UX31A with Core i7 3517U vs UX31LA with Core i5 4200U? (Same price)

[ribbinger]

I've got the option of buying either an Asus UX31A or a UX31LA for the same price, the only difference in specs being:

UX31A
Screen 13,3 " / 1920 x 1080
CPU Intel Core i7 3517U 1,9 GHz
Memory 8 GB
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000

UX31LA
Screen 13,3 " / 1600 x 900
CPU Intel Core i5 4200U 1,6 GHz
Memory 4 GB
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4400

I suppose the stand-out difference is the UX31LA's Haswell CPU and newer graphics chip but at the same time, the UX31A has more memory, a higher-clocked CPU and a better screen.

What would you guys go for?

 

[Neal.a.nelson]

http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/85...5-4200U_vs_Intel_Core_i7_Mobile_i7-3517U.html

Of course, it doesn't take into account the extra memory, or the display resolution. With a laptop that doesn't have a dGPU, I would always go for the better iGPU, because I think that graphics will only get more demanding, and with the exception of possibly another stick of RAM, there is no upgrade path (that I know of).

 

[ribbinger]

Great stuff Mr Nelson, thanks!

 

[ribbinger]

I just noticed the RAM is soldered on the UX32LA and I can't find any information as to whether it's possible add another stick. Does anyone know how soldered RAM sticks work, is it even possible to add an additional stick (not replace)?

 

[pw257008]

IIRC a lot of laptops with soldered memory have an expansion slot, though I'm not sure that's the case with the 8GB model.

 

[ElFenix]

I just noticed the RAM is soldered on the UX32LA and I can't find any information as to whether it's possible add another stick. Does anyone know how soldered RAM sticks work, is it even possible to add an additional stick (not replace)?

there is no stick
/matrix


edit: and it looks like this one doesn't have an expansion slot, either:
http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/ASUS-memory/ASUS+Notebooks/ZENBOOK+UX31A-upgrades.html

 

[ribbinger]

there is no stick
/matrix


edit: and it looks like this one doesn't have an expansion slot, either:
http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/ASUS-...-upgrades.html

Great, thanks! I'm glad I found that out, it's a real deal-breaker for me as I don't think 4 GB will last very long.

I've started looking at other (Haswell-based) ultrabooks instead and both the Asus Zenbook UX302LA and Acer Aspire S3-392G look promising. The big question is whether I can replace the conventional HDDs in these models with my Intel 330 Series 180 GB SSD that I've got lying around. I'm not sure about the form factor in these ultrabooks, are they all 2.5 inches or is there a risk of running into model-specific measurements? I couldn't find any info on this in the manuals and the dealers I've emailed haven't replied yet...

EDIT: crucial.com states a 2.5" SSD upgrade is possible for the UX302LA but no info on the S3-392G.