The Ultrabook phenomenon just keeps rolling
on, whether these devices are really suited or not for our market has become a
moot argument. They are here and, at very least, they are driving technology
forward in many good ways. And it seems that each subsequent Ultrabook we get
our hands on is better than the last.
Take the Asus ZenBook Prime UX21A as an
example. Here is a device that is small, light and extremely sleek, yet manages
to pack a surprising punch, almost despite its size. Judging books by their
covers is never a good idea, and this Ultrabook is a prime example of why that
is the case.
Asus
ZenBook Prime UX21A
In terms of looks, it really is rather
pretty. When closed, it measures a paltry 9mm at its thickest point, 5 which
really is rather skinny. The lid is finished in a "5 gunmetal-grey brushed
metal, which looks the part. In fact, the whole thing looks a little like a blade
when closed - sleek curves culminating at an almost sharp edge. Kudos to Asus
for design here...
Opened up, a stylish backlit keypad and
generous touch pad compliment the 11.6 inch screen, which delivers crisp
graphics at a resolution of up to a surprising 1920 x 1080. That's full HD, in
other words. The smaller screen does result in smaller icons and text, but
unless your eyes are really poor, this shouldn't pose a problem.
Storage is provided by a 123GB SSD. This
solid state drive may not provide a huge amount of storage space, but it is
very, very fast. In addition, 4GB of RAM help the Intel \1 chip deliver a
better than expected performance from this really diminutive device. Images are
provided by an Intel HD 4000 chipset.
Two USB 3.0 ports can be found on the
ZenBook (one on either side) as well as the expected headphone jack. In
addition, a Micro HDMI and mini VGA port are also worked into the device. LAN
connection is via a dongle that plugs into a USB port - not ideal, but at least
the option is there. Wireless connectivity is provided via Bluetooth and Wifi.
It has all the bells and whistles one could
expect (and a few that one might not expect) from such a small Ultrabook. And
it only weighs in at 1.1kg, which is an added bonus. But, in making things smaller
(as with Ultrabooks in general) the omission of any form of optical drive is
the result. While there are people out there who will not find this to be a
problem, such an arguably minor aspect may well set this device outside of the
scope of many South Africans, who don't have awesome Internet connectivity. But
this Ultrabook is a reason to upgrade...
Asus
ZenBook Prime UX21A
At a glance
Summary: Great
looks and great performance... this Ultrabook is a reason to upgrade your
internet connection!
Tech Specs: Intel i7 CPU, 4GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 GPU, 9mm
thick, 1.1kg, 11.6 inch screen
Manufacturer: Asus
Distributer: Asus
Website: www.asus.com
RRP: TBC
Pros: Small,
Light, Powerful
Cons: Requires
good internet connectivity
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