Pros:
-Keyboard is really satisfying to type with
-Runs incredibly smooth, especially after upgrading to Windows 10
-Fast
-Battery life is respectable and battery saving features really do make an impact
-Wicked Fast
-Screen resolution is fantastic and everything scales well in Windows 10
-Did i mention this thing is fast?
-Doesn’t get super hot even under a heavy load
-The laptop looks great (I have the smoky brown finish and I thought I would hate it but I think it’s nice)
-Feels sturdy and well built
-Super portable
-No issues with hinge yet but I’ll update if something happens (this was an issue with the UX303LN)
-Gaming:I haven’t tested out any resource heavy games on this PC yet.I booted upFallout NV and some Kerbal Space Program (neither of which are difficult to run) and both work great with no lag.I was consistently getting 45-50 FPS with Fallout NV.I plan on installing Skyrim to see how it runs but I’m pretty confident it will be able to handle it just fine.
Cons:
-Unless you upgrade to Windows 10, you will see some scaling issues with Windows 8.1 with this particular display
-Touchpad is OK and the gestures work well but it takes a bit of effort to actually click.Clicking is also very loud.Honestly not that big of an issue for me but some people may find it annoying
-Mustard-looking yellows:I know that this screen has had issues with yellows looking "mustard-y".Well, the issue is still here but honestly I didn’t notice it right away and I had to actually try and see it.I found that by upgrading to Windows 10 definitely had an impact as well as uninstalling "Asus Splendid Video Enhancement Technology".I can see this issue bothering some people but like I said, it’s really not all that noticeable after making those two changes.I know a fix exists somewhere that worked with the UX303LN but I haven’t taken the time to look into it.
-There are some other minor issues but I attribute them to the Windows 10 software and not the laptop.Since Windows 10 is about 48 hours old I’ll give it some time.If these issues persist I will update this review.
Overall, if you are looking for a powerhouse of a laptop with a kick ass display, breakneck speeds, and great battery life, look no further.
UPDATE:I’ve loaded up Skyrim on this laptop and have been playing at high resolution with little to no lag and ~35 FPS.The ultra-high resolution with Skyrim does tend to lock up a wee bit but it’s playable if you really want them set that high.Honestly if you want to run games at ultra resolutions get a true gaming laptop.Overall though this is a solid laptop for casual gaming!
UPDATE Number 2 (09/10/2015):Some people have said they had issues with the wireless on this laptop.I can’t say I’ve had any issues thus far.I’ve used the laptop on my home router, work network, and some public hotspots around the city with no issues at all.Hinge is still doing what a hinge is supposed to do.It isn’t broken yet and it doesn’t feel like it’s going to break anytime soon.
When I first was looking at this laptop I wasn’t crazy about the touch screen.Well after having it for about two months I gotta say I love the touch screen.I don’t think I realized how much I would use it. Your screen will get dirty but that’s to be expected with a touch screen.I love how well it works with Windows 10 and I find myself using it more than I use the trackpad.
I will add more updates in the future!
UPDATE Number 3 (10/26/2015):So I’ve had the laptop for about three months now.The biggest issue people seem to be having is with the hinge.I use this laptop almost every day and I have yet to have any issues with the hinge.Like I mentioned in a previous update I habitually lift the screen from the center as to avoid putting any extra stress on the corners of the hinge.Honestly I don’t feel like I have to do this since it feels so sturdy but I guess everyone else has gotten me nervous about it. Bottom line, hinge is still good.
Performance wise this thing still blows my mind everyday.It boots in 3 – 6 seconds, even when just charging after my battery died (more on battery in a moment).Multitasking is handled flawlessly with no lock-ups to date.I’m usually running simple stuff (Microsoft Office, uTorrent, Chrome) and it hasn’t had a problem yet.I also run some resource intensive software such as FlowJo which locks up on most computers I’ve used when analyzing data.This laptop on the other hand handles it like a pro.To put it in context, the version of FlowJo I use at work is on a server with boatloads of RAM and processing power and this laptop could still give it a run for it’s money.We all know Chrome can be a hell of a resource hog and it has no problem handling tabs on top of tabs.One issue I should mention which has been bugging me is video playback in chrome/youtube.Playing full HD or 4K videos in chrome works fine but as soon as you put it in full screen the video starts to lag a bit and gets choppy.At first I thought this was my network but after confirming it was not and allowing the videos the proper time to buffer, the choppiness was still there.I tried out the same videos in Microsoft Edge (which I actually really like but anything is an upgrade compared to Explorer) and the full screen HD videos have no problem loading and look great.The only reason I bring this up is because this does not happen on any other computer I use (Lenovo Thinkpad, HP Desktop).Maybe Chrome video playback doesn’t like this monitor?I’ve been trying to find a fix to this issue and I will post something if I can figure it out.
Other than that, screen resolution on this is bonkers and it’s fun to watch stuff on it.And since it can handle most games on it, you can enjoy them with this screen.I will say though that I wish it wasn’t glossy.I’m not outside much but occasionally the light hits it just right and it can be tough to see.
OK battery life.It’s great.As with most of my tech gear, I try and charge only when it is completely dead so that the battery stays in good health and I’m not just topping it off constantly.The only time I leave it plugged in is when I’m playing games (as I said in a previous update, Skyrim looks spectacular on this). Now considering that I use mostly office and web browsers, I’d say I could get 7-8 hours out of it just doing that.Throw in some video playback and music and that gets cut down to 4-6 depending on how much.With the power saving modes on it’s possible I could get more.I haven’t tested this yet so don’t quote me on that one.On standby it does last for quite a long time (days).
Uhh OK last few things, I still love the keyboard and the backlight is nice, I love using the touchscreen even thought I thought I wouldn’t, connectivity is fantastic (BT and WiFi).
But
If there is one thing I could change
It would be the god awful charging brick.I don’t know whose idea it was to put the plug right onto a huge power brick so that you can successfully block all other outlets should be fired, because that guy sucks.
I digress, this laptop rocks.Check back for more updates in the future
Stay frosty!