Asus has announced several upgraded ZenBook laptops with the new 11th gen Intel Core processors during its Built for Brilliance virtual launch event.
This follows Intel’s launch of its Tiger Lake chips earlier in the week. The new mobile processors are paired with Intel’s new Iris Xe graphics, finally enabling thin-and-light laptops to play modern games in FHD resolution.
The Taiwanese laptop maker’s lineup of new thin-and-light laptops is said to offer great experiences across a variety of use cases from productivity, creativity, gaming and entertainment.
For those who need a laptop that does it all, there is the ZenBook Flip S, a premium convertible laptop that can be used as a regular laptop, tablet or presentation display. Asus also revealed the ZenBook S, a premium notebook that comes with a 13.9″ 3.3K display with 3:2 aspect ratio.
The ZenBook 14 and ZenBook 14 Ultralight, meanwhile, are two ultraportable laptops that are said by Asus to be the world’s thinnest laptops in their class to offer a full suite of I/O ports.
ZenBook Flip S (UX371)
One of the most notable models in Asus’ lineup was the ZenBook Flip S. Asus claims it is the world’s thinnest OLED convertible laptop. The new ZenBook Flip S is also the brand’s first Intel Evo-certified laptop.
For those not in the know, the new “Evo” platform by Intel is this generation’s “Intel Inside” badge that identifies premium notebooks that have been collaboratively designed with the chipmaker.
The new ZenBook Flip S boasts a 13.3” 4K UHD OLED NanoEdge touchscreen and supports the new Asus Pen active stylus that has 4,096 pressure levels for greater writing precision. Asus said the laptop will come with an 11th gen Intel Core i7 processor combined with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 SSD.
Crafted from solid aluminium, the ZenBook Flip S is said to be lighter yet sturdy. In terms of dimensions, it measures just 13.9mm thin and weighing a mere 1.2kg.
Aesthetically, it has a premium design with a Jade Black finish and contrasting Red Copper diamond-cut highlights and brushed-aluminium deco bar. In addition, it’s durable precision-engineered 360° ErgoLift hinge allows the laptop to be used in laptop, tablet, stand and tent modes.
It also comes with a new edge-to-edge keyboard design that is complemented by Asus’ NumberPad 2.0. It comes with plenty of connectivity options with two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, and an HDMI port. In addition, the ZenBook Flip S’ battery is rated to lasts for up to 15 hours of use.
ZenBook S (UX393)
Another premium ultraportable laptop Asus showcased was the ZenBook S. The company claimed it to be the world’s thinnest and lightest 3:2 3.3K (3300 x 2200 pixel resolution) laptop.
The new ZenBook S features an all-metal unibody construction and measures just 15.7mm thin while weighing 1.35 kg. The laptop features a 13.9” 3.3K resolution NanoEdge touchscreen. It now comes in a 3:2 aspect-ratio that is said to offer a larger visual workspace and reduces the need for scrolling.
Similar to the ZenBook Flip S, the ZenBook S also has a new Jade Black livery with contrasting Red Copper diamond-cut highlights though it has an off-centred Asus Logo on the lid. The laptop also has a precision-engineered ErgoLift hinge that provides a comfortable typing position on the spacious edge-to-edge keyboard, along with improved cooling airflow.
Powering the laptop is an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with up to 16GB RAM and up to 1TB PCIe 3.0 x4 M.4 SSD. In terms of ports, you get a full-size HDMI port along with USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. You also get two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a MicroSD card reader. It comes with a high-capacity 67 Wh battery that Asus claims to gives it up to 12 hours of use.
ZenBook 14 (UX435EA/EG)
If ZenBook 14 looks familiar, it is because Asus recently launched the ultraportable laptop just last month alongside the ZenBook 13. This new ZenBook 14 pretty looks the same and weighs just 1.19kg. This model, however, differentiates itself by the inclusion of the Asus ScreenPad, a combination of a touchpad with a high-resolution LCD touchscreen. Speaking of screens, the ultraportable notebook boasts a 14” FHD NanoEdge display with a 92% screen-to-body ratio.
It comes powered by up to 11th Gen Intel Core processors and can be configured with the new Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics (UX435EA) or NVIDIA GeForce MX450 discrete graphics (UX435EG).
The laptop also boasts a full ray of I/O ports including two Thunderbolt USB-C ports, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, standard HDMI 2.0, microSD card reader, and an audio jack. You can choose between two shades: Pine Grey or Lilac Mist.
ZenBook 14 Ultralight (UX435EAL/EGL)
The new ZenBook 14 Ultralight is among Asus’ lightest laptops weighing as little as 980g. That is slightly heavier than the Expertbook B9, Asus’ super light business laptop which weighs as light as 870g. It is powered by up to an 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics (UX435EAL) or NVIDIA GeForce MX450 discrete graphics (UX435EGL).
For immersive visuals, ZenBook 14 Ultralight is equipped with a 14” FHD 16:9 NanoEdge display, featuring ultra-slim bezels that give it a 92% screen-to-body ratio. Aside from that, you get an ErgoLift hinge and a comprehensive set of I/O ports: two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, standard HDMI 2.0, and a microSD card reader.
The ZenBook 14 also includes support for WiFi 6 (802.11ax) wireless connectivity for faster and more stable connections. Besides that, there is an option to fit the laptop with the Asus NumberPad, if your work involves a lot of data entry.
