I guess it’s true … you can’t be too thin or too pretty (yes, I am still talking about the computer)

New computer, new fun.  I am a mobile junkie.  By this I mean that I travel a lot—conventions, shows, client meetings, etc.—and I also write a lot.  My laptop has to be small enough to tuck under my arm without raising the attention of nice TSA agents
and to fit reasonably on the tray table for quick work that my iPad cannot handle.  It also has to be powerful enough to run the entire Microsoft productivity pack at the same time when I am in production mode while powering two large external monitors and my Klipsch surround sound system at the same time when I am home.  I do not compile code or edit gigabyte-sized graphics files, but I certainly use my computer as much or more than the average tech manager.

I recently traded up from my company-provided Acer laptop (which was beginning to strain under the weight of my computational demands) up to my own ASUS Zenbook (yes, the consumerization of IT is well under way).  Here are my thoughts and observations after four weeks with my new device.

I purchased the ASUS Zenbook UX31 Ultrabook – 13.3 inch screen with an Intel i5 processor.  The 11.6-inch model is available with i3, i5, or i7 and the 13.3-inch is available with either the i5 or i7.  Importantly not all i7 processors are the same (researched at the Intel site) and the i7 version used on the Zenbooks is only marginally faster than the i5 and NOT worth the extra cash, in my opinion.  (see specs here)

Wow this thing is thin. But it makes it easier on my wrists while typing–I did not foresee this.  The wrist position is more natural and relaxing.  It was designed to compete in the same “hip-cool-thin-techie-design” computer space as the Macbook Air (image).  In my opinion, mission accomplished.

Compared to other reviewers of the ASUS Zenbook
All of the online technical reviews said that the first thing you should do is update the drivers because they fixed a lot of things with the keyboard and trackpad in the latest releases. They were right. It also fixed a few things with networking.

Online, several people complained about the keyboard. They were nuts. It is really slick and easy to type fast, it just has less throw–meaning key travel.  If you have any real skill and confidence it is easy–like learning to play music without looking at your hands. And the keys are brushed metal–they look and feel great.

Sight and Sound
The speakers are great for a little laptop like this. Really good for the size.  Listening to Lindsey Buckingham play his live version of Big Love while I type this and the little speakers are impressive (and so is Lindsey Buckingham!).   ASUS makes a big deal in their advertising that the speakers are from Bang and Olufsen (high end speaker company) and I can certainly hear it.  They are the best native speakers I have ever heard in a laptop.  The screen resolution is really good too. Surprising, actually.  Crystal clear. Probably the best I have seen on a small laptop as well.

I installed iTunes. Downloaded AND installed in less than two minutes.  I timed it. CRAZY! The Acer took five to seven times longer.  There is a widget for watching the turbo-boost graphically and you can see it kick in.  The SSD has to be a big part of this as well.

Annoyances
The computer keeps defaulting to battery-saver mode when unplugged.  Trouble is, it powers down the WiFi and dims the screen as if controlled by a technogeist.*  I foresee that power consumption will be more than their benchmarking.  I think that they have tried to game performance vs. battery life by over-modulating the power modes.  This is a bit lame.  In the end, I think that I will match their “standby-instant-on numbers” but I would not be surprised if instead of the 7+ hours of use time that they advertise I get about 5 instead.

Also, I use two monitors at home. This thing is so thin that you have to use micro HDMI and mini-VGA plugs.  That is not too bad, but those two ports are so close together that you have to monkey around to get both plugged in simultaneously.  The engineers at ASUS evidently did not imagine that anyone would want to use them both at the same time.  Really—another millimeter or two would have done the trick.

It is not as WiFi sensitive as the Acer, meaning that there are now a few dead spots in the house.  Side by side, the Acer and my iPad get enough signal to surf, but the new ASUS drops off.  Hmmmm ….  Most areas a fine though.  I have now travelled with it and it sets up fine at the airport and hotels without a thought or worry.

Overall
The thing is tech-sexy-cool and feels solid.  I was worried about the solidness and fit and finish, but there is nothing wrong here.  The delivery packaging was first rate.  Minimal packaging without feeling cheap.  A nice little carry bag and accessory pouches included.  The few annoyances I have are, in the end, trivial.  The power is there for the vast majority of users—even on the higher end like me.  I am happy and recommend the ASUS Zenbook highly.

Until next time be well,

* Technogeist – “Technology Ghost.”  I have seen this term used for techno-music, but I will coin it here to mean the mysterious and annoying things that our technology does without asking us.

Apple, iTunes, iPad, and Macbook Air are trademarks of Apple Inc (APPL).  ASUS and Zenbook ar trademarks of ASUS (ASUUY).  Bang and Olefson is a trademark of Bang and Olefson.