Asus UX31A-R5102F

Specifications

Reviews for the Asus UX31A-R5102F

70% Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A-R5102F
Source: PC Mag
A lot has happened since the first Zenbook came on the scene. Asus has updated the gorgeous design with a high-resolution display, more comfortable keyboard with backlight, and new hardware, making an impressive machine all the better. But the competition hasn't been sitting still, and there are several models that offer better battery life, better port selection, and larger storage capacity. The best of these competitors actually comes from within the Zenbook family.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/17/2012
Rating: Total score: 70%

Comment

Series:

The Asus Zenbook is still one of the best looking ultrabook out there, next to the Macbook Air. The only problem with the original UX32 was its price. The 13 inch model was far more pricy than any other ultrabooks. Asus decided to deliver a little of that good taste for far less the price with the new mid-range Zenbook.

With the same kind all metal body featuring a concentric circle design, the new UX32A looks every bit as good as the original Zenbook. To reduce its price, the 256GB SSD had to be replaced with a hybrid drive consisting of a 500GB hard disk and a 24GB SSD. Naturally this makes the new model a little thicker than the older one but that size isn’t a problem at all. It is still by farthest, one of the sleekest ultrabook out there. As a result of the thicker chassis, several additional ports could be included in this new model, which actually is better.

The fast boot-up and resume from sleep times still remains fast thanks to the tiny SSD but the cheaper model is crippled with an i3 processor of the older Sandy Bridge platform and an older generation graphics adapter as well. Due to this severe new generation technology shortage it is hard to see why a person would choose the UX32A over all the other ultrabooks in the same price range out there. Perhaps if exterior design is your only priority, it would serve you well. However, even the least tech savvy person might not consider an ultrabook with an i3 processor.

Intel HD Graphics 4000: Processor graphics card in the high end Ivy Bridge models. Offers a different clock speed in the different CPU models (ULV to desktop quad core) and therefore a different performance.

Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

3317U: Ivy-Bridge-based ULV-CPU in Q2 2012. Offers a core clock of 1.7 - 2.6 GHz and an HD 4000 GPU (350 - 1050 MHz). The TDP is rated at 17 W.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

13.3": This is a common display format for subnotebooks. Netbooks, UMPC and some subnotebooks have tinier displays. Nevertheless, the majority of standard laptops has a higher format. The advantage of a small display is, that the subnotebook can be small dimensioned and can be carried easily. Further the small display needs few energy, which improves the battery runtime and in consequence the mobility. The disadvantage is that the reading of texts is a bit exhausting for the eyes, especially with high resolutions.» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.

1.4 kg: This subnotebook is one of the most lightweight of all notebooks and can be carried very easily. There exist only few sub-notebooks, which weight less. 10 inch displays are normal for this class of weight.

Asus: ASUSTeK Computer Incorporated, a Taiwanese multinational company, produces motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, PDAs, computer monitors, notebook computers, servers, networking products, mobile phones, computer cases, computer components, and computer cooling systems. The company's 2007 revenues reached US$6.9 billion. ASUS also produces components for other manufacturers. The Eee PC initiated the netbook boom in 2008.

Asus reviews

70%: This rating is bad. Most notebooks are better rated. This is not a recommendation for purchase.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

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