ASUS UX32vd-R4002V: first hands-on

ASUS UX32VD R4002
ASUS UX32VD with Full-HD IPS panel

Yesterday DHL delivered the ASUS UX32vd in the variant with Full-HD-IPS panel and Nvidia GT 620M. After the installed Windows 7 Home Premium had completed its setup and the essential settings had been made (especially the pre-installed demo versions were uninstalled), it's now time for a short field report - it's still a bit early for a review, but after a few hours in use, I could already get a first impression.

First of all: the display is really very good. The viewing angle is stable (disadvantage: the person sitting next to you on the train can easily look at the screen), with a very high pixel density (1,920×1,080 on 13.3″). The latter means that you have to increase the text display in browsers etc. to at least 125% - but then everything is really very legible and razor sharp.

express cache
express cache

About the SSD cache (a SanDisk i100 with 32 GB, of which 4 GB are unused) a tool from Diskeeper provides information with which the cache can also be completely erased. After a few hours, a good 60% of read accesses come out of the cache, which should increase over time.

Otherwise the performance is quite good, for typical work areas it is easily enough. Freed from additional software, the fan is also not active, so that the ASUS UX32vd-R4002V remains pleasantly quiet. The keyboard also has a pleasant pressure point, and you can type quickly without any problems (these lines are currently being created on the keyboard).

Nice are gimmicks like the automatic display brightness control, I haven't tried things like Face-Logon yet. Next week I'm planning to upgrade to 10 GB RAM - provided the chipset recognizes the additional 8 GB module. Then I will also take some pictures of the inner workings.

Update: my Corsair Vengeance 8 GB DDR3 SO-DIMM has arrived, this weekend I will upgrade to 10 GB.

Technical data of the U32Vd
Since there are some detailed questions, here are some technical key data, which are not in every shop:

  • the hard disk is 7mm high, an exchange SSD must have the same height. Otherwise standard SATA 6 Gb (Price comparison of corresponding SSD)
  • for RAM upgrade DDR3 with 1.600 MHz works as SO-DIMM (204 pins), with an 8 GB module (no kit) you get 10 GB
  • two small fans work in the UX32Vd - when they start is not quite clear to me, sometimes they turn up without warning
  • The battery is not protected by a warranty seal, but the base plate must be removed
  • For opening you need a Torx 5 screwdriver, the individual screws are very small

In a short Video of the UX32Vd-inside, it gives you an insight into how much space the battery takes up and how the fans are located. Once all screws have been loosened, the installation of additional memory is just a matter of seconds, I needed less than 30 minutes to get from 4 to 10 gigabytes.

Update 2:
If you want to compare it to a current MacBook Air 13.3 (Mid 2012): MacBook Air vs. Asus Zenbook UX32Vd: Ultrabooks in comparison. I now have both devices available.

Update 3:
If you want to use the SSD, which is actually intended for the transparent ExpressCache, in a different way or if you want to load important software into the ExpressCache in advance, you can find help in my corresponding entry: ASUS Zenbook UX32vd: Make better use of ExpressCache SSD.

69 comments

  1. So I am curious if this works with more than 4GB. Beside the not existing ethernet connection this would be the second minus point. Otherwise exactly the device I want to have. Have you ever started a Linux on it and looked at the hardware support?

    1. Ethernet is available via USB adapter, but only 100 Mbps. Linux I will start the days as well, I only got around to setting up Windows on the weekend.

    1. Will be delivered tomorrow, tomorrow evening there will be the update if it worked (otherwise my MacBook Pro will get RAM ;))

  2. Hi, wanted to ask what you all have to uninstall after purchase. Write in the text that you have deinstalled something there. Are there more tests yet?

    1. In theory, you don't need to uninstall anything. In my case.
      threw down/deactivated everything that was only a demo version:
      Office, virus scanner, multimedia tools, ASUS cloud storage service
      and all kinds of games that could have been played for 60min (e.g.
      Plants vs. Zombies).

      In addition I added things like the support for 3D glasses in
      Nvidia driver disabled, the automatic update for Adobe, the
      Java Launcher etc.

      Windows updates should of course be downloaded just like virus scanners (I use
      there on ESET, but that's up to you)

      The less running in the background, the better for the volume and
      the battery life. However, I did not compare, but directly
      the system is configured.

      I hope this helps. If you like my blog (or the posts)
      like: please spread it on Twitter, Facebook, forums - without
      Readers do not enjoy it that much 😉

  3. Can you say anything about the 8GB Ram yet? It would be very interesting if he ate now 🙂

  4. Sebastian :

    Can you say anything about the 8GB Ram yet? Would be very interesting if he ate now :)

    Unfortunately the RAM is still on its way (have a shipping confirmation from Tuesday, nothing has been in the mail yet :(). Maybe I'll try a 4 GB SO-DIMM tonight, then I'll get 6 GB (and the basic procedure can be documented).

  5. So, let me join in as a new UX32VD owner.

    At least my 8GB bar from A-Data is wonderfully recognized just in the BIOS. Add to this the 830s from Samsung in the 256GB version and the whole thing is a dream. The workmanship and all the other stuff are very good, some of it reminds me of the great model with the bitten-in fruit. Wonderful... 🙂

    By the way, as already mentioned a Torx (T-5) is needed as a screwdriver for the very filigree back cover.

    CU!
    Chris

  6. Chris2 :

    So, let me join in as a new UX32VD owner.

    At least my 8GB bar from A-Data is wonderfully recognized just in the BIOS. Add to this the 830s from Samsung in the 256GB version and the whole thing is a dream. The workmanship and all the other stuff are very good, some of it reminds me of the great model with the bite of the fruit. Wonderful... :-)

    By the way, as already mentioned a Torx (T-5) is needed as a screwdriver for the very filigree back cover.

    CU!
    Chris

    That sounds good, I hope that my 8 GB module will finally arrive tomorrow and that it will work smoothly. An SSD is not on the schedule at the moment, but there will be time for that later 😉

  7. @Chris2: Thankyou!
    So, now I just have to make up my mind But with 8GB, even Lightroom should run nicely, so...
    Does anyone happen to know about it (lightroom)?

  8. Dieter E :

    @Chris2: Thankyou!
    So, now I just have to make up my mind But with 8GB, even Lightroom should run nicely, so...
    Does anyone happen to know about it (lightroom)?

    Lightroom should actually work, but that depends on the size of the images and the number of images you have in the catalog.

  9. Chris2: Why do you buy the UX32vd and upgrade it to a UX31A? Just so you have more connections ??

    With RAMS and SSD you can also get the more expensive UX31A

    Two questions:
    -> Fan volume: How fast does the fan start up when watching a movie? (say HD quality). In hands on it was said "quiet". During the T-Break Test http://tbreak.com/tech/2012/06/asus-zenbook-prime-ux31a-review/ the fan was criticized - it would start immediately when computing power was needed.

    -> RAMs: can anyone recommend RAMs? Type?

    -> Which hard disk height is installed? Stndard or Slim?

  10. the packaging says dd3 1600

    so normally this one should work but if someone could confirm that, that would be great...

  11. am i right in assuming that with zenbooks the battery can't be removed ? i have also thought about getting a 31a or 32vd. for me, however, this device would completely replace the desktop. and when i consider that the battery is constantly exposed to the current, the battery life after one year is down to 2/3 ?

  12. @he

    Very simple: 3x instead of 2x USB, normal HDMI connection, Geforce GT620M and above all the flexible possibility to expand the RAM and exchange the HD for a standard 2.5″ variant (7mm).

    What you hear about the SSD solution built into the UX31A doesn't really sound intoxicating. If I read that correctly, you're supposed to be pretty limited when it comes to the expansion possibilities of the latter, so I didn't want to take any risks.

    The 8GB bar from A-Data (1600) works perfectly, by the way.

  13. Chris2 :
    @he
    Very simple: 3x instead of 2x USB, normal HDMI connection, Geforce GT620M and above all the flexible possibility to expand the RAM and exchange the HD for a standard 2.5″ variant (7mm).
    What you hear about the SSD solution built into the UX31A doesn't really sound intoxicating. If I read that correctly, you're supposed to be pretty limited when it comes to the expansion possibilities of the latter, so I didn't want to take any risks.
    The 8GB bar from A-Data (1600) works perfectly, by the way.

    Joe, of course. Sorry.

  14. @Chris2
    could you report what your performance index is?

    So you could really compare it to the UX31A...

    Thanks a lot

  15. Good morning!
    Found this blog through Google.
    Can anyone say something more specific about the processing? So material, processing, gap dimensions?
    I also love to play with a Macbook Air, but the price/performance ratio seems to be much better.
    What about the quality of the touchpad? I already have a Mac, and the great thing is that I don't really need a mouse anymore!

    Thanks a lot!

  16. This weekend I installed a ssd and more memory in my ux32vd.
    SSD is the samsung 830 with 256gb
    Main memory is 8GB Corsair ValueSelect PC3-10667S CL9
    Both work without problems, and I can recommend them to everyone.

  17. @Georg
    Hello Georg,
    I would be interested to know if you used the SSD instead of the hard drive or instead of the 32GB SSD. I would like to increase the 32GB SSD to 64 or 128GB, but I would like to keep the hard disk.

  18. Thanks for the test with the Ram. I have an even more exotic request for a test. Works with the Ux32vd PXE Boot? Anything in the bios noticeable?

  19. KP :

    @Georg
    Hello Georg,
    I would be interested to know if you used the SSD instead of the hard drive or instead of the 32GB SSD. I would like to increase the 32GB SSD to 64 or 128GB, but I would like to keep the hard disk.

    The 32 GB SSD is soldered and not exchangeable. Only the HDD can be exchanged for an SSD, and you have to make sure that the SSD has a height of 7mm.

  20. Hello,
    first of all super review thanks for the effort 🙂
    I wanted to ask questions like what the SSD looks like, I have often read that the performance of the SSD is possibly limited by the cache, is this the case?
    Does the additional RAM latch work properly?
    MfG Daniel

  21. sheik :

    Hello,
    first super review thanks for the effort :)
    I wanted to ask questions like what the SSD looks like, I have often read that the performance of the SSD is possibly limited by the cache, is this the case?
    Does the additional RAM latch work properly?
    MfG Daniel

    The additional RAM works without any problems, but so far I haven't had a situation where you would have noticed it. About the SSD: this may be a bit unclear, but the SSD _is_ the cache. The actual hard disk is a mechanical model, frequently used data is automatically moved to the SSD, so it loads faster.

  22. Evening,
    Thanks for the quick answer.
    I meant it so if I now the built-in HDD with an SSD deceive the cache remains nevertheless, since he is soldered in. My question is whether the cache you can not take out the self built in SSD slows down or affects it somehow.
    MfG Daniel

  23. Evening,
    Thanks for the quick answer.
    I meant it so if I now the built-in HDD with an SSD deceive the cache remains nevertheless, since he is soldered in. My question is whether the cache you can not take out the self built in SSD slows down or affects it somehow.
    MfG Daniel

  24. Sheikh :

    Evening,
    Thanks for the quick answer.
    I meant it so if I now the built-in HDD with an SSD deceive the cache remains nevertheless, since he is soldered in. My question is whether the cache you can not take out the self built in SSD slows down or affects it somehow.
    MfG Daniel

    I think you can disable it completely or use it as a regular SSD. In any case, the cache also swapped in the disk management, with 32 GB. But I would have to take a closer look at this on the weekend.

  25. So, again, since my question has probably disappeared in the sinking :(.
    > Thanks for the test with the Ram. I'd have rather more exotic requests for a test. Works with the Ux32vd PXE boot? Anything in bios?

  26. Everything sounds great (the purchase decision is getting closer). I read on notebookreview.com that someone installed a bloatware-free Win7 on the 32GB cache, unfortunately without any real instructions.

    If the cache appears as a disk then that shouldn't be a problem, should it? Has anyone ever tried anything like this before?

    Many greetings,
    Dieter

  27. Hello,

    thank you very much for the numerous information.
    Could you say something else about the touchpad and the volume?
    Maybe even compared to the Macbook Air?

    Thanks

  28. Hi I am from Canada and have fallenowed your piece on the asus ux32vd. Glad it can take more ram and better ssd.I plan on purchasing the asus over the next week is there any way of removing a 3.0 usb port and replacing it with a thunderbolt port and chip.
    would this be impossible or can it be done? I would think this would make this ultrabook almost perfect.

  29. Warren :

    Hi I am from Canada and have fallenowed your piece on the asus ux32vd. Glad it can take more ram and better ssd.I plan on purchasing the asus over the next week is there any way of removing a 3.0 usb port and replacing it with a thunderbolt port and chip.
    would this be impossible or can it be done? I would think this would make this ultrabook almost perfect.

    No way. USB 3.0 is soldered on the motherboard and not replacable. And there is no slot for installing a Thunderbolt-card or sth.

  30. Hey!
    Finally got my UX32VD.
    I would be interested to know how you found the ExpressCache GUI, which is shown as an image above! In the preinstalled ExpressCache program folder I only find a file for the command line, where you can get some information, but it is too confusing and cumbersome 😉

    What about backlight bleeding in your case? This is a dark background light that shines into the display.
    I've never seen this in such extreme strength, it's already disturbing with dark backgrounds at 20-30% brightness... I'd be very interested to know if this is the case for all of them or only for some. Especially since the time for an exchange at Amazon is about 1 month... -.-

    1. Just search for Diskeeper, of which is the appropriate software. Mine has some bleeding, too, but not annoying and only visible on a really dark background - not on the desktop anymore, but maybe I'm not that sensitive about it.

  31. @joe
    because then you can add your own ssd. i had the ux31a and i had a sandisk in it. i didn't see that and sent it back. now i ordered the ux32 and a 256 samsung ssd, which needs less watt in idle 1 than the vertex 4 i would have gotten otherwise.

  32. @Michael
    the touchpad on the ux31a i had short was big, but the processing was not as good as on a macbook. the fingers don't glide as well as over glass(macbook). i could put a fingernail in the front in the middle under the toucpad. also the multitouch function was very modest. i think the same with the ux32vd and i will learn to live with it. the main thing is no more mac. i am mainly interested in the linux support and it is a bit better with the zenbook.

  33. @oRRs
    the backlight bleeding is also very strong on the ux31a. it is not suitable for watching movies. but that will not be the purpose, so it doesn't bother me that much.

  34. kofex :

    Hello,

    the warranty claim is lost if

    1. upgrading the main memory
    2. put in an ssd.

    No, this is accessible without destroying any guarantee seals.

  35. servus,

    thanks for your review 🙂 have a few questions:

    1. did you find something how to disable 32 ssd cache or if active if there are any complications or performance losses?

    2. does the keyboard / touchpad clatter or clack (I have an asus n65vz with geforce 650m and today it goes back to amazon because the keys a, c, d, dot and spacebar clack unbelievably loudly as well as the left touchpad side)?

    3. could you do some benchmarks and post some information about ssd read and write speed here?

    here for all who still miss the gigaLan
    USB3.0 to 10/100/1000M Gigabit Ethernet Controller
    left:
    New!http://www.asix.com.tw/products.php?op=pItemdetail&PItemID=131;71;112&PLine=71

    thanks a lot

  36. @Falk Jeromin
    Hello oRRs and Falk,

    the Diskeeper GUI I could not find either. But for everyone who wants to know if the cache function is activated and what the cache does, I can recommend the command line. It actually shows everything and can also do everything that can be seen in the screenshot and is by no means confusing. With this statement I don't want to contradict oRRs so much as to take away unfounded fear of the command line. Anyone can do this without being a computer professional - I'm not a computer professional at all and prefer to use the mouse to operate Windows 😉. And you probably won't look at this "special function" more than once or twice anyway.

    Greetings,
    Chris

    PS By the way, if you reinstall Windows 7 and install the corresponding ExpressCache driver as well, the function is set automatically. So you only have to enter the command line if you want to be sure.

  37. Chris :

    @Falk Jeromin
    Hello oRRs and Falk,

    the Diskeeper GUI I could not find either. But for everyone who wants to know if the cache function is activated and what the cache does, I can recommend the command line. It actually shows everything and can also do everything that can be seen in the screenshot and is by no means confusing. With this statement I don't want to contradict oRRs so much as to take away unfounded fear of the command line. Anyone can do this without being a computer professional - I am not a computer professional at all and prefer to use the mouse to operate Windows ;) And you probably won't look at this "special function" more than once or twice anyway.

    Greetings,
    Chris

    PS By the way, if you reinstall Windows 7 and install the corresponding ExpressCache driver as well, the function is set automatically. So you only have to enter the command line if you want to be sure.

    It's a bit fascinating that this tool is installed on my device, but apparently nobody else has it installed. Did you reinstall Windows? I just threw out the "useless" stuff, but left the delivery Windows.

  38. @Falk Jeromin

    I have rebuilt Windows 7. I couldn't find the tool as a standalone solution via the cache driver's manufacturer page or a Google search. But maybe the Diskeeper tool is integrated in one of the obscure ASUS tools which can be found on the download page of the UX32VD. Since I did not reinstall everything, I can at least not exclude this.

  39. Hello!
    Since today I am also the proud owner, I couldn't find the ExpressCache GUI either. Can't you provide the file for download here?

  40. Hello,

    Thanks for the great reports about the UX32VD!

    Since last Friday I have also been in possession of the UX32VD and am quite satisfied so far...

    The Express Cache GUI can be found at
    C:eSupporteDriverSoftwareOthersotherExpressCacheWin7_64_1.0.86
    if you have not yet deleted the folder.

    I will probably also update to SSD and more RAM, but only in the near future and thanks to the reports and the video I will have easy play 😉 Thank you very much!

    Is it also possible to set up the system to 32GB - i.e. only the system and the rest to the HDD - or is that not recommended?

    Thank you very much for the inputs,

    Lorenz

  41. Very nice review, diligence was invested here.
    Since the ux32vd will unfortunately not be available again until 04.09., I still have some time to inform myself in detail.
    My biggest concern is that the keyboard is too bouncy in the middle.
    Can anyone confirm or deny this?
    Is it possible that there is now a second batch?
    Bios update, SSD cache 32gb or 24gb?

  42. I have the UX32VD. The keyboard bounces a little, but that's not comparable to e.g. Lenovo models. The keyboard flexed extremely on these models. I would say that the suspension is hardly noticeable under normal pressure.

    About the batches: Apparently the first batch had a 32GB iSSD, I already have the second batch with 24GB iSSD. I have a Windows 7 running completely on it and the UX32VD is much more powerful. In addition, the battery life is longer because it doesn't constantly dawdle on the hard drive. But I would only recommend this to an experienced user, because you have to go deep into the registry to move user folders and programs to the normal hard disk. A reset to factory default is probably not possible then.

  43. Hi, are you building the 830 Samsung SSD instead of the existing SSd or instead of HD and which is more recommendable? What is the integrated SSD good for? and which one do I have to buy? Samsung SSD 830 256GB SATA III Paper Box or Samsung SSD 830 256GB SATA 6GB's NB Upgrade Kit or Samsung SSD 830 256GB SATA 6GB's PC Upgrade Kit. thanks

  44. Stephen :

    Hi, are you building the 830 Samsung SSD instead of the existing SSd or instead of HD and which is more recommendable? What is the integrated SSD good for? and which one do I have to buy? Samsung SSD 830 256GB SATA III Paper Box or Samsung SSD 830 256GB SATA 6GB's NB Upgrade Kit or Samsung SSD 830 256GB SATA 6GB's PC Upgrade Kit. thanks

    It is important that the SSD is as flat as possible: 7 millimeters, the SSD must not be higher. This one, for example, would be suitable: http://geizhals.de/740876. It is also possible to replace only the existing HDD, the SSD has a different format.

  45. Hello, the above recommended RAM from Corsair, according to other reports should lead to a reduction in clock speed. The reason for this is the different clocking! Can anyone confirm this? Were other RAMs installed?
    Thanks

  46. Do I have to check how the clock looks like on the weekend - the RAM definitely makes the same clock rates on paper as the built-in one.

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