Standing screen display size | 13.3 Inches |
---|---|
Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
Max Screen Resolution | 1920*1080 Pixels |
Processor | 2.3 GHz core_i5 |
RAM | 8 GB DDR3 |
Memory Speed | 1600 MHz |
Hard Drive | 256 GB Solid State Drive |
Graphics Coprocessor | Intel HD Graphics |
Chipset Brand | Intel |
Card Description | Integrated |
Wireless Type | 802.11ac |
Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 3 |
Average Battery Life (in hours) | 7 Hours |
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ASUS ZenBook UX303UA 13.3-Inch FHD Touchscreen Laptop, Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Windows 10 (64 bit)
Brand | ASUS |
Model Name | ZenBook |
Screen Size | 13.3 Inches |
Color | Standard|Smokey Brown |
Hard Disk Size | 256 GB |
CPU Model | Core i5 |
Ram Memory Installed Size | 4 GB |
Operating System | Windows 10 |
Special Feature | Backlit Keyboard |
Graphics Card Description | Integrated |
About this item
- Powerful 6th-generation Intel Core i5-6200U 2.3GHz (Turbo up to 2.8GHz). Skylake
- Touchscreen/ 8GB RAM/ 256GB SSD Storage. Backlit keyboard. Dimensions-12.7 x 8.8 x 0.7 ~0.8 inch (WxDxH) (w/ 3cell battery)
- 13.3 inches IPS Quad HD+ display, 3200 by 1800 resolution.With Instant On taking just two seconds to resume, you can start work again immediately from where you left off.
- Gigabit Dual-Band 802.11AC ultra-fast Wi-Fi. 1.2MP HD Camera.
- Feature 3 x USB 3.0, 1 x HDMI and 1 x mini display ports. Bluetooth 4.0.1 year International Warranty with 1 year Accidental Damage Protection.
- 1 year International Warranty with 1 year Accidental Damage Protection.
- Max Memory: 12 GB
Save on Quality Keyboards and Mouse by AmazonBasics |
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This Item ASUS ZenBook UX303UA 13.3-Inch FHD Touchscreen Laptop, Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Windows 10 (64 bit) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | — | -12% $658.99$658.99 Typical: $749.00 | $725.20$725.20 | $690.99$690.99 | $649.98$649.98 | $1,199.00$1,199.00 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it May 17 - 20 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Touch Screen | 4.3 | — | — | — | 4.7 | 4.4 |
Sold By | — | Computer Upgrade King | Computer Upgrade King | Computer Upgrade King | Issaquah Highlands Tech | ROYALS HUB |
display size | 13.3 inches | 16 inches | 15.6 inches | 16 inches | 14.5 inches | 14 inches |
hard disk size | 256 GB | 2 TB | 2 TB | 2 TB | 512 GB | 0 TB |
computer memory size | 8 GB | 16 GB | 40 GB | 24 GB | 8 GB | 0 TB |
cpu manufacturer | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
cpu speed | 2.3 GHz | 4.7 GHz | 4.7 GHz | 4.7 GHz | 4.7 GHz | 5 GHz |
cpu model number | Core i5-6200U | 1255U | 1255U | 1255U | i5-13500H | Intel Core i7-1360P |
operating system | Windows 10 | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
RAM tech | DDR3 | DDR4 | DDR4 | DDR4 | LPDDR5 | LPDDR5 |
graphics coprocessor | Intel HD Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris |
GPU manufacturer | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | NVIDIA |
Product information
Technical Details
Brand | ASUS |
---|---|
Series | ZenBook |
Item model number | UX303UA-DH51T |
Operating System | Windows 10 |
Item Weight | 3.2 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 8.8 x 12.7 x 0.8 inches |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 8.8 x 12.7 x 0.8 inches |
Color | Standard|Smokey Brown |
Processor Brand | Intel |
Number of Processors | 2 |
Computer Memory Type | DDR3 SDRAM |
Flash Memory Size | 256 |
Power Source | Battery Powered |
Voltage | 19 Volts |
Batteries | 1 CR2 batteries required. (included) |
Additional Information
ASIN | B014VHW24Y |
---|---|
Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #77,180 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories) #16,258 in Traditional Laptop Computers |
Date First Available | September 25, 2015 |
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What's in the box
Product guides and documents
From the manufacturer
What’s In the Box
- ASUS ZenBook UX303 Notebook
- Sleeve
- VGA+USB2.0 to Lan Cable
- AC Adapter
- User Manual
- Warranty Card
ASUS ZENBOOK UX303
Thin, Light, And Powerful for Ultimate On-the-go Productivity
The all-new ASUS ZenBooks combine best-in-class performance, mobility, and design for those who need a device that will move with them at the speed of life. With classic lines of the ultra-light, all-aluminum chassis enhanced by the iconic spun-metal finish, they represent the essence of ASUS spirit. But not only are they beautiful, they’re powerful thanks to the latest high-performance technology, allowing you to do all incredible things you’ve always wanted to do, wherever you are.
- Amazing 13.3” IPS multi-touch display with FHD (1920 x 1080) resolution for visuals in stunning clarity
- 6th gen Intel Core i5 processor with 2-sec Instant On functionality for great multitasking power and quick resume from standby mode
- Ultra-slim 0.7-inch design that weighs just 3.2lbs light
- Co-developed with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower, ASUS SonicMaster Technology delivers true-to-life sound with deeper base and wider range
- Latest 802.11ac wireless connectivity offers faster performance even at longer range
- Windows 10 pre-installed
- 1 year Accidental Damage Protection from ASUS (registration required) with 30 days Zero Bright Dot Guarantee for warranty protection against drops, spills and electrical surges while ensuring a flawless display
A Powerhouse
The ASUS ZenBook UX303UA represents the essence of Zen spirit, packing powerful performance into a sophisticated and sleek ultra-light aluminum design built to fit your mobile lifestyle.
The ZenBook UX303UA packs a serious punch- It’s equipped with a 6th-Gen Intel Core i5 Processor, a blazing fast 256GB SSD, and a beautiful Full HD IPS display. The UX303UA offers effortless multitasking, smooth video playback, and super-fast application launches.
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All-Day BatteryEnergy-efficient components like the up to Intel Core i5 processor and SSD help ZenBook UX303UA last for up to 7 hours* on battery power, meaning less time spent tethered to a power socket. Exclusive Super Hybrid Engine II technology can boost battery life by up to 25% for less demanding tasks, and with Instant On taking just two seconds to resume, you can start work again immediately from where you left off. *Battery life may vary depending on product configuration and usage condition |
Advanced Storage For Speed and ReliabilityHigh-speed storage is crucial for an effortless computing experience and ZenBook UX303UA features a generous 256GB SSD for snappy responsiveness, ultra-quick boot times, and nearly instant application launches. |
Crisp, Stunningly-Detailed DisplayExperience vivid, crisp graphics, and 178-degree viewing angles with the ZenBook UX303UA’s 13.3-inch Full HD IPS display. ZenBook UX303UA offers incredibly accurate color reproduction, perfect for both creative professionals and for those seeking lifelike entertainment. |
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Backlit Keyboard For the Best Typing ExperienceThe UX303UA is designed to be used anywhere, so we made the keyboard that way too. Thanks to ASUS ambient-light sensor technology, the keyboard backlight adjusts automatically to suit the ambient lighting, so you'll always be able to see the keys, even in complete darkness. |
Built to TouchAll too often, touch control can be a frustrating and imprecise experience, but not on the ZenBook UX303UA. ASUS touchscreens feature actuators that are a mere 6mm in size (as opposed to the 9mm industry standard), to give users an intuitive and superior touch input experience for unrivaled writing, drawing, and more. |
Designed to Sound IncredibleIncredible sound has always been a feature of the ZenBook family, and ZenBook UX303UA is no exception. ASUS SonicMaster technology — tuned by the renowned ASUS Golden Ear team — uses a combination of precision engineering and software to deliver sound like you've never heard before from a laptop, with deep rich bass and crystal-clear vocals, even at the highest volume levels. |
ASUS 1-Year Accidental Damage Protection*
It's a fact - accidents happen to all of us. ASUS ADP program is created to bring you peace of mind and help protect your devices against damages such as: liquid spills, electrical surges, and drops.
*ASUS ADP program applies only to select ASUS branded notebook and tablet products sold within the United States and Canada from select Authorized ASUS Resellers. Products must be purchased in brand new factory sealed condition and not of refurbished or open-box condition. Units sold and purchased outside of the United States and Canada are not eligible.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, appearance and portability of the notebook computer. For example, they mention it's a great laptop for Ubuntu, has a fine looking screen and beautiful color. Some are happy with value. That said, opinions are mixed on performance, battery life, touchscreen, and screen.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the laptop. They say it has a great build, looks and feels like quality, and is solidly built. Some customers also say it's a nice laptop for Linux and is well put together.
"...Overall I'm really satisfied with the gaming aspect, so just keep in mind what you plan on playing...." Read more
"...Now down to business:*Build: Awesome. Hinges seem very sturdy...." Read more
"...basically everything right off the bat: Slim, fast, audio, video, all great. The only little cons were (underscored) that:-..." Read more
"...I totally agree that it is an excelent computer, especially for the price. I use it mainly for Java and Android development...." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the laptop. They say it has a fine looking screen, beautiful color, and great graphics. They also say the exterior fit and finish of the computer is outstanding and the lid opens and closes firmly. Customers also say it feels extremely modern and strong.
"...I also played some GW2. The graphics are great (there are textures on my clothes I had never seen before) with no lagging..." Read more
"...Gorgeous screen. No issues with the yellows at all. I was looking for the newer drivers to install but i din't need to after all...." Read more
"...I was thrilled with look, feel, speed, and basically everything right off the bat: Slim, fast, audio, video, all great...." Read more
"...liked this laptop, its very fast in everything it does, I loved the appearance and it was easy to use. My issue here is with ASUS customer service...." Read more
Customers find the notebook computer very slim, lightweight, and easy to carry. They also appreciate the fast internals and good screen quality. Some mention that the laptop doesn't have too much bloatware and that the travel on the keys is great.
"...-I love the auto detect for screen brightness.-It's super light and thin, which I love...." Read more
"...with look, feel, speed, and basically everything right off the bat: Slim, fast, audio, video, all great...." Read more
"...It's not going to be obtrusive in your backpack, and you can easily move it around wherever you are in one hand...." Read more
"...The real charm from this Zenbook is the portability, and a more bearable weight on my back when carrying it in my backpack...." Read more
Customers like the value of the laptop. They say it's a great investment, and a good computer.
"...I consider this a pretty fantastic price for a machine that's as portable and powerful as this one...." Read more
"...Definitely worth the value and sold by a reliable seller on here." Read more
"...The screen is gorgeous when it works. This is an outstanding laptop for the price but the color mix up, glitchy screen, and defective keyboard will..." Read more
"...specific model is just a -ve, cause its just dead extra weight and less useful...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the laptop. For example some mention the performance is very nice, fast in everything it does, and responsive. Others say that every couple of days, the displays go blank for a second and then recover. Some say that it wouldn't turn on after 7 months and the speakers didn't play anything.
"...(there are textures on my clothes I had never seen before) with no lagging (unless my internet is bad) on med-high (I let it auto detect graphics)...." Read more
"...Not two like others mentioned. Also, lightening fast. (See above: *Processor)*Fan: Is there even a fan in there? It is noiseless.*..." Read more
"...Once every couple of days, the displays go blank for a second, and then recover after displaying an error message...." Read more
"...I was thrilled with look, feel, speed, and basically everything right off the bat: Slim, fast, audio, video, all great...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the battery life of the notebook computer. Some mention that it has a pretty good battery life, lasting 5-7 hours under normal usage. However, others say that it never good, only charges up to 86%, and the battery deteriorates after six months.
"...-Battery isn't great (like 5 hours?). It also takes a bit to charge, like almost 2 hours to charge around 80/90% of it...." Read more
"...And the battery life is decent, depending on what I use it for I can go almost five-six hours depending on factors..." Read more
"...However, after 6 months:- the battery deteriorated (as expected), but now there is no warning for low battery - resulting in me losing lots of..." Read more
"...It boots quickly and the and wakes from sleep mode almost instantly. I have not timed the battery, but I haven't had any issues...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the touchscreen of the laptop. Some mention that it has excellent touchscreen capability, the touch pad is okay, and the touchscreen is accurate and responsive. However, others say that it does not support touchscreen, constantly fails, and is not very ergonomic.
"...Overall, good processing speed, good screen, touch is useful SOMETIMES, keyboard has a good layout...." Read more
"...hard time getting it open, and I realized it's because there's no little lip or grip to help separate the lid and body...." Read more
"...The touchpad feels smooth, and supports multitouch with bells and whistles like two-finger scrolling.POWERRRRRRR:..." Read more
"...The screen is amazingly clean and the touch capability is a plus when I want to skim through screens...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the screen. Some mention the resolution is incredibly stunning, fantastic, and responsive. They also appreciate the crisp clear graphics and picture quality. However, some say the screen is glossy and difficult to use outside. The high DPI display is unusable with some software programs, and the screen has considerable glare that is quite distracting.
"...-I'm impressed with the screen resolution and images. Color is a little different than my last computer, but not in a bad way...." Read more
"...The UX303UB's high DPI display is unusable with some software programs...." Read more
"...Overall, good processing speed, good screen, touch is useful SOMETIMES, keyboard has a good layout...." Read more
"...The screen resolution on this is amazing and works well with small photo edits i currently do...." Read more
Reviews with images
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This is replacing a Q500A, so I haven't had a new laptop in like 4 years (well I have an eeebook, but that doesn't really count). I needed to downsize to something more portable, but I wanted enough power for decent gaming (GW2, Saints Row, Sims, Skyrim, Witcher, etc.). Haven't gotten around to gaming yet, so cannot comment, but, based on other online reviews, I'm not playing anything too heavy for this computer. I don't care for the touch screen, so I turned that off. My last laptop was about $700, so this is the first actually high-end laptop I've bought (due to some nice xmas cash flow), making it expectedly more impressive than former computers.
So for starters, I made some tweaks to the laptop right away: Straight off the bat I did a clean install (after finding my product key just in case). Comes with a lot of bloatware, so it was just easier for me to do that. Then I went ahead and updated all of the drivers just to be safe. I was a little disappointed to see that the hard drive is split into 190 GB C drive and 286 GB D drive, but whatever. I changed the default program save to the D drive, and put the D drive as the location for documents, downloads, etc. I'm not a crazy computer genius, so all of these things I did was from finding instructions online. However, I still needed to manually change the install location on some programs to the d drive, so something may have gone wrong there. Also, I don't care for the touch screen, so I turned that off (and thus will not be reviewing it). I also lowered the resolution, because some programs were too tiny with it up so high.
Okay, so now the points of importance:
PROS:
-It comes with a bunch of stuff: sleeve (decent quality), cloth for cleaning screen, extra velcro strap thing (for cord), VGA adapter, and ethernet adapter.
-Backlit keyboard is a must, so that's great.
-More RAM than I'll ever need, which will give good resale value in the future.
-I love the auto detect for screen brightness.
-It's super light and thin, which I love.
-No problems running anything. Haven't gamed yet (will update after), but everything I've done (web browsing and game downloading, mainly) has been seamless.
-It starts up in like under 30 seconds, which is awesome (remember, last computer was 4 years ago).
-Windows 10 is cool, at least compared to 8/8.1. Not sure I'd purposefully upgrade to 10, but I have no complaints (not that it's something to attribute to the computer itself anyway).
-I'm impressed with the screen resolution and images. Color is a little different than my last computer, but not in a bad way.
-The USB port that will charge a device (phone) while the computer is asleep is genius. Why isn't that standard on all computers?
-Minor, but the color is good. I was a little unsure of what it would actually look like, but it is more silver than in the picture, which I approve of. "Smokey brown" is super vague and weird, so I didn't really know what to expect. I'm not too much into gold, so I was pleasantly surprised to see it was more silver than the picture. But it's basically a mix between gold and silver (40 gold:60 silver?), if I had to describe it. (I'll consider taking/adding pictures later, some with size reference.)
CONS (all minor or fixable, in my opinion):
-BIGGEST COMPLAINT: The power cord is SO SHORT. Holy what. I haven't measured, but like....MAYBE 7 feet. Maybe. Probably 6 feet. It's stupid how close to an outlet I need to be. Also it's got the power brick at the prongs, which takes up a lot of outlet space. I did a ton of research to find a compatible power cord and dropped another $20 to get an off-brand normal cord. The adapter section of the new cord will be 6' by itself, so that will be a huge improvement. But really disappointed at how useless the original cord is. (I'm actually dumbfounded over this and cannot get over how someone thought it was okay.)
-The keyboard is a little resistant. I definitely have to press harder than with any other computer, so right now I'll miss a letter here and there. Not a big deal, I'll strengthen my fingers and that's cool.
-The power button being a regular button next to the delete key is a little worrisome. However, I've been super conscious of it and haven't had problems, but there's great potential to accidentally press the power button instead of delete.
-The fans vent out the bottom, so that's weird and can get warm if you keep it on your lap. The keys also can get warm too from venting, so I would hesitate to use a cover over the keyboard (but I'm gonna anyway).
-Like I said, there are 2 drives instead of 1, so plan carefully for where you wanna save stuff (if you have lots to put on the laptop).
-Battery isn't great (like 5 hours?). It also takes a bit to charge, like almost 2 hours to charge around 80/90% of it. In all honesty I'll be plugged in most of the time anyway, so it's not a big deal (but that power cord, though).
-Speakers aren't great, as to be expected. Asus seriously needs to step up that game. I'm used to speakers being on the bottom of their laptops (which is the worst), so having them on both sides is a slight improvement, but they still don't get very loud. Again, I expected that, so no big deal, but worth noting for those who have never owned Asus.
-Along the line of speakers, I've always hated that you have to press FN to use the volume keys on Asus laptops. Never looked into changing that, but this review may spark that research.
-Not the greatest construction. Not bad, just not what you might expect for paying over a grand. I think it's a little less solid than expected to keep the weight down. It's not going to be solid metal build and stay this light, so it's a trade off. But it's not cheap either. Just worth mentioning.
Okay, hopefully I will remember to update in a month or so, after I've done some gaming and had more time to run into potential problems (cause none so far!).
--------------------
UPDATE 1/6:
So after a little more time I have some more updates to make.
-Keyboard gets way easier to use. I think I had about a week of normal use before I was back to my normal typing accuracy.
-I am disappointed that there's no little edging on the laptop lid to help open it. I just find myself having a hard time getting it open, and I realized it's because there's no little lip or grip to help separate the lid and body. On my old Asus there was, and I must have used it because without it I'm struggling, haha.
-Gaming is great. I've only played a couple, but I'm really happy. Sims 3 runs really smooth, loads quickly, and can support high graphics. I also played some GW2. The graphics are great (there are textures on my clothes I had never seen before) with no lagging (unless my internet is bad) on med-high (I let it auto detect graphics). Overall I'm really satisfied with the gaming aspect, so just keep in mind what you plan on playing.
-Keyboard heats up when gaming, seems some of the heat escapes that route instead of the downward facing fans. Not a huge deal, but definitely keep in mind. The laptop can definitely get hot gaming, but the performance doesn't suffer, so I'll deal with the heat.
-Oh, a weird thing is that the SD card only goes in the slot halfway. Kind of weird/annoying.
I uploaded a couple pics. One of the SD card, and one of it compared to my old laptop (17 inch w/ optical drive). I just put a skin on it, so not great to get pictures of anymore. Figured a couple were better than nothing, though.
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2015
This is replacing a Q500A, so I haven't had a new laptop in like 4 years (well I have an eeebook, but that doesn't really count). I needed to downsize to something more portable, but I wanted enough power for decent gaming (GW2, Saints Row, Sims, Skyrim, Witcher, etc.). Haven't gotten around to gaming yet, so cannot comment, but, based on other online reviews, I'm not playing anything too heavy for this computer. I don't care for the touch screen, so I turned that off. My last laptop was about $700, so this is the first actually high-end laptop I've bought (due to some nice xmas cash flow), making it expectedly more impressive than former computers.
So for starters, I made some tweaks to the laptop right away: Straight off the bat I did a clean install (after finding my product key just in case). Comes with a lot of bloatware, so it was just easier for me to do that. Then I went ahead and updated all of the drivers just to be safe. I was a little disappointed to see that the hard drive is split into 190 GB C drive and 286 GB D drive, but whatever. I changed the default program save to the D drive, and put the D drive as the location for documents, downloads, etc. I'm not a crazy computer genius, so all of these things I did was from finding instructions online. However, I still needed to manually change the install location on some programs to the d drive, so something may have gone wrong there. Also, I don't care for the touch screen, so I turned that off (and thus will not be reviewing it). I also lowered the resolution, because some programs were too tiny with it up so high.
Okay, so now the points of importance:
PROS:
-It comes with a bunch of stuff: sleeve (decent quality), cloth for cleaning screen, extra velcro strap thing (for cord), VGA adapter, and ethernet adapter.
-Backlit keyboard is a must, so that's great.
-More RAM than I'll ever need, which will give good resale value in the future.
-I love the auto detect for screen brightness.
-It's super light and thin, which I love.
-No problems running anything. Haven't gamed yet (will update after), but everything I've done (web browsing and game downloading, mainly) has been seamless.
-It starts up in like under 30 seconds, which is awesome (remember, last computer was 4 years ago).
-Windows 10 is cool, at least compared to 8/8.1. Not sure I'd purposefully upgrade to 10, but I have no complaints (not that it's something to attribute to the computer itself anyway).
-I'm impressed with the screen resolution and images. Color is a little different than my last computer, but not in a bad way.
-The USB port that will charge a device (phone) while the computer is asleep is genius. Why isn't that standard on all computers?
-Minor, but the color is good. I was a little unsure of what it would actually look like, but it is more silver than in the picture, which I approve of. "Smokey brown" is super vague and weird, so I didn't really know what to expect. I'm not too much into gold, so I was pleasantly surprised to see it was more silver than the picture. But it's basically a mix between gold and silver (40 gold:60 silver?), if I had to describe it. (I'll consider taking/adding pictures later, some with size reference.)
CONS (all minor or fixable, in my opinion):
-BIGGEST COMPLAINT: The power cord is SO SHORT. Holy what. I haven't measured, but like....MAYBE 7 feet. Maybe. Probably 6 feet. It's stupid how close to an outlet I need to be. Also it's got the power brick at the prongs, which takes up a lot of outlet space. I did a ton of research to find a compatible power cord and dropped another $20 to get an off-brand normal cord. The adapter section of the new cord will be 6' by itself, so that will be a huge improvement. But really disappointed at how useless the original cord is. (I'm actually dumbfounded over this and cannot get over how someone thought it was okay.)
-The keyboard is a little resistant. I definitely have to press harder than with any other computer, so right now I'll miss a letter here and there. Not a big deal, I'll strengthen my fingers and that's cool.
-The power button being a regular button next to the delete key is a little worrisome. However, I've been super conscious of it and haven't had problems, but there's great potential to accidentally press the power button instead of delete.
-The fans vent out the bottom, so that's weird and can get warm if you keep it on your lap. The keys also can get warm too from venting, so I would hesitate to use a cover over the keyboard (but I'm gonna anyway).
-Like I said, there are 2 drives instead of 1, so plan carefully for where you wanna save stuff (if you have lots to put on the laptop).
-Battery isn't great (like 5 hours?). It also takes a bit to charge, like almost 2 hours to charge around 80/90% of it. In all honesty I'll be plugged in most of the time anyway, so it's not a big deal (but that power cord, though).
-Speakers aren't great, as to be expected. Asus seriously needs to step up that game. I'm used to speakers being on the bottom of their laptops (which is the worst), so having them on both sides is a slight improvement, but they still don't get very loud. Again, I expected that, so no big deal, but worth noting for those who have never owned Asus.
-Along the line of speakers, I've always hated that you have to press FN to use the volume keys on Asus laptops. Never looked into changing that, but this review may spark that research.
-Not the greatest construction. Not bad, just not what you might expect for paying over a grand. I think it's a little less solid than expected to keep the weight down. It's not going to be solid metal build and stay this light, so it's a trade off. But it's not cheap either. Just worth mentioning.
Okay, hopefully I will remember to update in a month or so, after I've done some gaming and had more time to run into potential problems (cause none so far!).
--------------------
UPDATE 1/6:
So after a little more time I have some more updates to make.
-Keyboard gets way easier to use. I think I had about a week of normal use before I was back to my normal typing accuracy.
-I am disappointed that there's no little edging on the laptop lid to help open it. I just find myself having a hard time getting it open, and I realized it's because there's no little lip or grip to help separate the lid and body. On my old Asus there was, and I must have used it because without it I'm struggling, haha.
-Gaming is great. I've only played a couple, but I'm really happy. Sims 3 runs really smooth, loads quickly, and can support high graphics. I also played some GW2. The graphics are great (there are textures on my clothes I had never seen before) with no lagging (unless my internet is bad) on med-high (I let it auto detect graphics). Overall I'm really satisfied with the gaming aspect, so just keep in mind what you plan on playing.
-Keyboard heats up when gaming, seems some of the heat escapes that route instead of the downward facing fans. Not a huge deal, but definitely keep in mind. The laptop can definitely get hot gaming, but the performance doesn't suffer, so I'll deal with the heat.
-Oh, a weird thing is that the SD card only goes in the slot halfway. Kind of weird/annoying.
I uploaded a couple pics. One of the SD card, and one of it compared to my old laptop (17 inch w/ optical drive). I just put a skin on it, so not great to get pictures of anymore. Figured a couple were better than nothing, though.
*Software Engineer for a hospital working mainly on CCL. I bought this for myself as i do app development using cordova/intel xdk/Java/Eclipse/Android Studio.
*I would say i am also fairly knowledgeable in computers/hardware. I build my desktops and i enjoy it.
*I have an ASUS ROG 17 inch that is my favorite Laptop ever, but it is bulky to move around, so i wanted a ultrabook. I didn't want anything over 4 pounds. If i am buying an new laptop for portability's sake, it might as well be an ultra.
*I also have the i7 Lenovo X1 Carbon from work. Not really impressed. Laggy, probably due to the encryption software they installed on it.
*I have been researching ultrabooks for about a month now, since i wanted to snatch a deal for Black Friday or Christmas.
*The decision came down between this and the Dell Dell XPS9350-4007SLV: Dell XPS9350-4007SLV 13.3 Inch QHD+ Touchscreen Laptop (6th Generation Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) Microsoft Signature Edition
1)This one has a bit higher specs, including from what i read, the ability to add a 2nd SSD, but i haven't opened the laptop yet, so i am not sure. And i don't think i will need another one for sometime. All my development tools + Win10 filled 15% of the SSD so far.
2)Do not forget the price difference between the two: $836 vs $1188 for the Dell.
- Why go i5 over i7:
After much research, the difference is only 200MHZ which is insignificant. 200MHZ does not justify me paying $200 - $300 extra. It is said that the difference shows when you are working on resource extensive apps like photoshop, etc. I also do not intend on playing games on this one. So for all my intents and purposes, i5 suites me fine.
- Now down to business:
*Build:
Awesome. Hinges seem very sturdy. I got a friend who bought a Toshiba 6 months ago, now it is in the shop to fix the hinges. And she doesn't use is as much at all.
*Color:
Awesome rose-gold or smokey-brown. Whatever you want to call. My family loved the color.
*Weight:
This is very light. Even compared to the X1 Carbon
*Processor:
Lightening fast. i installed my development tools simultaneously without any hiccups. Sometimes 2 or 3 tools at a time. Extremely fast.
*SSD:
Has only one partition, which is perfect for me. Not two like others mentioned. Also, lightening fast. (See above: *Processor)
*Fan:
Is there even a fan in there? It is noiseless.
*Keyboard:
A little bit small for my fingers, but i will get used to it. it is not that it is uncomfortable, it just needs getting used to.
*Track pad:
A little bit clicky. Nothing i can't live with.
*Screen:
Gorgeous screen. No issues with the yellows at all. I was looking for the newer drivers to install but i din't need to after all. from the other reviews, it seems that the most screen issues where with the i7. not i5, like the one i got.
*Bloatware:
So far, McAfee (which i genuinely hate with all my soul) and ASUS gift. The former, Kaspersky took care of removing it during installation, and the later i un-installed myself. if i find any, i will post.
*Heat:
Worked on it for 6 straight hours on my lap, and i felt nothing at all.
And finally most importantly,
*Battery life:
So far, for my work, which is pure development on auto screen brightness adjusting, i can go up to 9 hours with full charge. I have't streamed videos or played music. I suspect with those you might go up to 5 - 6 hours, but this is just an estimate.
**Conclusion:
I am very happy with this ultrabook. I am falling in live with it every time i work on it. if i find anything during the coming few days, i will post it. I do recommend it even development.
I was thrilled with look, feel, speed, and basically everything right off the bat: Slim, fast, audio, video, all great. The only little cons were (underscored) that:
- the sharply cut metal exterior hurt my wrists when on longer writing sessions, probably my position, so ok
- the screen getting dirt marks from the keyboard when closed (seeing the keys replicated on the lower left side of the screen)
- the (to me) annoying charger with the transformer at the wall-end, which is a nightmare when traveling, as I do, to other countries and plugging it into converters - making it all too heavy and falling out of the wall.
- the slightly wobbly hinges, but no big deal
Anyway, all good and a 4-5 star review as I was cruising in multiple programs.
However, after 6 months:
- the battery deteriorated (as expected), but now there is no warning for low battery - resulting in me losing lots of work when not paying attention - not acceptable.
- Certain large documents in Word 365 became nearly impossible to work in due to freezing (talked with Microsoft for hours - no solution) - not acceptable.
Now 13 months (yes, I was too late for the warranty - my own fault for not reacting earlier) after purchase I have decided to buy a new laptop and hand this down to my 9 year old - this is a bit too much money to send her way, but I simply cannot use the laptop anymore. I may take it in to service after Asus wrote back to me just before the 12 month mark - but I don't really want to deal with all the back and forth headaches.
Top reviews from other countries
La computadora es excelente, perfecta para viajar con ella y muy potente.
El rendimiento es excepcional, edición de vídeo y procesamiento de fotografías son su mejor fuerte, lo hace rapidísimo y sin trabarse en ningún momento.
La distribución del teclado es idéntica a las MacBook Pro (distribución en inglés) así que en ningún momento me he sentido incómodo al regresar a Windows como plataforma principal para mi trabajo.
No le he exigido mucho en el terreno gaming, pues los pocos juegos que tengo son de pocos requerimientos de hardware, pero creo que tampoco va mal, claro que tampoco creo que rinda lo mismo que una ASUS ROG.
En general, ha sido una de mis mejores inversiones, no dudaría en comprar una de la misma gama en futuro cambio generacional.
- The screen is very good. The touchscreen makes the panel glossy which is a bit annoying at times if you have a lot of light in the room, but it isnt anything that cant be remedied by moving or tilting the screen. I love the touchscreen ability, I thought I wouldn't care for it but I find myself using it a lot for scrolling and basic things that would take a split second longer if I was to use a track pad.
- The speed is unquestionable. The processor is blazing quick especially if you're really only using this for entertainment, school work and some basic editing and photo manipulation.
- Battery life is pretty good. Being honest this is probably my only gripe with this machine. The battery seems to last close to 6 hours or less depending on usage. Don't expect to hit over 6 hours with this thing unless you're ready to have one tab open at a time with lowest brightness. I really wish the battery life was a bit better, it might be something within windows 10 but I honestly doubt it. This really is my only real disappointment with the machine.
-Lastly build quality is superb. I love the look of this thing, very clean minimal and just sleek. The keyboard is excellent same with the back lighting. The track pad is also very good despite some gesture cut outs that have happened like once a week (Solved by a reboot). And overall the tracking is very on point. The memory on the machine is also very good, 256gb is a little small for me but its nothing that cant be solved by an external HD for my less necessary files.
Overall I really recommend the ASUS UX303UA because of the great quality you get for a very good price point. If you're looking for a great computer with awesome specs for a good price, you are at the right place. I highly recommend this product for students and will probably get an ASUS product for my next ultrabook in a few years.
Thank you ASUS.
Works well, fast which is not really surprising because the specs are great on it. Seems durable and good overall.
I thought there was an issue with the power adapter/ charging but it was my fault because I wasn't plugging the power in fully - the adapter has to click in and then it sits very snugly and doesn't come out.
The screen is a decent size and if I didn't game, I would probably switch to this computer completely leaving my large laptop behind. Even through it's 13 inch, I find it comfortable and resolution is amazing. Image is clear and adjustments can be made for different requirements.
Battery life seems very good, which was an important factor for me.
Keyboard is comfortable and I actually don't feel like I have to get used to it. I was able to type up emails with ease after just initial setup pretty quickly.
I don't have any cons yet but I will update the review should that change. One thing I have not check yet is how it handles prolonged use or heavy graphics use like gaming - just to see if there's any issues with heating, but I've had it on my lap and on my case and it was on for a bit and stayed cool.
Hopefully everything will stay good! For now I definitely recommend!