TBH, this thing is so jam-packed with features, we could be here all day. So, for the sake of getting down to the nitty-gritty, I’ll focus on what I found most useful (or just downright cool). The first thing that stood out was the customizable settings—including ‘whisper mode’ to keep the laptop fan ultra-quiet—and ‘eye care’ mode, which can reduce blue light emissions by up to 30 percent. To that end, the visuals on this laptop are next level. Not only is everything crystal clear, but it also comes with a customizable color gamut function, which lets you change the display color to your preferences. While the default mode is an ultra-vivid ‘native color,’ there are custom-tailored color settings that work best for creating web content or browsing, as well as one for editing film with movie-grade colors. (Bonus: It has a ‘draw’ feature that would make the artists among us love the range of colors even more.)
Another thing I appreciated was how it really lived up to the promise of being an all-in-one solution with portability in mind. It literally weighs three pounds (or 3.64 pounds with the keyboard) and I walked 20 blocks with it—without feeling bogged down. Plus, the battery life was just as impressive; a full charge lasted me six hours of continuous use before I got the low battery notification.
As if that weren’t enough, Zenbook also has AI software woven into its design. For the hardware, it has noise-canceling speakers and microphones that use AI technology to automatically adjust to your surroundings. Then, on the right-hand side of the laptop, you have Microsoft Copilot, which can help you tweak settings, answer questions/offer suggestions and deliver creative content based on questions asked in the chat. It’s also worth mentioning that it comes pre-installed with Xbox and Xbox Live applications (which I can assume is a major plus for people who are into gaming).
Are There Any Downsides?
For me, the major downside was the fact that the laptop automatically idles when it’s not being used for 30 minutes. According to the brand, this feature is there to help reduce the chance of burn-in (aka color loss in the display). But for me, it was just annoying—especially if I was in the middle of reading something important—and it didn’t seem to be a feature you could turn off. Otherwise, I’d have to say the major downsides stemmed from my Mac-biased background. Since the entire interface runs on Microsoft, I found it difficult to adjust from the Apple preferences I’m used to. Add to that the fact that there are so many customizations on the Zenbook, it’s almost overwhelming. From the numerous display options to the keyboard shortcuts to the apps that never seem to end… I personally found it to be over-the-top (coming from someone who likes simplicity in my devices).
Still, I have to reiterate that this device is great on the go—especially if you need to bounce from task to task. It’s ultra-lightweight, fits seamlessly into a laptop bag and the battery life can practically last an entire 9-to-5 workday on a full charge. That, coupled with the ultra-wide screen options, came in handy when I was knee-deep in research for a dating theory that required hours of bouncing between reading and writing.
The Final Verdict
All in all, my major drawbacks were a side effect of being a ‘less techy’ person. For my day-to-day life, a second screen is more of a nice to have than a need. However, for anyone who needs a powerful, versatile device on the go, I’d say this is definitely worth the investment. It not only has a brilliant display with an ultra-fast interface, but the versatility of each mode comes with endless customization options. On the other hand, if you’re more like me (aka someone who could survive with Google Docs and Netflix password), this might have too many bells and whistles to justify the cost.
