them to install Pro or give you a free upgrade? Is that the extent of what they gave you or were you also able to negotiate price further? Sounds like you got a great deal and I'd like to follow suit if I can!

Thanks in advance!

 

New chipset driver released yesterday (Version V9.4.0.1014): ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download UX51VZ

Dunno what the changelog is..

 

Hi Owners. Are there any retailers in Canada that sells the touch screen version of the laptop? And what is the difference between the dh71 and xh71 model? and does all ux51vz comes with the gt650m gddr5 gpu?

 

Quick question, is it possible to change out the battery on this laptop? Like, if the battery were to die, would I be screwed?

 

Guys, I want to buy an extra subwoofer for this laptop, and I can't find one anywhere, do you guys have a link?

Also, my laptop sometimes start heating up like crazy, while just doing office work and watching youtube videos. I have no idea why. Any tips? I'm actually using a CoolerMaster Notepal U2 with 2 fans along my laptop, and it's still heating up.

 

You would need to contact asus for spare parts, you can check what's loading the CPU in task manager.

 

Just got my ux51vz-dh71 at the Canadian $1600 price. I was wary of getting something like this at $2000, but for $1600 I think it's a steal.

 

Canadian? Does you dh71 comes with the 650m gddr5?

 

I'm in Italy and here there is only the touchscreen version, but I'm really worried about the non matte screen. What do you think? Maybe it's better to buy a version without touch from Germany (so, German layout also)?

Inviato dal mio GT-I9100 con Tapatalk 2

 

Finally took the plunge and bought the xh71 model. If any of you guys have any questions, fire away. I've got a few of my own for older owners.

Do you guys get a lot of backlight bleed? I know that this has been an issue on ux32vd but I've never heard anyone complain about it on ux51. However during boot (or when the screen is black) there is a LOT of backlight bleed as in pretty much the whole bottom as well as the sides. I'm considering returning it because of it. Just want to know if it's only my unit. Can post pictures if it's gonna make comparisons easier.

In case I decide to keep it for those of you who upgraded to 12gb of ram which ram did you buy (as in frequency, voltage and timings?) How difficult was it to remove the rubber feet? It almost seems like they're glued on and I'm just worried they're not gonna stay on the laptop after I remove them.

 

Hy,

The rubber feets are easyly removable, just put a plastic knife or something under them and pop them out, they are easy to remove. Take care not to remove them whit metal tools becouse you will scratch the aluminium underbody(I did it)

 

Good tip thanks!

Do you have similar backlight bleeding issues or is urs mostly fine?

 

Yup. Got it off of amazon.ca.

That being said, looking now my c: drive is listed as only being 128 GB - is it in mirror raid? I thought I should see 256 GB?

 

I have no D: drive - where's my other 128 GB? It doesn't appear in disk management either. Do I not understand what RAID 0 is?

 

Thats normal. RAID 0 takes the two drives and splits data up over both of them, Windows will see 1x256GB drive (slightly smaller)

 

Except my disk 0 in disk management is listed as only having 119.12 GB, not 256!

 

Go to BIOS > Advanced and check SATA settings see if it shows two drivers and in RAID:

 

Only one drive shown in BIOS, attached to serial sata port 1. RAID is selected.

 

not too mutch, and i don't care. It doesn't bother me.

 

New owner, Just ordered the cm062p Italian touch version, 512gb and 3632qm processor. The only think I don't like of this pc is the fact it is touch and so non anti glare. But otherwise I should have bought the German version (German layout) with 3612 processor.
Inviato dal mio GT-I9100 con Tapatalk 2

 

Maybe it was shipped with only 1 SSD. because if it was shipped with RAID-0 dual drivers and one drive is defective you won't be able to boot to Windows at all.

You should check your specs or open the bottom see if there is only one SSD.

 

I'm having an issue where 50% - 75% of the time when I restart or shutdown then restart my UX51vz, it boots up to a dark screen. Windows 7 boots up fine, I hear it load up my desktop, etc. But the display is darkened out, as in the screen is "on", but it's a black display.

I've scoured the internet for a solution, but only find a few mentions if this issue, and no real solutions. I just ordered the laptop (XOTIC), so I did a clean install of Windows 7 (which the laptop was shipped with), and a clean install of all the drivers. However, the issues continues to happen most of or at least half of the times I restart.

One thing that sometimes seems to work to bring it out of the dark screen is to hit the sleep button, let it go into sleep for 10 secs or so, then bring it out of sleep. This brings me to the User Sign-In screen (which I never see when I normally restart, since I don't have a user password set up yet). I click my icon, and have the desktop as normal.

I'm almost positive it's a driver issue, especially since it boots fine into safe mode. But I've uninstalled my NVidia driver and reinstalled several times with no repeatable success. I've also used the factory driver version of NVidia, the updated one available from the ASUS webpage, and also the one on the NVidia webpage.

Has anyone had this issue, and had success in fixing it? I'm within my 15-day period, so if it continues to occur, I'll have to move on to another laptop, unfortunately. But, other than this, the laptop is awesome, so I'd rather not do that. :->

 

Any battery tests on the touch models????

 

Does anyone know where to buy the touch model in the US (specifically the UX51VZ-US71T), other than the Microsoft Store, which has it listed as out of stock? I spoke with one of their live chat representatives who said that he didn't have any information regarding stock =\

Edit: Tried calling: same answer.

 

@LOTDN
I broke the RAID and did a clean install of Win 8 and Mint 14, so I am not near your config. But while configuring Bumblebee under Linux to use both Intel and NVidia video "cards", I got a good view of how it's set up.
On boot up, the ZenBook uses the low power on board Intel video. The NVidea card only kicks in when video processing warrants it. Windows manages it "automatically" so getting into how, why and when it goes to.NVidia is difficult to know. Under Linux, the user has all control (why I have been 100% Linux for nine years...)

I think the key point for you is that you have been looking at the NVidea when I believe you need to look at the Intel driver. The Zenbook has both a NVIDIA GT650M chip with 2GB of dedicated memory AND an on-board integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000.

Here's the latest driver - version 15.31.3.64.3071 dated March 22, 2013 : https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=22605&lang=eng

I have no idea if this will work, but since it's a very recent update, I'd give it a try. It's the Intel video powering on boot, so you need to focus on that.

Good luck and let us know if this works!

 

I went with 1 x CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Works fine, no issues.

I see that you received an answer on the feet. Mine are still sticking like mad four months later.

 

@Guilden_NL
Thanks, that's a great point about focusing on the Intel drivers. I'll try that, as soon as I can get the laptop to boot again :-/

Which brings me to my new issue: I tried updating the BIOS to 204 in the hopes that this might help, as that's listed as an available update on the ASUS website. 205 didn't match when I ran it in the BIOS-based Easy Flash, but it took to the 204 with no issue. Upon reboot, however, it would no longer load into Windows, didn't recognize the RAID array, and I'm pretty much stuck in the BIOS screen. I tried everything I could find online about using a USB flash drive with Win98 or DOS on it to boot to a BIOS flasher, and downgrade back to 203, but I couldn't get any of them to load up. Anyone have any ideas on how to roll back the BIOS to 203?

 

Is your HDD controller set to raid mode?

 

Yes, still in Raid. I think the 204 BIOS just broke it....maybe for ux51vza not ux51vz. If that's the case, the ASUS website should have been more clear.

 

I spoke with an Intel Ultrabook rep in Best buy. He actually (claims) to HAVE THAt MODEL. Anyway, it is "exclusive" to the MS store. He has no idea for how long.

Also he said intel sees these high end compouters as profitable but only for 1% of the people. So they make money, but 1% is too small to ask Asus to ship too many.

 

How is this laptop with temperature and heat management during regular office tasks and under load (gaming, virtual machines, etc)?