Gigabyte U2442N Review

Gigabyte U2442N​

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First off, I just want to let everyone know that I don’t normally write reviews. However, I’ve received multiple requests to do a review on this notebook so I figured I’d give it a shot. I’m pretty anal about the quality of what I purchase, so keep that in mind when reading this review. Feel free to ask me any additional questions via this post or PM.

What I wanted:

I needed something light/portable, aesthetic and powerful enough to game on. I’ve been lugging around an Alienware M15x for years and I was getting sick of it. Although the M15x was powerful, it’s bulky, heavy, has poor battery life and is simply impractical. I also wanted a Windows machine, but for lack of a better option I almost purchased a Macbook Pro.

Specs:

Processor: Third-generation Intel ® Core ™ i5-3210M (2.5GHz-3.1GHz Turbo)
Memory: 8GB DDR3 (4x2)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA ® GeForce ® GT 640M 2GB GDDR3 (Same card as 650m/660m with lower clocks)
Storage: 128GB mSATA SSD/ 1TB HDD (I added HDD)
Screen: 14-inch HD + 1600x900 LED-Backlit
Keyboard: Chiclet Style/Auto Illuminated
LAN: 10/100/1000 Ethernet Interface
Wireless LAN: 802.11b/g/n Wireless Network
Ports: USB3.0 x 2, USB2.0 x 2, HDMI, D-Sub, RJ45, Mic and Headphone Jack , SD Card
Bluetooth: Built-in Bluetooth V4.0
Battery: Li-polymer, 4000mAh, 4.2V, 44Wh
Dimensions: 339 (W) x 223 x 18.5 (H) mm
Weight (with battery): 1.59kg ~3.5lbs
Price: $1,150 USD purchased at PChome

Packaging/Contents: 10/10

Here Gigabyte impressed me. The system came neatly and safely packaged. Gigabyte included an installation CD, charger, cloth cover, sleeve cover, keyboard cloth and carrying case. All these goodies are great quality and saved me some cash, A+ Gigabyte.



Build Quality/Aesthetics: 8/10

Gigabyte has done a fantastic job on this system, both inside and out. It feels solid, functions perfectly and is gorgeous (especially the backlight). There is very very minor keyboard flex around the space button and no case flex under normal pressure. Opening the system for the first time is a hassle because there are little rubber stoppers on top of some of screws. Once removed the system opens nicely and is well built inside. Installing an HDD was easy; Gigabyte also provided foam padding which eliminates all HDD vibration.











Screen/Speakers: 7/10

Gigabyte should have put more work into the quality of the display. My system came with a matte display that looks a bit washed out. It also doesn’t handle blacks that well. Minor tweaks to the color settings have made a big difference but at the end of the day it can't compete with the glossy display of my M15x. The viewing angle is also poor, but not a problem as (like any notebook) the monitor can tilt back and forth to fix this issue. An average user probably wouldn’t notice this.

There is also a slight issue with the led backlights bleeding through the front of the monitor. It bleeds through the plastic on the lower left/right edge of the display. I can only see this in complete darkness and it seems easily remediable.
******* This issue has been fixed through Gigabyte's RMA services (note my U2442N was returned with multiple small scratches near the LCD).

The speakers are average, fairly loud and don’t crackle. I’m happy with them, granted they are notebook speakers.









Keyboard/Touchpad: 9/10

I am new to chiclet type keyboards but have enjoyed it so far. I don’t really have any complaints as it is easy to type on and has a good feel to it. The backlight looks absolutely gorgeous and has multiple light settings. There is minor keyboard flex, but I can’t complain.

The touchpad is big, rough and fairly accurate. It took me a few days to break it in as well as the latest bios update. All and all it is a great touchpad but I still prefer a Macbook’s touchpad or even my M15x’s. I had a couple friends test it out and no one had any complaints.



Performance: 11/10

This baby is a monster! It completely blows away my M15x in every application/game. I can play BF3, Skyrim, Crysis 2, etc. Basically any game out right now on High-Ultra settings at 1600X900 resolutions. The CPU/GPU are not upgradable but are definitely good performers. The GPU overclocks well and with a few bios tweaks can basically turn into a GTX 660m/650m.

The stock SSD is a MONSTER (500MB/s Read and 350MB/s Write). I wish Gigabyte offered more than a 128 gig SSD but the 1TB HDD makes up for that.

Heat/Noise: 8/10

Gigabyte’s active dual fan design does a great job. Both the CPU and GPU stay pretty darn cool.It never gets too hot to put on my lap. At 900mhz core (266 core over stock) the highest I’ve seen the GPU go was 76C. My M15x’s 260m can easily push 80C but preforms like crap compared to the 640m.

At idle, browsing the web and or using basic applications like Word the fans are pretty quiet. However, they could use some tweaking (sometimes the fans randomly spin up for 2 seconds). When the integrated GPU kicks in, the fans are slightly more audible (nothing unbearable). Luckily Nvidia Optimus keeps my GPU off unless I start up a game. Under heavy load (with GPU on) the fans can get fairy loud, but are usually not noticeable over game audio. Overall, they do their job at load and put my M15x’s airplane fans to shame.

Battery Life: 10/10

The battery life is pretty darn good (using my personal power settings). I can get around 4-5+ hours browsing the web and using basic applications. When I start loading up HD content or playing games I get around 3-4 hours. To me this is incredible! With my M15x I was lucky to get 1 ½ hours browsing the web alone. Although Gigabyte doesn’t label the battery replaceable in the “clip-off” sense, I can’t see it taking longer than 5 minutes to actually open the system and replace it.

U2442N VS M15x

No real contest here, the Gigabyte U2442N really does outperform the beastly M15x. Aside from the display and touchpad, the U2442N is a completely superior product. I can't believe I put up with lugging the M15x around for so long!





Cons:
I wish they had thrown in a quad core processor, I’m fairly sure the system could handle the heat without issue. Hell, even my Galaxy S3 has a quad core processor . A nicer touchpad would have been appreciated as well. Also, I wish it had a higher quality/glossy display. Who knows, maybe I can have it upgraded one day.

Conclusion & Overall Rating: 8/10

It’s an amazing Ultrabook and easily one of the most powerful available. I seriously considered buying a Macbook Pro (and running W7) before I caught wind of the U2442N. I needed something sleek, stylish and powerful. I didn’t want another bulky laptop that achieved only mediocre performance (M15X). Needless to say, Gigabyte has delivered with the U2442N. High praise to Gigabyte for building an Ultrabook that slaps the Macbook Pro around for ~60% of the price.

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Amal77 GPU Bios Mods​

******WARNING: Flash at your own risk. You are responsible for any and all issues arising from these bios modifications.******​

Turbo boost currently does not function with these bios mods.
BIOS: F0A
835 Core Clock Tested
950 Core Clock Tested
1000 Core Clock Tested


Fan Control Program:

CLICK

 

Thanks, TheLawIX! Great review. I'm planning to get a new laptop by the end of the month and the U2442N is currently #1 on my list to get, with the Sony S13P/S15 tied for #2. I'm happy to hear about the gaming performance and battery life, but it's disappointing to hear about the display. Have you seen the display of the Sony S13P in person? If so, can you tell me which one you think has a better display? TIA

 

thanks for the review! youre not in the USA are you? if you were, id be asking where you got it haha

i can't wait to get my hands on this, im sad about the screen. coming from a vaio z, that screen was BEAST. i would think this screen is on par with the sony s13 screen. i was disappointed in that screen as well. blah....

imagine if the screen for this laptop was like... really gooooood. i would shell out another 500$ if i had to... it would seriously be the perfect laptop

 

Great review, thanks!

Time for someone to post a Gigabyte u2442 vs. Sony S13p. Is a comparison on these 2 anywhere to be found?

 

its a gddr5??? woah thts nice

 

no copper cooling?

 

Very nice review!

This laptop is very close to my ideal laptop in the current market. I'm not in need of a new laptop right now, but I hope this Gigabyte line continues for the upcoming processor generations.

 

Very nice review!

This laptop is very close to my ideal laptop in the current market. I'm not in need of a new laptop right now, but I hope this Gigabyte line continues for the upcoming processor generations.

Too bad the battery isn't removable. I really like to remove the battery when I'm plugged in, as this seems to give me great battery life by avoiding small charging periods and having the battery at 100% frequently.

 

6 Hours out of browsing? This semester is looking brighter already...

PLEASE would you be so kind as to post your color profile .icm for U2442?

Also, congrats on an actual gaming 'lap'top!! Mad props for review.

 

Hopefully someone will try putting a i7-3612QM or similar in one of these laptops and report back whether it starts up or not. With any luck, the BIOS already supports it.

 

Nice review! Post some display screenshots plz.

Thanks

 

Yes, I do live in the US. I purchased it of PCHomeUS. The display isn't that bad, it may just be the difference between matte and glossy.

No, the GPU memory is GDDR3

I can't comment on this, I haven't seen the S13P yet.

Yeah the heatsink and piping are copper, it's just painted black.

This would be difficult because the CPU/GPU are soldered in.

I did post some display screen shots, is that what you are asking for?

 

Damnit it sold out on PCHomeUS! I really thought i was gonna be able to get it. Any other website that ships U2442 to US?

 

Not that I know of, sorry.

 

So a few things....

First, that SSD looks like the lite-on M3M which is an MSATA SSD...It also looks like its just the standard single screw holding it in...Is there some reason it is NOT user replaceable? That location looks prime for the new M4 256GB

Second, according to Intel... the i5-3210m is not available in an embedded application. Are you SURE it's soldered on the board? ( Intel® Core)
EDIT: Looks like it is available as a BGA processor... ( Intel® Core)

Third, this machine is being offered in the USA via Dynamism. The last I spoke with them, it's scheduled to begin shipping in the next 10 days.
Dynamism - Gigabyte U2442

Thanks for the pictures. I hope you enjoy the machine

 

Yeah the SSD can probably be replaced that way, I just meant not with a standard SSD. From what I could see it looked like both the GPU/CPU has some sort of glue/paste (not thermal paste lol) around the edges of them, but who knows maybe they can be replaced.

 

When will it be available in Australia??????????

 

If your U2442N can get between 3-6 hrs battery life, I can't wait to see how the battery life is with the U2442V. Can the HDD be replaced with another SSD?

 

Shipment expected September 18th

Dynamism - Gigabyte U2442

SEPTEMBER 18?!?! WHAT THE HECK

 

wow that sucks. Maybe excaliber will get them first, though they have not responded to my inquiries.

Gigabyte U2442N-CF1 14" Ultrabook. Gigabyte U2442N-CF1

 

just got an email from excalibur saying that they will put the date up as soon as gigabyte lets them know the date.. lol

 

Yes, it can be replaced with an SSD.

 

TheLawlX,

how long did it take you from purchase, till shipped? and does the HDD make any extra spinning noise? anything noticeable? thanks again

 

The HDD I bought is 5200rpm, it's dead silent. I can't even feel a vibration. The first time I ordered the U2442N PChome took a week to notify me that my credit card comany wasn't allowing them to charge it. Once my CC company cleared PChome I received my system in 5 days. I suggest you call your CC company if you decide to purchase overseas, just to clear everything up.

 

Now that you mention that, I forgot that I went through something similar. At first, my credit card turned the sale down and i had to speak with a representative to authorize it.

 

I wish I could get this laptop in UK, it seems so reasonably priced, I would cancel my S430 immediately and purchase this laptop if it came out here, unfortunately it won't be coming to the UK until at least next year. It is however released in Germany in very limited stores.
I won't be purchasing from overseas since I won't be protected by UK/EU consumer protection laws.

 

^WHAT!!! Next year in the UK?

Damn, there's me thinking it would be this month.

 

Sorry I was exaggerating but seriously don't quote me, if it is this month then we'd at least see some pre-order pricing. Unfortunately this hasn't been the case, even Germany only had a very limited release, so I'd say in a few months time and well I estimate it would be at least Mid-October before it get's released in the UK.
This is a make or break situation for GIGABYTE.
Hell it hasn't even been released in the US yet let alone Europe.

You can contact gigabyte's only UK distributor here from this website:
Mobile Computing, Think4 Mobile - see what they say. Maybe you could even buy one off them.

 

^Thanks, don't worry I won't quote that or anything. I'm hoping that it should be out by october, so say within 2 months maximum. I'll try contacting gigabyte too and see what they say.

Reading this review makes me wonder how the screen stacks up against the vaio s13 - that's going to be the deciding feature for me, all other things considered.

 

I think gigabyte has the edge on the S13 but I don't think by much. But don't hold your breath, look how aggressively priced it is.
But an October release would be too late for me since I need a new laptop by September which is soon.

If anything if the u2442n get popular it would force other manufactures to make sub 14'' slim notebooks with vastly better GPUs, since most of them are adamant that a 620m/630m is adequate which is ridiculous since they're not much better than HD4000.

 

the screen shouldn't be a deciding factor for you when its going against the S13. the screen on that thing is a TN screen, and its grainy looking and pixel-ly. the u2442 is a TN screen as well. been hearing good things about it though.

but.. the S13 screen is definitely not something worth mentioning. the U2442 is a lot cheaper, lighter, and has a stronger or even gpu depending if you overclock

 

The vaio Z (1080) has the best screen on any laptop and that's a TN panel, IPS doesn't automatically make it great.
A nice screen would be nice for a change though since all the laptops in the sub 14'' segement usualy have poopy screens.

The Lenovo S430 uses the same screen as the T430 and T430s (same FRU numbers) which uses the same screen as the t420 now specifically the AUO panel exhibited the grainy problem, whilst the LG and Samsung was not much of the problem. However aside from that the screen is slightly above average when compared to other laptops in its class such as dell latitude. However like business panels the contrast, black levels and colour coverage isn't very good, infact the S13p display is better in that respect.

If the U2442N has a better display than the Sony S13p then I'd say it's the second best screen used on a notebook in the sub 14'' segment, plainly because it doesn't have any real competition.

Yes the U2442N is aggressively priced which is good but unfortunately it hasn't been released widely yet. If gigabyte releases it in the UK this or month, then I will return my S430 and get the U2442N in a heartbeat since I really like it and I will appreciate the extra GPU power.

Lenovo decided to stick the 40nm 620m in the S430 which is a very big mistake since it runs hotter and uses more power than the Kepler based 640m which is a very big disappointment, however the S430 is very cheap but the 28nm version would have been cooler running and more energy efficient, also the chip itself would have cost less, Lenovo makes funny decisions sometimes.

 

The screen isn't amazing that's for sure, but it's not horrible. I'm just used to a $600 display on my PC and the Amoled display on my Gs3, it can't compete with those.

 

word from excalibur is they aren't have them until early september... UGH it keeps getting delayed. this is annoying. i am this close to just getting an overpriced sony s13.

i would be paying around 1600~ instead of 1100.. when the U2442 is lighter, better gpu, and bigger screen. -____- blah. i really want to get this laptop in time for school which starts at the end of august

 

[REDACTED]

Great news the UK will be receiving this earlier than the US, Amazon should have a preorder link set up within this week. Which is nice for a change.

Delivery commences on the 24th of August, I have now cancelled my Lenovo order.

This is smashing news. I really like gigabyte I have been using their motherboards for years and well nothings gone wrong as expected.

We will have the UK keyboard and prices will range from £800-£1000.

 

I wonder if it would be feasible to order from Amazon UK instead of waiting on a US reseller.

Edit: Just saw your price. It'll probably be at least $500 more US in terms of cost. Hmm...

 

Yes UK pricing includes 20% VAT, on top of that you're going to have to account for the US import fees and tax and whatnot, furthermore Amazon UK's shipping to oversees is hideously expensive. I suggest that you wait unless you justify the extra costs, however this is not a problem pan EU, so member states can order from the UK and only pay VAT once, shipping might be expensive though. Also member states benefit from consumer protection laws of the EU.

But it's nice to see the UK/Europe get something before the US since it's always the other way round. Well from an earlier post the the u2442n should come out on the 17th Of September then it's really only a 3 week wait after we get it.

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It is now available to preorder through Amazon in the UK Amazon.co.uk: GIGABYTE U2442: Computers & Accessories

Have fun!

 

I am seriously considering buying the Gigabyte Extreme U2442N as I have yet to find a 14" laptop that even compares to it. You mentioned that you can overclock the video card. Would that be simple for a computer newbie? Do you have a guide on how to do it?

 

I'm sorry, but where do you go to buy this laptop (U2442/U2442S)? It is not listed on Amazon.

 

It is listed on the UK Amazon site (amazon.co.uk). The U.S. Amazon site does not currently list it. You can also find it at Dynamism.com and excaliberpc.com.

On all the aforementioned sites, it's only up for pre-order. It has not been officially released outside of Asia yet. Amazon UK lists the release as August 20th, Dynamism lists it as September 18th, and ExcaliberPC does not specify a date as far as I'm aware.

Unfortunately for us Yanks, Amazon UK will not ship electronics across the pond. Although with the current weak USD, it'd cost $1400 before you even figured in shipping and any other charges, so... yeah. Wouldn't want to buy it from there anyway.

 

Overclocking the GPU is just as easy as overclocking any other GPU. There are thousands of guides out there, check Overclock.net for some of the better ones.

 

Ah so I don't need to do anything with the BIO or something? I googled overclocking GT640M and BIO mod for Sony laptops with the same graphic card always came up.

 

I will go back and check the thread when I get home, but does your version come with a thunderbolt port? Its super important that I gt the thunderbolt version, has anyone seen that listed at one of the vendors?

 

a thunderbolt version won't be out for a while

 

gotcha.

@OP - Great review. It was very clearly written, concise, and illustrated your points well. Unlike mainstream reviews you didn't rely overly on comparisons to other laptops or use superfluous language. While not as in-depth as a notebookcheck review, it was a great first. Thanks a ton!

 

Nah, you don't have to worry about flashing a bios to overclock, however, Nvidia has limited to core clock overclock +135 max.

Thank you! Yeah, no thunderbolt available at the moment, but the case still has a spot for one (there is a cap over it though).

 

Ah ok thanks! This basically confirms I'll get it when it comes out next week. Would I be able to get GT 650M or GT660M performance levels when overclocking the GT 640M?

 

love the review, been following this baby for months and glad to see it's up to par! Will definitely be getting one once it releases in the US.
On a related note... anyone looking to buy a sager? haha

 

You would be able to get close to GT 650M levels, not GTX 660m levels though.

 

Thanks! Any idea what level I min. have to overclock to to reach the GT 650M? I saw that in notebookcheck.net that the GT 650M has between 735-850 MHz while the GT 640M only has 625 Mhz. Does that mean I need to overclock a minimum of 110 MHz to be the same as the GT 650M?