It seems like there just aren't a lot of options when it comes to premium larger-screen Windows 8 laptops. And those that we do see, like the Acer Aspire S7 and HP Spectre TouchSmart XT, typically don't have discrete graphics.
The Asus Zenbook UX51Vz-DH71, on the other hand, is the complete package. Its high-end design stands out from the crowd of commodity laptops. It has an excellent 1080p screen, a comfortably large full keyboard and touch pad, and plenty of ports. Asus also didn't skimp on performance components, including forgoing integrated graphics for a discrete 2GB Nvidia card.
Those who need extremely long battery life or a touch screen, or who are looking for a full-on gaming rig, will want to invest in another system. And yes, it's pricey, 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.
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Asus says the spun-metal finish on the Zenbook's lid requires a 32-step manufacturing process. That seems like a lot of effort to go through for a laptop lid, but it pays off. The UX51Vz is a very nice-looking laptop; cased in aluminum, it has a very high-end look and feel.
| Price as reviewed | $1,949 |
|---|---|
| Processor | 2.1GHz Intel i7-3612QM |
| Memory | 8GB, 1,600MHz DDR3 |
| Hard drive | 256GB SSD (128GB x 2) |
| Chipset | Intel HM77 |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GT 650M 2GB GDDR5 |
| Operating system | Windows 8 |
| Dimensions (WD) | 15x10 inches |
| Height | 1-1.2 inches |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 15.6 inches |
| System weight / Weight with AC adapter | 4.5 pounds / 5.6 pounds |
| Category | Midsize |
Asus calls this Zenbook an ultraportable, but with its case dimensions and a weight of 4.5 pounds, we would just consider it easy to travel with for its size. It's definitely thin, so you probably won't struggle to get it in and out of a bag, and it likely won't be back-breaking for regular commutes.
Open up the lid and the only thing that ruins the appearance is the array of labels for the system's components (they can be easily peeled off, though). It has a backlit full keyboard with a number pad and Asus managed to keep all the important keys large enough for comfortable and accurate typing. Considering how shallow the body is, the keys of the chiclet-style keyboard have very good travel. Plus, there's plenty of room below the keyboard to rest your wrists.
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