Be careful which ASUS Zenbook SSD you pick up
Subject: Mobile | March 12, 2012 - 04:00 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: ultrabook, ssd, asus zenbook, asus
The SSD Review stumbled upon a dirty little secret about the ASUS Zenbook SSD; specifically the SSD part of the name. It seems that when you buy one, you might be picking up a model with an AData XM11 SSD or it might be a Sandisk U100 but unfortunately they are the same price and a similar model number making them very difficult to tell apart ... until you use it. The SandForce drive AData drive is significantly faster than the Sandisk drive which uses its own proprietary controller. The difference is not crippling but it is certainly noticeable when benchmarking and using the system. The final result was that size does matter, the 11.6" UX21 has SandForce while the 13.3" UX31 does not, though both are still very nice Ultrabooks.
"If we told you that we spent $2400 to right a wrong in proving something that you as a consumer should be aware of, would you believe us? This report closely examines the ASUS Zenbook. Within the ‘Zen’, ASUS may provide either of two SATA 3 SSDs, these being the AData ‘SandForce Driven’ XM11 or the Sandisk U100. There is no price difference between the two, the product number is the same and the consumer has no way of knowing which they will receive. The performance drop between the two is somewhat unbelievable, however, and we thought this report important enough to invest in one of each Zenbook to educate the consumer on the reality of their potential Zenbook purchase."
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Wow first screwed up the transformer prime and now this. Real smooth Asus, doesn't take long to ruin your reputation with enthusiasts ....you know..m the people that would actually spend 2400 on a laptop.....
"The final result was that size does matter, the 11.6" UX21 has SandForce while the 13.3" UX31 does not, though both are still very nice Ultrabooks." - That's not entirely true, because I have the UX31E-DH52 model and it came with the ADATA 128GB XM11 SSD sandforce driven. Other interesting detail was that actually there was a SandForce sticker on the retail box.
So it is even more confusing than they thought? Lovely.
The sticker helps if you are picking it up in a retail store but if you ordered online it doesn't help as much. Glad to hear you got the 'good one' though.
I’m not sure why ASUS insists on using lackluster Sandisk SSD units. Although in this case one would hope that it is to supplement the preferred higher performance part (stock). The Asus Eee Slate EP121 Windows 7 PC Tablet is also afflicted with a lackluster Sandisk SSD. In this case its mSATA but it is in every unit without exception. At least you have chance with the Zenbook.
I find an interesting video on YouTube.
Its talking about the Sandisk SSD compared with ADATA that use in Zenbook.
Check it ! LOL
http://youtu.be/QjY7Ki85dWw
Where can I purchase either a Sandisk SDSA5JK-128 or ADATA XM11 128? I have searched everywhere including contacting ASUS parts department to no avail. Thank you
Would also love to know too.
Please respond :)
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