Best Reviewed
Laptops
- Desktop-replacement laptop Dell XPS 15z *Est. $1000
- Best-value laptop HP Envy 14 *Est. $1000
- Best ultraportable laptop Asus Zenbook UX31E *Est. $1100
- Best-value gaming laptop Alienware M11x *Est. $900
- Best gaming laptop Alienware M17x *Est. $1500
- Best laptop for business HP EliteBook 2560p *Est. $1100
Get info about new reports and updates
Best ultraportable laptop
- Stylish design
- Excellent performance for an ultraportable
- Very thin and light
- Speedy solid-state drive
- High-resolution display
- No optical drive
- Limited hard-drive space
- Slightly resistive keys
- Slightly sensitive touchpad
While the ultrabook format -- which marries small size, big performance and long battery life -- may be relatively new to Windows-based laptops, experts say the Asus Zenbook UX31E (*Est. $1,100 and up) is the best of the breed thus far. The 2.86-pound notebook is barely more than half an inch thick, but it packs big features into that small frame: the base configuration includes a fast 128 GB SSD hard drive and an Intel Core i5-2557M with integrated HD 3000 graphics and 4 GB of RAM, along with lots of connectivity options, such as miniHDMI and USB 3.0 ports and Bluetooth 4.0 support.
Experts say the Zenbook UX31E is a beast of an ultraportable on the performance front, beating benchmark scores posted by other favorites such as the MacBook Air (*Est. $1,000 and up) and the Samsung Series 9 (Discontinued). Just don't expect much gaming prowess out of the integrated Intel graphics. The brushed aluminum chassis also earns high marks with reviewers, as do the Bang & Olefsen ICEpower speakers and the 1,600-by-900-pixel, high-resolution screen. Most experts enjoy the keyboard and touchpad overall, but feel them slightly too resistive and too sensitive, respectively. Also, like most ultraportables, the Zenbook lacks an optical drive. If gaming is your thing and you want an easy-to-tote laptop that can shoot 'em up with the best of them, consider the Alienware M11x (*Est. $900 and up) -- though competitive gamers will be happiest taking advantage of the many available upgrades.
As one of the first ultrabooks on the market, the Asus Zenbook UX31E receives plenty of critical attention. Major publications like CNET, Laptop Magazine, NotebookReview.com and PCMag.com offer the most comprehensive reviews. Engadget.com also offers a long and detailed critique. Overseas publications like T3.com, TechRadar.com and PC Pro also chime in with their opinion.
| ASUS Zenbook UX31E-DH52 13.3-Inch Thin and Light Ultrabook (Silver Aluminum) | |
(112 reviews) In Stock. |
|
Our Sources
Reviewer Brian Westover gives the Asus Zenbook UX31E an Editors' Choice award in the new Ultrabook category. The strong performance and design are highlights, but Westover notes that the SSD is smaller than traditional hard disk drives.
Review: Asus Zenbook UX31, Brian Westover, Oct. 24, 2011
2. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Laptop Magazine reviewer Michael Prospero is slightly less impressed with the Asus Zenbook UX31E, giving it a 3.5 (out of 5) rating. He appreciates the low price, audio and video chops and fast performance of the machine, but has issues with the touchpad's sensitivity.
Review: Asus Zenbook UX31 Review, Michael A. Prospero, Oct. 19, 2011
3. CNET
Scott Stein gives the Asus Zenbook UX31E an Excellent rating. He says the sleek design, speakers and 1,600-by-900-pixel resolution surpass the MacBook Air's offerings, and the configuration offers snappy performance. Like others, he finds the keyboard and touchpad slightly less than perfect.
Review: Asus Zenbook UX31E-DH52, Scott Stein, Oct. 24, 2011
The Asus Zenbook UX31E review at NotebookReview.com subjects the ultrabook to a battery of tests. Charles P. Jefferies comes away with the same opinion as critics at other publications: The speedy performance, attractive design and low price point make the notebook an attractive option, but the keyboard and touchpad "take getting used to."
Review: Asus Zenbook UX31 Review: MacBook Air Killer?, Charles P. Jefferies
5. Engadget.com
Dana Wollman goes hands-on with the Asus Zenbook UX31E and comes away saying that the notebook offers similar performance to the perennial slim and powerful favorite, Apple's MacBook Air -- and at a lower price. However, like other reviewers, Wollman thinks the keyboard and touchpad could use some slight tweaking.
Review: Asus Zenbook UX31 Review, Dana Wollman, Oct. 21, 2011
This review is much more in-depth than typical TechRadar.com critiques, with four pages of discussion about specifications and hands-on performance. In the end, they say it is one of the best ultraportables they have ever tested, but it isn't without flaws. "There's surprisingly little we disliked about the Zenbook, but it must be said that the trackpad buttons grate especially," the reviewers write. "They are truly awful and mean that a mouse is recommended for serious work."
Review: Asus Zenbook UX31 Review, Jeff Parsons and Dan Grabham, Oct. 28, 2011
7. T3.com
The Asus Zenbook UX31E earns a perfect score and spot on the list of best laptops by the editors of T3.com, but the review itself is short and light on details. While hands-on testing is conducted, it is never discussed in detail, and specific results are not shared.
Review: Asus UX31 Zenbook Review, Spencer Dalziel
8. PCPro.co.uk
Reviewer Sasha Muller gives the Zenbook high marks for performance, but says "the ergonomics aren't quite there," which drops the overall rating down to 4 (out of 6) stars. The publication also assigns separate numerical ratings for Value for Money and Features & Design, where the Zenbook also receives a rating of 4 (out of 6) stars.
Review: Asus Zenbook UX31E Review, Sasha Muller, Oct. 25, 2011
Laptops Runners Up:
9 picks by top review sites.
7 picks including: Engadget.com, Laptop Magazine…
7 picks by top review sites.
6 picks by top review sites.
6 picks by top review sites.
5 picks by top review sites.
5 picks by top review sites.
3 picks including: Engadget.com, Laptop Magazine…
