The Asus Zenbook was one of the first entrants in the new ultrabook category when it launched in late 2011. We liked that original system, despite a few serious flaws, as the all-metal design marked it as a direct competitor to the MacBook Air.
Since then, ultrabooks have become both more common and less expensive. Asus now makes several UX variations, including three that we are reviewing, the UX31A, UX32A, and UX32VD. At $779, the Zenbook UX32A is the least expensive of the current crop, but for good reason.
The UX32A still has a previous-generation Intel Core i5 CPU. That generation of chip is known by the code name Sandy Bridge, as opposed to the latest generation, released in the second half of 2012, and known as Ivy Bridge. The UX32A is also missing other Intel improvements, most notably the HD 4000 integrated graphics, which offer improved gaming performance in other notebooks.
Asus Zenbook models compared
| CPU | GPU | Storage | Display | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UX32VD | 1.7GHz Core i7-3517U | Nvidia GeForce 620M | 500GB HDD/24GB SSD | 1,920x1,080 | $1,299 |
| UX32A | 1.4GHz Intel i3-2367M | Intel HD 3000 | 320GB HDD/32GB SSD | 1,333x768 | $779 |
| UX31A | 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-3317U | Intel HD 4000 | 128GB SSD | 1,920x1,080 | $1,079 |
Asus Zenbook UX32A specs
| Price as reviewed | $779 |
| Processor | 1.4GHz Intel Core i3-2367M |
| Memory | 4GB, 1,333MHz DDR3 |
| Hard drive | 500GB 5,400rpm / 32GB SSD |
| Chipset | Intel HM76 |
| Graphics | Intel HD 3000 |
| Operating system | Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) |
| Dimensions (WD) | 12.8x8.8 inches |
| Height | 0.2 - 0.7 inch |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 13.3 inches |
| System weight / Weight with AC adapter | 3.3 pounds / 3.8 pounds |
| Category | 13-inch |