Asus is known for being one of the most convenient, reliable, and powerful laptop brands out there. However, there are many different models available under the brand, which can make it more challenging to decide on just one.
The Asus Zenbook UX303UA remains one of the top sellers, particularly for those who are always on the go. If you’re looking for a detailed Asus Zenbook UX303UA laptop review, then you’re in the right place!
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Pros & Cons Of The Asus Zenbook UX303UA
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Unique Features Of The Asus Zenbook UX303UA Laptop
Are you wondering what makes the Asus Zenbook stand out from the crowd? Let’s take a look at some of its special features.
6th Generation Intel Core i5
If you’re someone who always finds yourself multitasking on your computer or working on demanding tasks, the i5 processor in this laptop is a huge help. This made using it seamless, with more than enough power for the vast majority of users. Pair that with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, and you have speedy responsiveness and crazy fast boot-up times.
Ultra-Slim Design
The Asus Zenbook UX303U 13.3 inch manages to perfectly balance durable build quality and a slim, lightweight design.
This makes it an ideal laptop for students, professionals who frequently travel (even just to the coffee shop), or anyone who has tired shoulders from lugging around a heavy laptop. The all-aluminum chassis is tough enough to resist bumps or dents, yet turns heads with a spun-metal finish.
Asus SonicMaster Technology
Whether you’re a gamer, avid music listener, or simply appreciate high-quality sound, Asus has you covered with their SonicMaster Technology. Asus has a Golden Ear team comprised of audio experts who worked in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen to offer solid sound quality.
We did notice a bit of distortion/tin-sounding reproduction when pushed to higher volumes, however, so don’t expect audiophile results.
Touchpad & Backlit Keyboard
While working, gaming, or browsing in dim lighting, a backlit keyboard can be a lifesaver. Thanks to the brand’s ambient-light sensor technology, it automatically adjusts the brightness of the keyboard to ensure you always see keys clearly.
IPS Multi-Touch Display
Living in a world run by smartphones and tablets, sometimes using a touchscreen is just easier. The Asus Zenbook UX303UA 13.3 inch FHD touchscreen laptop features an IPS Multi-Touch Display and is one of the most accurate we've used. This is likely due to the fact that the actuators are just 6mm as opposed to the 9mm size most commonly used in other brands.
Gigabit Dual-Band Ultra-Fast Wi-Fi
In this day and age, we’re pretty spoiled when it comes to internet speeds. We expect the best, and in order to have the best user experience, it’s absolutely a necessity. The super-speed Wi-Fi that comes with this laptop will help make sure those large documents send on time, or let you multitask while you stream your favorite tunes.
1-Year Accidental Damage Protection
Should you happen to spill coffee on your laptop or accidentally drop it, you won’t have to worry too much! The Asus 1-Year Accidental Damage Protection will cover you within the first 12 months you have the laptop against liquid spills, electrical surges, drops, and similar damages.
Asus Zenbook UX303UA Laptop Review
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Specifications
Operating System | Windows 10 |
Standing Screen Display Size | 13.3 inches |
Max Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
RAM | 8GB |
Memory Speed | 2.3 GHz |
Hard Drive Capacity | 256GB SSD |
Ports | 3 x USB 3.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 Mini Display Port |
Battery Life | 8 hours |
Dimensions | 8.8 x 12.7 x 0.8 inches |
If you’re looking for something user-friendly and convenient, it’s hard to beat this model. You get the best of both worlds here: lightweight and easy to transport, yet heavy on features.
Even before you open it up, it starts impressing with a brushed metal finish and aluminum build. This build keeps it sturdy enough to resist the bumps that come with traveling and general use, yet it is so light that it isn't an inconvenience to carry for long periods.
With a 13.3”, 1920 x 1080 full HD screen, you have convenience that doesn’t strain the eyes. The display was overall quite bright and with rich colors, which makes it pleasant to stream movies and series on a laptop!
One of the biggest selling points is the touchscreen, which doesn’t lag or “stick” while using it. We liked this feature a lot for group projects and quicker use with tasks that don’t really require an ultra-precise cursor.
Many thinner laptops skimp on controls, but we found the touchpad to be nicely sized and very responsive. The slight downside to this is that you will likely touch your wrists on the touchpad surface while typing.
The backlit keyboard worked very well in all types of lighting conditions, and the keys were just large enough to minimize errors while offering comfort.
With 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage, it's more than spacious enough for the average user. Streaming music, movies, games, etc., is seamless the vast majority of the time.
Transfer rates are also decent, so you won’t be waiting around forever to transfer large files. The Core i5 processor ensures smooth operation as well. It’s important to mention that you have a choice of storage (all the way up to 1 TB) should you need more than the 256GB SSD.
Design & Display/Screen
The thin, lightweight design makes it so easy to carry around. It takes up little space in a backpack and won’t strain the shoulders and neck too much.
The display is still nicely-sized and won't strain your eyes if you're using it for Excel spreadsheets or other detail-oriented tasks. Moreover, it's a touchscreen for more control and intuitive use for the 21st-century user.
The only potential downside for us regarding the display was that it was quite reflective and with dark colors displayed is almost like looking at a mirror at times!
Performance Features
Keyboard & Touchpad
No one appreciates a rattling or slow-to-respond touchpad.
That’s not what you’ll find here. It’s smooth, nicely sized, very responsive, and easy to navigate around the screen.
If you do a lot of word processing on your laptop, we’re sure you’ll love the keys on the keyboard.
They’re a bit spongy though very comfortable and feel natural to use. It's also a full keyboard, which makes tasks easier.
Connectivity
Many times, you’ll find computers this thin to lack on ports. Thankfully, this isn’t the case here! On the left-hand side, you’ll find two USB 3.0 ports along with an SD card slot. The right side sports a headphone jack, HDMI port, a third USB 3.0 port, a mini DisplayPort, and a power port.
Battery Life & Energy Consumption
Just like with most other features on the Asus Zenbook UX303UA, the battery life is very convenient. You shouldn't have to plug in your laptop for the entire day, lasting over 8 hours on average. Of course, if you're gaming or streaming videos, that will go down a bit.
Audio
Audio is definitely better than average, having paired up with Bang & Olufsen to create accurate reproduction. Sound is clear throughout mids, highs, and lows, no matter what you’re listening to.
However, those who like bass-heavy music (electronic music, rock, etc.) may want a bit more on the low end. You can utilize the AudioWizard to enhance certain frequencies, depending on the task you’re using your audio for (recording, movies, gaming, music, speaking, etc.).
Maintenance
Due to the high-quality components and sturdy aluminum design, maintenance is a breeze with the Asus Zenbook UX303u i5. The battery proves to last a long time, and it doesn’t overheat.
Not only that, but the aluminum is resistant to bumps, and stays looking new, even with regular use. Asus laptops typically last around 5 years or more, so you won't have to worry for a while.
Price & Warranty
For the price and the 1-year warranty, it’s easily one of the best for someone who needs a lightweight laptop. The only real “complaint” from us was the significant amount of preinstalled software/bloatware that came on it.
However, there are some pretty handy trials that come with it as well, like the 6-month Evernote Premium trial, 1 month of Microsoft Office, and 25GB of Dropbox storage.
Who is the Asus Zenbook UX303UA best for?
The UX303UA is great for those who need a powerful laptop that’s easy to take with them, no matter if it’s to another country or just down to the local café. This model is for students or professionals who need a responsive machine that will stay speedy while streaming music, running various software programs, and browsing the web.
Who is it not suitable for?
Unfortunately, the Asus Zenbook UX303UA is not ideal for the person who keeps various robust games on their laptop, or for the designer who needs the entire Adobe Suite and top-notch graphics. While the graphics and storage options are solid on this model, just know that they are not the most robust on the market.
Comparing With Other Laptops (Is The Asus Zenbook UX303UA Good?)
While by now, you probably have an idea if the UX303UA will work for you or not, you may still be curious about how it stacks up to similar models.
Asus Zenbook UX303UA vs Asus Zenbook UX330UA
- 13.3-Inch wide-view Full-HD LCD display with...
- Latest 7th generation Intel i5-7200U 2.5 GHz...
- Fast storage and memory featuring 256GB SSD...
- Extensive connectivity with HDMI
The UX330UA costs a bit more than half the price of the UX303UA and the same screen size, which could make it the more attractive option at first glance. The downside to the UX330UA, however, is that it doesn't have some of the nice extras that the UX303UA has.
For example, the sound isn't quite as good as the UX303UA's, nor the ultra-handy touchscreen. We felt the durability and battery life came close but also weren't quite as durable as the UX303UA's.
Asus Zenbook UX303UA vs Dell Inspiron i7359-6790SLV
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These two also feature many similarities, such as a touchscreen, the Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, and Windows 10 OS. The Zenbook tends to hold up better over time, however, especially if you're completely folding and unfolding the Inspiron often.
The latter is very versatile, with the tablet feature. However, you will have to pay a premium for it. If it's not absolutely a necessity, for many, it may not justify the extra cost.
Asus Zenbook UX303UA vs HP Probook 450
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Both laptops are quite similar in price and have similar processors, storage, and other specs. However, the HP Probook 450 is bigger, with a 15.6” display. This does make it heavier and not as convenient to carry around, so it’s not ideal if you need something easy to travel with.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
What is special about the Asus ZenBook line of laptops?
The line is designed to be ultraportable while still offering a nicely-sized display, excellent battery life, smooth operation, and overall durability.
Does the Asus Zenbook UX303UA have a touchscreen?
Yes, it does!
Is Asus better than Dell?
Dell is known for offering more budget-friendly laptops – not necessarily the laptops with the best specs or value. If you’re going off price alone, Dell will almost be more affordable.
However, when you consider the specs, convenience, and additional features of an Asus, it’s no question the Asus is likely better to serve you. You can check out our full comparison of Asus vs HP here.
Can you upgrade the RAM on this laptop?
You can expand it to a maximum memory capacity of 12GB.
Conclusion
So, is the Zenbook UX303UA good for gaming and worth the asking price? While it’s not the most robust gaming laptop out there, for the price and size, it’s hard to beat.
It can get just about any task done and will let you work all day without being stuck to a charger. No matter what you need it for, this laptop will definitely facilitate it. Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll see you again soon!
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Jake Redman is a UK-born-digital nomad & founder of Ultimate Quality Content, a collective of high-end copywriters formed to provide detailed insight into everything technology-related. Jake is the definition of a man-nerd. He gets excited over things like processor architecture, ray-tracing, & is an avid E-Sports fan, specifically League of Legends. When he isn’t writing detailed tech-related articles, Jake can be found performing fire-breathing shows & wields a dragon staff, or on the sofa playing Mario Kart.