I have the S400 since 2 days and would like you to give my opinion.
I have it in the combination Intel i5 / 500GB / 24GB SSD / Intel HD4000
--- --- Processing
The unit is super processed. There are hardly any gaps. The cover of dark aluminum looks very good (but is a fingerprint magnet), The case is at the top of bright aluminum (one sees no fingerprints) on the underside of a rubberized layer, but does not look cheap and the device a certain robustness are.
--- Handling ---
The device weighs according specs. 1.9 kg and should be 21mm thick. It is actually a bit difficult (but unlike my previous 2.5 years ago with a lightweight 3.2kg). You can keep it comfortable on your lap. forward the unit, which is helpful when typing, because the mobile lie pleasantly rejuvenated.
What a total disturbing is the reflective display. In lectures you can watch the entire people behind him. and lamps etc. are reflected. And to 100% brightness does not want to be working in order to achieve the longest possible maturities it.
There also are indeed vents at the bottom, but on my knees, it will not soon warm.
--- Noise / heat / maturity ---
The Ultrabook falls eg in lectures not on, as long as someone speaking in the room. When I'm alone in the room, then you can hear it already constantly. The hard drive is making clicking sounds in between times (but this is rare) so quietly it's never.
I had previously run it in the lecture 3 hours without wifi and the display was always on about 30% brightness. Without WLAN, the battery life is enormous, according to the 3h I had 60% battery. This "read only" mode by scrolling so you can reach no less than 6-7 hours. When I use it, for example with WLAN and what ever install (initial setup) showed the maturity of times of 3.5-4.5 hours, which is a good value.
It is barely warm. Initial Setup: Handball surface always cold, only the rear where the fan blows the air to the keyboard from the case, as it is slightly warm (but not hot.
So the cooling Asus has super hinbekommen, maturity as well. The noise could be less. But I could not hear a squeak or whistle.
--- Hardware ---
The display dissolves with 1366x768 pixels. For 14 inch which is actually too little. If you go get close, writings are blurred. From the "normal range", ie 30-40cm from the display off, it's ok.
The brightness is not particularly exhilarating. In combination with the reflective display, the S400 is difficult to use outdoors. This time of year already (cloudy, but who goes already out;)) In midsummer in sunny weather it will probably be impossible. Then you should look around for a Zenbook with matte display.
But for my purposes it is sufficient.
the i5 processor the latest Ivy series has solved all things without problems. I can perceive no great delays. Programs open quickly. But its performance can be seen in various benchmarks (google: Intel i5 enter 3317u), see.
4GB of RAM is sufficient for all everyday applications. Interestingly combining 24GB SSD has 500GB hard drive.
Unfortunately, I can not access the SSD to install on programs. That would be interesting to certain programs simply can start times very quickly.
It should be a software onboard that automatically, intelligently determines which programs are used frequently and they are automatically "cached" in the SSD memory.
So I can not compare. Fact is, the program start faster than on my laptop without SSD (but with an "old" i7 720QM processor)
There are, as already mentioned nowhere major delays. Everything is pretty clean and fast.
By the way: there is only one USB 3.0 port and 2 USB 2.0. I think after today's scale should min. 2 USB 3.0 be installed. That's just the future. Even my 2.5 years old laptop already has one and 2x USB 2.0.
There is a HDMI output, an Ethernet port, Earphones / MicroCombi (can be disadvantageous for those who buy good headphones individually and then work with a separate microphone like) and a VGA output (for older projector models very beneficial) ,
The setup everything is really good, except that Asus quietly a USB 3.0 could have done more spendieren.
The battery is permanently installed and can (I can not and I will not try) are not changed.
--- --- Input Devices
The keyboard feels very good, the keys clacking barely. The soft touch (and very quietly) One can very well write it! On the downside, you still can press strongly the keyboard in the middle. Here a little more stability would have liked me.
Something strange is the Mousepad. The fingers glide very well on it, it's also been very large. You can at any point in a "left-click" create in the pressing. At the bottom of an optical separation of the left / right click is then recognized.
What has struck me: You can not use the 2-finger scrolling feature often. With my old laptop I can use it always, at the S400, it will from time to time is not easy. One probably it is a software-setting thing.
Also the clicking noise is relatively loud. In contrast to the keyboard sounds it is significantly louder. This would also probably a bit "soft" can be set.
Overall, the input devices are great though. And most importantly, is indeed in the S400 the touch panel:
This works very well and is very precise. Selecting, scrolling, zooming. Everything is fine. The double takes some practice because you have to take 2x the same place and has to compensate for the slight bobbing of the display back yet. But it is.
My opinion is: Windows 8 without a touchscreen does not work. It can also operate with the mouse, but the direct selection with your fingers just makes everything easier and is a really great thing.
--- Software ---
The Windows 8 is stable, starts very quickly. You quickly get used to the tiles. If you installed the program, they are automatically saved as tile and you can move freely on the "Desktop".
Clicking then changes the new Windows 8 view to the old familiar "real" desktop view and the program opens.
This process, I personally find something inefficient. It must also be possible to open the program directly.
Apps from the Windows Store opened directly and relatively quickly. The load times are partly but quite long.
So far I could make 2 huge problems that are 7 absolutely not occurred with Windows:
- In the university I can not connect to the WLAN, home without any problems. I have no idea why. It may be that a setting somewhere is wrong. But that need not be, and I get it not out.
- After you install a VPN client (I need a network license for software the university) also suddenly no longer work neither App Store, apps and updates. It seems as if the connection to the Microsoft server is cut.
This problem does not exist with Windows 7. Here everything runs smoothly.
So there is still potential for improvement in Win8. The statements, everything runs on Windows 7, Windows 8 also addresses therefore does not seem to agree.
If anyone has a solution, please comment.
These two reasons will probably be a KO criterion and what I will look for me with Windows 7 ...
Otherwise a lot of Asus software is reinstalled, from which you can probably remove most of it. McAfee is also on it, but I've also deleted directly, it's only for 30 days.
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So, I hope I could now present an overview to you. Here again a short summary of the pros and cons:
--- --- Pro
-Fast hardware
-beautiful design looks, high quality and is stable
-good Input Devices (fast typing possible)
Touchscreen
-The unit will remain always cool and it's pretty quiet.
--- --- Neutral
-Problems With Windows 8 (as can Asus for nothing)
-Zwang A Microsoft account to create ...
-Idea Of Windows 8 is great though, it looks much fresher and simply better!
--- Counterpoint ---
-something high weight
Display with low resolution and glossy
Connectors may be current (just a USB 3.0)
So, I hope I could help some.
If questions are (or help for me) please comment!
EDIT 28.11.12:
-The APN problems come from Cisco and this company has simply not yet adapted the software
-wlan Works now, it was an attitude thing.
- According Auskunfst our IT department in the FH have "a lot of" problems with Windows 8 and of certain software.
maybe you should wait a little longer with the purchase or learn beforehand that the proprietary software works.
