Asus Zenbook UX51VZ

Bottom line

Inside the slim, sleek aluminum shell of the Asus Zenbook UX51VZ lies a great Windows-based multimedia laptop, experts say. The more expensive 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display (Est. $2,200 and up) edges it out in tests, but just barely.

Performance

"A power users' ultraportable." The Zenbook UX51VZ comes absolutely stuffed with goodies, Engadget.com says. There's a quad-core Core i7 processor, but not the latest Haswell processors as of this update; 8 GB of RAM; powerful Nvidia graphics; and blisteringly fast dual 128 GB solid-state drives. Step-up drives and processors are available.

The Asus comes very close to the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display in benchmark tests. It can even handle most games, but runs alarmingly hot on graphics-heavy titles even with the settings turned down. It manages to web-surf or play video for 4 to 6 hours in tests, leading PCMag.com to dub it "a power users' ultraportable."

Ergonomics

Comfortable, even without a touch screen. You'll navigate Windows 8 via the multi-touch clickpad, which testers say works well, and the UX51VZ's comfy keyboard helps. The Asus is just under 0.8 inch wide and light enough to commute with at 4.6 pounds, and it squeezes in more ports than most Ultrabooks. You get three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, mini VGA, a combo headphones/microphone jack, Ethernet and SD/MMC card reader. However, there's no DVD or Blu-ray Disc drive.

The Zenbook UX51VZ normally runs cool, but gets very hot trying to play demanding games like "Batman: Arkham City" in more than one test. Again, it's not designed for heavy gaming.

Design

Splendid screen, speakers, even a subwoofer. Critics compare the UX51VZ to its MacBook Pro rival, and the Asus doesn't disappoint. "Beautiful," Laptop Magazine calls the brushed-aluminum Zenbook case, crafted with subtle concentric circles on the lid. Inside is the 15.6-inch, 1,080p HD matte display that multimedia lovers crave. It's relatively glare-free, with nice, wide viewing angles and bright, vivid colors, adjustable through Asus' Splendid Utility. It's not as high-res as the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, but is very nice nonetheless, experts say.

Audio sounds equally rich thanks to the Bang & Olufsen ICEpower speakers and a tiny 3.5-inch, tube-shaped, plug-in subwoofer that makes the sound "immediately fuller," CNET says. You can fine-tune the audio through the Zenbook's built-in Waves MaxxAudio and MaxxLeveler software.

Support & reliability

Great warranty, but mixed reviews for tech support. Owners say Asus laptops rarely break down, and that dependability helps the brand win a Reader's Choice award at PCMag.com. The UX51VZ is backed by a 1-year warranty that includes free two-way standard shipping and 24/7 tech support; 1 year of accidental damage coverage against drops, spills, power surges and fire damage; and a 30-day display guarantee.

However, PCMag.com readers rate Asus low for tech support. Laptop Magazine staffers have better luck with Asus' phone, email and Facebook techs, who answer their anonymous questions satisfactorily. It takes much too long to get a response via live chat, and a Twitter question goes unanswered.

Value

"Worth the money." If you want a fantastically portable Windows multimedia laptop and you're willing to pay for it, the Asus Zenbook UX51VZ won't disappoint. You'll enjoy tremendous power, a big beautiful screen, rich-sounding speakers, rock-solid build and a high-end warranty.

"Yes, it's pricey," CNET says. "But as a multimedia machine that can do business and casual gaming, the UX51Vz is a four-star Windows 8 laptop and worth the money." Only the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display and the bulkier, more powerful Best Reviewed Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p (Est. $1,100 and up) beat the Asus in multimedia tests.