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Hardware

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

By Bill Detwiler February 14, 2012, 4:01 AM PST on Twitter billdetwiler

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Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Asus Zenbook UX21 teardown

Asus Zenbook UX21 teardown

ntIn late 2011, Asus launched their Zenbook series of Ultrabooks. These super-thin notebooks, offer more processing power than netbooks, but weigh less than traditional laptops.

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ntThey are designed to be a Windows alternative to Apple’s MacBook Air. Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Acer, Asus, and Toshiba are all jumping on the Ultrabook bandwagon (thanks in part to a significant push from Intel).
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ntAs of this writing, the Zenbook is available in 11-inch (UX21) and 13-inch (UX31) models and a variety of hardware configurations. Follow along as I crack open the 11-inch Asus Zenbook UX21.
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ntFor a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Zenbook teardown: Blatant copy of MacBook Air.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Hardware specifications

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Hardware specifications

ntOur Asus Zenbook UX21E-DH71 cost $1,149.99 (US). It has a 1.8GHz Intel Core i7-2677M processor, 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM, 128GB solid state drive, 11.6″ HD LED LCD (1366 x 768), 802.11 b/g/n WLAN and BT support, and 0.3MP HD webcam.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Dimensions

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Dimensions

ntOur Zenbook has a Silver Aluminum case and measures 7.7″ (H) x 11.7″ (W) x 0.7″ (D). The ultrabook weighs 2.4 pounds.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: miniVGA port, USB port, and headphone jack

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: miniVGA port, USB port, and headphone jack

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: microHDMI port, USB port, and power connector

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: microHDMI port, USB port, and power connector

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Side-by-side with Apple MacBook Air

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Side-by-side with Apple MacBook Air

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Compared to the MacBook Air - Thickness

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Compared to the MacBook Air - Thickness

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Bottom

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Bottom

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the bottom cover screws

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the bottom cover screws

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the bottom cover

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the bottom cover

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Internal hardware

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Internal hardware

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the battery screws

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the battery screws

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the battery

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the battery

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: 7.4V 4,800mAh, 35Wh Li-Polymer Battery Pack (C23-UX21)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: 7.4V 4,800mAh, 35Wh Li-Polymer Battery Pack (C23-UX21)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the SSD screw

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the SSD screw

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the SSD

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the SSD

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: 128GB ADATA XM11 SSD

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: 128GB ADATA XM11 SSD

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the WLAN and BT card screw

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the WLAN and BT card screw

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the WLAN and BT card

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the WLAN and BT card

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: AzureWave AW-NB086 WLAN/BT card

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: AzureWave AW-NB086 WLAN/BT card

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the cooling assembly screws

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the cooling assembly screws

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Disconnecting the motherboard and IO board connector cable

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Disconnecting the motherboard and IO board connector cable

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Disconnecting the fan cable

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Disconnecting the fan cable

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the cooling assembly

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the cooling assembly

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Cooling assembly - Front

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Cooling assembly - Front

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Cooling assembly - Back

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Cooling assembly - Back

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Disconnecting the left speaker wire

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Disconnecting the left speaker wire

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the IO board screw

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the IO board screw

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the IO board

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the IO board

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: IO Board

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: IO Board

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Realtek ALC269 High Definition Audio Codec with Embedded Class D Speaker Amplifier

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Realtek ALC269 High Definition Audio Codec with Embedded Class D Speaker Amplifier

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Detaching the motherboard connectors

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Detaching the motherboard connectors

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the motherboard screws

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the motherboard screws

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the motherboard

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the motherboard

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the lid hinge screws

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Removing the lid hinge screws

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Separating the lid from the case

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Separating the lid from the case

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Lid/LCD assembly

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Lid/LCD assembly

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Case with attached speakers, keyboard, and touchpad

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Case with attached speakers, keyboard, and touchpad

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Touchpad

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Touchpad

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: ELAN touchpad controller (33200V-3600 1139 BW118V1)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: ELAN touchpad controller (33200V-3600 1139 BW118V1)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: One of two speakers

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: One of two speakers

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Motherbaord - Top

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Motherbaord - Top

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Motherboard - Bottom

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Motherboard - Bottom

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: 1.8GHz Intel Core i7-2677M processor (E89391 01 IC2 / V137A416 / 2V130164A1260 SR0D2)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: 1.8GHz Intel Core i7-2677M processor (E89391 01 IC2 / V137A416 / 2V130164A1260 SR0D2)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Intel Platform Controller Hub (E78296 01PP15 / E135B084 SLJ4K)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Intel Platform Controller Hub (E78296 01PP15 / E135B084 SLJ4K)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: 4GB Elpida 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (J4216BASE-DJ-F x 8)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: 4GB Elpida 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (J4216BASE-DJ-F x 8)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Richtek RT8166B (RT8166B ZQW DGJ10)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Richtek RT8166B (RT8166B ZQW DGJ10)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Fairchild FDMC7696 and FDMC0310AS

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Fairchild FDMC7696 and FDMC0310AS

Fairchild FDMC7696 30V N-Channel PowerTrench MOSFET (FBKFJ FDMC 7696) and FDMC0310AS (PBKAF FDMC 0310AS)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Texas Instruments BQ24740 Multi-Cell Synchronous Switch-mode Battery Charger (BQ 24740 TI 171 A3NR G4)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Texas Instruments BQ24740 Multi-Cell Synchronous Switch-mode Battery Charger (BQ 24740 TI 171 A3NR G4)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Macronix MX25L3206E 32M-BIT CMOS serial flash (MXIC IC MX25L3206E M2I-12G 7A470000 L113498)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Macronix MX25L3206E 32M-BIT CMOS serial flash (MXIC IC MX25L3206E M2I-12G 7A470000 L113498)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Fresco Logic FL1000 single port PCI Express to USB 3.0 host controller chip (FL1009-2Q0 KYTG9-000 1122B15A)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Fresco Logic FL1000 single port PCI Express to USB 3.0 host controller chip (FL1009-2Q0 KYTG9-000 1122B15A)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: ITE Tech IT8572G 1137-AXS DCEKSB (likely and embedded controller)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: ITE Tech IT8572G 1137-AXS DCEKSB (likely and embedded controller)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Richtek RT8206A High-Efficiency, Main Power Supply Controller for Notebook Computers (RT8206A GQW DHV08)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Richtek RT8206A High-Efficiency, Main Power Supply Controller for Notebook Computers (RT8206A GQW DHV08)

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: RAM chips on underside of motherboard

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: RAM chips on underside of motherboard

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Motherboard markings

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Motherboard markings

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21 ultrabook

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Complete teardown

Cracking Open the Asus Zenbook UX21: Complete teardown

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By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
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