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MagyarAsus Zenbook UX305LA (Core i7) Subnotebook Review
For the original German review, see here.
The Asus Zenbook UX 305 is not unknown territory for us, as we have already tested two models in this line. Even so, after its substantial interior renovation, the device we now have in our hands is a debut of sorts. The big news: Whereas the previous models were outfitted with Core M processors, this new computer boasts of a Core i7. This does carry some consequences -- for instance, passive cooling is now impossible. The question is, all things considered, is the stronger processor more of a boon or a drawback? Read on to find out.
The Zenbook's competition includes notebooks like the Apple MacBook Air 13 (Early 2015), the Dell XPS 13, the Toshiba Kira, and the Acer Aspire S7-393.
As we have already reviewed two Zenbook models, we will not cover the notebook's case, connectivity features, input devices, display or speakers in detail. Here we will look at the changes Asus made for their Core i7 model, but for comprehensive coverage of these external features, see our reviews of the Asus Zenbook UX305FA-FC004H and the Asus Zenbook UX305FA-FB003H.
Case & Connectivity
The Zenbook's case bears great similarity to that of the two Core M Zenbooks we previously reviewed. There is just one small difference: Our current test device's case is about 3 mm (~0.12 in) thicker. Asus of course utilizes the extra room for the necessary fan, but the manufacturer also took advantage of the space to install a bigger battery (56 Wh vs. 45 Wh). The Core i7 model also lacks a few of the accessories included with the Core M models: The sleeve and USB-to-Ethernet adapter are both a thing of the past.
Display
The Zenbook is outfitted with the same Full HD panel as the Full HD Core M model we reviewed earlier this year. This is a matte IPS display with a very good maximum brightness level and very good contrast.
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Brightness Distribution: 87 %
Center on Battery: 285 cd/m²
Contrast: 1396:1 (Black: 0.25 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 5.49 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 5.43 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
92% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
60% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
65% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
91.6% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
63.9% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.17
| Asus Zenbook UX305LA-FC012H IPS, 1920x1080 | Asus Zenbook UX305FA-FC004H IPS, 1920x1080 | Asus ZenBook UX305FA-FB003H IPS, 3200x1800 | Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2015-03 TN LED, 1440x900 | Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2015) 1.1 GHz IPS-Panel, 2304x1440 | Acer Aspire S7-393-75508G25EWS IPS, 2560x1440 | Toshiba KIRA-10D IPS, 1920x1080 | Dell XPS 13-9343 Non-Touch IPS, 1920x1080 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 0% | -9% | -36% | 5% | 9% | 8% | 1% | |
| Display P3 Coverage | 63.9 | 64.2 0% | 58.2 -9% | 40.1 -37% | 67.6 6% | 70.1 10% | 69.1 8% | 65.9 3% |
| sRGB Coverage | 91.6 | 91.9 0% | 83.3 -9% | 59.8 -35% | 95.6 4% | 98.3 7% | 98.2 7% | 89.6 -2% |
| AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 65 | 65.4 1% | 60.1 -8% | 41.51 -36% | 68.7 6% | 71.1 9% | 71 9% | 66.2 2% |
| Screen | -11% | -21% | -15% | 10% | 13% | 10% | -6% | |
| Brightness middle | 349 | 351 1% | 310 -11% | 329 -6% | 345 -1% | 360 3% | 334 -4% | 409.7 17% |
| Brightness | 338 | 341 1% | 309 -9% | 310 -8% | 325 -4% | 341 1% | 316 -7% | 405 20% |
| Brightness Distribution | 87 | 93 7% | 90 3% | 82 -6% | 90 3% | 90 3% | 92 6% | 93 7% |
| Black Level * | 0.25 | 0.33 -32% | 0.75 -200% | 0.405 -62% | 0.324 -30% | 0.23 8% | 0.29 -16% | 0.366 -46% |
| Contrast | 1396 | 1064 -24% | 413 -70% | 812 -42% | 1065 -24% | 1565 12% | 1152 -17% | 1119 -20% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 5.49 | 6.5 -18% | 2.49 55% | 3.96 28% | 1.62 70% | 3.35 39% | 2.27 59% | 7.67 -40% |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 5.43 | 7.19 -32% | 1.89 65% | 3.51 35% | 1.88 65% | 3.62 33% | 2.47 55% | 4.66 14% |
| Gamma | 2.17 101% | 2.07 106% | 2.36 93% | 3.83 57% | 2.55 86% | 2.51 88% | 2.36 93% | 1.65 133% |
| CCT | 7055 92% | 6692 97% | 6573 99% | 6711 97% | 6411 101% | 6805 96% | 6872 95% | 6502 100% |
| Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 60 | 59.6 -1% | 54 -10% | 38.4 -36% | 61.8 3% | 65 8% | 64 7% | 59.65 -1% |
| Color Space (Percent of sRGB) | 92 | 91.8 0% | 83.1 -10% | 59.8 -35% | 95.5 4% | |||
| Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 7.51 | 2.51 | ||||||
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | -6% /
-8% | -15% /
-18% | -26% /
-20% | 8% /
9% | 11% /
12% | 9% /
10% | -3% /
-4% |
* ... smaller is better
Performance
Asus' Zenbook UX305LA-FC012H is a 13.3-inch subnotebook. The device's Core i7 processor offers sufficient computational power for any task the average user may wish to perform. The model under our scrutiny is currently available for about 1100 Euros (~$1240). There are alternative versions on the market -- as of this review's publication date, the most inexpensive models (with Core M processors) are priced at about 800 Euros (~$900).
Processor
When it comes to the processor, our current test device differs substantially from the Zenbook models we previously reviewed. The Core M processors found in the other versions of the subnotebook have disappeared, making way for the powerful Core i7. As a result, passive cooling is no longer an option with this computer. Asus equipped their Zenbook with an Intel Core i7-5500U dual-core processor (Broadwell) -- one of the most potent ULV processors in Intel's current line-up. The CPU runs at a base frequency of 2.4 GHz. Using turbo, the speed can be increased to up to 2.9 GHz (both cores) or 3 GHz (one core).
Considering that the Zenbook was originally designed as a passively cooled device, one might surmise that the substantially stronger and more power-hungry Core i7 processor would need to throttle in order to remain sufficiently cool. This is not the case. The processor performed all our CPU tests at full speed -- both in AC power mode and in battery mode. Only when both the CPU and the GPU were under full load (in the stress test) did the processor begin to throttle. Compared to its Core M siblings, the Core i7 processor provides the computer with a considerable performance boost. The CPU's single thread performance increased by 50 percent and its multi-thread performance doubled.
| Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value) | |
| Asus Zenbook UX305LA-FC012H | |
| Asus Zenbook UX305FA-FC004H | |
| Dell XPS 13 9343 Core i7 | |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
Thanks to the computer's quick solid-state drive and strong Core i7 processor, the system's behavior is effortlessly fluid and always stable. We did not run into any problems. The subnotebook's results in the PCMark benchmarks are very good. The MacBook Air 13 (Early 2015), which is outfitted with a stronger CPU-GPU combo, comes in a bit ahead of our test device in the PCMark 8 benchmark. Boosting the Zenbook's system performance is not an option, as Asus already took full advantage of the device's computational power.
| PCMark 7 Score | 5180 points | |
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 3167 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3755 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 4089 points | |
Help | ||
Storage Device
A solid-state disk in M.2 format serves as the system's storage medium. This drive has a gross capacity of 256 GB, 200 GB of which remain available to the user after the initial boot. The other 56 GB are occupied by the Windows installation data and a recovery partition. In general, Asus tends to split hard drives and SSDs into an operating system partition and a data partition. The Zenbook is no exception. In our case, the manufacturer forgot to format the data partition, leaving half of the storage space unusable upon arrival in our test lab. However, this is not a serious problem: In Windows' disk management utility, it is easy to configure the partition. After that, the whole storage space is available to the user. Overall, the SSD's transfer rates are good.
Graphics Card
The Core i7 processor is not the Zenbook's only new occupant -- a new graphics core also tagged along for the move. The Intel HD Graphics 5500 GPU runs at speeds of up to 950 MHz and supports DirectX 11.2. The results in the 3D Mark benchmarks are at a normal level for this GPU. The graphics core profits from the fact that the RAM runs in dual-channel mode. Like the CPU, the GPU shows a vast increase in performance compared to the graphics units in the Core M Zenbooks. Our test device's HD Graphics 5500 core comes in 70 to 80 percent ahead of the other Zenbooks' HD Graphics 5300 cores.
| 3DMark 06 Standard Score | 7769 points | |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 1198 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 51649 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 5461 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 757 points | |
Help | ||
| 3DMark 06 - 1280x1024 Standard Score AA:0x AF:0x (sort by value) | |
| Asus Zenbook UX305LA-FC012H | |
| Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2015-03 | |
| Toshiba KIRA-10D | |
| Dell XPS 13-9343 Non-Touch | |
Gaming Performance
The Zenbook manages to render some games fluidly at low resolution and low to medium quality settings. This is primarily true for games that only place moderate demands on the system resources -- for instance, Dirt Rally. Current titles like Batman: Arkham Knight never reach sufficiently high frame rates. Gaming enthusiasts are better off with a different notebook. With another model from the Zenbook family, Asus proves that a 13.3-inch screen and gaming capabilities can go hand-in-hand. The Zenbook UX303 is available with Core i5/i7 processors and GeForce 840M/940M graphics cores. These devices come at a starting price of about 1000 Euros (~$1130).
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
| Tomb Raider (2013) | 60.8 | 31.1 | 20.3 | 9.7 |
| GRID: Autosport (2014) | 86.9 | 30.4 | 18.4 | 12.5 |
| Dirt Rally (2015) | 88 | 21.4 | 12.5 | 12.5 |
| Batman: Arkham Knight (2015) | 12 | 10 | 5 | |
| Metal Gear Solid V (2015) | 33.5 | 21.1 | 8.7 | |
| Mad Max (2015) | 16.2 | 7.9 | ||
| World of Warships (2015) | 48.6 | 37.3 | 17.9 | 13 |
| FIFA 16 (2015) | 42.4 | 33.8 | 17.2 |
Emissions
System Noise
Even though its processor is considerably more powerful, the Zenbook never makes too much noise. In idle mode, the fan generally stands still and silence reigns. Under load, of course, the fan needs to do its job. When the processor is pushed to its limits (Prime95), we measure a sound pressure level of 39.3 dB(A) -- an acceptable result. During the stress test (Prime95 and FurMark running simultaneously for at least an hour), this number sinks to 36 dB(A) as a result of the CPU and GPU throttling.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 29.6 / 29.6 / 29.6 dB(A) |
| Load |
| 39.3 / 36 dB(A) |
 | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min:  , med:  , max:  Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance) | ||
| Asus Zenbook UX305LA-FC012H 5500U, HD Graphics 5500 | Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2015-03 5650U, HD Graphics 6000 | Acer Aspire S7-393-75508G25EWS 5500U, HD Graphics 5500 | Toshiba KIRA-10D 5500U, HD Graphics 5500 | Dell XPS 13-9343 Non-Touch 5200U, HD Graphics 5500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | -6% | 0% | -8% | 4% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 29.6 | 29.2 1% | 29.6 -0% | 29.6 -0% | 29 2% |
| Idle Average * | 29.6 | 29.2 1% | 29.6 -0% | 29.6 -0% | 29.1 2% |
| Idle Maximum * | 29.6 | 29.2 1% | 29.6 -0% | 30.7 -4% | 29.2 1% |
| Load Average * | 39.3 | 40.2 -2% | 37.5 5% | 43.9 -12% | 31.1 21% |
| Load Maximum * | 36 | 46.3 -29% | 37.2 -3% | 43.9 -22% | 38.4 -7% |
* ... smaller is better
Temperature
The Zenbook completes the stress test (Prime95 and FurMark running simultaneously for at least an hour) in the same way in both AC power mode and battery mode. The processor runs at 2.4 GHz for about five minutes, and then drops to a speed of 1.4 to 1.5 GHz. The graphics core displays the opposite behavior. This component runs at 450 to 500 MHz for the first five minutes, and then accelerates to 700 to 750 MHz. Despite its thin build, the Zenbook remains relatively cool. During the stress test, we only registered temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in the region where the CPU resides. The device's case temperatures thus prove to be similar to those of the passively cooled Core M Zenbooks.
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 45.9 °C / 115 F, compared to the average of 35.9 °C / 97 F, ranging from 21.4 to 59 °C for the class Subnotebook.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 45 °C / 113 F, compared to the average of 39.4 °C / 103 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 24.5 °C / 76 F, compared to the device average of 30.7 °C / 87 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 28.5 °C / 83.3 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(±) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.3 °C / 82.9 F (-0.2 °C / -0.4 F).
| Asus Zenbook UX305LA-FC012H 5500U, HD Graphics 5500 | Asus Zenbook UX305FA-FC004H 5Y10, HD Graphics 5300 | Asus ZenBook UX305FA-FB003H 5Y10, HD Graphics 5300 | Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2015-03 5650U, HD Graphics 6000 | Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2015) 1.1 GHz 5Y31, HD Graphics 5300 | Acer Aspire S7-393-75508G25EWS 5500U, HD Graphics 5500 | Toshiba KIRA-10D 5500U, HD Graphics 5500 | Dell XPS 13-9343 Non-Touch 5200U, HD Graphics 5500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | 5% | 2% | -4% | -17% | 4% | 4% | -6% | |
| Maximum Upper Side * | 45.9 | 44.9 2% | 43.1 6% | 43.8 5% | 45.7 -0% | 39.8 13% | 42.2 8% | 44.6 3% |
| Maximum Bottom * | 45 | 40.9 9% | 41.2 8% | 42.1 6% | 49.4 -10% | 38.4 15% | 34.4 24% | 44.8 -0% |
| Idle Upper Side * | 25.6 | 24.2 5% | 26.3 -3% | 28.5 -11% | 32.5 -27% | 26.7 -4% | 26.2 -2% | 28.8 -13% |
| Idle Bottom * | 25 | 24.6 2% | 26.2 -5% | 28.9 -16% | 33.1 -32% | 27.6 -10% | 28.5 -14% | 28.8 -15% |
* ... smaller is better
Energy Management
Power Consumption
In idle mode, the Zenbook is very conservative with its energy, only consuming up to 6.5 watts. The Core M Zenbooks behave similarly. Unsurprisingly, of course, under load the Core i7 model needs more energy than its Core M counterparts. Under medium load (3D Mark 2006), the energy consumption rate rises to 30.8 watts. Things look much the same when the CPU is working at full capacity (Prime95). Here the system uses a constant 30.4 watts. As a result of the CPU and GPU throttling, the power consumption drops to 27 watts in the stress test.
| Off / Standby | 0.1 / 0.1 Watt |
| Idle | 2.6 / 6.2 / 6.5 Watt |
| Load |
30.8 / 27 Watt |
   
| |
| Asus Zenbook UX305LA-FC012H 5500U, HD Graphics 5500 | Asus Zenbook UX305FA-FC004H 5Y10, HD Graphics 5300 | Asus ZenBook UX305FA-FB003H 5Y10, HD Graphics 5300 | Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2015-03 5650U, HD Graphics 6000 | Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2015) 1.1 GHz 5Y31, HD Graphics 5300 | Acer Aspire S7-393-75508G25EWS 5500U, HD Graphics 5500 | Toshiba KIRA-10D 5500U, HD Graphics 5500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 18% | -13% | -5% | 18% | -10% | -3% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 2.6 | 2.6 -0% | 3.1 -19% | 2.7 -4% | 1.7 35% | 4 -54% | 2.6 -0% |
| Idle Average * | 6.2 | 6.4 -3% | 7.5 -21% | 5.7 8% | 5.3 15% | 5 19% | 6.3 -2% |
| Idle Maximum * | 6.5 | 6.5 -0% | 8.6 -32% | 6 8% | 6 8% | 6.5 -0% | 6.5 -0% |
| Load Average * | 30.8 | 15.1 51% | 25.2 18% | 32.1 -4% | 18.5 40% | 31.2 -1% | 30.9 -0% |
| Load Maximum * | 27 | 15.5 43% | 30.6 -13% | 36.2 -34% | 29.3 -9% | 30.6 -13% | 30.9 -14% |
* ... smaller is better
Battery Life
In idle mode, the Zenbook's battery holds out for 24:29 h, positioning it between the Apple MacBook Air 13 (Early 2015) (26:12 h) and the Dell XPS 13 (21:35 h). We use the Battery Eater Reader’s test to determine a notebook's battery life in idle mode. The display runs at the lowest setting, the energy-saving profile is active, and the wireless modules are turned off. Under load, the Zenbook shuts off after 1:48 h. Once again, the Asus computer situates itself between the MacBook Air 13 (1:37 h) and the XPS 13 (2:25 h). We ascertain the run time under load using the Battery Eater Classic test. Here the screen brightness is set to maximum, and the high-performance profile and wireless modules are activated.
In our WLAN test, which is designed to simulate practical, everyday use, the Core i7 Zenbook runs for 9:29 h. The MacBook Air 13 (10:20) and the Dell XPS 13 (9:58) both come in ahead of our Asus machine here. In this test, we run a script that automatically loads a new webpage every 40 seconds. The “balanced” profile is active and the display brightness is set to about 150 cd/m². We test the computer's video playback run time by playing Big Buck Bunny (H.264 encoding, 1920x1080 pixels) in a continuous loop. The wireless modules are deactivated and the display brightness is set to about 150 cd/m². Here the Zenbook chugged along for 9:42 h. We did not run this test on the Apple and Dell competitors.
All in all, the Zenbook's battery life is superb. In the WLAN test, it ran even longer than the Full HD Core M model. Credit for this improvement goes to the Core i7 model's bigger battery (56 Wh vs. 45 Wh).
| Asus Zenbook UX305LA-FC012H 56 Wh | Asus Zenbook UX305FA-FC004H 45 Wh | Asus ZenBook UX305FA-FB003H 45 Wh | Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2015-03 54 Wh | Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2015) 1.1 GHz 40 Wh | Acer Aspire S7-393-75508G25EWS 47 Wh | Toshiba KIRA-10D 52 Wh | Dell XPS 13-9343 Non-Touch 54 Wh | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Runtime | -10% | -1% | 2% | -2% | -21% | 2% | 9% | |
| Reader / Idle | 1469 | 781 -47% | 1572 7% | 1407 -4% | 838 -43% | 1399 -5% | 1295 -12% | |
| H.264 | 582 | 396 -32% | 426 -27% | 570 -2% | ||||
| WiFi v1.3 | 569 | 514 -10% | 620 9% | 456 -20% | 464 -18% | 518 -9% | 598 5% | |
| Load | 108 | 189 75% | 97 -10% | 155 44% | 107 -1% | 135 25% | 145 34% | |
| WiFi | 408 |
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Asus' Zenbook UX305 is a very thin, lightweight, and chic subnotebook. The Core i7 processor gives the computer a huge performance boost compared to its Core M counterparts. In terms of ergonomics, the new Core i7 only left the manufacturer with a minor limitation: The processor can no longer be passively cooled. In everyday use, however, the fan is hardly noticeable. In general, it stands still. When it comes to thermal management, the Core i7 notebook is on par with the Core M models. Asus did not just outfit our current test device with a stronger processor -- they also installed a bigger battery. As a result, the Zenbook's battery life is even better than that of its already long-lasting Core M siblings. Otherwise, the new Core i7 subnotebook proves to exhibit the same positive features as the Core M models. The fast solid-state drive enables the system to run swiftly. The bright, high-contrast, matte IPS Full HD panel renders display content brilliantly.
A strong processor and bigger battery turn a good subnotebook into an even better one. Potential buyers can now decide which is more important: Silent operation or as much performance power as possible.
Asus Zenbook UX305LA-FC012H
-
02/16/2016 v5(old)
Sascha Mölck
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