Asus ZenBook UX31 review

The ultra-portable laptop market has been all but sewn up by the MacBook Air, but Intel's new Ultrabook specification could turn things around for Windows users. Tom Morgan takes a closer look at the first Ultrabook, Asus' Zenbook.

IT Pro Verdict

There's no doubt that the Zenbook looks and feels great and has the advantage of a high-resolution screen. It's no MacBook Air-killer though. Its battery doesn't last as long as the Air's and the keyboard and touchpad can be frustrating to use. Even if you're tied to Windows, there are better alternatives such as Toshiba's similarly price 1.5kg Portégé R830 which has far superior battery life.The Zenbook will only appeal to those that want a Windows ultraportable that looks like a MacBook Air and are willing to put up with the Zenbook's flaws to get one. While it's possible Ultrabooks from other manufacturers will do a better job, it'll be tough as the MacBook Air isn't just a collection of components but a result of tight integration between hardware and software. We'll have to wait and see.

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We weren't fond of the buggy touchpad.

We weren't fond of the buggy touchpad.

We weren't fond of the buggy touchpad.

If you prefer to use a mouse rather than a touchpad, you might want to invest in a Bluetooth wireless model given its svelte dimensions, it's unsurprising that the UX31 doesn't have a huge range of connectivity options. There's no internal optical drive; you only get two USB ports, an SD memory card reader and a combination audio jack. We were disappointed that only one of the USB ports supports the faster USB3 standard, but a USB to Ethernet adaptor is a welcome inclusion for when Wi-Fi isn't an option.

If you want to connect an external display to the Zenbook, you have to use either the micro VGA or micro HDMI port.

If you want to connect an external display to the Zenbook, you have to use either the micro VGA or micro HDMI port.

If you want to connect an external display to the Zenbook, you have to use either the micro VGA or micro HDMI port.

Connecting an external display is surprisingly trouble-free, thanks to the included mini-VGA to VGA adaptor. More up-to-date displays and projectors can be connected to the micro-HDMI port, although you'll need an adaptor as one isn't included with the laptop.

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