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When the ultrabook category rolled out last fall, Asus led the charge, being one of the first on the scene and offering a potent ultraportable experience in a slim and elegant design. The ultrabook arena has gotten a lot more crowded lately, but Asus has upped the ante with the Zenbook Prime UX31A-R5102F ($999.99 list), which boasts a stunning 1080p display and an Intel third-generation Core i5-3317u processor and compact Asus Keyboard . It’s not the only ultrabook in town with an Ivy bridge processor, and there’s plenty of room for competition in terms of battery life and port selection, so this time the race isn’t so easily won. Observant readers may notice that the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A-R5102F is identical in almost every respect to the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A-DB51 ($1,099 list, 3.5)—the only difference appears to be in the model number. With the parts and performance the same between them, buyers should decide between the two primarily upon sales pricing and availability. Design The UX31A-R5102F is easily one of the sleekest and most visually impressive ultrabooks on the market. A machined aluminum chassis provides stability where most competitors are flimsy, and the two-toned metal on metal design is simple but stylish. Measuring 0.7 by 12.8 by 8.9 inches (HWD), the UX31A-R5102F is about the same size as the Sony VAIO T13 (SVT13112FXS) ($799.99 direct, 4 stars), and average in weight at 3.05 pounds. While details like a radial brushed finish on the lid and a vertical hairline brushed pattern on the palmrest are visually appealing, the real eye-popper is the impressive 1,920 by 1,080 resolution display, which uses In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology for richer colors and extremely wide viewing angles. This display joins the already impressive audio powered by Bang & Olufsen’s ICEpower speakers,which provide enough volume to fill a room and is clear enough to have a few people gather round to listen to a song or watch a video. The Asus Keyboard has been tweaked slightly, switching out the metal keycaps seen on the previous Asus Zenbook UX31-RSL8 ($1,049 list, 4 stars) for matte plastic. The chiclet layout and shallow keystrokes remain the same, but an adjustable backlight lets you work in whatever lighting conditions you find yourself in. The touchpad offers gesture support, but be careful as you swipe, pinch, and scroll, because a stray thumb can easily register as a second finger, causing some frustration. Thanks to a change in supplier and improved drivers, however, the clickpad on the UX31A-R5102F has none of the inaccuracy or jumpiness that has dogged some clickpads in the past. Features On the UX31A-R5102F you’ll find two USB 3.0 ports, Asus Keyboard , a media card reader (SD/MMC), a mini VGA port, a micro HDMI out port, and a combination headphone and microphone jack. Above the screen is a webcam that shoots 720p video. Wireless connections include dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and Intel’s wireless display technology, WiDi 2.0. With a WiDi adapter, like the Belkin ScreenCast ($129.99 list, 4.5 stars) or the Netgear Push2TV HD (PTV2000) ($99.99 list, 4 stars), you can stream HD content without having to hassle with an HDMI cable and plug adapter. Asus also includes two adapter dongles with the UX31A-R5102F: A USB to Ethernet adapter to provide a wired Internet connection, and a mini-to-full size VGA adapter for connecting an external monitor and other Compatible Parts . Unfortunately, the one adapter most users will actually want and need—an adapter for the micro HDMI output—isn’t included. You’ll also get a protective nylon sleeve to carry the Zenbook in, and a separate little pouch for holding the adapter dongles. For more laptop reviews
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