fbpx

Asus Zenbook Prime in the flesh, first impressions

Asus Philippines today launched their second-generation ultrabook called the Zenbook Prime. Asus claims it is the first notebook to use a full HD 1080p IPS LCD display.

While the previous models of the Zenbook were using backlit LED panels, the new Zenbook uses an IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.

Yugatech 728x90 Reno7 Series

Imagine the IPS display of the new iPad 3 used in an ultrabook — that’s really crisp, super clear and very wide viewing angles. If you’re using the Zenbook UX21, which is the one I have, the difference in the screen resolution is miles away.

Asus also listened to folks and added a backlit keyboard with the new Zenbook Prime. They engineering on the keyboard was also improved so individual keys are higher, giving you more tactile feedback and less typing errors.

The trackpad was also remodeled to be smoother and way easier to use. I really hated the trackpad on the old Zenbook but the new one feels like it’s much closer to the one in the Macbook Air, in terms of sensitivity and performance.

While the exterior design of the Zenbook Prime is still the same as the old model, the upgrades done were mostly in the interior. That includes the new Ivy Bridge processors, faster SSD and boot times.

The only bummer news is that Asus will only be bringing the high-end variant of the Zenbook Prime. That means you will only see the Zenbook Prime UX31A in stores this June. The variant will have a Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD and a 13.3″ IPS LCD with resolution of 1080p.

The estimated retail price for that when it comes out is about Php69,995.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 976 other subscribers
Avatar for Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

21 Responses

  1. Avatar for disturbed disturbed says:

    If asus ph released this UX31A with a sandisk SSD again..it will really suck big time again..didn’t buy the UX31E due to this..hope they get it right!I will fork the money as long as they release the right SSD!

  2. Avatar for fershers fershers says:

    OMG YUM!

  3. Avatar for John John says:

    may saudi naman kahit dalhin nila at presyohan ng mahal ang local units. =))

  4. Avatar for fasgsgsrg fasgsgsrg says:

    I really want to buy these ultrabooks but damn Windows 8 is neeaaar.

  5. Avatar for Jun V Jun V says:

    Hi Abe,

    Thanks for attending yesterday’s event, hope to see you more in the future. All the guys here Media8 extend their thanks.

    Jun

  6. Avatar for GhostHunter GhostHunter says:

    The real “bummer” news with any Ultrabook is they still use Intel HD3000 chipset. It would be great if they have a faster GPU (switchable for power/performance)which better matches the CPU.

  7. Avatar for Justin Justin says:

    Any info on pre-orders?

  8. Avatar for florencia florencia says:

    wow! buti na lang di pa ko nakakabili nung UX31. I think this is a lot better. :D

    But what do you mean Sir Yuga with “That means you will only see the Zenbook Prime UX31A in stores this June.” After maubos hindi na magrereplenish?

  9. Avatar for linuel linuel says:

    if they could only provide options for three year warranty

  10. Avatar for huh huh says:

    Soon the new macbooks and macbook air will be out with similar specs, you can bet and a similar price

  11. Avatar for Alex Alex says:

    Damn I just bought a Zenbook UX21, may coming na palang ganito… Haha sayang

  12. Avatar for BigmikeMeMe BigmikeMeMe says:

    Shut up and take my money!!

  13. Avatar for clipper clipper says:

    Is it just me or the black keyboard in this ultrabook reminds me of the Macbook Air?

    • Avatar for Elmo Elmo says:

      you need that kind of keyboard color for the backlit keyboard. the 1st generation was silver so they made it black.

    • Avatar for Yahya Yahya says:

      Yup ! Not only you but what it looks like for me, this is a resemblance of a macbook pro design on a very thin macbook air chassis.

    • Avatar for clipper clipper says:

      @Elmo
      Yeah, I know that this ultrabook has a black keyboard because this new model is backlit. So yeah, the black keyboard reminds me of Macbook Air’s keyboard. And for me, this isn’t really a bad thing because a white backlight stands well in a black colored keyboard like this.

  14. Avatar for yuuto yuuto says:

    Finally, Asus got the ultrabook right. Their first attempt in making an ultrabook had a fast start but it didn’t reach the finish line because of the keyboard and the touchpad.

    This is definitely a notebook that can rival the Macbook Air.

  15. Avatar for guyrony guyrony says:

    DROOL…

  16. Avatar for Bon Bon says:

    wow! ang classy ng dating!

  17. Avatar for Yahya Yahya says:

    This looks sexy but on a wrong timing. Geez. They should’ve released it sooner prior to Windows 8 being its native OS.

Leave a Reply
JOIN OUR TELEGRAM DISCUSSION

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *