Final thoughts and rating
As a rule of thumb, a manufacturer's first attempt at a new product is usually its worst, and in knowing that we've been left pleasantly surprised by the Zenbook UX31.
The Ultrabook should still be rough around the edges, but ASUS has developed a machine that's gorgeously designed, well-put together and, generally, excellent in use.
Combining an Intel Core i7 processor and a SandForce-powered SATA 6Gbps SSD delivers stunning performance, and the low-power components enable the system to deliver a healthy amount of battery life, too.
But it isn't quite the perfect start, as ASUS's machine does fall short in a few key areas. Despite offering a class-leading 1,600x900 resolution, the UX31 display offers poor viewing angles, while the system's keyboard isn't backlit and feels a touch too shallow. Factor in a dozen-too-many pre-installed applications and the out-the-box experience isn't as refined as it might have been.
This isn't quite the ultimate ultra-thin PC, but it's a terrific start, and one that suggests that while 2011 has been dominated by tablets, 2012 could well be the year of the Ultrabook.
Bottom line: The MacBook Air remains the Ultrabook to beat, but if you're a Windows user at heart, ASUS's UX31 is a fine alternative.
The Good
Gorgeous design
Fast SSD-powered performance
Very good battery life
Large, responsive trackpad
The Bad
No backlit keyboard
Average display viewing angles
HEXUS Rating
ASUS ZENBOOK UX31
HEXUS Awards
ASUS ZENBOOK UX31
HEXUS Where2Buy
The ASUS Zenbook UX31 is available to purchase from currys.co.uk.
HEXUS Right2Reply
At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.
