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Author Topic: Asus Zenbook Pro UX501  (Read 1020 times)

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wnmnkh

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Asus Zenbook Pro UX501
« on: July 10, 2015, 05:52:10 AM »
So, after 4 years of (ab)use, my Samsung Sens9 900X has finally given up (the battery does not get charged) its duties recently.

I was actually looking for an upgrade, and it seems UX501 fits the bill (almost ultra-book-like with dedicated graphics card) while price seems reasonable.

It has arrived today, here are my several impressions:

1) WOW, it's thick! Then again, I am way too used to 900X's super duper ultra-thinness. With dedicated graphic, I guess this is something I have to give up.

2) Not as heavy as I thought. From the spec, it's only 0.8 pounds heavier than 900X.

3) Screen is brilliant.

4) Keyboard is way better than 900X. Not to mention it is full-size.

5) Windows 8.1 is god-awful.

Now see if I can install Linux Mint without any problems...
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itsJokko

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Re: Asus Zenbook Pro UX501
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2015, 10:13:40 AM »
This helped me when with switching to win8.

http://startisback.com/
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wnmnkh

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Re: Asus Zenbook Pro UX501
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2015, 11:14:04 AM »
@ itsJokko : thank you for the link. Tho I'd rather wait for Win 10 to come out...


So, I tried to install Linux Mint 17.2, and well, it turns out I cannot even access to BIOS anymore without going thru Windows first. I followed the manual to try access BIOS (or now being called UEFI or something) but no avail.

Not to mention there is NO restore disk or anything... This is unbelievable, but the fact that there is a chance to 'brick' a computer just baffles me.

I am searching notebook forums and contacted ASUS to see if I am able to obtain a restore disk for my laptop.
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DaveBSC

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Re: Asus Zenbook Pro UX501
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2015, 05:13:39 PM »
Quote from: wnmnkh on July 14, 2015, 11:14:04 AM
@ itsJokko : thank you for the link. Tho I'd rather wait for Win 10 to come out...


So, I tried to install Linux Mint 17.2, and well, it turns out I cannot even access to BIOS anymore without going thru Windows first. I followed the manual to try access BIOS (or now being called UEFI or something) but no avail.

Not to mention there is NO restore disk or anything... This is unbelievable, but the fact that there is a chance to 'brick' a computer just baffles me.

I am searching notebook forums and contacted ASUS to see if I am able to obtain a restore disk for my laptop.

A lot of computers typically ship with their UEFI's locked by default to running Windows, and there may be some "enable alternate OS" setting that you have to hit. Nobody ships with a restore CD anymore either, there's usually a software tool pre-installed to create one. However, if you haven't messed with the HDD, there should be a recovery partition there that would allow you to restore from that, but if you just want Windows gone but need it to get into the UEFI, any old copy of Windows will work, you don't need your copy specifically.

Just get a trial ISO, boot from USB, and then change whatever UEFI setting needs to be changed.
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tomscy2000

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Re: Asus Zenbook Pro UX501
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2015, 02:06:28 AM »
There's a lower budget SKU here for ASUS's ROG counterpart to the UX501 --- the G501 --- which has a lower resolution 1080p IPS display. In the US, the G501 only ships with a 4K screen like the UX501.

Thinking about getting it once Windows 10 releases. I don't actually mind a 4K display, as I seldom game, but I'm concerned about the yellow cast that these 4K panels (non-Sharp IGZO versions, from Samsung IIRC) have. The cast isn't strong on the units I've seen in ASUS showrooms, but I suspect they've been calibrated after unboxing. Even so, the colors look a little washed out, compared to the better 1080p panels I've seen the FHD panel on the G501 looks a bit better (more accurate). For someone who does a lot of photo editing like me, I think the 1080p panel is a better choice. For most others, the 4K panel should be fine --- it's not like the awesome quantum dot backlit IGZO panel of the NX500, but it's adequate.

I don't care for the red ROG color scheme, but whatever.
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lhamil64

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Re: Asus Zenbook Pro UX501
« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2015, 01:50:20 AM »
Were you able to get Linux installed on this laptop? I'm considering purchasing it, and I wanted to know how much worked out of the box. For example, does HDMI work without any trouble? What about miniDisplayPort?
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