VERDICT
The Zenbook UX305 looks good on paper but it is way too early to give a thumbs-up to this Core M ultrabook
PROS:
- great battery life
- very thin
- absurdly light
CONS:
- Finish could be better
Asus unveiled the UX305 , its newest flagship laptop at IFA 2014 this week. The device, it claims, is the world's thinnest 13-in QHD+ ultrabook , giving it one of the highest pixel densities of any computers on the market.
It faces competition from the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro and the Samsung ATIV Book 9 as well as the Apple MacBook Pro Retina Display , although we expect vendors to refresh their current thin-and-light laptop range very soon.
The model on display is arguably a pre-production unit with a processor clocked at less than 1GHz. It sported a fanless design, one that is expected to be carried to the final version.
Asus Zenbook UX305 - profile comparison
Core M all the way
At only 12.3mm thick and weighing 1.2Kg, it is light enough to be carried comfortably with one hand. Its specification sheet lists an Intel Core M processor(the 5Y10), Windows 8.1, 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR3 memory, either 128GB or 256GB SSD, an Intel HD Graphics 5300 subsystem, a webcam and a 6-cell, 45Whr battery. As for connectivity, it has three USB ports, one mini-HDMI output and a SD card reader.
The piece de resistance, the screen, is gorgeous but, as it is the case for all (small screens) with such a high resolution, not to my taste and is not touch capable (though it is likely that it will be available as an option).
Asus UX305 - press shot
If like me, you reverted to Windows 8.1's classic user interface (via a third party tool), then it is likely that you switched to a much lower but more usable, 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.
Asus has however confirmed that a full HD option will be available, which should lower the price of the laptop by a fair amount.
Not posh enough?
Unsurprisingly, you won't be able to swap the laptop's battery or to do any upgrade. Design-wise, the Zenbook UX305 brings together the best of Asus' engineering expertise.
The keyboard is responsive and keys provide enough return for touch typing while the touchpad's surface area is as big as it can physically get without getting in the way.
Asus Zenbook UX305 - keyboard
The laptop adopts a familiar brushed metal finish with a circular, concentric design that's peculiar to the Zenbook range and a tapered profile that is now common to almost all thin-and-line laptops. Once you open the lid though, it's all matte plastic. Just don't expect a finish a la MacBook Air .
Asus Zenbook UX305 - top
The Zenbook UX305 will be available in a silky "Ceramic Alloy" shade - i.e. white - and an "Obsidian Stone" colour - i.e. black. You got to love those marketing terms.
The only two items missing are when will it launch and at what price. Intel has already confirmed that it will be full steam ahead for the Core M in 2015, with CES likely to be when manufacturers will come out all guns blazing.
Between now and then though, expect Apple to prepare a major update to the MacBook Air with the Core M and possibly a Retina Display that will put it level with the ZenBook. Other vendors like Samsung, Lenovo, Acer, Dell and HP will also very likely unleash their own sub-1.5Kg, sub-15mm, Core M-powered products.
Early verdict
Decent piece of kit but not a massive step up from the current model, at least as far as look and feel are concerned. Being the first out of the stalls with the Core M means that Asus could gather some momentum before rivals appear on the market.
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