Asus UX31A-DB51 vs. UX31A-DB52

[azadvirat]

So I believe the key difference between the two new Asus Zenbook Primes (the i5/1080p models) that "released" yesterday are the operating system, and Trusted Platform Module (TPM).

The UX31A-DB51 has Windows 7 Home Premium, and features a 128GB SSD w/out TPM.

The UX31A-DB52 has Windows 7 Professional, and features the same 128GB SSD but with TPM.

The price difference between the two configurations is $100.

I have done some light reading and have come to understand that TPM deals with some form of security encryption, but I am not exactly sure what the real world uses of TPM are.

My question is, is it worth paying the extra $100 for an OS boost as well as a SSD with TPM featured on it?

Any feedback would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

 

[totis531]

I am also interested in the answer. I am planning on buying the UX31A as well.

From what it seems like, TPM is more for businesses concerned with some sort of security key encryption. So unless your company requires it, (as far as I know) the TPM doesn't seem to be worth it. As far as the OS, I can get a $30 upgrade to win7 ultimate from my university. Refer to this chart for the differences between Home and Professional: http/windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/compare

Most notably, you get XP mode. Not sure if I'd say thats worth $100 though. Would like to get someone elses input on the TPM though.

 

[vincehorst]

In layman's terms, a TPM helps store the "secret keys" used as a part of encryption. For example, with full disk encryption (ie: encrypting your hard drive) on your laptop using BitLocker or TrueCrypt etc then a TPM stores the keys necessary for the encryption to function. If you don't have a TPM and you use BitLocker, for instance, then you need to store the keys on a flash drive and plug the flash drive into the computer each time you turn it on (or in the case of TrueCrypt you need to type in a password).

So in my view, unless you're planning to use hard drive encryption then a laptop sans TPM is adequate.

Good luck!

You can read more about TPMs here:
http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_Platform_Module

More about BitLocker here:
http/windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/BitLocker-Drive-Encryption-Overview

 

[azadvirat]

Best answer selected by azadvirat.