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Motile 14" Laptop: AMD Ryzen 5, 14" 1080p, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Expired

$299
$699.00
+ Free Shipping
+218 Deal Score
369,872 Views
Walmart has Motile 14" Laptop (M142, Black, Rose Gold or Silver) on sale for $299. Shipping is free, otherwise select free store pickup where available. Thanks Kevork

Available Colors:Specs:
  • AMD Ryzen 5 Processor
  • 14" 1920x1080 Display
  • 8GB Memory
  • 256GB Solid State Drive
  • Radeon Vega 8 Graphics
  • Windows 10
  • Ports
    • 2x USB 3.0
    • 1x USB 2.0
    • 1x HDMI
    • 1x USB Type-C
    • 1x Audio Combo Jack
  • Weight: 2.55 lbs
Good Deal?

Original Post

Written by
Edited December 12, 2019 at 12:23 PM by
The 14-inch MOTILE performance laptop features a 1080p screen that is Tuned by THX to bring a crystal clear picture for any and all of your tasks. With a high-powered 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen 5 Mobile Processor with Radeon Vega 8 Graphics you can tackle all of your daily tasks and projects with ease and haste-and with a slim and lightweight frame you can take it everywhere you go. Also featuring THX Spatial Audio technology for headphones, this laptop brings your entertainment to life.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Vega-H...thena=true
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Deal
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$299
$699.00

Community Wiki

Last Edited by wildpig1234 February 19, 2020 at 07:52 PM
Laptop can crash if headphones or a magnet is on top of bottom right corner!

Video Proof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECPSC_1jHE8
Hopefully this post helps you prevent future crashes / sleep issues.

Attached is a picture of location of magnetic item that causes laptop to sleep.

Customer service contact details:

Support number: 1-877-435-7955
Support email: [email protected]

I called and sent email and the information does not exist.

The correct phone number for support is (800) 379-3820. Hours are 7 am-4 pm Pacific Time. They are closed on the weekends.
Update: Just called customer service on Jan 10th. The above number (even though it announces as Overpowered customer service) is valid for Motile laptops and the rep confirmed that the warranty for M142 is valid for 1 year and you just call this number for any issues. .

Warranty Information:
Excerpts from Motile Limited Warranty booklet included in box:
"This MOTILE purchased and delivered new in the original packaging to the original purchaser is warranted for personal non-commercial use by MOTILE against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for a limited Warranty period of Ninety (90) days for labor and One (1) year for Hardware from the original date of purchase."
"However, the warranty on this Product is limited to Ninety (90) day hardware and labor limited warranty when purchased or used for commercial purposes."
"Product freight must be prepaid by the original purchaser and shipped in its original packaging or packaging affording an equal degree of protection."


## USER MANUAL ATTACHED AT BOTTOM ##

Bios, Software and Driver Update:
http://www.motilecustomerservice.com/

Additional driver files saved by a user from device manager: https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=131944567&postcount=195 .
This seems to have additional stuffs that is not included on Motile site

To enter the BIOS, keep pressing the DELETE key during the boot up

Bios update hints: (Be careful. Don't attempt unless you REALLY know what you are doing)
*Also note that some issues are appearing with the BIOS/EC update*:
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=133422332&postcount=740

BIOS update guide:
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=133337630&postcount=495
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=133339559&postcount=504

If you brick the laptop while updating BIOS, follow Darkshade214 to reflash it, he puts it in amazing details right here:
https://slickdeals.net/f/13709582-motile-14-performance-laptop-fhd-amd-ryzen-5-with-radeon-vega-8-graphics-thx-spatial-audio-tuned-by-thx-display-8gb-ram-256gb-ssd-hdmi-front-720p-hd-ir-camera-299?p=134509370#post134509370

If you prefer to do manual bios update only or just want to stay on original bios and not having the laptop forcing a bios update, one way is to uninstall the THX thing under control panel, program and feature immediately after the initial windows setup. A lot of people report that the THX thing seems to force update of bios which a lot of time doesn't go all the way through the process. I did the uninstall the first thing after i boot up the laptop from windows setup and it never forces any bios update ever on me. I am not having any problem with the original 1.03 bios so that's why i am staying with it and since the new bios doesn't report to add anything new i don't bother with it. I do lose that THX but then again that thing only works over headphone or HDMI and i think it's somewhat of a gimmick anyway. THX screen profile still remain even if you do the THX uninstall.

If having problem with the laptop hanging while restart and not completing the restart sequence (especially after a clean window installation),
turn off fast restart in control panel/power option/system settings

Indepth outside review: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Wal...260.0.html

Currently the laptop has no support for waking up from sleep by lid opening. You have to press a key to wake it up. Closing the lid will put it to sleep though.

The HDMI port on the laptop has been verified by multiple people as HDMI 2.0 good for 4K 60hz.

USB Type C port on this Motile has been tested and only has data transfer function. NO power delivery (PD) for charging over usb C port.
NO DP function for video output via the usb C.

Display: IPS

Chassis: aluminum/magnesium

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U

SINGLE dimm slot with 8GB 2666 (speed limited by laptop to 2400) DDR4 sodimm installed. 2GB of the ram is used by Vega iGPU (amount of ram dedicated to iGPU cannot be changed). If you insert a 4GB sodimm, then only 512MB will be used by the iGPU. Anything bigger than 4GB sodimm will result in 2GB being used by iGPU. The Motile has been tested to work with 32GB sodimm.

Two M2 SSD slots: first slot comes occupied with Biwin 256GB M2 SATA SSD and can use both M2 SATA and NVME.
Second unoccupied M2 slot recognizes only NVME ssd. The first slot appears to be pcie x4 while the second slot appears to be x2. It's not clear what will happen speedwise if both are occupied by nvme ssd

Fn+ F5 changes between Basic mode and Silent mode fan speed.
This does have a small difference on multicore cpu benchmarks.
Maybe also battery life when on battery?
Also you can tell which mode you are in by looking at the LED light on the power button: solid is basic mode, slow dimming /brightening is silent mode.
After a clean windows install if you don't have the onscreen status display driver installed for this, you won't see it onscreen but the fn F5 would still work and the status is displayed by the LED on the power button.

What does Fn+F2 do? It disables/reenables the winkey that's inbetween the Fn and Alt key. Stupid i know....

See below in the attachment section for getting the OSD on screen display of FnF2 and FnF5 to work as well as having OEM info inside the about windows property as well as original motile wallpaper for those that do a clean windows install
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=135064988&postcount=1673


FIX FOR LOW SOUND OUTPUT FROM SPEAKERS:

1) Be sure the Sound Blaster Connect application is running.
### The Sound Blaster Connect Software can be downloaded from the Windows Store, as well as other places. #### https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p...verviewtab
2) Select a sound profile (Game/Music/Movie, etc)
3) and make sure the EQ is turned on.
Makes a night and day difference

Currently the bios has no support for reverse or persistent function key, meaning there is no support for being able to use the function keys without also holding down Fn key and pressing a function key. You can try the software remapping below:


FUNCTION KEY REMAPPING:
To reverse FN keys to skip having to hold down FN + FKey:
https://keytweak.en.softonic.com/

My Mapping:
Key #120 remapped to 'Volume Down' - Default to 'F9'
Key #121 remapped to 'Volume Up' - Default to 'F10'
Key #119 remapped to 'Mute' - Default to 'F8'
Key #129 remapped to 'F10' - Default to 'Volume Up'
Key #131 remapped to 'F9' - Default to 'Volume Down'
Key #133 remapped to 'F8' - Default to 'Mute'


There is also no bios support currently for keeping the backlit keyboard on constantly without it turning off when no key is pressed for a while



GAME TESTING:
on battery power:
Diablo 3 ROS (1920x1080, high settings for all): 45+ FPS
WoW Classic in intense battle like Alterac Valley, low settings, FPS fluctuates between 40-80


LINUX DISTROS TESTED:
Ubuntu 19.10 - everything works
Zorin OS 15 - Needed to apt update/upgrade to get latest kernel to support Ryzen 5 3500U graphics.
(Installs with support only for 800x600, update fixed everything)
Linux Mint 19.2 - Everything works. Updated to latest Kernel to support Ryzen 5 3500U graphics

THX Color Profile:
Here are all the color profile files off my Motile M142 R5
https://drive.google.com/open?id=...TpAaO9lp_P
or
https://www.4shared.com/zip/GWMDk...files.html
Restart laptop after placing files in C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color
then right click on desktop -> Display settings -> Color Profile drop down and select Tuned by THX

INCREASE DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS:
To increase the display's max brightness download Radeon Software [amd.com], open the new software, navigate to Settings > Display and disable Vari-Bright. The display will now be ~50% brighter.(Many owners report no difference).

VIDEO ON RAM, SSD, WIFI UPGRADE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iITc_8IBPK0



Several members have reported success in using USB C PD to barrel adapters to charge. There are a number to choose from on Amazon, Aliexpress, and eBay.

USB-C power adapters

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product...CFDA&psc=1 (compact size but there is at least one user reports that there are instance of it disconnecting whenever motile reaches its peak power which can be as high as 66W when BOTH cpu and gpu are very stressed like in 4K playback sometimes.)
https://slickdeals.net/f/13814333-29-59-zerolemon-4-ports-usb-c-pd-charger-with-60w-and-18w-power-delivery-on-amazon?v=1 (seems to work fine even when at peak power. Reportedly will supply over 60W on the usb C for momentarily if needed)

Here are adapters reported working (size: 5.5*2.5mm with yellow inside color)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33036838470.html
https://www.amazon.com/Cablecc-Ad...07SJ4CB27/

Video on using the M2 slot to do eGPU (not very practical but it's good to know something like this works):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su3WUNyYklE


Other Resources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/motile/

Your comment cannot be blank.

Featured Comments

this is becoming an insanely good deal. it was a good deal at 399, better at 349. and now 299? it's one of those slickdeals i'm tempted to buy even though i dont need it!
I am sure if you wait even more till 2021 or better 2022 BF, there will be even better electronics. 😛
Review for the laptop [notebookcheck.net]

Seems to be 2 M.2 slots and 1 DDR4.

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Joined Oct 2018
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BlueMagic1628
04-18-2020 at 09:23 AM.
04-18-2020 at 09:23 AM.
Quote from wildpig1234 :
Yep. Most important thing is all drivers should be updated. i uninstall the default chip and graphic driver that came with the laptop and use the latest chipset and graphic drivers directly from amd. If you have all the latest drivers and something doesn't seem right, then something probably isn't right and should return it.
new driver came out march 5th itlookslike
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wildpig1234
04-18-2020 at 10:28 AM.
04-18-2020 at 10:28 AM.
Quote from BlueMagic1628 :
new driver came out march 5th itlookslike
I am still using the drivers from amd site from 12/2019 and have no issues. Just any recent drivers from amd is good over whatever default driver shipped with the laptop. doesn't need to update the amd driver every week or month.
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WettoS
04-22-2020 at 12:07 PM.
04-22-2020 at 12:07 PM.
I am having 2 problems with the r3 version of this laptop and would like an opinion on a 3rd question. Was wondering here if anyone could help me out.

1. The bigger issue is sometimes while browsing chrome the computer becomes unresponsive. It starts out with chrome becoming unresponsive/mouse lag but then i cant even close chrome. The whole pc lags and i cant even open task manager. My only solution has been to kill power to the pc and restart. It seems to do this more often when i open a webpage with tons of thumbnails like a photo gallery but will do it random on occasion. I was hoping the solution is bigger ram stick as i dont want to bother with using other browsers. Would like an opinion on that.

2. My second problem seems to be related to the audio drivers. I have "two" playback choices on my speaker output. One is realtek and the other is thx spatial audio seen here: https://prnt.sc/s46tey . The realtek one sounds way too low so i have thx spatial selected most of the time. Very seldomly while watching youtube a video will not play audio under thx profile and i have to select realtek in order to hear audio. What could be the issue with that?

3rd question is in regards to ax200 wifi upgrade. I dont seem to have any issues with wifi dropout unless i am about 25 feet from my router. Am i going to benefit anything other distance from upgrading the wifi card? My ISP only provides about 60mbps bandwidth and the original card supports up to 400something.
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BlueMagic1628
04-25-2020 at 01:45 PM.
04-25-2020 at 01:45 PM.
Quote from WettoS :
I am having 2 problems with the r3 version of this laptop and would like an opinion on a 3rd question. Was wondering here if anyone could help me out.

1. The bigger issue is sometimes while browsing chrome the computer becomes unresponsive. It starts out with chrome becoming unresponsive/mouse lag but then i cant even close chrome. The whole pc lags and i cant even open task manager. My only solution has been to kill power to the pc and restart. It seems to do this more often when i open a webpage with tons of thumbnails like a photo gallery but will do it random on occasion. I was hoping the solution is bigger ram stick as i dont want to bother with using other browsers. Would like an opinion on that.

2. My second problem seems to be related to the audio drivers. I have "two" playback choices on my speaker output. One is realtek and the other is thx spatial audio seen here: https://prnt.sc/s46tey . The realtek one sounds way too low so i have thx spatial selected most of the time. Very seldomly while watching youtube a video will not play audio under thx profile and i have to select realtek in order to hear audio. What could be the issue with that?

3rd question is in regards to ax200 wifi upgrade. I dont seem to have any issues with wifi dropout unless i am about 25 feet from my router. Am i going to benefit anything other distance from upgrading the wifi card? My ISP only provides about 60mbps bandwidth and the original card supports up to 400something.
1. use miscrosoft edge.. works great. i switched from chrome to it.. no problems uses less resources

2. try to find a fix for realtek. i dont use thx as its the one thatsounds quieter for me. i think someone posted something about this here.
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BlueMagic1628
04-25-2020 at 01:45 PM.
04-25-2020 at 01:45 PM.
link to keyboard spacebar not pressing fix plz w paper
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Liathekid
05-26-2020 at 03:02 PM.
05-26-2020 at 03:02 PM.
Anyone want to sell a rose gold one to me for a fair price? Worried that they are not going to restock and vipoitlet doesn't have the one with better specs in rose gold... please tease me if so 8318406040 thank you in advance to anyone that is not a dick ! Smilie
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JimW1981
05-27-2020 at 07:38 PM.
05-27-2020 at 07:38 PM.
Quote from Darkshade214 :
It's the square 8 pin chip slightly above the m.2 slot, I think. You don't need to de-solder it.

I bought this kit, it comes with a ch341a programmer and test clip: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product...UTF8&psc=1

Follow this tutorial to set the programmer and test clip up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2...2B0&t=688s

Here are my steps:
-Run Ubuntu (or any distro you like) on VMWare on a functional PC and install flashrom via terminal (sudo apt-get install flashrom)
-Open up a web browser and download the BIOS firmware FOR YOUR DEVICE from the Motile Support Website (link located in the wiki)
-Extract the ROM file from the downloaded .zip file. In my case I have the M141 so, I extracted the PF4PU1FN105.ROM file from one of the sub-folders nested in that archive
-Connect the programmer to your PC. VMWare will prompt you to connect the USB to the host or virtual machine. Select virtual machine
-Crack open your lappy then attach the test clip to the BIOS chip (8 pin chip slightly above the first M.2 slot) and make sure the metal contacts are touching each pin.
-Open Terminal and type: sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -r new.bin
-If flashrom detects that the connected chip is a GD25LQ128, proceed to the next step If it gives you crap about being unable to detect anything, unplug the programmer from your PC, reattach the test clip to the BIOS chip, plug the programmer back in, then run the command again.
-Close the terminal and open another instance.
-CD into the path of the extracted .ROM file
-Type in: sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -w <.ROM file> (In my case I ran sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -w PF4PU1FN105.ROM)
-Let the process run, it should take up to 30 min to complete.
-Assuming everything went well and the verification was successful, screw the back plate on, power on your laptop, wait 5-10 seconds, and then you should be met with Motile-THX splash screen. You'll then be taken to the BIOS setup page soon after.
-Save and Exit out of there.
-Done.
I got to the last step (sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -w PF4PU1FN105.ROM). Also tried (sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -w PF4PU1FN106.ROM). For both I would get this
Error: Image size (16777216 B) doesn't match the flash chip's size (262144 B)!
Any help would be appreciated.
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JimW1981
05-27-2020 at 07:57 PM.
05-27-2020 at 07:57 PM.
Quote from Ammika13 :
wow just reverted to 2019 driver and instantly my battery jumped to 6 hour estimate from before it was 1 hour 45 min estimate before driver restart
I get to the last step and I get this
"jim@JW:~/Downloads$ sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -w PF4PU1FN106.ROM
flashrom v1.2 on Linux 5.4.0-33-generic (x86_64)
flashrom is free software, get the source code at https://flashrom.org

Using clock_gettime for delay loops (clk_id: 1, resolution: 1ns).
Found Winbond flash chip "W25X20" (256 kB, SPI) on ch341a_spi.
Error: Image size (16777216 B) doesn't match the flash chip's size (262144 B)!"

Any suggestions on how to fix this image size error?

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JimW1981
05-28-2020 at 03:51 PM.
05-28-2020 at 03:51 PM.
Quote from JimW1981 :
I got to the last step (sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -w PF4PU1FN105.ROM). Also tried (sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi -w PF4PU1FN106.ROM). For both I would get this
Error: Image size (16777216 B) doesn't match the flash chip's size (262144 B)!
Any help would be appreciated.
Well i figured out the problem. I attached the cable to the wrong chipset. I thought it was next to the SSD but it was near the heat sink pipes. Finally got it to flash. However, the motile remains bricked. Only have black screen when turning on. Keyboard lights up when pressed and that is about it.
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skwz
05-29-2020 at 01:26 PM.
05-29-2020 at 01:26 PM.
Hey, got the R3 version and looking to upgrade to 8gb memory. Seeing as folks probably upgraded their R5's, anyone want to sell a 8gb stick? Thanks!
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wildpig1234
09-11-2020 at 06:38 PM.
09-11-2020 at 06:38 PM.
Who here still rocking this? this motile has been my go to ever since i bought it. took it on numerous trips to all over the world Smilie so lightweight!

I actually pack a 24in 4K monitor in my carry on case so i have a nice on the go system. Upgraded with 32GB sodimm. 512GB WD Blue SSD anx the AX200 wifi.

Maybe they will make a follow up model with 4500U and dual channel ram? lol...
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hindolam
09-19-2020 at 10:11 AM.
09-19-2020 at 10:11 AM.
Quote from wildpig1234 :
Who here still rocking this? this motile has been my go to ever since i bought it. took it on numerous trips to all over the world Smilie so lightweight!

I actually pack a 24in 4K monitor in my carry on case so i have a nice on the go system. Upgraded with 32GB sodimm. 512GB WD Blue SSD anx the AX200 wifi.

Maybe they will make a follow up model with 4500U and dual channel ram? lol...
Yes. It's great laptop. Has been working very well.

The few issues I have are

1) In Zoom and Team calls, the other participants have been complaining that they hear an echo
2) The camera is excellent in good light but in rooms with bulbs, the color is a horrible blue. Don't know where to do the white balance for the video image.

But for the above two, the battery life, display are excellent.
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wildpig1234
11-24-2020 at 04:05 PM.
11-24-2020 at 04:05 PM.
Who here's still using this this black friday beside me? lol....
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drymonkey
11-24-2020 at 04:24 PM.
11-24-2020 at 04:24 PM.
Quote from wildpig1234 :
Who here's still using this this black friday beside me? lol....
Still rocking it with 16gb and throw in an extra 512 WD Black. Only complain is the fan noise (still quite visible even when downgrading the bios).
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bbqboy
11-24-2020 at 06:48 PM.
11-24-2020 at 06:48 PM.
Quote from wildpig1234 :
Who here's still using this this black friday beside me? lol....

Yeah I have the ryzen 3 version. I do wish it had better battery life.
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