Asus Zenbooks: UX303LN

With the ASUS Zenbook UX303LN, you get an Ultrabook with oomph. It’s designed with the intention of providing better graphics than usual, thanks to the inclusion of a discrete NVIDIA GeForce 840M adapter, and it will at least give you an opportunity to run some games while still swinging a convenient thin-and-light form factor.

Build quality and design

The aluminium body and overall shape of the 13.3in UX303LN are reminiscent of the Apple Macbook Air, and people will continually go out of their way to point this out to you (sorry for doing just that). Just nod your head and rest easy in the fact that you’ve got a great overall laptop that’s comfortable to use (for the most part), and which will perform well for everyday tasks, including a bit of gaming.

An Intel Core i5-4210U, fourth-generation CPU is the leader in the engine room, and it’s supported by 8GB of RAM, a 128GB solid state drive (SSD), and the previously mentioned NVIDIA GeForce 840M graphics. For a machine that includes a discrete graphics adapter, it sure doesn’t feel like it. The Ultrabook disturbed our digital scales at 1.55kg and its balance felt good overall. You can open the lid with one hand and the base won’t lift up off the desk.
It has a thickness of 21mm at its thickest point when you include the rubber feet on the base, and the aluminium body provides plenty of rigidity. Indeed, the build quality is solid overall, though we did notice that the screen sometimes tilted a little when we picked up the laptop by the base to move it around. As such, we think the hinges could stand to be a little stiffer.

The screen is Full HD and supports touch, though we found that we rarely used the touch capability. It’s not like you can tilt the screen back all the way flat or switch into a tablet form factor; the most you can do is incorporate touch actions into your navigation of the Windows 8.1 environment. Because it’s a glossy screen, reflections from room lights will sometimes litter the screen, but it won’t give off a full mirror finish, thanks mainly to its decent level of brightness.

We found the overall quality of the screen to be easy on the eyes, and even using full brightness at night didn’t produce strain. For a 13.3in screen, we feel that the Full HD resolution is ideal. Some laptops, including Lenovo's Yoga 3 Pro have an 1800p resolution that can be tough for some eyes to use without scaling, and scaling in Windows 8.1 doesn't work as well as it should, with many system windows, dialogue boxes, and tooltips either looking muddy or staying at the native size of the screen.

Performance

As for its performance, the Zenbook’s Core i5 CPU, plentiful RAM, and SSD all combine to produce a laptop that won’t feel sluggish when undertaking everyday office and Web-based tasks, and it’s fine for image editing, video streaming, and also a bit of gaming. Blender 3D rendering recorded a time of 48sec, which is a solid result, while in CrystalDiskMark the SSD recorded a sequential read rate of 513 megabytes per second (MBps), and a write rate of 289MBps.

The laptop will auto-detect the appropriate graphics adapter to use for the application (either the integrated Intel HD, or the NVIDIA GeForce), although you can also select the adapter you want for particular applications. The Intel graphics are the default operator, so the laptop won’t draw too much power while running basic tasks on battery.

In our rundown test, in which we disable power management, enable Wi-Fi, maximise screen brightness, and loop a Full HD, MP4 video file, the laptop lasted 6hr 3min, which is a respectable time for a 13.3in Ultrabook in this test.

We did a little bit of gaming on this laptop just to give you an idea of what to expect. Battlefield 3 ran at only 11 frames per second at the native resolution of the screen using the NVIDIA adapter, and even dropping the resolution to 1366x768 only upped the frame rate to 22fps. You won’t want to use this laptop for this type of game unless you don’t mind getting killed all the time (though the way we play, the laptop has nothing to do with that).

When we ran Need For Speed: The Run, the results were more pleasing, with 27fps achievable at Full HD using the NVIDIA adapter. This game was enjoyable on the laptop, and for lazy scenarios, such as when you just want to lie down and race while resting the laptop on your chest, it’s perfectly fine. Using the Intel adapter, only 11fps were achieved, so the NVIDIA adapter definitely provided a good use case for running this type of game.

In 3DMark’s Fire Strike test, the NVIDIA adapter propelled the system to a mark of 1305, while the Intel graphics got 596. In Sky Diver, the NVIDIA adapter got 4965, while the Intel adapter got 2617. You can see that in these tough tests the discrete graphics do make a difference.

Asus Zenbooks: UX303UB

The latest model from Asus' Zenbook UX 303 series is once again a thin and nice 13.3-inch notebook. It has a lot of performance, but is still quiet in operation. The battery runtimes are unfortunately shorter compared to previous Zenbook models.

The Zenbook UX303 from Asus is a thin 13.3-inch subnotebook. We already reviewed the Zenbook UX303 a couple of times – versions with and without dedicated GPUs. The several models usually offer a lot of CPU performance in combination with low emissions and long battery runtimes. The latest iteration with the designation UX303UB is equipped with a Skylake processor and a GeForce 940M graphics card. Our review will show if the device can keep up with its predecessors.

Rivals for the Zenbook are notebooks like the Dell XPS 13 2016, the Apple MacBook Air 13 or the HP Spectre 13. The Surface Book from Microsoft might also be an interesting alternative.

Our review configuration of the Zenbook uses the chassis from the Zenbook UX303LN-R4141H, so we will not evaluate the case, connectivity, input devices, display and the speakers in this article. The corresponding information is available in the review of the Zenbook UX303LN-R4141H

Display

Asus equips the Zenbook with the same matte Full HD IPS display that we already know from the Zenbook UX303LN-R4141H. It manages a very good luminance, good contrast and wide viewing angles. The sRGB color space is covered by 92 percent and the color presentation is already good with the factory settings.

The brightness of the display is regulated via pulse-width modulation up to 90 percent of the maximum luminance. The low frequency of just 178 Hz can already be tiring for sensitive users. There is no PWM flickering at brightness settings higher than 90 percent.

Performance

The Zenbook UX303UB is a very powerful 13.3-inch subnotebook. It provides plenty of performance for common tasks and can even handle games, but still manage decent battery runtimes at the same time. Our review unit currently retails for around 1,300 Euros (~$1416), while the least expensive model from the series – UX303UB-R4044T (Core i5-6200U, 128 GB SSD) – is available for around 1,000 Euros (~$1089).

Processor

Inside the Zenbook is a Core i7-6500U (Skylake) dual-core processor. It is a frugal ULV model with a TDP of 15 watts. The nominal clock is 2.5 GHz, but can be raised up to 3 GHz (two cores) and 3.1 GHz (one core) via Turbo Boost. However, the CPU can only utilize its Turbo potential in single thread applications, while multithread applications are executed with 2.5-2.6 GHz. The processor can therefore not utilize its full potential in multithread scenarios. This behavior is similar on mains as well as battery power.

Because of those multithread limitations, it is not faster than its direct predecessor, the Core i7-5500U (Broadwell), and the results are pretty much on par. Other reviews showed that the advantage of the Skylake processor would be around 12 percent with the full Turbo utilization. In this case, the 6500U only manages a small lead in the single thread applications.

System Performance

Thanks to the fast SSD and the powerful processor, the system runs very smoothly and we did not experience any problems. The results in the synthetic PCMark benchmarks are also good. The Zenbook is a bit better than the direct predecessor (Asus Zenbook UX303LN-R4274H) due to the slightly faster GPU and CPU. We already mentioned that the Skylake processor can only beat its predecessor in respect to the single thread performance. The latter is more important in practice, which is also the reason for the higher PCMark 8 score of the Skylake Zenbook. It is not possible to improve the system performance of the Zenbook any further.

Storage Devices & Card Reader

The Zenbook is equipped with a 2.5-inch Solid State Drive from Micron with a total capacity of 512 GB. There are two partitions ex-works, one for the operating system (190 GB) and one for other files (286 GB). The remaining storage is occupied by the recovery partition. The SSD manages good transfer rates. Previous models of the Zenbook also had an mSATA or M.2 port besides the 2.5-inch bay, which is not the case for our review unit anymore.

The card reader of the Zenbook reaches a maximum transfer rate of 85.6 MB/s during the copying of large files. 250 JPG pictures (around 5 MB each) result in a transfer rate of 64 MB/s, which means the card reader is one of the fastest models. We used our reference SD card (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) for the test.

GPU Performance

The graphics card GeForce 940M is the successor of the GeForce 840M GPU from previous Zenbook models. Both chips are mainstream GPUs and support DirectX 11 and they are similar. Both are based on the Maxwell architecture and the 940M just has a slightly higher maximum clock (1124 vs. 1176 MHz). The advantage of the Zenbook over its predecessor should, therefore, be very small in the 3DMark benchmarks. 

However, this is actually not the case. The predecessor is usually slightly ahead of the Skylake Zenbook, which has two reasons: The Skylake processor cannot utilize its full performance in multithread scenarios, and the video memory has a lower clock (900 vs. 1,000 MHz) compared to the chip in the predecessor.

The GeForce GPU supports switchable graphics (Optimus) in combination with the integrated HD Graphics 520. The latter handles the graphics output for simple tasks and on battery power. The user usually does not have to interfere, because the switching between the different GPUs happens automatically. You can obviously make manual adjustments if you want.

Gaming Performance

The CPU-GPU combination of the Zenbook can also handle many games smoothly in the HD resolution (1366x768 pixels) and medium settings. Some titles can even be played with higher quality settings. The full resolution of the screen (Full HD) on the other hand is only possible with a couple of games, while more complex games usually do not run smoothly at all. One example for that is Batman: Arkham Knight. The gaming benchmarks support the results of the 3DMarks: The Zenbook cannot beat the predecessor. We already explained the reasons earlier. You will have to get a 14- or 15.6-inch notebook if you want higher gaming performance, because the Zenbook is already equipped with one of the fastest GPUs among 13.3-inch systems.

System Noise

The Zenbook is usually completely silent while idling because the fans are often deactivated, but they are not very loud under load, either. We can measure a decent noise of 38.2 dB(A) during our stress test and around 35.9 dB(A) in a gaming session. The Zenbook, unfortunately, produces a constant electronic noise. It is not very audible in a normal environment and you will have to get your ear very close to the fan exhaust to hear it. It is, however, noticeable at a normal viewing distance in quiet environments. It can also get louder, which is always the case when the SSD copies a large amount of files.

Temperature

The Zenbook executes our stress test (Prime95 and FurMark for at least one hour) the same way on mains as well as battery power. The GPU can maintain its full performance (1176 MHz), while the clock of the processor fluctuates between 400 MHz and 2.5 GHz (battery) and 2.7-2.9 GHz (mains). We were able to measure temperatures of around 50 °C (122 °F) at some spots during the stress test, which means the Zenbook warms up more than its predecessor.

Power Consumption

The Zenbook does not consume a whole lot of power while idling at up to 8 watts. We can measure up to 55 watts during the stress test, which is reasonable when you consider the components. The CPU clock fluctuates heavily during the stress test, so the consumption is not steady at 55 watts. The consumption is at around 47 watts (+/- 5 watts) in a gaming session. All in all, the values of the Zenbook are a bit higher compared to the predecessor. The power adaptor has a nominal output of 65 watts.

Battery Runtime

The battery runtimes of the latest Zenbook are once again good. The notebook lasts 6:50 hours in our practical Wi-Fi test. We use this test to simulate web browsing while the luminance is adjusted to 150 cd/m² with the "Balanced" power profile. Our video test runs for 6:53 hours. We run a loop of the short movie Big Buck Bunny (H.264, 1920x1080 pixels) while the wireless modules are turned off and the display brightness is once again adjusted to around 150 cd/m².

A look at our comparison table shows that runtime in the Wi-Fi test decreased from the Haswell Zenbook over the Broadwell Zenbook to the Skylake Zenbook – even though the battery capacity is identical. Here we can see that the hardware gets more powerful every iteration and consumes more power during our runtime tests. The maximum runtime, on the other hand, was increased.

One final note: The battery of our review configuration already shows signs of wear at around 7 percent, which means 7 percent of the original capacity cannot be used anymore. The Zenbook should, therefore, manage slightly longer results with a healthy battery. Both the Wi-Fi and the video test results should surpass the seven-hour mark in this case.

The notebook is pretty fast and can handle games, but the system is usually still quiet. The handling benefits from the fast SSD and there is no lack of storage thanks to the 512 GB drive. A replacement of the SSD is no problem, either, since it is rather easy to remove the bottom cover of the notebook. The Skylake Zenbook once again uses a very good display. The matte Full HD IPS screen manages a good luminance, a high contrast, wide viewing angles and decent colors. The battery runtimes are good as well.

The new model unfortunately also deserves some criticism: The processor cannot utilize its full performance, which is probably a result of the insufficient cooling solution. The GPU memory is also a bit slower compared to the predecessor, which is why we cannot see performance gains (CPU, GPU, gaming) over the predecessor (Broadwell/GeForce 840M). The latter is therefore still an inexpensive alternative to the Skylake Zenbook, but corresponding models are hard to get. The electronic noise should not be an issue in this price range, either.

Asus Zenbooks: UX303LB

Asus Zenbook UX303LB Review 2015 - The 13-inch portable PC is an old colleague. We tried the GeForce 840M model just a couple of months back. Presently we are investigating the new 940M form. Has the racer transformed into a rocket? 

We gave the Zenbook UX303LN-R4274H a rating of 86% in May 2015, which just the best gadgets accomplish. There weren't any critical deficiencies: notwithstanding a matte, brilliant IPS screen, great data gadgets, low discharges, and wonderful runtimes went as an inseparable unit. Melded with a quick SSD, a strong 15-watt SoC, and a GeForce 840M, the 13-inch portable workstation included everything in a classily constructed aluminum packaging that numerous purchasers need. 

Presently the 840M makes space for the 940M. That is reason enough for a fast look at the arrangement. Is the Zenbook UX303LB still a buy tip, or ought to the purchaser adhere to the now as far as anyone knows less expensive 840M antecedent, accessible with a Haswell SoC and 256 GB SSD at a cost beginning at 1000 Euros (~$1095)? The UX303LB-R4079H audit test with a Broadwell i5-5200U and 940M, however generally indistinguishable setup, costs precisely 100 Euros (~$109) more. 

Display

The screen is indistinguishable with that of the Asus Zenbook UX303LN-R4274H sister model. It would be ideal if you see the test for subtle elements. 

Performance

Is the GeForce 940M worth its higher cost? We tend to say no. The same GM108 Maxwell chip as in the more established GeForce 840M is behind the name. Nothing has changed about the specialized specs - 384 Shader units, 24 TMUs, 64-bit memory interface. Just the base and support velocities have been expanded imperceptibly. 

We investigated the 940M's representation execution in Lenovo's ThinkPad T450s (i5-5200U). Its energy is 50 to 60% higher than the incorporated HD Graphics 5500, as Dell's XPS 13 demonstrates. The devoted 940M additionally prompts a 50 to right around 70% favorable position in genuine diversions. In any case, the 840M is on par as the correlation in 3DMark 11 appears. It falls behind by at most 4% here. The Physics execution of our audit test is lower than in the sister models because of the Core i7 in both UX examination gadgets. 

A review of diversions that can be played with the GeForce 940M can be found on the GPU's page. Representation heavyweights like The Witcher 3 and Batman: Arkham Knight ought to be crossed out on the list of things to get. Soil Rally, GTA V, Battlefield Hardline 2015, Evolve, The Crew, Far Cry 4 or Dragon Age: Inquisition have a place with the numerous raving successes that can even now be played in the HD determination utilizing medium subtle elements. 

As to the processor, we can just furnish an examination with the Core i7 adaptations (5500U, 4510U) here. They procure in a little in addition to of 10 to 14% inferable from the higher clock rates. It can at times even be 17% in the multi-test of Cinebench. That equivalents an execution in addition to of just 5% over the same processor sort (previous i5-4200U or i5-4210U) in the Haswell/Broadwell examination. Then again, contracting the manufacture process from 22 to 14 nm has not brought about higher force utilization. Acer's Aspire V3-572PG and Aspire R14 R3-471TG linger behind by 7 to 18% in the Cinebench tests, which is to epitomize the Haswell i5 variant of the UX303L that is still available. The gadgets' changing Turbo Boost usage averts making an accurate 1:1 examination crosswise over distinctive gadgets. 

The purchaser gets an a la mode, conservative subnotebook with a long battery life, quick SSD, and a review edge and rich shading IPS screen in the Zenbook UX303LB-R4079H (Broadwell i5, 940M) for in a matter of seconds 1100 Euros (~$1204). On top of that, a GeForce 940M that can render current amusements in at any rate the HD determination (1366x768 pixels) easily is incorporated.

Notwithstanding the audit test, there are designs with a Haswell SoC and/or GeForce 840M available. Their costs can vary extraordinarily. On the off chance that the value distinction does not appear to be excessively incomprehensible, the purchaser can certainly take the current Broadwell model with the 940M. Be that as it may, any individual who needs to spare 100 Euros (~$109) and more will do nothing amiss with the "obsolete" Haswell/840M variant. The execution contrasts in gaming and processor execution are quantifiable however inconsequential for viable use