ASUS U56E-EBL8 Laptop: Core i5 2430M 2.4GHz, 15.6" 1366x768 LED, 8GB DDR3, 640GB HDD, USB 3.0, WiFi N, 8-Cell, Win 7 Prem $399 + Free Shipping

I think no more deals for us from Microsoft on this laptop in the nearest future: "This product is currently unavailable"

Quote from krimsk : Does anyone know of a webapp that will text you when this comes back in stock?

If you use Firefox, the "Update Scanner" add-on can monitor any changes to the page and alert you. It doesn't have a text function, however.

Arrived yesterday....Nice!!....I'm Happy!

Mine shipped from Ontario Canada?; Won't be here until Tuesday.

Quote from kmoff77 : Mine shipped from Ontario Canada?; Won't be here until Tuesday.

I paid for 2nd day..to Florida from Ontario.

Quote from kmoff77 : Mine shipped from Ontario Canada?; Won't be here until Tuesday.

Ontario, CA is not in Canada but California.

Quote from cvrefugee : Ontario, CA is not in Canada but California.

oh, HAHA.

I've had mine a couple days. Great deal but have a few concerns. Is anyone having trouble with the USB 3.0 port on the left side? Mine was quirky right out of the box.

I've done all my updates but still wish the screen was better looking. I guess I could live with it given what I am getting at this price point. Anyone know of any tweaking these Intel HD 3000 drivers?

I dropped in a Mushkin SSD and slapped in Win7 Ultimate and using some of the Asus drivers to restore keyboard functions, etc. A lot of work but worth it. Now I can run my VHDs.

I'm hoping the USB 3.0 port is a driver issue. I would appreciate any feedback.


TIA TU & already repped for a great find OP!!

Edit: I found that my 3.0 issue was a 2 part problem. Keep in mind, I replaced the Asus version of Win7 Premium for a clean Win 7 Ultimate install. 1. My WD Passport SE 1TBs had some firmware issue which was resolved after WD released a new firmware update. Previous attempts to update the firmware had failed but apparently, WD got that solved so my drives were at least getting recognized as soon as they were plugged in. 2. The driver supplied by Asus from Asmedia alone was not giving me 3.0 transfers. I was only getting 2.0, although a faster 2.0. So I went to the Asmedia website where they have a driver for their USB 3.0 products. I realize that their driver wasn't intended for my Asus machine but after reading their tech papers, their 3.0 chip is used in a wide variety of implementations so I figured a try was in order. It worked! The USB 3.0 port has now been tested on 2 WD Passport SE 1TB drives and 2 Toshiba Canvio 1TB drives and both have excellent 3.0 transfer speeds.


Now if I could only find a better driver for this screen.... *Sigh*

I would wait until at least until 4/29 when ivy bridge is officially released and you can start purchasing laptops with it, therefore places will clearance out sandybridge laptops for even less! And after one month there should be some really good deals if people didn't vulture it all out!

I could be wrong but its just my two cents, at my work I am seeing better and better deals each week as 4/29 release date comes closer!

No issues with my USB 3.0 port. Used it with a Super Talent USB 3.0 Express Duo stick and it moves data fast.

Can someone confirm if this machine includes Microsoft Office Starter edition? I assume it dies, but can't find the information online.

It does.

Only problem that I've had so far is that I had to change the system clock in the bios....It was set for PST..Haven't been been able to check the usb 3 as I don't have anything to try it with...

Quote from IWorkatFrysFML : I would wait until at least until 4/29 when ivy bridge is officially released and you can start purchasing laptops with it, therefore places will clearance out sandybridge laptops for even less! And after one month there should be some really good deals if people didn't vulture it all out! I could be wrong but its just my two cents, at my work I am seeing better and better deals each week as 4/29 release date comes closer!

This was a pretty darn good deal, IMHO.