Asus has incorporated an OLED panel into many of its laptops. This Zenbook (UX371EA) is among them, providing an excellent visual experience.
OLED screens have become increasingly prevalent on laptops, and now, they can be found at very advantageous prices. Its original price of 1,609 USD on Amazon.
Key Features of the ASUS Zenbook 13.3” 4K OLED Touch (UX371EA)
- Elegant finishes with a 90 Hz OLED screen
- An i5-12th gen with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD
- A full day’s battery life
A Lightweight and Powerful Ultrabook
The Zenbook 13 features rather sober and elegant lines, with a dark blue metal chassis that exudes quality. Its compact format and featherweight of only 1.39 kg make it perfectly suited for nomadic users. For comfortable work, Asus deploys a 13.3-inch OLED panel, with a 16:10 format and a resolution that can climb up to 2,880 x 1,800 pixels. This guarantees excellent display quality, with infinite contrast ratio, deep blacks, and perfect luminous return.
This laptop is very balanced and relies on the twelfth generation of Intel Core processors to meet daily needs. Thus, it features the Intel Core i7-1165G7 paired with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD NVMe storage. With such a configuration, the Zenbook 13 is capable of accompanying you in all everyday tasks: from simple office tasks to photo editing with a few visual effects.
Generous Battery Life and Connectivity
With all these elements, the Asus laptop manages to keep pace and allows you to stay productive for up to 18 hours according to the manufacturer — enough to use it a full day away from a socket. And to top it all off, it is compatible with fast charging. In 49 minutes, the laptop recovers 60% of energy, according to the brand’s claims.
To complete the package, the Taiwanese firm has bet on the slimness of its machine without neglecting its connectivity. Here, the Zenbook has a fairly comprehensive set: with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, one HDMI port, a 3.5mm jack port, as well as a microSD card reader.
My Opinion as a Digital Nomad
As a “digital nomad,” here are my thoughts on Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED:
What I Like:
- Ultra-lightweight & Compact Design: The 1.1 kg weight and 14.9 mm thickness make it very portable, which is great for someone who’s constantly on the move.
- Versatile 360° ErgoLift hinge: This provides flexibility in how the laptop can be used, catering to different scenarios such as work, entertainment, or presentations.
- 2.8K OLED NanoEdge touchscreen: This screen type and resolution ensures vivid, sharp, and color-accurate visuals. The 100% DCI-P3 color gamut is especially appealing for content creators.
- Powerful Hardware: The 12th Gen Intel Core processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, up to 32 GB LPDDR5 5200 MHz memory, and 1 TB PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD ensure fast and smooth performance.
- Long-lasting 67 Wh Battery: Important for those who might not always have immediate access to a power outlet.
- Connectivity Options: The presence of Thunderbolt 4 and other connectivity options ensures versatility in connecting peripherals and devices.
- Four-mic array & AI noise cancellation: These features can be beneficial for clear audio during online meetings or calls.
- ASUS Pen 2.0 support: Useful for digital artists, note-takers, or anyone who uses stylus-based inputs.
- Fingerprint sensor on power button: Provides an added layer of security and convenience.
- RGB color sensor: Automatically adjusts the display based on the environment, which can be beneficial for eye comfort.
- ASUS Antibacterial Guard: This is a thoughtful addition, especially in today’s health-conscious world.
What I Don’t Like (or areas of concern):
- Storage Speed Overkill?: While 6500 MB/s read speed is impressive, it might be overkill for the average user. However, professionals working with large files may find this beneficial.
- MicroSD Card Reader: A full-sized SD card reader might have been more universally useful, especially for photographers or videographers.
- Durability of the Hinge: While the 360° ErgoLift hinge is versatile, one would need to consider its long-term durability, especially with frequent use.
- OLED Screen Burn-in Concerns: OLED screens, while offering deep blacks and vibrant colors, can be prone to burn-in over time. This might be a concern for those who keep static images on the screen for prolonged periods.
- No Mention of Keyboard Travel or Feedback: For someone typing a lot, the feel of the keyboard is essential. The description emphasizes ergonomics but doesn’t delve into the tactile feedback.
In summary, the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED seems like a robust and feature-packed choice for a digital nomad. The versatility, lightweight design, and powerful specs make it appealing for various tasks, from content creation to online communication. However, as with any device, it’s essential to consider individual needs and possible long-term concerns.
