The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX331 is a powerful and affordable ultrabook with discrete graphics
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The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX331 is a powerful and affordable ultrabook with discrete graphics
Note: This article was first published on 23rd October 2017.
We generally don’t expect to find a discrete GPU on a thin and light ultrabook, but that’s where the ASUS ZenBook 13 UX331 manages to surprise.
First announced at IFA 2017, the new ultrabook weighs only 1.12kg and measures 13.9mm at its thickest, but it comes with an NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics card for additional processing heft. On top of that, ASUS also upgraded the CPU to the latest Intel 8th-generation quad-core model, so you can expect some added multi-tasking oomph.
Here’s an overview of the specifications:
- 13.3-inch 1,920 x 1,080-pixel display
- Intel Core i7-8550U (1.8GHz, 8MB L3 cache)
- 16GB LPDDR3 2,133MHz RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce MX150
- 512GB SSD
- 50Wh battery
- 310 x 216 x 13.9mm
The above configuration will cost you S$1,998, which is a rather competitive price, considering that there are many ultrabooks out there that cost more and still offer less storage and no discrete graphics.
The design hews closely to the rest of ASUS’ ZenBook series, including what ASUS says is a crystal-like gloss coating and subtle curves around the lid’s edges. You can get the notebook in the familiar Royal Blue, and the design is overall pretty elegant.
In addition, the ZenBook 13 UX331 features ASUS’ NanoEdge display with slim bezels, although they’re still not quite as thin as on models like the Dell XPS 13.
Like other ZenBooks before it, the UX331 also uses a Harman Kardon audio system, although the stereo setup is not quite the quad-speaker configuration you get on the ZenBook Pro.
There’s a good selection of connectors as well, and you’ll find two USB 3.1 (Gen 1) Type-A ports, one USB 3.1 (Gen 1) Type-C port, and one HDMI output. ASUS has also included a microSD card slot, which is thoughtful, but photographers would probably appreciate a proper SD card reader more.
The ZenBook 13 UX331 is now available to buy at all ASUS Brand Stores and authorized retailers.
