*Official UL30VT-X1 Owners Lounge*

Has anyone found where we can order the UL30VT-A1 from in Europe?

 

Has anyone experienced playing Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) on one of these? It is a mmorpg but may be more graphically demanding than WOW.

 

I just don't understand what the fuss is all about with the 4gb vs 8gb ram. I know some people like the ability to 'future-proof' their laptop - I'm one of them. For me the UL30VT is going to be my secondary laptop. But when I get my A1 and I'll stick my 8gb DDR3 (4x4) from my HDX18T to check it out. That should end this debate once and for all. Of course, someone else could do it before I do...

 

I asked this earlier on, and a few others re-asked it, but no one had a response: is there an extra MiniPCI-E slot and SIM card reader so that one can add a 3G modem ? If so, this seems like the ideal laptop.

 

I don't think it does. This video shows the swapping of the HDD to SSD and you can clearly see the WIFI antenna right next to the HDD bay. I don't even know if you can get to the WIFI minipci-e card. It looked 'jammed' in the corner. The other door on the back would be the ram door.

http://www.technobuffalo.com/blog/laptops-and-netbooks/installing-an-ssd-in-the-asus-ul30vt

 

cool thanks

 

Here are the Crucial results, didnt work properly really. I have UL30VT-X1.


* Maximum Memory Capacity: 8388608 MB
* Currently Installed Memory: 4096 MB
* Available Memory Slots: N.A.
* Total Memory Slots: 2
* Dual Channel Support: N.A.
* CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel
* CPU Family: Genuine Intel(R) CPU U7300 @ 1.30GHz
* CPU Speed: 793 MHz

 

Where are you from?

You can order the laptop in Sweden and Italy.

Here in Spain we're still waiting...

 

99% No is the answer here.

 

I think people with ul80vt-a1 can check their max memory. Since Amazon said 8G Max and Asus said 4G Max on their product website, and there's only the a1 version is out for ul80vt in US.

 

whoo!.. finally my x1 arrives tomorrow! of course A1 available for preorder the day my X1 was being prepared to ship so I couldn't cancel... Guess I'll just deal with it.. I like the black better I think.. Battery life should be a minimal improvement with the A1 so I'm not too dissapointed.
Just wondering do I need to be home to sign for it? Or will UPS just leave it there? I ordered it via next day shipping.

 

Anyone with the ul30 try playing youtube 1080p vids on just the intel 4500 mode and no TurboBoost enabled? How about 1080p mkv/avi files? Is it smooth? thanks

I'm thinking of getting the ul80a which only has integrated 4500 graphics and no overclocking, otherwise similar specs.

 

regarding the 4gb vs 8gb ram question -

i could be wrong, but if the motherboards are built the same with same memory controller hubs and chipsets, wouldnt it be logical that the amount of ram supported would be the same?

info from asus website doesnt agree with amazon as there is no differentiation between x1 and a1 in the specs - 4gb max ram -- i dont have enough experience w asus to know whether they screw up sometimes w specs, but would be a big 'oooops' since the Mobile Intel GS45 Express Chipset that's used in all these models as well as for all ul30a series laptops w same intel su7300 processor support 8gb ram max.

Intel® GS45 Graphics Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
1066 MHz Front Side Bus; up to 8 GB 667/800 MHz DDR2 or 800/1066 MHz DDR3 SO-DIMM system memory
Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD; PCI Express* graphics support.


read for yourself, direct from intel:
http://ark.intel.com/chipset.aspx?familyID=33421
http://www.intel.net/design/chipsets/embedded/GS45/index.htm

i will be surprised if both the a1 & x1 do not support 8gb max ram capacity

 

I was really thinking about picking up this laptop, but I noticed that it doesn't have a Kensington locking slot. Has anyone come up with a clever way to lock up the laptop?

 

Personally i dont like "front door" being allowed as the name of the signature used by ups, so id make every effort to have someone receive it for me if i couldnt be there.

~ when did ups change their policy on not needing signatures? and anyone want to make a guess on how many claims they process for lost of stolen items due to "front door" signature delivery? ~

 

you would believe the distributor over the manufacturer?
thats what you call solid proof?

 

Hi,
I used to ul30A (just intel 4500/no turboboost) and when I played hulu on 480p, noticed a significant stutter compared to my other laptop (asus x83vm: core 2 duo p8700, nvidia 9600m). So, I gave my ul30A away, and just ordered ul30vt. Reviewing the benchmarks on www.notebookcheck.net, I think you'll see a fairly significant improvement from intel 4500 to nvidia 210m. Since I just pre-ordered my ul30vt-A, I can only speculate based on what others have posted. Hope this helps...

 

Only $50 more for the UL30vt-a1 is pretty good.

 

Being the same chipset really has nothing to do with how much ram it can take (obviously there’s a max), it’s more dependent on the bios being configured to recognise the desired amount. I had an Asus G1 that could only see up to 3.5gb of ram because Asus never bothered to update the bios to allow more(still kind of pissed off with Asus about that), while a MSI laptop with the same chipset and video card could see a full 4gb. And yes this was with Ubuntu / Windows Vista and 7 64bit.

 

Hi, I've make an Ubuntu's .deb package for nVidia GeeForce G210M module switch-off for Asus UL30VT, UL50V, UL80V laptops, using the source code
modified by mil2 and o8x8 founded here and here.

My original post on Ubuntu forums with the download link for the package is here.

@mil2
@o8x8:
If you do some modifications, please notify me, so a can add it on the package.
Also tell me if you have an email address (and a real name) so I can add you in the credits.

 

FACT: ASUS states the UL30VT has 4GB Max

FACT: Amazon states the UL30VT-X1 has 8GB Max

FACT: According to Bombatwist's empicical test, the UL30VT-X1 takes 8GB Max

Conclusion: ASUS website (manufacturer) does not account for Bombatwist's results, while Amazon (distributor) does.

So, to answer your question, yes I would believe the distributor over the manufacturer. It would be illogical not to.

I will concede that it says nothing for the UL30VT-A1. Since ASUS has been incorrect once, they may be incorrect again.
However, BOTH ASUS and Amazon show the UL30VT-A1 has having 4GB Max.
They could BOTH be wrong...

I hope they are.

 

Gentech now has the UL30VT-A1 black for pre-order for $819. What is MORE interesting is that they allow upgrade up to 8GB RAM. I guess that solved the max ram issue.

 

so if everything on the two systems is the same and the bios on the a1 end up not allowing 8gb max and the x1 does, would there be a work around to allow the bios on the NEWER system to see 8gb max also?

i guess this is neither here nor there until a1's are received and we see.

thx for the info tho!

 

i looked but could not find the ul30vt-a1 ... only ul50vt-a1 model for $819.

 

i hope they are too since it would be silly/stupid/inane to allow such an oversight on the same laptop only NEWER

 

http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchan...=UL30VT-A1&Category_Code=AS13&Product_Count=2

 

The Gentech one has the same model number but they say that it is black. I am a little confused about this.

Also, with Gentech if you pay with a paypal echeck they take another 3% off which brings the total cost down to 794.43 with free shipping witch is a very good deal.

 

I must have missed something along the way. I know there are different configurations of the UL30Vt around the world. But in the US, I thought the X1 would always be black, lesser battery, lesser warranty, while the A1 would be silver, more battery, more warranty. However, this Gentech A1 seems to have a combination of features, i.e. it has the A1's battery and warranty, yet it is black! Can someone explain this? Is the seller allowed to modify the X1 and turn it into an A1 (except for color)?

If it really is a modified X1, the question about whether the Amazon A1 has 4gb or 8gb of RAM is still in question.

There seems to be a shipping charge to my area, but there is also a 3% discount for "cash". So this turns out to be almost $40 less than the Amazon price. Wow, another thing to think about, even though I've already pre-ordered from Amazon.

 

Sorry, I was writing about the same thing, but by the time I sent it, yours was there.

 

Hmm...

I'm also very confused about this deal. I had presumed that the UL30xx-X versions were black, smaller battery and 1 year accidental warranty; whereas UL30xx-A versions were silver, larger battery with 2 year accidental warranty.

Also, based on Asus rep's response, I thought the UL30vt-x/a series were only available via amazon.com for US buyers due to it's popularity on the website. Given that UL30vt-A is not available from amazon.com yet, makes me wonder how Gentech got their supply?

Does anyone else think this is bit odd?

 

FWIW, the A1 and X1 are exactly the same in the hood except for the chassis color, battery capacity and longer warranty. Read the Asus FAQ ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=122632z) It details Asus' distribution model. I wish people would be convinced that the A1 WILL TAKE 8GB.

 

No, it's not odd. There was an initial exclusivity with Amazon. It appears now that other distributors are beginning to receive their stock. Amazon simply ran out because they were THE ONLY one to have the UL30VT in stock at the time.

The number after the dash simply denotes the battery capacity, I think. Both models are available in theory both black and silver. Asus decides which region in the world will get which color. The US was supposed to get only the black version until many people requested the silver on Amazon's forum. Then the silver version came out as A1 (with longer warranty, better battery). Asus don't customize their laptop like Dell or HP does. They have certain configurations ready to go.

 

i beleive there is a kensington lock located on the right side of the laptop next to ac adapter, on the screen side of the the ac. idk if you can see this on any pics but maybe someone else can confirm this.

 

Does anybody else think the UL30vt will be carried at more than these handful of vendors? Or are they a boutique item (unlike the more prolific UL30A series) that will remain relatively exclusive at only a few vendors (with less price competition)? Because neither Amazon or GenTech offer the lowest price on other UL30 family products.

 

I just called Gentech, the laptop is indeed silver. So it is the same laptop that is on amazon. I ordered it and the final price came out to be 794.43(because i payed with paypal echeck) with free shipping. So if you are thinking about ordering this laptop I suggest ordering with them and saving yourself around 50 bucks.

 

Thanks for calling Gentech...silver version for UL30vt-A makes sense and it is in keeping with their numbering/lettering system for the US market.

 

Gentech changed their pics. It's now silver color on the product page. It must have happened after your call.

 

There is a small hole next to the power outlet, but it's not the standard locking slot.

The standard locking slot looks like this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kensington-lock-slot.jpg

While the slot on the UL30 looks different:
Photo from Amazon

Any ideas on how to lock up the laptop? I don't want to spend all that money and risk getting it stolen that easily.

 

how did you get it for that price? the site shows $819

i don't want to call them and say so and so got it for this price lol...thanks!

Edit:

Never mind, you can save 3% through e-check coupon....thanks anyway!

 

Very good! This makes much more sense to me. I did not think that Amazon and Gentech would both have A1's with same specs except for a different color.

As far as price, Amazon credit card gives 3% in points which is essentially the same as the paypal e-check, unless you can't find a way to ever use the Amazon points. Tax and shipping are other considerations when weighing the two vendors (varies by state and distance, I guess).

 

I almost purchased with the e-check 3% discount until I remembered that VISA offers a free extended warranty.
Basically, they extend the manufacturer's warranty for an additional year.
It's not the accidental coverage, but more than worth the $24.57 saving you'd get with the e-check method.
I called and verified all information with VISA.

Oh and it does look like both ASUS and Amazon are wrong - the UL30Vt-A1 is listed on Gentech with max 8GB RAM.

 

Good point, however, if I remember correctly, American Express anyway, does not extend warranties on products with more than 1 year. The A1 comes with a 2 year warranty so it will not be extended. I believe its the same for Master Card too so I'm assuming Visa too. Not sure though...

 

Xoticpc.com has the A1 for $819. There's a similar 3% discount for cash as with Gentech. However, depending on your state, Xotic may turn out to be a better deal than Gentech. There is free UPS shipping for a limited time. And they only charge tax in Nebraska.

 

I believe xoticpc said late January. I don't know about Canada.

 

I just looked it up. It does ship to Canada, but it says there will be taxes/duties charged by the shipping carrier.

 

Hm. After tax at Amazon (and $4 overnight Prime shipping), the total comes out to about $920. But then, Asus said that it will ship through Amazon on or before the 11th, meaning I would get it no later than the 13th.

But then, $920 to $820 is a hundred dollars.

Dammit.

EDIT: Also, I know at Amazon that it's genuine, guaranteed to be exactly as it should be, new, not some 'customized', handled laptop. I trust the reliability of Amazon, haven't really heard much about these other places before. Anyone have experience with them?

 

Okay,

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/GenTech_Computers_15

Reviews for GenTech seem pretty positive. $920 to $794 is a huge jump. I might get it a little later, but that's a lot of money. I could put that towards an SSD =)

 

Like I said, I called VISA to confirm (and recommend everyone does to be sure). They offer up to an additional year for a total of no more than five years.

So I'll have a total of three years (one year accidental, one year regular manufacturer, and one year VISA).

A quick search revealed Mastercard and AmEx to offer almost identical services.
Take a look at this page for a great overview.

Considering the number of things that may go wrong, I consider it $25 well spent.

 

I have a Capital One Visa signature card and it extends my Asus W7S warranty for 1 extra year (2 years from Asus + 1 from Visa). Just filed a claim recently on the infamous Nivida GPU overheat problem, and had the MB replaced. This was the second time I used the service, the first time was for my W3V battery couple years ago. The eclaim process is not very painful if you have all of your documents already.

 

I think both vendors are pretty good. Many people get their G51 from these 2 vendors. Consider the tax you'll save, I think it's worth a try. Also, I think they are authorized by Asus to make those custom changes, so you'll still get the 2 years Asus warranty if you decide to order a customized version.

Disclaimer: I haven't bought any laptops from these 2 vendors before so my comment is purely based on my research from this forum and reseller rating, but my last 2 Asus (W7S and W3V) were bought from vendors similar to them and I had no problems before.