Windows 8 has created a new era of
category-defying devices, with the hybrid computers that are flooding the
market. When almost all of our tested Windows 8 products own professional
capabilities, it is easy to forget the normal laptop which also operates the
new Microsoft operating system. Such computer is the $1,949 Asus ZenBook UX51Vz,
a 15 inch Ultrabook with the decorations of a multimedia machine, including a
quad-core Core i7 processor, GT650M Nvidia graphics and 1080p IPS screen. It
does not have one thing: a touchscreen, which is available on many of other
Windows 8 laptops, that has not mentioned the upcoming Zenbook Prime model. If
considering that omission, is UX51Vz still an appealing choice at this super
high price? Keep reading to find out.
Look and feel
The
thickness of Asus Zenbook Prime
ASUS’s Zenbook series get very high score
for its design, and UX51Vz has a featured metal lid as its predecessors. These
features create a classical super-slim Ultrabook (as being documented by UX31A
and UX21A), and they still make a long forward step in making the 15 inch size
of UX51Vz more acceptable. Of course, it does not bring the satisfaction
feeling as 13 inch Zenbook does, but it is really appealing for a large
rectangular. However, we did not say that this laptop is ultra-thin: 4 pound
heavy and 0.99 inch thick at the thickest part, it cannot be compared with the
15 inch Samsung Series 9 which weighs 3.5 pound and 9.58 inches thick.
In addition to the magnificent design,
UX51Vz has the build quality of a luxury computer. Holding it in hands brings
us the feel of sturdy and very light for a 4 pound machine. The hinge exhibits
no audible sound and the lid and the bottom do not bend under pressure. Flip
the laptop over, you will see that the brushed-metal motif carries over to the
bottom. Asus has sealed off the bottom, so you cannot easily access the battery
and SSD drive…
It is time for an official tour: on the
left side of UX51Vz, you will find the power jack, Ethernet port, HDMI and two
3.0 USB ports. On the right side are places for mircoSD card, other 3.0 USB
ports, mini-VGA and a design for the tiny external subwoofer, which is already
lay in the box. Asus also packed up a mini-VGA-to-VGA dongle, along with the
USB-to-micro-USB converter. Turn back to the deck, the speaker grille lies at
the top of the keyboard. On the front edge of the system, beneath the trackpad,
you will find 4 indicators (for hard drive, wireless, num lock and caps lock)
Keyboard and trackpad
The
keyboard
Since UX51Vz does not have the touchscreen
support, the spotlight shines extra brightly on the keyboard and touchpad.
Because they are internal options for interacting with the touch-optimized
operating system of Microsoft, you will want to assure that these are nice
tools. We are happy to state that the potential of safety and efficient
performance is possible.
First, the slightly recessed, island-style
keyboard provides enough space that makes typing a smooth and fluid experience.
You will not get trouble with the individual letters due to shallow keys. When
we tried checking the typing, we reached the average speed but made few errors.
Another highlight: the palm rest is large, so your wrists will not dangle off
the edge of the machine.
The touchpad is situated slightly off to
the left side of the deck, and it's plenty roomy. We found it to be a
noticeable improvement over other Zenbooks such as the UX31A. Windows 8
gestures like swiping in from the right to reveal the Charms Bar work reliably,
though single-finger tracking is still a bit finicky. It's really an issue of
having to apply more pressure than you might like to get the cursor under your
control. And, if you've played with any touch-enabled Windows 8 machines, your
biggest problem will be overcoming the instinct to touch the display.
The touchpad is set slightly off to the
left side of the deck, and it is quite large. We thought that it was such a
considerable innovation compared to the previous version of Zenbook like UX31A.
Windows 8 gestures, like swiping in from the right to open the Charms Bar, work
reliably, although the single-finger tracking is still somehow sophisticated.
It is really a problem that you have to use more pressure than what you want to
have the cursor controlled. If you played with touch-enabled Windows 8
computers, your biggest problem would be overcoming the desire to touch the
screen.
Display and sound
Asus
Zenbook Prime display
With the resolution of 1080p, the IPS 15.6
inch screen of UX51Vz provides a huge space for watching videos and surfing
webs. The screen quality is especially notable when you see the start interface
of Windows 8: the tiles have bright and true colors against the lively
background. This is a colorful UI and this screen increases its value. The
matte finish and IPS technology also bring a wide angle view – you can tip the
screen a way forwards before the images are blurred, and there will be no more
problem watching Netflix with friends, because we did not see any problem
viewing the action even at the extreme off-angles.
Of course, we cannot fully sum up
everything about this laptop’s display without considering what is obviously absent.
The lack of touchscreen on a $1,949 machine – is very curious. Yes, the
addition of a touchscreen will increase the weight of such heavy laptop, but
according to the finger-friendly interface of Windows 8, UX51Vz looks like an
incomplete version of the W8 experience. We found ourselves usually tapping at
the screen as a routine, but quickly adapted to the non-touch model – keyboard
with fast and comfortable clickpad, of course make this lack easier to accept.
Then again, UX51Vz is not a convertible laptop, so you cannot use it in the
tablet mode that you sometimes desire to use.
The built-in stereo speaker of UX51Vz is
based on the Bang & Olufsen ICE Power Audio technology, and they provide
loud sound – but quite fuzzy. Songs and videos play back with a moderate bass
amount, although audio-fans will note that it should have been more flexible.
However, in order to improve the multimedia ability of laptop, Asus includes an
external SonicMaster subwoofer in the UX51Vz. Plugging it in, you will enjoy
more powerful sound. This accessory enhances the gaming and music enjoying; of
course we advise you to keep it on hand.
