Asus Philippines invited us to take a look at their latest lineup of crazy thin ultrabook and convertible tablets under the Zenbook 3 and Transformer 3 series. Below are our hands-on and preview of the Asus Zenbook 3, Zenbook Flip, Transformer 3 Pro, and Transformer 3. Expect a full review of each in the coming weeks.
Asus Zenbook Flip
Covered in spun metal alloy finish, the Zenbook Flip feels cool and solid in the hands. The usual 2016 conventional ports can be found here like a micro HDMI port, SD card slot, 3.5 audio jack, 2 USB A ports, 1 USB C port, and the AC adapter plug.
Opening the device felt sturdy and solid. The screen wasn’t as stable as we liked since the display was meant to be 360°-rotatable set on 2 hinges.
This performance-focused convertible lets you choose your preferred viewing angle whatever the situation.
The Zenbook Flip will retail from 799USD or PHP38,000 before taxes for the top-end model.
Pros and cons of Asus Zenbook Flip
+ Convertible hinges
+ Decent specs
+ Solid battery life
+ Great port choices
– Screen not stable on traditional position
– Some difficulty when used outdoors
Asus Zenbook 3
The most eye-catching laptop in the line is none other than the Asus Zenbook 3.
We can’t help but notice how thin and light this laptop is. But don’t let that fool you. This tiny device packs a powerhouse of specs to help even the most demanding of users.
From the on-set the whole construction is built from aerospace grade aluminum. We wanted to test how tough it would be as a throwing weapon but we were not allowed. From the outside, we see the Asus signature hairline spun metal concentric circle design with subtle tapering of the edges in gold.
The Zenbook 3 features a FullHD 12.5 inch display crammed into its 11.9mm frame protected by Gorilla Glass 4. The base model will include 6th gen Intel Core i5, up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB SSD, 1 USB-C port, 1 audio jack, and up to 9hours of endurance.
The screen is crisp and clear with details, the back-lit keyboard worked wonders and are clicky. The gesture supported glass coated trackpad is smooth and cool to the touch which is where you can find the fingerprint sensor for added security.
The subtleties include a Harman Kardon surround sound five-magnet speaker design. It’s hard to imagine a small laptop like this pumping out tunes with great quality and it does just that. We even tested this outdoors and we were just flabbergasted.
The Zenbook 3 will retail at 999USD for the base model or P47,000 before taxes.
Pros and cons of Asus Zenbook 3
+ Crazy thin design
+ Clear and crisp display
+ Amazing Harman Kardon stereo speakers + dual bass speakers
– One (1) USB-C port for everything aside from audio jack
The most versatile of the lineup, the Asus Transformer 3 Pro, impressed us with specs and flexibility of choices.
From the outside, we were greeted by a solid metal design that reminded of the Surface Pro 4. The Transformer 3 Pro opens up from the detachable keyboard with kickstand to prop it up properly.
This touchscreen 12.6-inch 3K resolution display is powered by 6th gen Intel Core 15 for the base model, 16Gb of RAM, 1TB SSD, and USB 3.1 Type C, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, and 1 USB A for ports.
The detachable backlit keyboard unhinges by a set of magnets. The keyboard is clicky and flexes a bit. The trackpad is smooth and has gesture support.
The unit includes a 13MP back-facing camera and 2MP front cameras where one functions for Windows “Hello.”
There’s also a Transformer 3 version aimed at the budget conscious but the laptop mode is a little flimsy because of the magnetic folding cover mechanism to keep it upright.
The Asus Transformer 3 Pro will retail at 999USD for the base model or PHP 47,000 before taxes and the Transformer 3 will retail for 799USD or PHP38,000 before taxes.
Pros and cons of Transformer 3 Pro
+ Tablet mode with drawing capabilities via stylus.
+ Powerfull specs in a tablet-cum-laptop.
+ Great display
– Price is relatively close to Zenbook 3 which is lighter and thinner with similar specs
Which one would you prefer? Let us know at the comments section below.
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Mike Sionzon says:
I also would like to know where to buy the Transformer Pro 3 here in Manila
Sweet Cravings says:
Hi! Do you know where I can buy Transformer 3 Pro here in Manila? Thank you!