Any premium laptop today runs the unavoidable risk of getting compared to an Apple Macbook. That’s kind of a first-test it has to pass in order to win consumer confidence. In many instances, such comparisons turn out to be an Apple(s) versus oranges scenario, but compare we must. I guess most gadget-makers understand this truth, even though they may not like it in the first place. Asus ZenBook 3 Deluxe (UX490), a slim, powerful ultrabook from the Taiwanese gadget maker, sports specs that can make even an ardent Apple fan sit back and take note. It’s beautifully designed and meticulously assembled if the product videos and manuals are any indications.
Eye-catching looks
ZenBook 3 Deluxe comes with a protective sleeve. In all likelihood you need it because the eye-catching exterior is dangerously smooth and slippery. The box has a USB-C power adaptor (65W), USB-C to USB-A dongle and USB-C to HDMI dongle. As you would have guessed, the Zenbook 3 has no USB-2 ports or slot for the ethernet cable. You need the USB-C helper cables to connect hard drives or phones to the Zenbook. Some users may find this doubles their work, but on ground this becomes a hassle-free affair. In fact, I liked this feature as I have realised I don’t really need them as often as expected. Moreover, the two USB-C ports can be used for charging as well.
The Zenbook 3 Deluxe comes in two variants: Royal Blue and Quartz Grey. Asus claims they are crafted in aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, which is 50 per cent stronger than standard alloy. The device comes pre-loaded with Windows 10 and is powered by Intel Core i7-7500U processor and 16 GB of RAM.
I am not a great fan of Windows 10, which appears confused in appearance and applicability, but on Zenbook 3 Deluxe it gels suitably well and delivers a soothing experience (of course you must ditch Edge as the browser and go for Firefox or Chrome). The Zenbook 3 Deluxe sports a 14-inch LED-backlit Full HD (1920 x 1080) display.
Aesthetic display
The display doesn’t waste screen real estate at all. And the experience is marvellous. Videos and photos are rendered and displayed impeccably. The viewing angles are also impressive thanks to the 178° wide-view technology. The Corning Gorilla Glass 5 cover feels strong and well-tempered, but leaves enough fingerprint marks, which is an annoyance. The full-size backlit keyboard is spaced out comfortably well. The touchpad has integrated fingerprint sensor with Windows Hello support, intelligent palm-rejection and handwriting input support. The touchpad supports up to four-finger smart gestures.
The quad-speaker with Asus’ own SonicMaster Premium stereo (Harman Kardon-certified) delivers crisp, shiver-less audio. The device has the regular 3.5 mm headphone jack. The VGA web camera is a disappointment. This is a faculty PC makers often ignore to improve, but in premium laptops, which are used for business video conferences and similar tasks, a basic VGA camera can be a handicap. The 46 Wh four-cell lithium-polymer battery doesn’t drain out easily and can last up to six hours with heavy-to-moderate use. Asus claims its fast-charging technology helps charge 60 per cent of the device in about 50 minutes. Our experience endorses this claim.
In sum, the Zenbook 3 Deluxe is a great improvement from its previous versions. A slim but powerful performer, the gadget delivers sharp visuals and crisp audio to offer a wholesome personal computing experience. It is strong and beautiful, and can easily be an attractive addition to an executive’s toolkit. It will be available in Indian markets in a few days.
Price: To be announced
Pros: Clear display, superb performance, build, audio
Cons: Slippery body, mild heating issues during gaming
(The article first appeared in The Hindu BusinessLine.)