For a relatively small in size laptop, I wasn’t expecting it to be as heavy as it is. But even though, I did love the Asus Zenbook UX303 more than I thought it would. The only performance issue that I came across was the fact that the laptop restarted on me three times within a week – but thankfully that was only when I was watching YouTube videos, and not doing anything more important.
Product Specification
Resolution: 1366 x 768
DVD Writer: Yes
Processor: Dual-core 2.16GHz Intel Celeron N2830
RAM: 4GB
Dimensions: 25.3 x 280 x 252mm
Weight: 2.2kg
Sound: Realtek HD Audio (3.5mm headset port)
Pointing Device: Touchpad
Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
Graphic: Card Type Integrated
Hard Drive Capacity: 750GB Hard disk
Webcam 1x USB3, 1x USB
Bluetooth: Yes
Network Options: Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n (dual band) Wi-Fi
Memory Card Reader: SD, MMC, SDHC
Operating System: Windows 8.1
Design & Hardware
The Zenbook is relatively small in it’s build at only 13.3 inches and weighs in at 1.45kg, when compared to my previous Asus X553M which has a build of 15.6 inches and weighs in at 2.2kg. The only real issue I have with the design of the laptop is the placement of the power button that’s placed right above the backspace button. It’s easy to accidentally hit the wrong button, especially when you’re typing away in a hurry and can prove to be quite troublesome. Yes, I’m aware of the auto-save feature on Google Docs/Microsoft Word, but it’s gotta be annoying to have your system switch off right in the middle of getting some work done. I also did appreciate the keyboard backlight since my room is quite dark and the lights are almost always switched off. It’s something I’m not quite used to having but was very favorable.
The laptop is made out of pure aluminium, making it quite sturdy which is great for clumsy people such as myself. That’s not to say that I have dropped the laptop, but sturdiness comes in handy when you’re me. The USB ports, along with an SD Card slot are featured neatly on the left side of the laptop, while the speakers are placed under the chassis.
Performance
Disregarding the fact that the Zenbook did restart automatically a couple of times, I found that using the laptop was a bit of a breeze. The X335M that I previously owned was a bit of a nuisance and had terrible lag issues, so using the Zenbook was like heaven. I could be productive without waiting for ages for an app to open up, watch my YouTube videos in peace and lag-free – thanks to the 12GB of RAM, and the 256GB SSD. It’s safe to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the UX303.
Display
The Zenbook UX303 proves to be a good companion in different light settings. With the resolution at 1920×1080, I have a rather enjoyable time watching videos and just simply working on the system. At first glance, a friend thought I was working on a Macbook because the UI does appear to be very sleek and finely tuned. The anti-glare screen does make the screen appear to be matte, which is quite appealing to the eyes and does work well in different light conditions. However, I did notice that while on battery power, the screen does get too dim and can be quite a nuisance during tedious work.
Sound
I’ll be honest, I had low expectations. The X553M has relatively terrible audio settings and I almost always have to plug in an external speaker if I’m not the only one watching a movie/video on the system. But the Zenbook makes use of ICEpower and features Bang & Olufsen technology, which instantly makes this laptop better than the former. Granted, it isn’t the best a laptop has to offer, but it’s also not the worst.
Battery
The UX303 claims to have a 6 hour battery life and really doesn’t prove otherwise. Unlike the former that claimed to have a battery life of 4 hours and then only survived for 2, the Zenbook does hold up and actually give you 6 hours of uninterrupted usage without being plugged in. The battery adapter isn’t as compact as I’d like it to be, but that isn’t too big of an issue anyway. The Zenbook also only takes up to 2 hours to charge completely which is quite impressive.
Verdict
The Zenbook UX303 was a great companion for myself. It made me want to be productive and type away all day, especially with that keyboard backlight. There were a few minor issues along the way, but nothing that would make me want to instantly get a new system. All in all, the UX303 is extremely classy and I would recommend it to anyone looking to buy a new system.
