The Asus Zenbook UX305: A gorgeous Windows 8.1 Ultrabook at an excellent price

Zenbook UX305

Using the Intel Core Grand chip gives laptop makers some added freedom to design incredibly thin, light, placidity Ultrabooks. There are compromises in other areas, just what Asus has come with, on the confront of it at least, is something that promises a premium feel without the hefty price.

There's a lot to like about the Zenbook UX305. A lot.

Asus Zenbook UX305

There are some different configurations available, but here'due south what's within our review unit of measurement. This spec retails for £649.95 inclusive of VAT in the U.k..

1920 x 1080 resolution non-touch xiii.3-inch Machine IPS not-impact display
Intel Core M-5Y10c CPU at 0.80GHz
8GB RAM
Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 5300
128GB SSD drive
SDXC bill of fare reader
720p webcam
3 x USB 3.0 ports
MicroHDMI output
iii.5mm microphone in/headphone out jack
802.11 ac Wifi
Blindside & Olufsen ICEpower® audio
45 Whrs bombardment
324 x 226 ten 12.three mm
Dimensions: 324 x 226 x 12.3 mm (12.75 in x eight.89 in x 0.4 in)
Weight: 1.2kg (ii.64lbs)
Windows eight.ane

Other options to choose from include an Intel Core M-5Y71 CPU, 4GB of RAM, a QHD+ (3200x1800) resolution IPS display, up to 512GB of internal storage and a choice to take Windows 8.ane Pro pre-installed.

Asus Zenbook UX305

Then, ours isn't quite the cheapest option available, but it's shut. U.S. prices start at $699. And of course, ownership through the Microsoft Shop will become yous the 'bloat free' Signature Edition. If yous get information technology from anywhere else, Asus volition have preloaded a bunch of unlike software applications that you lot may, or may not, want to continue.

Hither'southward some of what nosotros're looking at:

WildTangent Games
Asus Webstorage
LINE Messenger
Twitter
Music Maker Jam
Flipboard
Skype Wifi
Zinio
TripAdvisor
Fresh Paint
Skype for Desktop
McAfee LiveSafe

And there are as well a bunch of other custom Asus apps and stuff for the onboard audio hardware. So there's quite a bit, but apart from McAfee, the residual is relatively unobtrusive. If you lot don't desire the McAfee, become rid of it equally soon as you can. Because it'll continue trying to 'persuade' yous that y'all want it. If you can become the Signature Edition though, it'due south probably worth going for.

So, away from raw specs and pre-installed 'goodies,' what is the Zenbook UX305 actually like to utilise?

Well, it'southward fabulous.

Asus knows how to design a practiced laptop and this latest Zenbook is no exception. Nosotros've got metallic, we've got something incredibly slim and light and something packing a really nice IPS brandish. Touch would add to the price, but this is definitely 1 of the nicer non-touch displays you'll see.

The keyboard is as prissy to blazon on every bit our electric current favorite (and my ain daily driver) the Dell XPS xiii with skillful spacing between the keys, though it does lack any backlighting, if that's your bag. Personally, I miss this, simply not everyone wants or needs information technology. Beneath the keyboard is a pretty large trackpad, though it'southward not a Microsoft precision one, and there'south a noticeable divergence. There'south a expert feeling as yous're dragging your finger over its metallic surface, but it only doesn't experience quite as responsive as it maybe should.

The hardware and design is solid. Information technology's thin and lite but also feels remarkably sturdy. And but because information technology'southward thin, that doesn't mean Asus has skimped on the ports. We've got more USB three ports than Dell put on the XPS xiii, a full sized SD bill of fare slot and microHDMI out. The thinness hasn't compromised on really, you know, using things with the laptop. Not like that other Core M Ultrabook that just launched at a much higher price.

Asus Zenbook UX305

Performance is something that's been chosen into question with Cadre Yard Ultrabooks in recent times, such as the Lenovo Yoga iii Pro. I've but been using this ane a short time then far, and honestly, non on any really intensive processes. But for well-nigh of the daily work on the site it hasn't missed a beat. We'll see how it fares with some more intensive tasks subsequently more time with it.

Some other quick hits before wrapping upward:

When you open the chapeau the swivel is arranged such that the bottom of it raises the whole laptop and angles information technology slightly for a more comfortable typing angle on a apartment surface.
The audio arrangement is squeamish, if a little quiet. Maybe seeing "Bang and Olufsen" printed on it lulls into a false sense of security, but be it music or video, it just doesn't seem loud plenty if yous're non right adjacent to it.
The lid isn't only the metallic like everywhere else, it's smooth and has a really great looking round pattern etched into it.
Asus describes the colors and finishes as "refined white Ceramic Alloy or Obsidian Stone with spun-metal hairline details." Fancy.
Asus USB Charger+ allows one USB port to charge devices, like smartphones, upward to 50% faster. Apparently even when the Zenbook is comatose or turned off. And then I'll accept to try that out and report back!
Asus claims up to x hours of use off the charger. I've not spent enough time with information technology to make an informed judgement, merely with light use such every bit web browsing, word processing etc and then far, 8 hours is easily inside reach.

Asus Zenbook UX305

Starting time impressions then? Very proficient. The Zenbook UX305 is every bit the premium looking and feeling Ultrabook, with no compromise on ports and an first-class, non-impact display. Nosotros're notwithstanding non 100% convinced past Cadre M in any kind of intensive use cases, but at that place's a lot to be said for having a laptop that's this quiet and has battery life equally good every bit this seems to accept and then far.

And it's certainly well priced. This has the makings of a little jewel for the right kind of buyer.

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