ASUS UL30 Owner's Lounge

That's the thickest part of the laptop. Forget the battery - it's really quite insignificant in terms of measuring thickness. In this case Asus has done a really good job of building it into a prop in an aesthetically pleasing way. It gives the laptop a slight slant without actually adding extra bulk to the entire body. And it fits well into the fingers when carrying it. I'm assuming that was the intention.

 

Thanks weiser. Yep I'm definitely splitting hairs! I'm itching for news of the UL30Vt and looking forward to purchasing it, but there's little new information, so I indulge myself by focusing on the excruciatingly minute details in and around this item.

Interestingly your measurements imply that the UL30 is actually thinner than the MBP through the great majority of the body, though with the legs and battery protrusion at the back, the UL30 will sit slightly higher on a flat surface.

Rep for you! Thanks so much for the pictures, you've been extremely helpful!

}:^)~

 

Yep.. with the protrusion it does sit higher on a flat surface, but I sure enjoy the battery life!

I remember worrying about the battery protrusion for the 9 cell on the HP I was researching and eventually bought in late 2006 (dv6500), but this one doesn't bother me in the slightest. I actually get a little comfort in knowing it's tilted up slightly. Weird, but I do!

If I got my way, I'd have a totally flush surface with legs that can be pulled out (similar to a keyboard. my old Compaq laptop had them). But this battery has been a non-issue for me.

 

I hear ya, it's a small "price" to pay for the other beaming features of this lappie. Also, the tilt and the legs provide a functional benefit: I have a friend with a macbook that was sitting on a table that water had spilt, and the thing wouldn't start. The crazy thing is, that the water didn't actually spill or splash on the laptop at all, just the table, and the wet surface was enough to ruin the device. With proper elevation, this would never have happened, but as it turned out it cost ~$700 to correct.

I'm not a terrible fan of battery protrusion either, but in this case, it's so minimal as to be a non-issue. Now the protrusion of some laptops is ridiculous, almost doubling the height! I'd much rather it protruded laterally out of the back, rather than on the bottom.

I wonder why its so hard to get it right?

}:^)~

 

It's now out and shipping from Amazon. A full set of specs are now up on the Amazon webpage. I am REALLY encouraged because they show it with a gigabyte lan card. Hopefully that should put the wireless issue to bed as there is not a peep about wireless problems with the UL80VT (I am assuming it's the same card).

I posted the updated specs in the UL30VT forum, and another poster there is expecting to recieve his tommorrow. If he does he is promising some immediate feedback!

On another front, there is now conflicting information on the warranty. The text on the Amazon page says 1 year global, but the graphic right beside it says 2 year. I just don't get it, why can't Amazon and ASUS manage to publish one consistent set of specs! Something like that just throws every other spec into question. Seriously, the words 'b*tch slap' come to mind when it comes to people dropping the ball over and over with this whole model line.

 

Here is a little video review I did. Click Here

 

Can I ask any of the UL30 owners what kind of sleeve are you using? I'm looking for one for the UL30vt, assuming they are same size (they are right?)...

Thanks.

 

I was thinking of getting this one ...

http://www.ebags.com/sumdex/padded_laptop_sleeve/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=13269

 

The sleeve from my 13" sony works great! I imagine most 13" sleeves work.

 

Someone in the UL30VT thread suggested the Zeroshock III sleeve. Looks like a good sleeve but I'm not sure about how well it fits.

 

I just ordered a Zeroshock III, I should be getting it in a week so I can comment on the fit once it comes.

 

Awesome! Keep us posted

 

I have a question. my UL30A says the clockspeed of the processor is 1.3GHZ. It is a ULV SU7300. is it possible to make it fasteR?

 

With the UL30a, the only thing you can do out of the box is increase the overclock setting in the BIOS. You can set it as high as 5%.

 

Just FYI, I saw in some earlier posts that the "X" versions of the UL30A (X5?) come with the 4400Mah battery, but my X4 came with the 5600Mah one.

 

I just got my UL30A-A2. I love it so far, but I had a quick question. The boot time is a little slow. I'd like to reinstall Windows from a stock disc. I have a basic disc to install from. I'd like to know what ASUS utilities are useful and could actually improve performance, or are necessary to get the maximum battery life out of it. Also, which of the wireless drivers do I need from ASUS's site? The Intel 5100? THanks.

 

I read that the screen is awfull...?

 

It's not the best. I can say, that it has serious issues in viewing angles. I'm using it all the time (at work, at home, in the bed). I bought it 3 weeks ago. 1st time i was disappointed (because of the screen), now it's quite like the opposite. The screen is not the best, but the design, battery life just made me a proud owner.

Because it's so tiny and light, u can always position yourself in the right angle.

Quality of screen in matter of viewing angles is below average imo, try one somewhere, if u can.

 

I'm using a black Zeroshock III with the UL30A. It fits like it was custom made There is not plenty of room left though, for a mouse in that zipper pocket.

 

Any other suggestions for cases for this? The zeroshock looks decent, but I can only find it on eBay/through an Amazon reseller... I'd rather buy from somewhere I'm more familiar with, if there's a decent alternative.

 

That's great to know! I take it that you can't even fit a small mouse in the zipper pocket? I assume then it's impossible to fit the power brick in there...

Not sure if it helps, but I found a Zeroshock thread in the accessories subforum here on NBR too:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=302364

 

I'm having exactly the same problem as you.

Anyone know of a fix to it?

Thanks

 

I have 2 questions and have not seen the answers yet to these so am wondering if someone can help me before I make my decision whether or not to buy an ASUS UL30a-X5.

1. Would someone mind measuring the gap between the touch pad and the space pad, and then the gap between the touch pad and the outer rim/edge of laptop? Reason I'm asking is because my husband just bought an 11.6" Acer Timeline and while he loves it, I find that when I use it I am constantly resting my forefinger on the space bar - not a good thing! I currently have a 15.4" Dell which gives me the luxury of resting my spare fingers around the touch pad where nothing else gets activated in the process. Perhaps it'll just take a bit of getting used to but I'm finding using the smaller Acer just isn't working for me. The 13.3" then sounds like a better way for me to go but pics of the touch pad area are difficult to gage how much forgiveness there is on the Asus.

2. I have worn hearing aids since I was a kid and so being able to change the volume QUICKLY is very important for me. My current Dell has not been useful this way (and was not something I even thought about when shopping for it). So this time, I'm trying to 'wise-up' and see HOW/WHERE the volume is controlled on the Asus UL30a, and again, pics aren't helping me figure this out. Can anyone please tell me how you change the volume and how quick it responds, like, is there a button on the side or top perhaps??? Also, is the volume LOUD as I struggle to hear you-tube videos at the moment on my Dell Inspiron 1525 and that's with volume up as loud as it will go??

Many thanks for all your kind help; I'm hoping to order today or tomorrow if I can get this info back quickly - very excited...

Carolyn

 

Does the UL30a have the same issue as the UL30VT does where the brightness shortcut keys stop working after the computer comes out of standby and hibernate? The other functions keys all work, just not brightness.

Trying to figure out what might be the cause.

 

Carolyn:

1- I don't have a tape measure, but the space is fairly tight. It's somewhere around a half of an inch from the top of the touchpad to the space bar. South of the touchpad is the mouse button (about a half inch) and then about a quarter of an inch to the edge of the laptop.

2- The speakers are fairly loud for a notebook this size, but if you have hearing problems you might want an external speaker or headphones. Volume is changed by pressing the Function key (next to ctrl) and F11 or F12. It's quick to change, but some applications (primarily games) will grab the screen in such a way that it won't work. Anything that's windowed (IE, you can see the taskbar) should work fine.

 

Thanks so much, Raptir, that's very helpful and I appreciate your taking the time to respond,

Carolyn

 

Hey guys, does anyone know if there is any way to totally disable the mousepad and buttons? I am using a wireless mouse and it would be nice if I could rest my hand on the mousepad & buttons.

 

Try Fn+F9, its not labeled, but it seems to work on every Asus I've seen.

Edit: Oh, I don't know if you meant more permanent (as in even after reboots), but this is a convenient keyboard shortcut nonetheless.

 

Disable touchpad + buttons:
(Control Panel -> ... -> Mouse)
If u are using the proper driver(s), it should work:

 

Hmm.. Has anyone tested the flash beta on the UL30? I'm wondering if it plays 1080 smoothly with the new flash beta atleast, and what the CPU % is at while doing so. Even if the beta has room to be improved, i'm curious if it's atleast beneficial at all. The specs sound great but the integrated graphics scares me

In the market for a 12-13" notebook/netbook. Looking at the 1201N, but after hearing that it gets pretty hot (still waiting for it to hit the US and get some actual reviews), reconsidering going with a UL20 or a UL30.

My current laptop is way too old to run anything anymore. I do computer programming and already have a powerful desktop, so I'm looking for a light, long battery life notebook to work away from my desk, but I'm also interested in things like HD video and HDMI out (which the UL20 doesn't have)

I just want to make sure whatever I get will last awhile and not fail to perform a year or two from now when technology gets more demanding.

 

I have not had this problem with my machine....

 

I've tested it for you.

SRWare Iron (Chorme based web explorer) Version: 3.0.197.0
IE8 (no way to reopen it to check version, sorry)
Adobe Flash player 10.1 Beta (plug-in version for Iron, then active-x version for IE).
This video among many others, all of them in 1080p.

Results:
When the videos were fully cached there were about 5% frame dropped. It was almost smooth. The CPU usage was at 30-40%. 35% for Iron, 40%+ for IE.

It's almost working, hope it's gonna! :smile:

I think that 5% dropped frame caused by the beta status itself, cause i have tried 720p too (for the previously linked video), and it was dropping frames too!

I've watched a lot of 720p movies/series with many kind of bitrates, and i've never seen a single frame dropped on this computer. Flash player HW acc. is not final, that's for sure, but it seems promising.

 

Perfect, thank you very much!

 

I have just noticed something funny. :smile: I usually use Logitech VX nano wireless mouse for my UL30, and even if the touch pad and the buttons are disabled in the mentioned way (when the receiver of the mouse is plugged in), touch pad will still 'wake up'/'force exit from screensaver' the computer.

 

Oh yes, ordered my ul30 yesterday! scandinavian model no. is QX056V (silver, win7, 5600 mAh battery).
I am seriously considering getting an ssd drive (Intel x25 or Ocz Summit).
Does anyone know about possibility of having BOTH a regular hdd and ssd fitted in this? Maybe some custom work-around solution?
I'm aiming at using the ssd for OS etc. and the regular hdd for all other.

Oh, btw.. if the screen is too glossy for you, check this out (DIY glossy to matte filter solution) > http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=78088 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-JcyOKAsNY

 

I just got my Asus UL30A, and the only thing I'm bothered with is the sounds it makes. I feel it is somewhat noisy, as it constantly produces a swishing-kinda-noise. In addition to some clicking, probably from the hdd, that may be where the other noise comes from too? Does anybody else have this swishing noise? Is it normal? It's only bothering when I'm in quiet enviroments, which I am every day since I'm a hardworking student

 

Mine is silent. The hard drive can be faintly heard when accessing it, and there's the constant BARELY audible whirring, but it is easily the quietest laptop I've had.

 

mine is quiet too. a clicking HDD sounds worrying. Mine came with a seagate hard disk, and after two days it because noisy and died. I sent in for service and it came back with a Hitachi that is okay so far.

If you can ascertain that the noise is coming from the hard disk, it's definitely a cause for concern

 

When leaning down the whirring/swishing noise seems to be more audible on the right side, is that where the hdd is?

Did you ask for another brand of hdd, or did they change it without letting you know? Worried that if I send it in they will just tell me that's just how it is, nothing wrong...

 

I have removed elantech touchpad drivers and now the touchpad functions better...

 

Thanks a lot for the info about the screen filter! That glossy screen is the only thing I hate from this laptop. It is incongruous with its ultra mobility philosophy.

On the other hand, haven't you found any seller in Europe for it?

Mange takk, hilsener

 

Yes, the HDD is on the right side, which is where my slight noise comes from. However, mine is consistent with any other hard drive I've ever had. If you're worried about it, talk to them! Hard drives are the most fragile component in a notebook.

 

Then it is the hard drive. i talked to the guys in the store where I bought it, they said it was probably just how it was, nothing wrong that is. They also said that Asus always buys whatever hard disk is cheaper at any time, so that if I had bought the same laptop at another time, I might have gotten a whole other hard disk.

I'm not convinced that it couldn't be more quiet than this, but I guess I would have to pay if I send it in to warranty service, and there is no problem except me being oversensitive?

I'll just try and get used to it for now I guess.

 

Is there a UL30VT model that comes with the switchable graphics (the G210 and the GMA4500) AND the 5600 mAh battery?

 

Next month. ul30vt-a1

 

Can anyone here with UL30A-X4 model, what battery capacity it comes with? Please if you could provide a link to picture to show so I can ask Asus to replace with same battery, thanks.

 

Thinking about picking up a SSD this x'mas. Has anyone installed an SSD in the UL30? Any noticeable improvements in battery life, etc.?

Just found a discussion on Asus's forums on compatibility issues with the Intel X25-M SSD drive. Anyone have similar issues or found a solution?

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...board_id=3&model=UL30A&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

 

That guy did something wrong then, because quite a few people put a intel SSD into their UL30 (check the ul30vt owners lounge)

 

Thanks for redirecting me there! That's good to know. Now here's hoping for a good boxing day deal on those X25-M's.

 

Hello to everybody! I'm glad I can share some of my experiences, mostly about my new UL30A-QX159V.
First impressions:
- nice looking, light and too glossy;
- fingerprint magnet even on the exterior of the display.
After using it for a day:
- the battery seems to last a minimum of 8h;
- I can hear the fan in a quiet room;
- the hard drive is noisy, too noisy for me;
- ubuntu is working ok [I tried it with wubi];
- the keyboard is a little noisy for my taste;
- I need a little time to get accustomed with the trackpad;
- I don't like the stickers.
In the past for 2 years I used a Sony Vaio at work and messed around with HP, Compaq, Asus, Acer and Fujitsu Siemens. For my wife I bought an Acer Aspire AS4810T with a SU3500 processor. When I started searching for a laptop for myself, I wanted an Acer 1401TZ/1810TZ, but it is not available in my country with a dual core [I wanted a dual core because among other things I wanted the flash to work ok].
Oh, one very important thing: many people complain about the wireless card, mine is an Intel Wifi Link 1000 BGN and is working fine [till now].
After reading as many reviews and forum topics as I could, I can say the following:
- the build quality is ok, but I think that Acer Timelines are a little better;
- the display is ok, yes it's not perfect;
- it's a cold laptop, but not the coldest or as cold as I expected;
- the fan and hdd are louder than let's say a Timeline;
- the charger is maybe too small and the charging time is longer when using the laptop.
If you want to know anything else, please don't hesitate to ask.