ASUS has annouced a new QHD+ version of the affordable ZenBook UX305 notebook as well as the new ZenBook Pro UX501.
The ZenBook UX305 was released as a disruptive notebook with specs far above its $699 price tag, and this new version goes far beyond the 1920×1080 screen resolution of the original. This new QHD+ (3200×1800) panel is IPS just like the original, but with this ultra-high resolution it boasts 276 PPI for either incredibly sharp, or incredibly tiny text depending on how well your application scales.
The new ZenBook Pro UX501 takes resolution a step further with a 4K/UHD 3820×2160 IPS panel and a powerful quad-core Intel Core i7-4720HQ processor with 16GB of RAM at its disposal. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics power this 15.6-inch, 282 PPI UHD panel, and naturally 4x PCIe storage is available as well.
More information and specs are available in the full PR for both notebooks after the break.
From ASUS:
World’s slimmest 13.3-inch QHD+ ultraportable — ASUS ZenBook UX305
ZenBook UX305 has a subtle and refined new shape that incorporates the DNA of the classic ZenBook. It features an elegantly-tapered design with smooth, comfortable edges and diamond-cut highlights that subtly emphasize the sleekness of the 0.48inch-thin case — and it weighs just 2.64lbs. The UX305 is available in crystal white, champagne gold and obsidian stone black.
ZenBook UX305 is powered by an Intel Core™ M processor, a remarkably power-efficient processor designed for ultra slim devices that effortlessly delivers smooth performance. In combination with up to 8GB of RAM and an ultra-fast up to 512GB SSD, UX305 delivers impressive all-round performance for daily computing.
A stunning ultraportable needs a display that’s out of the ordinary, so ZenBook UX305 is fitted with an ultra-sharp 13.3-inch in-plane switching (IPS) multi-touch display with an up to QHD+ resolution of 3200 x 1800 pixels and wide viewing angles. This display has five times (5X) the resolution of a standard HD display, and features an amazing pixel density of 276PPI for crisp, vivid and lifelike images and video. With 300cd/m2 brightness, a contrast ratio of 770:1 and an ergonomic anti-glare coating, blacks are deep, whites are stunningly pure, and the wide color gamut (72% NTSC) ensures accurate colors.
ZenBook UX305 is also equipped with three SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports for data transfers that are up to ten times (10X) faster than USB 2.0. One of the USB ports supports ASUS Charger+ technology for rapid recharging of mobile devices. A USB-to-Ethernet adapter is bundled with UX305, along with a mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter — enabling easy connection to an external monitor.
A perfect blend of power, elegance and performance — ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501
At the heart of ZenBook Pro UX501 is the ultra-powerful quad-core Intel Core i7-4720HQ processor, providing effortless performance for any task. With a massive 16GB of RAM, multitasking is super-smooth and there’s plenty of processing horsepower in reserve for even the most intensive number-crunching tasks.
ZenBook Pro UX501 also features the amazing new NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX™ 960M graphics-processing unit (GPU) for gaming-grade graphics performance. With up to 4GB of fast GDDR5 video memory, users enjoy silky-smooth 4K/UHD video playback, effortless 3D rendering, and immersive gaming with ultra-high frame rates.
ASUS VisualMaster displays set the standard for laptops, incorporating some of the very latest technology to give users unrivaled visual clarity and detail. ZenBook Pro UX501 has a 15.6-inch multi-touch display with a pin-sharp 4K/UHD 3860 x 2160 resolution — four times (4X) higher than Full HD — and an incredible pixel density of 282PPI for stunningly-detailed and lifelike images. IPS technology with wide 178-degree viewing angles ensures that colors and contrast are not degraded from any viewing position.
Ultra-fast storage is essential for fast boot times and effortless file operations, so ZenBook Pro UX501 is available with the world’s fastest SSD. With a PCI Express® (PCIe®) x4 interface and up to 512GB capacity, the read/write speeds of up to 1400MB/s are twice as fast as competing PCIe x2 models, and 16 times (16X) faster than common SATA 6.0Gbit/s hard disk drives. And with no moving parts, ZenBook Pro UX501’s SSD is both reliable and totally silent.
An advanced thermal-management system combined with ZenBook Pro UX501’s 96Wh lithium-polymer battery means that users won’t need to find a mains-power outlet for up to six hours — and even beyond.
I don’t know where they get
I don’t know where they get 5x for the 3200×1800 resolution. This is more than 5x 720p resolution and less than 3x of 1080p. The rest of this looks like a copy of marketing material. Don’t you usually format it such that a direct copy is indented further than your comments?
It’s close enough to 5X
It’s close enough to 5X (still a bit over it) that awful 1366×768 resolution that a lot of cheap laptops come with these days.
You should add the break. Had
You should add the break. Had to click on the comments.
Higher resolutions with such
Higher resolutions with such poor scaling in Windows just makes for a bad user experience. The higher resolutions are adding nothing for the consumer other than eating away at the meagre batteries. Stick to what works – relatively large batteries with 1080p displays. I wonder how consumers continue to fall for such stuff. I sigh at all the stupidity.
After getting used to reading
After getting used to reading text on high dpi displays, I am fine with 4k making it to laptops. I prefer IPS panels though. Most TN panels look terrible to me, but I use a dell ultra sharp 30″ desktop display.
*sigh* I wish we had 1080p VA
*sigh* I wish we had 1080p VA panel option for notebooks. I am a sucker for high contrast displays and high res displays. It’d be perfect for me.
Clarification for the earlier
Clarification for the earlier post containing the sigh by anonymous.
I am not in favor of bad 1080p panels. I am all for high quality IPS (or IPS like) panels that offer great color accuracy, black levels and contrast but I would like the displays at 1080p for 15.6″ and lower form factors. Put that extra cost of the higher resolution panel in sourcing good 1080p stuff.
Sigh…..
There are some technologies
There are some technologies that may (hopefully) make it to market soon that will make higher resolution displays much more attractive. IGZO tech seems to reduce power consumption significantly. Quantum dots also can reduce power consumption, or increase brightness, since they allow more light to pass through the color filters.
Anyway, 4k in a 15″ laptop is not that ridiculous compared to a 4k 5.5″ cell phone screen (~800 ppi). The only real use for such a screen at the moment is using it in a VR headset.
Why no 5th intel processor?
Why no 5th intel processor?
Here is your specs, the whole
Here is your specs, the whole article needs to be labeled as ad content, because that’s what it is. A review will list the specs, no clicking to the manufacturer’s website needed. FTC are you even looking at these smaller tech websites? Even the non ad copy reads like Ad copy, FFS!
Advtorial this is, it’s definitely not an review. And as always with Ads, only the lowest SKU’s retail price is mentioned.
Asus Zenbook Pro UX501 (Zenbook N501JV)
Screen 15.6 inch, 3840 x 2160 px resolution, IGZO IPS, touchscreen
Processor Intel Haswell Core i7-4720HQ CPU
Chipset Intel HM87
Video integrated Intel 4600 HD + Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M 4GB GDDR5
Memory 16 GB DDR3 (8 GB soldered, 1 x 8 GB DIMM)
Storage 512 GB PCIe SSD (M.2 PCIe 80 mm)
Connectivity Wireless AC, Bluetooth, Lan (with adapter)
Ports 3xUSB 3.0, SD card reader, HDMI, miniDP, Thunderbolt, RJ45 (with adapter)
Baterry 96 Wh
Operating system Windows 8.1
Size 383 mm or 15.07 in (L) x 255 mm or 10.03 in (W) x 21 mm or 0.83 in (H)
Weight about 2.27 kg (5.00 pounds)
Extras backlit keyboard with NumPad, Bang&Olufsen Speakers
They definitely are going after the Apple type of SKU with this model, but will it be priced higher than even Apple’s pricing on the N501JV SKU.
4x PCI-e M.2 SSD: I wonder
4x PCI-e M.2 SSD: I wonder what SSD this is. A Samsung SM951 maybe?
more likely the SP941, sstill
more likely the SP941, sstill an M.2 PCIe SSD, but AHCI not NVMe
Has anyone actually seen this
Has anyone actually seen this device in person with Thunderbolt. I ordered one that arriv3ed today, but it didn’t have the port. Still trying to figure out what model and where to get one with the port.