Conclusion
...over 10 hours battery life, a good selection of I/O ports and one of the best speaker systems we've heard on a 15.6in machine.The latest incarnation of the Asus ZenBook Pro is a stylish and capable all-rounder. Dubbed the UX550VD and priced at £1,600 when outfitted with an Intel Core i7 processor, the sleek 15.6in laptop doesn't wow in any one regard but has the makings of a potent multimedia workhorse.
A familiar combination of Core i7 CPU, DDR4 memory and solid-state storage make light work of most workloads, the addition of a GeForce GTX 1050 adds a modicum of gaming potential, and the matte 15.6in display offers satisfying visuals with wide viewing angles and little reflection.
There are a few weak points - the chassis isn't quite as rigid as we'd hoped, coil whine is noticeable and there is no option for a touchscreen - yet these are offset by over 10 hours battery life, a good selection of I/O ports and one of the best speaker systems we've heard on a 15.6in machine.
Bottom line: the ZenBook Pro UX550VD could be a viable option in the premium 15.6in laptop space, but retail availability needs to improve and Asus may be forced to reevaluate pricing if it is to compete with the likes of the Dell XPS 15.
Well-rounded matte IPS display
Good selection of I/O ports
Over 10 hours battery life
Powerful audio output
Sleek form factor
Keyboard tray prone to flex
Noticeable coil whine
No touchscreen option
ASUS ZenBook Pro UX550VD
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The ASUS ZenBook Pro UX550VD is available to purchase from PC World Business.
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