ASUS ZenBook 13 Ultrabook Review

New Year's holidays are over, but there are still enough reasons to please yourself with a new gadget. At your service - a review of the ASUS ZenBook 13 ultrabook (UX331UN).

Specifications

Processor :
• Intel Core i5 8250U
• Intel Core i7 8550U
Operating system :
• Windows 10 Home
• Windows 10 Pro
RAM: built-in, 8/16 GB
Display :
• 13.3 inches, IPS, 72% NTSC, 1920x1080 (16: 9), touch
• 13.3 inches, IPS, 72% NTSC, 3840x2160 (16: 9), touch
Graphics :
Intel UHD Graphics 620
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, 2 GB GDDR5
Drive :
SSD, SATA3 M.2, 128/256/512 GB
SSD, PCIe 3.0 x4, 512 GB / 1 TB
Keyboard : membrane, backlit
Webcam : VGA
Network :
Bluetooth V4.2
Wi-Fi 802.11 AC (2x2)
Connectors :
1 x combo audio jack
1 x micro SD card slot
1 x Type C USB 3.0 (USB 3.1 GEN1)
1 x HDMI, support HDMI 1.4
2 x Type A USB3.1 (GEN1)
Audio :
Harman kardon
ASUS SonicMaster Technology
Battery : Lithium Polymer, 50 Wh
Power supply :
Input: 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz
Output: 19 V, 3.42 A, 65 W
Connector Type: ø4 (mm)
Dimensions : 310 x 216 x 13.9 mm (L x W x H)
Weight : 1.12 kg

Appearance

The new ultrabook has a rather bright appearance: the glossy lid of a deep ultramarine color is decorated with a signature iridescent pattern:





The maximum thickness of the device is 13.9 mm, but in the front part of the ZenBook 13 it seems - and it feels - thinner thanks to the smooth curves of the lower body bath.



The purity of the bottom of the ultrabook is broken only by the speaker and cooling system:





On the right side is a card reader, audio jack and USB 3.0:



On the left side is a power connector, HDMI, USB 3.0 and USB 3.0 Type C (USB 3.1 GEN1):



Ultra-thin lid thin:



A feature of the ZenBook 13 is the touch screen. Although this is an ultrabook, not a transformer, you can also manually control it if you wish, if the mouse or touchpad is currently inconvenient to steer, or even impossible, for example, when holding the ultrabook with one hand. Therefore, the entire display panel is covered with a glossy mirror-like protective glass.





Along the perimeter there is a protective rubber buffer that does not allow the glass to fall on the keyboard panel.





Maximum opening angle:



Cooling system grids hidden behind hinge cover:



The keyboard panel is made concave so that the keyboard is recessed into the case and does not touch the display. But it is concave from the very edges, and the keys are only a few millimeters high, so that the keyboard panel looks flat, if you do not look closely.





The touchpad is large, recessed into the case, and a shiny chamfer is removed around the perimeter - it is convenient to navigate both tactilely and visually. The touchpad itself has a slightly rough glass coating, not too slippery, and does not handle occasional touches.



Under the cursor keys is a fingerprint sensor. Beside the logo of a reputable audio equipment manufacturer who certified the ZenBook 13 sound system.

Display and sound

The touchscreen display ZenBook 13 has a diagonal of 13.3 inches, and may have a resolution of 1920x1080 or 3840x2160. In both cases, an IPS-matrix with a color coverage of 72% NTSC is used - this is enough for the vast majority of users, including, for example, web developers. Also in the ultrabook applied proprietary technology ASUS True2Life Video, automatically adjusts the contrast of the image when playing video.

The display is not just a touchscreen, but also supports the ASUS Pen stylus, so you can make some simple sketches directly on the ultrabook, or, say, draw a flowchart. Or make some visual explanations for conference calls and other joint online activities. The display is surrounded by a thin frame, on either side its width is less than 7 mm.



The sound quality of the ZenBook 13 is at the height - no wonder it bears the Harman Kardon logo. And the range and volume of sound for such a kid with modest speakers are very good.

Performance

In the line of ZenBook 13 (UX331UN) there are two models - with Intel Core i5 8250U or Intel Core i7 8550U processors (was tested). The amount of RAM - 8 or 16 GB.


Drives are only SSDs of different sizes, connected either by SATA3 M.2 or PCIe 3.0 x4 (was tested).




Another feature of the ZenBook 13 (UX331UN) is the Nvidia GeForce MX150 discrete graphics card with 2 GB of memory.


In my opinion, a good addition to the “office” Intel UHD Graphics 620 is one of the thinnest ultrabooks with a discrete graphics card on the market.


Regarding the duration of the work, the ZenBook 13 is equipped with a lithium-polymer battery of 50 Wh. When running a benchmark using a discrete video card (Accelerated mode), the charge lasts for about 4 hours (up to 20%, the charge fell in 3.5 hours).


There is a quick recharge feature - up to 60% in about 50 minutes.

Conclusion

ASUS ZenBook 13 (UX331UN) is an interesting option for those who need a small and lightweight ultrabook with a decent video card, as well as those who are so lacking in “manual” control in traditional mobile computers. With ZenBook 13 it will be convenient to travel to customers to discuss, for example, further work on the layout / plan / design, making changes with the stylus to edit and mark on the go. Giving an ultrabook to children, of course, is risky, given its subtlety, but under the supervision of your children, they may well play not the latest games, poke a finger at the screen, while fine motor skills are not yet so developed.

Recommended retail price: from 68,990 rub.