Just build a copy of the Asus UX32VD with full Linux support and I will pay whatever you ask for it!

July 22, 2012

Posted By:  okfourme

7 Votes

Status: Archived

Promote

I would love to just say that the current XPS 13 is the perfect machine for this project, but it just isn't. However the Asus UX32VD is.

The whole hardware-recepie frenzy that's been going on here isn't very productive as you eliminate the posibility to vote and create synergy behind specific features, alas I give in. The reason being that my "unicorn" perfect laptop isn't a figment of imagination but an existing product, proving that it's an attainable combination of hardware right now, let alone come autumn.
Here's what I'm talking about:
+ Matte 1920x1080 IPS display
+ Discrete Nvidia GT620M GPU
+ RAM extendible up to 10GB
+ 3xUSB 3.0 ports (no silly 2.0)
+ SD-card slot 
+ Full-size HDMI
+ Openable and user-servicable (not a must, but nice)

There are only two drawbacks:
- Hybrid disk instead of proper SSD
- With 10GB RAM dual-channel r/w is lost
- Problems with Linux driver support

Now I'm very excited about this whole project to fix that last important issue, and were Dell to take the next iteration of the rather mediocre XPS13 up to the level of Asus' Ultrabook entry and launch this project on that I'd be a very happy developer indeed, and gladly pay whatever you ask for this premium OS on premium hardware combination!

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  • Sep 24, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By: IdeaStorm Moderator Cy_J

    I am sorry to hear that but thank you for considering Project Sputnik.  Check back in when Sputnik officially launches later this fall and let me know what you think of the final product.  I'd also be interested to hear of your experience when you get the Asus.  
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  • Sep 24, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By: thesheep

    OK, Asus released the UX32VD with i7 CPU and 8GB ram, plus an excellent hi-res anti-glare ips screen, and that's it. It doesn't come with Linux preinstalled, but it works fine on it. So, I'm afraid I won't be taking part in the Project Sputnik after all -- too bad, I really wanted it to work.
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  • Aug 22, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By: thesheep

    Speaking of the linlap wiki, you might want to add some information there: http://www.linlap.com/wiki/dell+xps+13+ultrabook
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  • Aug 22, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By: thesheep

    I actually looked at this Asus laptopt again recently, and I must admit it's almost a perfect work laptop for me. Here is a link:

      http://www.asus.com/Notebooks/Superior_Mobility/ASUS_ZENBOOK_UX32VD/#specifications

    (I am aware that you must keep your hand on the pulse and pay very keen attention to your competition, but this laptop is such a perfect match, that I really wanted to highlight it)

    Here's what I love about it:
    • matte display, and very high quality at that (IPS, so good angles and colors)!
    • at least one no-nonsense video connector -- HDMI in this case, not VGA, but most modern projectors already support it
    • hybrid disk drive -- I don't have to pay insane amounts of money just to keep several checkouts or virtual machines on it -- I can keep them on the slow disk, and still have very fast system on the ssd. When the SSD disks become cheaper, I can easily replace the traditional disk drive too!
    • warranty is not void when the laptop is opened -- I can keep on expanding it without any problems
    • the issue with dual-channel being lost when the memory is expanded is not that horribly bad, considering Intel's pseudo-dual-channel technology (it's still dual-channel up to the smallest chip's size). Of course having both memory chips replaceable would be much better.
    • The Nvidia graphics card is as useful to me as a bicycle is useful to a fish, especially since it's the Optimus technology that Nvidia refuses to support on Linux. There is this project (http://bumblebee-project.org/) that kinda lets you use it, but I don't really need it. Fortunately, as the linlap wiki says at http://www.linlap.com/wiki/asus+ux32vd you can disable that card and not have it drain battery, so it's tolerable. It still hurts that Nvidia gets my money for something like that though.
    • It doesn't look like a macbook ripoff
    • It does have an aluminium body, so it should be sturdy and durable, unlike xps13 there is no paint
    • The charger is small and light. I have no idea how the XPS 13 charger even looks like, it's not displayed on Dell's website.
    This is definitely something at the top of my preferences list. If it came with Linux (or a similar laptop was available with Linux), I would not hesitate a second. As it is now, I will still wait and see what Dell and others come up with, but it already gives me high hopes.
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  • Aug 1, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By: IdeaStorm Moderator Cy_J

    Thank you for the update okfourme.  Now is a good time for me to point out one of IdeaStorm's features that you may not be aware of.  Next to your comment you have the ability to promote it to an "idea extension".  Clicking the link will move your comment up to a seperate area between the idea and the comments so others (including us at Dell) know that the comment is to be considered part of the idea.  

    I also wanted to thank you for adding some of your interests to your site profile.  Interests and Bios help us understand more about what you do, or would like to do with your system.  I would also like to remind you that you can upload an avatar for your profile which will also make your ideas and comments stand out a bit more as well.  

    Enough about the site though, lets get back to your idea.  Do you see any opportunity in the specifications to scale back or enhance them in order to fit your uses?
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  • Aug 1, 2012     Comment Link

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    Posted By: okfourme

    Ehem...it would seem I should have given this one more read-through before posting it. I remembered the dual-channel RAM issue at the last minute which of course brings the number of drawbacks to three. ^^;

    I would also like to point out that, while the combination of a dincrete GPU and Valve's Steam comming to Linux this autumn is a nice combination, the main reason I would want one included is GPGPU-work and more serious graphics programming.