A premium laptop computer does not need to break the bank. simply check out Asus’ ZenBook 13 (UX333FA) review, which options a robust eighth-gen Core i5 processor and absurdly great battery life (enough for us to call it one amongst the best Asus laptops), all packed into a fine looking chassis for a really cheap $849. that is a whole bunch less than competitive systems just like the Dell XPS 13.
However, there are some flaws, as well as this machine’s dim 13-inch display, short keyboard deck, and poor speakers. Despite that, the ZenBook thirteen could be a solid premium laptop computer that sells for an obtainable price. that produces it one amongst the most effective laptops for school students.
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ASUS ZenBook 13 (UX333FA) review: design
The glossy, gold Asus emblem at the middle of the ZenBook 13’s hood is sort of a drop falling within the midst of a peaceful, blue aluminum ocean, inflicting asymmetrical ripple impact across the whole lid. it absolutely was hypnotic — till I held it in my hands for a touch over five minutes and noticed that it had become plagued with fingerprints.
ZenBook 13’s lid extends past the hinge, therefore once I raised the lid, the keyboard raised ever slightly, as if it were attempting to greet me. The font of the keyboard and the hinge’s edge are lathered in stylish rose gold. I additionally found the nearly bezel-free display to be unbelievably refreshing compared to those on laptops that refuse to chop down on the bottom bezel.
At 2.7 pounds and 11.9 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches, the ZenBook thirteen could be a bit thicker than its nearest competitors. The Dell XPS thirteen (2.7 pounds, 0.3~0.5 inches), HP Envy 13t (2.9 pounds, 0.5 inches) and Apple MacBook Air (2.8 pounds, 0.6 inches) all land within the same weight vary, however, the XPS thirteen is that the lightest of the bunch.
Even though it’s skinny and lightweight, the ZenBook thirteen has space for a USB Type-A port and even an HDMI port. The left edge homes a power jack, an HDMI 1.4 port, one USB 3.1 port, and one USB Type-C port, whereas the right edge has a microSD card slot, one USB 2.0 port, and a headphone jack. whereas it has a solid choice of ports, we’re unhappy there is no Thunderbolt three on this chassis.
ASUS ZenBook 13 display and graphics
The ZenBook thirteen’s 13.3-inch, 1920 x 1080, shiny panel is colorful however on the dim facet. because the titular character of John Wick: Chapter three climbed the steps of the New York library’s main branch, the ZenBook 13’s panel splendidly highlighted the daring blue and yellow lights that ominously lighted the doorway. And once Halle Berry came on screen, I could understand the figure-out layer of the hair flowing from her head. However, between the shiny screen and the dim display, it was frustrating to watch John Wick kill folks in a very dark area (which is just about all over in the trailer).
The ZenBook 13’s panel coated one hundred fifteen percent of the sRGB spectrum, a score that is slightly below the 117 % premium laptop computer average. whereas the Envy 13t (106 percent) and MacBook Air (109 percent) did not do any higher, the XPS thirteen nailed 119%.
At 225 nits, the ZenBook thirteen is disappointingly dim compared to the 321-nit class average. The Envy 13t (248 nits) and MacBook Air (234 nits) do not reach the average either however are slightly brighter than the ZenBook. Meanwhile, the XPS thirteen trumps all of them with a thumping 375 nits of brightness.
The ZenBook 13’s Intel UHD 620 GPU scored 80,655 on the 3DMark ice storm Unlimited graphics benchmark, falling below the 87,129 class average. With an equivalent GPU, the Envy 13t and XPS 13 scored 77,685 and 88,473, severally.
In terms of real-world gaming, the ZenBook thirteen hit 59 frames per second on the Dirt three benchmark, which is absolutely playable however below the 74-fps premium laptop computer average. The Envy 13t (48 fps) and also the MacBook Air (22 fps) fell way behind the ZenBook, whereas the XPS thirteen excelled, at 88 fps.
ASUS ZenBook 13 (UX333FA) review: performance
Equipped with an Intel Core i5-8265U CPU with 8GB of RAM, the ZenBook thirteen chopped through thirty Google Chrome tabs and 2 1080p YouTube videos while not such a lot as a stutter.
On the Geekbench four overall performance check, the ZenBook thirteen scored a formidable 15,110, sailing over the 12,899 premium laptop computer average further as the scores from the MacBook Air’s Core i5-8210Y (7,871) and also the XPS 13’s Core i7-8565U (12,755).
The ZenBook thirteen compiled 65,000 names and addresses in one minute and thirty-five seconds on our excel test, a result that is simply four seconds slower than the class average (1:31). The XPS thirteen pulled out ahead, at 1:10, whereas the Envy 13t (1:33) simply lost the average, and also the MacBook Air lagged far behind, at 3:26.
On the HandBrake benchmark, the ZenBook thirteen transcoded a 4K video to 1080p in twenty minutes and forty-eight seconds, that topnotch the 21:51 premium laptop computer average, the Envy 13t’s time (22:44), and also the MacBook Air’s showing (37:24). The XPS thirteen completed the test in an exceedingly speedier 19:20.
Asus’ 256GB SSD copied 4.97GB of data in mere twelve seconds, for a rate of 424 megabytes per second, which is not too far away from the 525-MBps class average. The Envy 13t’s 256GB SSD managed only 212 MBps, and also the XPS 13’s 1TB SSD hit 565 MBps. The MacBook Air finally came out on high, with its 256GB SSD working at an insane 2,066 MBps.
Battery life
A 50-watt-hour battery is enough for a full day at work or school. It’s not an enormous battery, however, it isn’t just small either, and this laptop computer is well designed to utilize it. If you’ll be using the Asus UX333FA-AB77 for a lighter load like watching a 1080p video, you’ll simply snag thirteen hours while not needing a charger.
The ZenBook thirteen blew our minds away with its astounding battery life. after we ceaselessly surfed the net over Wi-Fi at one hundred fifty nits of brightness, the ZenBook thirteen lasted a thumping eleven hours and twenty-eight minutes, which crushes the 8:33 premium laptop computer average. Meanwhile, the XPS thirteen (7:50) and MacBook Air (9:32) trailed the ZenBook by many hours.
Price and availability
The ZenBook thirteen I tested prices $849 ANd comes with an Intel Core i5-8265U processor with an Intel UHD 620 GPU, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, a 1080p shiny display, and a neat black sleeve for carrying the laptop computer around.
Asus plans to release the UX333FN version someday in Feb, ANd its parts are going to be up to an Nvidia GeForce MX150 GPU and a 1TB SSD. there’ll even be extra choices to get it in ice Silver ANd with an anti-glare display. there is not any word on pricing nonetheless.
What we think about this laptop
The Asus ZenBook thirteen UX333FA shines because of a mixture of speedy performance and an imposingly long battery life. to not mention, it’s quite the beauty. However, its dim display may be a trade-off, and that we want there was a lot of spacing between the keys.
A good difference is that the HP Envy 13t, which prices $899 and options good performance, a rather brighter display than the Asus, and a quick, responsive keyboard. However, the HP lasts nearly two hours less on a charge.
If you are willing to pay a bit further, you’ll be able to get the XPS thirteen with similar specs for $1,209; it’s going to provide a way brighter display, a full aluminum chassis, a wider keyboard deck, and higher graphics performance. However, the XPS thirteen additionally offers less battery life than the ZenBook thirteen.
Overall, the ZenBook thirteen may be a smart premium portable computer for a not-so-premium value.
| WHAT WE LIKE | WHAT WE DO NOT LIKE |
| Attractive yet distinct design | Weird keyboard layout |
| Strong all-round performance | Small touchpad |
| Long battery life | |
| Great value |
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