Reddit reviews ASUS UX303 13-Inch Laptop [2014 model]

Well, the Macbook Air is a well built machine that is extraordinarily long lived on a single charge and is easily portable. The two drawbacks are the 4GB of RAM and the low resolution screen, which is likely to be corrected in next year's update.

For a Windows based alternative, check out the Asus UX303LA-DB51T, which has 8GB ram and a 1080p touchscreen. Its gaming ability will be slightly less than the Macbook's due to a lower end HD 4400 integrated chip compared to the MBA's HD 5000. However, it's a bit more futureproofed due to the higher RAM.

That's actually pretty awesome, I didn't know the integrated gpu was so good on the mobile processors. I am not looking to game though on this machine. For that reason I was actually looking at your laptops little brother but even that looked like overkill. I was happy to trade performance in for the decrease in price and weight with the ux305. However, I only see for sale on tigerdirect and microsoft store atm.

You have exactly the needs I did. I know it may seem like a weird suggestion, but if you buy a used last gen Zenbook off of Amazon like I did, I promise you will not regret it. I just got mine in two weeks ago, and it is like having a thousand dollar machine for half the price and it is perfect for programming on. I have multiple IDE's running and it doesn't even remotely slow down. Seriously, this computer has my full recommendations at the used price point. For full price, you might want to look at another model.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00KTHGRIS/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

I would go for the ASUS UX303LN. I trust ASUS as a manufacturer far more than Dell, and would rather deal with their support any day over Dell's if something did go wrong.

Not to mention, it's cheaper.

It's right here. I just looked it up after he mentioned it, and it actually looks pretty damn nice. All aluminum, better specs across the board, cheaper...looks like a legit competitor.

Have you looked at the asus ux303ln? I have one, they're really light and I think they're really pretty. I got mine for around $1600, but since you're in USA you can get one way cheaper. It's on amazon, core i5 for $998 and core i7 for $1299. The i7 one has very high resolution and people say some colours look strange on it, so if your gf doesn't need a lot of storage then the i5 version would be better.
I play sims 4 and some other games on it, works great.
Portability is very important to me as well, the laptop isn't the lightest ultrabook but it's the only one that has everything I want. It has a touchscreen.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KTHGRIS/ref=twister_B00LSO0QGK

http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX303LA-DB51T-13-3-Inch-Display-Touchscreen/dp/B00KTHGRIS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410712272&sr=8-1&keywords=asus+zenbook+ux303-la

Just picked this up last month for schooling. I absolutely love the thing and have no complaints about it.

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13-14"
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ASUS Zenbook UX303LA - 128gb SSD, Haswell, FHD Display, 3.2lbs, 8GB RAM - $899

ASUS Zenbook UX31A-DH71 13.3-Inch(1920 x 1080) i7-3517U 4GB 256GB SSD -
256GB SSD, Ivy Bridge, Matte FHD IPS display, 2.9lbs, 4GB RAM, 5hrs battery life, [review]
(http://www.ultrabookreview.com/1445-asus-ux31a-review/) - $999

Asus Zenbook UX303LN - 256gb SSD, Haswell, 13.3 inch, 3200x1800 Touchscreen IPS Display, 3.2lbs, 12GB RAM, 5-8hrs battery life, review, GT 840M - $1,299


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15.6"
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Asus N550JK - 1TB, Haswell, 15.6in, 1920x1080 IPS touchscreen, 6lbs, 8gb RAM, review, NVIDIA GTX 850M - $1,059

Check this guy out. It's great for you.

This right here, im about to by the non dedicated GPU version. ASUS ZenBook UX303LN. It's a ultra book with Ultra HD 4k screen, Intel i7, 256 SSD, 12GB RAM, Dual band AC network card, with a dedicated GPU 840M for running non demanding titles like starcraft or Diablo 3, CS:GO/Source at High or max settings, and demanding titles on medium. $1299 price tag and comes with 1yr accident/spill warranty on top of the normal warranty.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KTHGRIS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Must sign up for accident/spill warranty here and must buy from amazon. http://notebookcare.asus.com/Content/US/ADP/ADP.aspx

Also this is a upgradeable Ultrabook, no soldered RAM or Network card or weird SSD, standard 7mm 2.5" SSD. So you can buy a 1TB SSD and put it in if you want. Really good video showing internals and whatnot here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK-SRqrPj_E

Here are two laptop you could take a look on:

Dell XPS 13:

• 13.3 inch, 1920x1080p IPS touchscreen
  
• Intel i5-4210U + 8 GB of RAM
  
• 128 GB SSD
  
• Intel HD4400 graphics
  
• Price: $899
  
  Asus Zenbook UX303LA-DB51T:
  
  
• 13.3 inch, 1920x1080p IPS touchscreen
  
• Intel i5-4210U + 8 GB of RAM
  
• 128 GB SSD
  
• Intel HD4400 graphics
  
• Price: $899
  
  Both have the same specs. Just go for the one which looks better to you.

With a 13" laptop, he is unlikely to find one with a number pad.

This UX303LA is probably his best option: ASUS Zenbook UX303LA-DB51T 13.3-Inch FHD Display Touchscreen Laptop https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KTHGRIS/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_psf3tb1DB9P5SQF8

i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, an FHD display and an aluminum unibody.

You want something just like the Zenbook? No gaming or anything? Fill out a form and there are a few people who would help you here.

If you can find an Ivy Bridge Zenbook for $600 or so, that is good too. It's pretty old, so most retailers stopped selling it and if they do the price is the same as when it came out.

If you like the Zenbook, the most recent model is pretty good.

The Acer V5 has basically the same display and battery life, but the build quality is not as good for $250 less.

I'm in a very similar situation to you (Can-->US for graduate degree, similar budget and computer use). One of the laptops I've been keeping an eye on is the Asus UX303LA (http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX303LA-DB51T-13-3-Inch-Display-Touchscreen/dp/B00KTHGRIS). It's not out yet, but should be in the next few weeks. I'm a little wary as there aren't too many reviews out yet (since it's a new product), but I've really liked the Asus products I've used in the past, and am willing to try this out as it seems to be at a very good price-point for the feature set.

I've also been looking at the Lenovo T440s, although that might be too much of a business laptop for you - I personally like the Thinkpad build quality over anything else I've tried.

As to whether you should buy in Canada or wait until you get to the US, I'm personally going to wait - the prices and selection are so much better there. For Asus in particular, they have an international warranty, which is a bonus.

Lenovo Carbon X1: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x1-carbon/#techspecs
Fantastic computer. Super light, thin, and powerful. Very similar to a MBA in terms of build, design, and weight.

Lenovo Yoga 2 13: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/lenovo/yoga-laptop-series/yoga-laptop-2-13/ Also lightweight, powerful, and a steal of a price for the 8GB RAM and 256 SSD. Although I've heard it can feel very plasticky/ccheap when using it. There is a ThinkPad version of the Yoga but it's lots more expensive for the performance you would get.

Asus Zenbook UX303LA: http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX303LA-DB51T-13-3-Inch-Display-Touchscreen/dp/B00KTHGRIS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1406149088&sr=8-2&keywords=asus+zenbook Brand new Zenbook WITH Haswell proc. for $900 is awesome.

Typically, many ultrabooks won't have an HDMI port because of how thin they are. The solution to that is to just get an adapter. I've been looking at ultrabooks for some time now too. ^_^

I'm sort of in the same boat as you and I've been looking at the ASUS UX303LA (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KTHGRIS/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/182-1934451-3805066)

I'm getting itchy on the purchase since I don't imagine this laptop will be on any major deals for Cyber Monday.

I know its a bit over budget but this is probably the best notebook with an i5 and an SSD. Its coming out in 2 weeks and I really recommend ASUS due to their high build quality and longevity :)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KTHGRIS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1404844661&sr=8-1

I think I found one
http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX303LA-DB51T-13-3-Inch-Display-Touchscreen/dp/B00KTHGRIS/ref=dp_ob_title_ce#productDetails
ASUS Zenbook UX303LA-DB51T 13.3-Inch FHD Display
for 900$

Yes I noticed that. When I shopbot'ed them it came up as 1300-1400.. then when I clicked on it the Amazon price was completely different. I'm sorry.
I would honestly go with a 13' Macbook Air, or if you want a higher resolution the MBPr
http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX303LA-DB51T-13-3-Inch-Display-Touchscreen/dp/B00KTHGRIS/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_1_0
Or this bad boy if you want a Windows laptop. You will save a little money too.

Eh, that depends. You, of course, can, but you end up with worse build quality, worse design (macbooks are very thin whereas something that is as good or better for that much cheaper will PROBABLY be very thick and cumbersome), and some tradeoffs (No swank screen, etc.)

Really, macbooks are overpriced by a thinner margin than most people realize.

Take this laptop for instance (just as good build quality, etc.)
http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX303LA-DB51T-13-3-Inch-Display-Touchscreen/dp/B00KTHGRIS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417124245&sr=8-1&keywords=asus+zenbook+ux

is this too expensive? http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX303LA-DB51T-13-3-Inch-Display-Touchscreen/dp/B00KTHGRIS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412324584&sr=8-2&keywords=asus+zenbook+ux301la

Hey friend.

I'd like to try to recommend the ASUS UX303-LA.

Sitting comfortably at 3.2 lbs and only .7-.8" thick, this 13" Ultrabook with an estimated 8 hours of battery life is the pick for you. ASUS has some of the best build quality out there (comparable only to Apple and Lenovo) and their laptops are built to last.
It comes with 8 GB RAM, a 128 GB SSD and an Intel i5. No dedicated video memory.

If you'd like (and even though your budget doesn't reflect it - just thought I'd give you an option) you can beef up the laptop significantly
to 12 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Intel i7, and even a dedicated mobile graphics card (840M) for lightweight gaming. The name changes to UX303-LN.

I personally use an ASUS Zenbook Prime Touch UX31a. It is an ultrabook in similar style to the Macbook Air, infact most people when they see it they wondered when Apple released a dark Macbook Air.

Anyways it is amazing. Super light, battery lasts at least 5-6 hours. This link is of the newer model. This isn't the most expensive one but it basically has the same specs as my laptop except a newer generation processor, 8 GB of RAM vs 4 GB on mine, Wireless 802.11ac, and an extra USB 3.0 port.

The best thing about this laptop is the weight. Mine is just a few ounces over 2 pounds. So you won't have to worry about having to lug around a heavy thing.

Here are some options I found for myself, tell me what you think.

Sony VAIO Pro

ASUS Zenbook UX303

so that's about 1400 bucks USD
this laptop for about 100 dollars more.

Asus 256 gig SSD vs. Apple 128 gig SSD

3200 x 1800 touch screen vs. 2560x1600 regular screen

an I7 process 4mb of cache vs. apple's I5 processor 3mb of cache

12 gigs of ram, (possibly upgradable) vs. 8 gigs not-upgradable

NVIDIA GT840M 2GB VRAM vs Onboard graphics card.

It's worth mentioning that the apple's touchpad is superior to the Asus's touchpad, but they equal out somewhat because the asus has a touch screen. I think the apple edges out slightly here because I'm not constantly putting smudges on my screen like you'd be doing with the asus and I can't see any practical advantages to the touch screen.

Aside from that the specs aren't even comparable. The asus specs absolutely demolish the apple specs in a big way.

A few subtle things are done better on the apple like the keyboard, heat management, edges etc. that "apple" touch. The magsafe is AWESOME. Also the build quality on Apple is really awesome, so I would have a hard time believing that ASUS is as good. That being said Asus's build quality is still pretty damn good.

Form factor-... pretty comparable.

Apple has an amazing warranty service it's like buying a really nice luxury car so long as you have the warranty you're treated like royalty. I can't speak to Asus's customer service/warranty and while i'm willing to bet it's not up to par with Apple's I know that Asus is a great company.


Alternatively there is this laptop coming in at 900 bucks USD That's like 35% cheaper than the apple. The only spec that is different is the screen size. Instead of 2560x1600 you get 1080P....


EDIT: the original price compare was on Amazon, where at apples site its 1299 and I found the ASUS on CDW for 1238. So there you have it you need to decide to you want a better more luxurious experience with your computer or do you want more longevity and raw power from your computer.

For me, I went with apple back in 2011 because of the form factor. No one was competing with apple in terms of screen resolution and form factor. I bought a 15 inch case for my 17 inch laptop and it fit like a glove. Also the 1080P resolution was tough to get back then. Last year I bought another MBP because my gf needed a laptop and I was like ohhh retina. I spent so much time in 2011 looking for a company to compete with apple in terms of form factor that I didn't even bother in 2013... I was extremely disappointed a month after I got my shiny new macbook pro when I found out A. I don't see the value in going beyond 1080p on a 15in laptop, and B for half the cost I could have gotten a more powerful machine.