Priced for about $1,400 (Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A-AB71), the second generation of Asus Zenbook series equipped with Intel Core i7-3517UM 1.7 GHz, 128GB SSD and 4GB of RAM. The entry level version is also available with the Intel Core i5-3317U 1.7 GHz.
Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A Ultrabook’s Housing
Previously, we already had the first generation of Asus Zenbook tested. The criticisms were very limited. The new Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A Ultrabook uses the same first-class aluminum unibody, in much the same shape as its predecessor.Unlike the plastic housing of Asus U32, the aluminum body of Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A ultrabook not only feels, it is also stiff as a board and can be deformed at any point appreciably. The Asus Zenbook Prime is also very thin.
With 2.9 pounds, the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A is slightly heavier than the new Apple MacBook Air 13, for the practical operation however, this deviation is definitely irrelevant.
The Equipment of Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A Ultrabook
On the back left we find a USB 3.0 port, combined headphone-microphone jack and an SD card reader. On the right side is rounded off by a micro-HDMI port, a mini-VGA port, another USB 3.0 connector and power connector.
As a comparison, the new MacBook Air 13 also offers two USB 3.0 ports, an SD card reader and a headphone jack.
On board the Asus Zenbook UX31A we find Wireless LAN 802.11 a / b / g / n (Intel Centrino Advanced-N6235) and Bluetooth 4.0. Wired LAN is specified with the specification 10/100 Mbps. Integrated Broadband Internet is not one of the available equipment options, this would have to resort to an external USB solution.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The input devices on Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A ultrabook is the same devices that were used by Asus U32. However, the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A ultrabook’s keyboard feels moare comfortable than the U32.The large-sized touchpad is also a good thing. Even the two-finger scrolling around in the browser now works satisfactory, although it is still incomparable to Apple’s.
Display
With a very good brightness of about 375 cd / m², good lighting, the low black level, and the high image contrast, there is no room for criticism. In addition, the panel has a matte finish which unwanted reflections and glare can be successfully prevented and the Asus laptop can also be used outdoors without worries. The panel type IPS also allows extremely shallow angle without impairing change the displayed image.Performance
The Asus ultrabook is available with the i5-3317U CPU, with which our tested unit was equipped; optionally there is also the more expensive variant with the faster i7-3517U. The memory in both variants is fixed with 4GB. Both also feature the same full solid state drive with 128GB.In most cases, probably as well as on our test model, the Intel Core i5-3317U ULV CPU used. This is the latest generation Intel Ivy Bridge running with two cores each with a base clock of 1.7 GHz. By Turbo Boost 2.0, the processor overclocked up to 2.6GHz, the hyperthreading dual core chip allows simultaneous work off up to 4 threads. Thanks to the low TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 17W, the processor is ideal for use in thin laptops with limited cooling capacity.
In Cinebench R11.5 benchmark we achieve in the CPU test (multithreaded) 2.38 points. By comparison, Intel's Core i5-2410M standard voltage CPU (35W) of the previous generation is at about the same level.
The Turbo Boost functions properly, it showed in our observations with the Cinebench R10 Single (4351 points, 2.6 GHz) and CB R10 Multi-Test (8768 points, 2.4 GHz).
In the comparison of the benchmarks Cinebench Release 11.5, the i7 CPU notch up a lead of 15% in the rendering unit (CPU) and 18% for calculation of the OpenGL (graphics processor). If compute-intensive applications are on the agenda may be worth considering this chip. However, for average office users the Intel Core i5 CPU is more than enough.
In PCMark Vantage the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A ultrabook reached a proud result of 11 072 points. Thus the already extremely fast predecessor can be topped again by about 20%.
In recent PCMark 7 provides the result of not less impressive: 5155 points, just behind the Asus G75VW gaming laptop (5262 points).
No question, this Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A ultrabook is one of the fastest ultrabooks on the market, but the Zenbook is also suitable for graphics and CPU-intensive calculations.
The SSD storage provides good results again in the various benchmark tests with reading rates of up to 476 MB / sec and write transfer rates of up to 157 MB / sec (Crystal Disk Mark).
A full Windows boot folds in less than 20 seconds from standby, the system is ready for use again in just seconds.
Noise and Temperature
As with its predecessor and also the Asus U32, the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A ultrabook is almost a silent device, at least in the office operating at low load. Now and then the fan jumps in regular operation at peak load a short distance and then with 29.8 dB (A) which is only minimally audible.Even under constant load test in the UX31A is not unpleasant. In 3DMark 2006, we observe a maximum of just 32.4 dB (A). Only in the impractical stress test, we measure 37.6 dB (A).
With peaks at 32-33 ° C during operation without load or about 44 ° C in the stress test some significant warming in a casing should be noted.
As usual, we examine the sample under extreme conditions in the stress test in which the device for at least one hour at full capacity (100% CPU and GPU load). With peaks of 83 ° C the i5-3317U CPU in the critical range. Also, the processor clock which levels off after some time the base clock of 1.7 GHz are here even in the worst scenario is no reason for concern. A direct connection in the 3DMark 2006 benchmark test performed was approximately the same score as in the cold state.
Energy Consumption and Battery Performance
Under favorable circumstances, we measure the power supply side, a power consumption of just 4.4 watts. It was the display dimmed to minimum brightness, the communication modules remain disabled, as is the keyboard light. Under load with a power consumption of 31.5 to 36.1 expected.Intel promises the new Ivy Bridge platform, especially to deliver performance. But what happens with the battery life? Does the energy-hungry IPS panel cause the potential negative impact on lead times?
As usual we use for our run-time tests under different back in the tool BatteryEater. Best case we get here in the Reader's test (simulating the reading of a text document) with minimum display brightness, power saving profile and disabled wireless modules for a period of no less than 10 hours and 48 minutes.
In the much more meaningful for the practical use of wireless measurement (adjusted brightness to 150cd / m², radio modules, standardized Surfing the web in 40 second intervals), we achieve significantly lower 4 hours and 42 minutes.
In the Battery Eater Classic test (worst-case scenario), we reach the high performance profile, maximum screen brightness and active communication modules / keyboard light 148 minutes.
Conclusion on Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A Review
The Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A ultrabook is comes with an attractive matte IPS Full HD Panel with excellent brightness and contrast.Finally, we find the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A as successful update. The strengths of its predecessor have been retained, eliminated the few weaknesses systematically. For a mobile office companion, the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A ultrabook seems to be almost the perfect choice.
Title Post: Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A Ultrabook Review
Rating: 100% based on 3109 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: onSquid
Thank You for Visiting Asus Zenbook Fans
Rating: 100% based on 3109 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: onSquid
Thank You for Visiting Asus Zenbook Fans
