Asus UX31A-R5102F

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Reviews for the Asus UX31A-R5102F

70% Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A-R5102F
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
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%

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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.

Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics 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.

13.30":

There are hardly any tablets in this display size range anymore. For subnotebooks, on the other hand, it is the standard format.

The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small and therefore easily portable. The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is more strenuous on the eyes. High resolutions are more likely to be found in standard laptops.

Asus: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. is a major Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer based in Taipei, founded in 1989. Under the Asus brand name, the company manufactures a wide range of products, including laptops, desktops, motherboards, graphics cards, monitors, smartphones and networking equipment, complete systems and PC components for end users.

Under the ROG (Republic of Gamers) brand name, ASUS manufactures gaming laptops known by gamers for their powerful specifications, dedicated graphics cards, high refresh rate displays and advanced cooling systems.

Beyond gaming, a wide range of notebooks are offered for different needs and budgets, from ultra-slim and lightweight ultrabooks to versatile 2-in-1 convertibles and budget-friendly options. In 2023, Asus had a 7% global market share of the PC market.

Customer satisfaction with ASUS notebooks concerns performance, the features, and the good price-performance ratio of ASUS notebooks. However, as with any brand, there are occasional reports of problems such as overheating, driver compatibility, or build quality issues.

70%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.

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

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