One of my biggest issues with the biggest I have with laptops lately is that while the have beefier specs that can run games I usually play, the same laptops are bulky and heavy that it can literally kill my back especially when I’m covering events or when I’m on mobile.
Or maybe I’m just that old that I can’t lug around gaming laptops anymore.
In any case, I was looking for a laptop that doesn’t kill my back yet at the same time can have enough to be able to run apps that I usually use when on coverage. Mainly, Photoshop and and Lightroom. And it seems like I found the best match! (KR reference) with ASUS‘ latest ZenBook 13, 14, and 15 line.
Before I continue with my experience post, here’s a short rundown of the pertinent features of this configuration of the ZenBook 13:
- Processor: Intel Core i15-8265U Processor 1.6 MHz (6M Cache, up to 3.9 GHz)
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Display: 13.3″ FHD 1920×1080 16:9 Wide View
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX150/Internal UHD Graphics 620
- Storage: PCIEG3x2 NVME 5123GB M.2 SSD
- Keyboard: Illuminated Chiclet keyboard with Illuminated Numpad
- WebCam: HD Camera
- Networking:
- Wi-Fi: Dual-band 802.11ac gigabit-class
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Interface:
- 1 x Combo audio jack (3.55mm)
- 1 x Type-A USB 3.1
- 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 1 x HDMI 1.4
- 1 x MicroSD card reader
- Audio:
- Built-in speaker
- Built-in array microphone
- ASUS SonicMaster
- Harman/Kardon certified
- Dimensions: 30.2 x 18.9 x 1.69 cm (WxDxH)
- Weight: 1.19 kg
Looks and Design
I was given the opportunity to play around with the Burgundy Red version of their ZenBook 13. I like how the burgundy red was implemented with the ZenBook. The design really exudes class and elegance just like it’s Royal Blue sibling but with a bit more flair since it’s the red hue. And if you’re someone who thinks the Royal Blue version of the ZenBook is a bit too diffused or cool in the eyes, then this version of the ZenBook 13 would pretty much fit your tastes.
Another notable feature in the Burgundy Red version of the ZenBook 13 is the way the integrated numpad just pops out since it uses the red backlight color. You can easily toogle it a button hold if you don’t want to use the numpad or you find it weird to use the same location for the trackpad and the numpad.
In terms of the overall design though, there’s this one little nitpick I’d like to point out that ASUS maybe could’ve changed the backlight of the keyboard to go a bit more red than the usual white that you’d see on the product line. Since they already made the integrated numpad use the color red, why not just dive into it with the rest of the colors right?
Design-wise, while the ZenBook 13 is tiny, it doesn’t feel like it’s easily going to break. And yes, considering my history of destroying laptops, I can say this with confidence that the ZenBook 13 can be a solid day-to-day laptop you can use.
Another key feature that the ZenBook has is that it’s really light and compact. And it delivers on both ends without a hitch. However if you’re like me who got used to lugging around heavy, 2KG+ gaming laptops it can be a bit unnerving to carry a laptop that doesn’t feel like one on long commutes. I actually had to keep on double-checking on the MRT that the laptop is still inside my bag even though I can slightly feel it on the cushioned areas of the laptop bag I was using.
If there’s one hitch to the overall design the ZenBook 13 has, it’s the metal finish the laptop is enclosed in. Typical to laptops that has a metallic finish, the ZenBook 13 is a fingerprint magnet. And for someone like me who wants to keep his devices fingerprint-free, it’s a challenge to not keep on wiping the back plate whenever I use the laptop because I need to touch that area when I’m opening the laptop up.
Utility
Moving on to the laptop’s utility. The laptop was able to provide what I expected from the specs. I was able to run Photoshop CC 2019 without a problem but of course even with the RAM only being at 8GB, you can’t really expect to multitask the way you can expect from higher-spec’d laptops or desktops. And with the laptop being locked into the specs without the option of upgrading available, you really could only expect so much computing power with the ZenBook 13.
Still, as a portable device, the ZenBook 13 can still be something that you can use not just for word processing or even doing presentations with clients outside. The screen is good enough that the glare wouldn’t be too much of a problem even in really bright areas. The screen, while is only 13.3″ the 95% screen-to-body ratio makes it look like that the screen is bigger than what it is.
Final Thoughts
I wasn’t able to play around that long with the ZenBook 13 so I wasn’t able to be a bit more in-depth with my experience. However, the amount of time I had with the ZenBook 13 has impressed me enough to suggest the ZenBook to anyone who’s looking to .
If you’re looking for a laptop that’s light, compact and to drive your day-to-day while looking elegant, then you can’t get any classier with the Burgundy Red version of the ZenBook 13.