Zenbook Prime is a worthwhile upgrade with a backlit keyboard, better quality, longer battery life and a full HD display.
Zenbook Prime is the second generation of Asus ultrabook, after the ZenBook, which impresses with users in the past year. Taiwanese computer company has little change in the new version in appearance, but improvements are worth it. From the IPS Full HD screen, the keyboard improves better quality and backlighting shows the “listening” and modifying drawbacks from the previous version of the manufacturer.
However, the new Zenbook Prime is kind of at a premium compared to last year, mainly because the configuration is way stronger. The 11.6-inch Asus Zenbook UX21A uses a Core i7 chip, and it’s priced at $1500, while the 13-inch screen model looks like it costs $1400 for the Core i5 version, and $1600 for the Core I7 one.
The following Digitally Experimented and Rated version is basically the top configuration model with a 13-inch IPS panel, with a 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution, an Intel Core i7-3517U processor, 4 RAM memory GB DDR3 1600 MHz, 128 GB SSD hard drive, and Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics.
Asus Zenbook UX31A-DH71 Ultrabook- 13.3″ Full HD Display, Intel Dual-Core Processor i7-3517u 1.9GHz, 4GB Memory, 256G SSD, Windows 8: Buy it now
Design and Build Quality
The Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A gets a lot of praise for its sleek, and honestly pretty stylish design. It mixes high-quality materials with a more refined finish, and it looks like it was made to impress. At the same time it’s built for people who care about aesthetics and easy carrying, without really sacrificing performance, you know.
Aesthetics and Materials
On the outside, the UX31A uses an aluminum chassis with a brushed metal look. That surface gives it a premium, and very composed vibe, suitable for both work days and more casual settings. The metallic finish doesn’t just look good ,it also helps the laptop feel sturdier over time. There’s also that lid detail, a concentric circle pattern that catches the light in a nice way, adding a little elegance, almost like a subtle signature.
Build Quality
In terms of size, it’s like 0.7 inches thick, an roughly 2.9 pounds, so yeah it’s clearly aiming for portability, or at least it gives that vibe. Even with that slim body the build feels dependable; the chassis stays rigid and doesn’t really bend easily, which makes everything feel locked-in. The hinge, by the way, moves smoothly and seems well built, the lid opens and closes with ease, but it still keeps a secure fit when you’re using it.
Overall, the UX31A shows Asus trying to create a high-end ultrabook that feels both luxurious, and durable at the same time. The build quality sits right with other premium ultrabooks from its era, and it gives you a device that’s reliable, while still looking properly attractive.
Display
Ok so, the display is honestly one of the standout features on the Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A. You get a 13.3-inch screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, which at the time of its release was pretty much a “high-definition” situation. And yes, the display’s overall quality and performance are the kind of things you really wanna check if you care about sharp visuals, plus those vibrant colors that make everything look more alive.
Display Quality
At 1920 x 1080, the Full HD resolution delivers visuals that feel sharp and clean. Text looks crisp, images come off detailed, and that helps a lot with reading and everyday work. In terms of color, the screen does well too, with good brightness levels, plus color accuracy that feels quite dependable. The color gamut, for what it’s worth, covers a big share of the sRGB range, so the UX31A ends up being more than decent for photo editing and media viewing, where color fidelity matters more than people sometimes admit.
There’s also that glossy finish , which usually pushes color saturation and contrast a bit higher, but it can also bring reflections into the image, especially in bright rooms. The glare might be annoying in some lighting situations yet at the same time you could say that the glossy surface gives a more dynamic, energetic vibe to the visuals. Kinda like, more punch, even if it’s not always “comfortable” punch.
Viewing Angles
When it comes to viewing angles, the display is relatively solid. Colors don’t shift too dramatically, and contrast doesn’t fall apart too fast when you’re not staring straight at it. This is helpful for collaborative use, like when more than one person has to look at the screen at the same time. Still, like a lot of glossy panels, if you tilt it into more extreme off-angles, you’ll notice some loss in image clarity.
Performance
Performance wise, the Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A has the kind of hardware that is supposed to land in that sweet spot between speed and efficiency , sorta. The exact unit being reviewed here is using an Intel Core i7-3517U processor, along with 4GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. That combo is meant to feel snappy, and also enough for daily computing work. So for everyday tasks it tries to keep things flowing, without turning the laptop into a battery draining headache.
The Intel Core i7-3517U processor is basically a dual core setup, running at a base clock of 1.9 GHz, but it can jump to a turbo boost level up to 3.0 GHz. It wasn’t exactly the newest chip when it came out, so yeah it’s not “cutting edge” , still, it gives enough muscle for a bunch of everyday uses like casual web browsing, typing up documents, and basically watching multimedia content. For most business routines and personal tasks the speed feels fine, but if you’re doing heavier stuff all the time, you may end up thinking it’s a bit narrow or limited.
Memory and storage
On the UX31A you get 4GB RAM, which at the time was pretty normal for ultrabooks. It should cover basic multitasking and typical programs without too much drama. But if you often juggle big files, or you like having a lot of applications open , then the 4GB might feel cramped. Also the RAM is not user upgradable, so buyers really need to judge their own workload before purchasing , otherwise you’ll be stuck with what’s there.
For storage there’s a 256GB SSD, and that matters because it offers brisk read and write performance. In real life that means quick startup, faster app launching, and a more responsive overall feel. The capacity is usually enough for key files and installed software, but if you store huge media collections or manage large projects, you might start thinking about extra storage sooner rather than later. The SSD speed also makes the whole laptop seem lighter on its feet, nimble, and kind of efficient in day to day use.
Graphics Performance
The UX31A comes with integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000, it does the whole basic visual stuff for regular day tasks and light multimedia intake. In other words it s not meant for super heavy gaming or demanding graphics work, but it does cover the usual needs like video playback, browsing the web, and casual photo retouching. For most people this is enough, but if you are expecting high frame rates or advanced 3D effects, it s better to rethink.
Battery Life
Battery life is kinda a big deal for ultrabooks , mainly if you want to bring it around the outside world. The Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A packs a 50Wh battery that, on paper, promises up to around 6 hours with a single charge. Of course the real world outcome can wiggle a bit , mostly due to how you use it, the power plan , screen brightness, what’s running in the background , and a bunch of other small stuff.
Battery Performance
When you’re doing usual stuff like web surfing , handling documents, and streaming media, the UX31A often lands around 4 to 6 hours. But once you jump into more demanding tasks such as video editing, or even trying games , expect it to fall to about 3 to 4 hours. So basically, the endurance is pretty solid for this class , yet if you’re the kind of user who wants longer unplugged sessions, it may feel a little restrictive.
The UX31A also supports Asus Power4Gear power management software. This lets you tune your power settings and more or less stretch the battery duration based on what you are doing at the moment. There are several power profiles and options for managing consumption, and if you set them well you can prolong runtime when it really matters, like on travel days or meetings.
Connectivity
The Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A comes with a decent mix of connectivity stuff, pretty important if you want plug things in, and also stay online while moving around. In general it includes a set of ports and interfaces designed so you can hook up different devices, plus a few accessories without too much fuss.
Ports and Interfaces
USB ports: The UX31A comes with two USB 3.0 ports, which usually means faster data transfer than USB 2.0 and also, not to forget there’s a USB 2.0 port too, kind of there for older, legacy devices that still need it, you know.
HDMI port: There’s also an HDMI port,so you can hook up external screens , projectors, or even plug into a TV. It’s pretty handy for presentations, watching media, or just extending the display so multitasking feels smoother, and you can keep working without that extra fuss.
Mini DisplayPort: The laptop also uses a Mini DisplayPort, giving more choices for extra monitors, and it supports high definition video output.
SD card reader: An SD card reader is built in as well, so it’s easier to move photos and other media from memory cards straight to the laptop.
Audio jacks: You get a headphone and microphone combo jack. So for audio in and audio out, it works for calls, general multimedia, and everyday sound needs.
Wireless Connectivity
For wireless, the UX31A supports Wi‑Fi 802.11n plus Bluetooth 4.0, so you kind of get internet access and also those links to different peripherals.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard and touchpad are pretty important parts of any ultrabook , and the UX31A honestly gives a decent enough input vibe.
Keyboard
On the UX31A you get a full sized chiclet type keyboard, keys are spaced out well and typing feels pretty comfortable. The key travel and the tactile feedback are mostly on point, so most of the time your fingers feel guided rather than awkward. The layout feels ergonomic too, with responsive keys that are easy to press, so yeah, it works for long sessions not just short ones.
There’s no backlighting at all, and honestly that can be a real drawback if you’re working in dim rooms, or dealing with low light, but overall the typing feel still stays pretty solid. So even if you’re just doing casual stuff, or sort of leaning more toward professional tasks, the keyboard seems to hold up.
Touchpad
The touchpad on the UX31A is big, and it reacts quickly too, it even supports multi-touch gestures, like pinch to zoom and two finger scrolling. The surface feels smooth and it’s very accurate, so it’s easy to glide around between apps and documents. It also includes physical buttons for left and right clicks, which some folks may like more than built in button areas, especially if you’re after a clearer click sensation.
Software
The Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A comes pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium , which was a pretty popular operating system pick around the time it released. Windows 7 gives you that familiar kind of look and feel, it feels easy on the eyes, and it offers a lot of features and options that can fit both everyday personal use and more work related tasks.
Pre-installed Software
On the UX31A you’ll find a few software applications and little utilities already there, made to make the whole experience smoother, sort of right out of the box:
Asus SonicMaster Audio: This kind of audio technology boosts the laptop’s sound quality, giving clearer output and more immersive listening for multimedia, and also for voice calls .
Asus Power4Gear: A power management utility that lets users tune power settings, and stretch battery endurance depending on what they’re doing. It includes multiple power profiles, plus different controls for battery usage.
Asus Live Update: This one assists you in keeping the system ,and especially drivers, updated, so performance stays steady and security isn’t ignored.
McAfee Security: The notebook usually includes a trial version of McAfee antivirus software, which adds another layer of defense against malware and general security worries.
User Experience
The Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A is built to give a fairly balanced, and actually pleasant daily user experience , it mixes performance with portability and that polished style. If you care about a sleek design and dependable everyday functionality, the UX31A is going to feel like a well rounded choice.
Performance in real world scenarios
For day to day kind of stuff like web browsing, handling emails , and editing documents, the UX31A really does well. You can almost feel that the Intel Core i7-3517U processor teamed up with the 256GB SSD is doing most of the heavy lifting so the whole machine stays responsive, and honestly its pretty efficient too for everyday use and personal stuff. Startup is quick, and apps open fast, largely because the solid state drive keeps things moving.
If you’re doing light multimedia work, think photo touch ups or streaming videos, the UX31A keeps its composure. The Full HD panel gives sharp and lively visuals, so watching content feels more enjoyable. Now, it’s not really meant for serious graphic intensive projects or hardcore gaming, but the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 is still enough for basic jobs and casual games, even if you don’t expect miracles.
Portability and travel
The slim, lightweight build of the UX31A makes it easy to take along, which is great for people always on the go. Because it stays thin, it slides into a bag, or a briefcase, with minimal fuss. The overall build and durability are solid too, so it can handle that usual travel wear while still looking kind of premium.
Battery life is fine for most routine tasks, but during longer trips you’ll want to keep an eye on where charging is possible. That said, the laptop’s power management software gives you ways to stretch the charge a bit longer when it matters, so you’re not
Build Quality and Durability
The UX31A’s build quality gives off a premium vibe, with a sturdy and well engineered frame that resists bending a bit and feels solid when you hold it. The aluminum construction, yes it does look sharp too, but it also helps the whole thing stay resilient for longer. Even the hinge setup, built to open and close in a smooth way, makes the everyday use feel better while also supporting longer term reliability.
Durability here isn’t just about looking tough. It’s also about how the system keeps on working, with performance staying consistent and reliability holding up as time goes by. So, you can usually expect the UX31A to keep delivering a decent experience across its lifespan, as long as it’s taken care of properly, and not left to collect dust everywhere.
Conclusion
The Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A feels like a pretty strong entry in the ultrabook market, it basically brings together a nice looking design, dependable performance and that easy to carry portability. The sleek aluminum chassis ,and the high resolution display, are the kind of details that usually pull in people who care about looks but also want to move around a lot.
When it comes to work speed, the UX31A is powered by the Intel Core i7-3517U processor and a 256GB SSD, so for regular everyday tasks it holds up well, and it’s also okay for light multimedia. That said, the 4GB of RAM might feel a bit tight for users who do more heavy duty stuff or keep many things open at the same time. Still, for most applications the overall response is more than satisfactory, even if it is not a “no limits” machine.
Beyond that, the battery life, the connectivity choices, and the way it’s built all work together to create a positive user experience, so it can come off as reliable for both business use and personal use. But if someone is after a higher resolution screen, extra memory, or more advanced features , then it may make more sense to consider options like the Dell XPS 13, HP Spectre XT, or Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon instead.
So in summary, the Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A stays a well-rounded ultrabook, offering a compelling mix of style, performance, and portability. It’s a viable option for people who want a premium design and dependable performance in a lightweight, portable package, even if there are alternatives for those with more specific expectations.
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Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.