Asus Zenbook UX31 Review

Asus Zenbook UX31 Review

Windows customers don't should hide in shame whenever they see somebody whip out a MacBook oxygen in the nearby Starbucks. The ASUS Zenbook UX31 is typically a slim, trendy Ultrabook that not just packs a robust primary i5 processor and 128GB SSD into its 3-pound unibody aluminum chassis, but a high-res 1600 x 900 show and great audio. The super-thin computer also wakes up from relaxation practically as shortly when you lift the spun-metal lid. commencing at $1,099, the UX31 is between the sexiest glass windows notebooks we've actually seen, also it costs $200 much less compared to 13-inch MacBook Air. evaluate on to locate out if this gadget can consider right down the champ.

It's way as well effortless to dismiss Ultrabooks as MacBook oxygen wannabes. And yet, while the UX31 adds just enough pizazz to ensure that you'd by no implies mistake it for Apple's wafer-thin lappie, it is steering to be probably the most Air-inspired contender we've observed so far. Mostly, it's that all-metal build, spacious, buttonless trackpad and razor-thin silhouette that whittles right down to some severely sharp edges. In fact, while you possess a gander at our comparison gallery right down there, you'll see much more of the similarity in between the oxygen and UX31 compared to S3, which tapers, but within a much less pronounced way. Still, while they're each swaddled in aluminum, the 2.9-pound UX31 feels denser compared to 2.96-pound Air. (The S3 weighs a smidge more, at three pounds, but we couldn't using the existence of us inform the distinction when we held that in one hand as well as the UX3 within of the other.)

Now that we've acknowledged that fruity 800-pound Gorilla within of the room, we just should say... the UX31 is stunning in person. right here at Engadget, we see much more products and options within a 1 week than we have time to evaluation and in general, it behooves us to think about a detached, practically clinical method to managing gadgets, lest we get distracted from the toys piled huge on our desks. using the UX31, though, we couldn't support but really feel struck from the tremendous craftsmanship. It just feels like an exceptionally solid, well-made product. The dim gray, metal lid carries a pattern of etched concentric sectors that lends it a modern, commercial look, backed up with a brushed aluminum deck and smooth metal keys. Even the bezel feels tough, while the lid is markedly sturdier compared to S3's.

The Zenbook UX31 carries a chiclet-style keyboard that shares the rectangular tile layout for the MacBook oxygen 13-inch, but adds a brand name new luxurious element with metal keys. while the keys have identical reduce height and shallow keystrokes since the MacBook Air, the backlight is sadly absent. The glass-topped touchpad is smooth and expansive, measuring 5 inches diagonally. The broad touch surface area facilitates multitouch gestures, and although it has unique best suited and left mouse button buttons, it also attributes a clickpad. The bottom best suited and left corners—which serve as practically silent mouse button buttons—click much more swiftly compared to clickpad surface, developing the use for the clickpad optional for individuals who want the much more common information of the standard trackpad.

The make any difference concerning the UX31's metal keys is steering to be the reality which they eventually appear a complete whole lot better than they feel. Now it's true, this keyboard is as sturdy since it seems, as well as the keys possess a not-too-slippery accomplish that feels just best suited below the fingers. They even create a quiet, low-pitched seem -- whatsoever occasions a marker of seem create quality. And yet, we didn't do our selected typing here. such as the S3's keys, these just don't have enough travel. As we typed, the keys usually failed to register our presses if we moved as well quickly or dug our fingers in as well lightly. We designed fewer mistakes when we designed a concerted work to press keys firmly preceding to relocating on, but what experienced touch typist desires to hold out that? We slugged through, eventually typing the bulk of the evaluation on it, but man, do we make many spelling mistakes -- ironic, within a way, granted how the Enter, Backspace and best suited Shift keys are all amply sized. (Tab, Caps Lock, left Shift and arrow keys are tiny, but for what ever induce we found out this layout much less cramped compared to S3's.)

You can't see the speakers for the UX31, but they make their presence felt. Audio, by Bang & Olufsen's ICEpower and ASUS SonicMaster, radiates from beneath the keyboard, and is also not just surprisingly loud, but very great contemplating the limitations for the UX31's size.

The cymbals and guitar riffs for the Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Y Control" have been pretty 100 % free of distortion even at max volume. Bass wasn't overwhelming, but was present. Curiously, the speakers would induce the whole deck to reverberate, especially on thumping dance tracks, that consist of September's "Cry For You" and LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem." Overall, the UX31 provides much more robust seem compared to 13-inch Air.