The UX31A Touch’s specifications are the
elements of a high-end laptop: Intel Core i7-3517U 1.9GHz processor with 4GB RAM,
256GB SSD manufactured by ADATA and Intel HD Graphics 4000. Its scores in tests
such as PCMark7 outdid similar-specified devices like Acer Aspire S7, and it
provides outstanding read and write speeds in ATTO drive test: up to 554MB/s
and 523MB/s.
Lenovo
IdeaPad Yoga 13 offers good Core i5 performance
You'll notice the
same fast speed in everyday use. The cold boot into Windows 8 just takes 8
seconds, and we did not see any delay when switching between applications and
running Internet Explorer with a few tabs open. The Integrated Intel HD
Graphics 4000 chip is not capable of playing demanding games, but it is quite
sufficient to play a couple of normal games. In Mafia II, we achieved speeds
from 20fps to 30fps – and the bottom of the device became significantly warmer
after a few minutes of testing. But that how the UX31A Touch is – the Ultrabook
- and when you consider that, it offers good graphics performance. In the
3DMark11 graphics tests, it scored the same as the Aspire S7 did.
Asus claimed that the UX31A Touch has seven
hours of battery life, but the Ultrabook’s 50W battery brings a much shorter
time in our battery tests: 5 hours and 15 minutes. That did not surprise us;
Windows 8 does not prove to be good with laptops’ battery life – the longest
amount of time we ever recorded was 5 hours 32 minutes of IdeaPad Yoga 13. It
is not an exaggeration to say the battery life of this device is a minus, but
we would also like to say we are hoping this new year will mark the beginning
of Windows 8 Ultrabooks that last longer than before.
Software and warranty
You will find no lack of unknown
third-party software on the UX31A Touch. The pre-installed programs include
Asus utilities such as Calculator, Converter, InstantOn and Tutor, along with
CyberLink PowerDirector and ColorDirector, a trial version of McAfee antivirus,
Nest organizer, Skype and QuickTime. Microsoft Solitaire and Taptiles are also
available, as well as Fresh Paint – a drawing program.
The Zenbook UX31A Touch comes with a
one-year warranty, which includes components and repair warranty with a
damage-by-accident warranty. It also includes 24/7 telephone support.
Specification options and competitors
There are two models of the UX31A Touch,
starting with the basic model with Intel Core i5 1.7GHz, 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD.
the Core i7 version that we evaluated includes a Core i7 1.9GHz CPU, 4GB RAM
and 256GB SSD. Asus has not announced the price for this high-end model, so you
have more time to explore around. Another high-end Ultrabook is the Acer Aspire
S7 mentioned before. It has a Core i7 processor running at 2.4GHz with 256GB
SSD, and it has a 13.3-inch 1080p touchscreen. We like the design and the
practicality of the S7, but its battery life is even less than the
UX31ATouch’s: 4 hours 18 minutes. However, its price is $1650, so of course you
will have to pay the high price for top performance.
If
you are looking for a 15.6-inch screen, HP Spectre XT TouchSmart can suit your
taste.
There is also Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13, which
includes a 1600x900capacitive touchscreen and can switch between tablet and
laptop mode. If you are reading this article, you may not find a 2in1 model,
but the Yoga 13 offers good Core i5 performance (you can upgrade it to the Core
i7 model at $1300). We do not like the touchpad that is easy to fall off of the
device’s body, but in general it is a good product at a price slightly lower
than the S7’s and the UX31A Touch’s.
If you want an Ultrabook with touch support
at a quite cheap price, you can consider a few options with the traditional
hard drive instead of the SSD. Samsung Series 5 UltraTouch is bundled with a
low-resolution 13.3 inch touchscreen (1366x768), Intel Core i5 and 500GB hard
drive with 24GB ExpressCache. If you consider a slightly bigger shape factor,
there is Toshiba Satellite 14-inch P845t. At $750, it is cheaper than the UX31A
and the Aspire S7, but it has a touchscreen of 1366x768 and a standard 750GB
hard disc. However, it provides an optical drive in a heavier 4.3-pound design.
If you are looking for a 15.6-inch screen,
HP Spectre XT TouchSmart can suit your taste. With $ 1400, you have the same
design stable that we were interested in the HP Envy Spectre XT does not touch,
but with 1920x1080 IPS screen. The disadvantage is shorter battery life (at 3
hours and 45 minutes!), Hard drive instead of an SSD and design 4.96 pounds
heavier.
Conclusion
Asus Ultrabook Zenbook Prime line is a good
product that is continuing to get better. Its beautiful all-metal design with
good performance has not changed, while the keyboard and touchpad have improved
much over last year. The UX31A Touch is an evolutionary update of the 13-inch
Zenbook, because the real change here is the screen with touch support – and of
course, Windows 8. The remaining question is the price of the Core i7 model,
and we believe that the price will be high. However, this UX31A is a very
promising opponent: of course it is the best Zenbook, and it is also one of the
most powerful Ultrabooks.
The
additional touchscreen makes this high-end product get better and better.
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Info
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Price: $1,099
Advantages
·
Fast and bright touchscreen
·
Good performance
·
Attractive and lightweight design
Disadvantages
·
Not impressive battery life
·
Price unavailable, probably high
Verdict
·
We really like Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A, and the
additional touchscreen males this high-end product get better and better.
However, it would benefit more from longer battery life.
Specification
§
Manufacturer: ASUS
§
Model name: Zenbook Prime Touch UX31A
§
CPU type: Intel Core i7 3517U (Ivy Bridge)
§
CPU speed: 1900 Mhz
§
Graphics Intel: HD 4000
§
OS: Windows 8
§
Display Size: 13.3" 1920 X 1080
§
Screen Type: LED-Backlit LCD
§
Touch Technology: Multi-touch
§
RAM: 4096 MB
§
SSD:256 GB
§
Battery capacity: 50 (Wh)
§
Weight: 1400gm / 49.4 oz.
§
Size (w/h/d mm:): 325/18/223 mm
§
Size (w/h/d inches): 12.8/0.7/8.8
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