When we tested one of ASUS’ first Ultrabooks, Zenbook UX21 was overall impressive, but there were detailed that ruined a perfect score. The next generation Ultrabook will not only get a new high definition screen, but also a revised keyboard?
Besides having UX21 in the lab, the editors brought big brother UX31 out on the field during our CES coverage. Overall it is a good computer considering it is ASUS’ first attempt to make an Ultrabook. The opening mechanism is not the best, the touchpad suffers from bad drivers and the keyboard is so shallow there is no feedback.
We have reported earlier on that ASUS and Acer have Ultrabooks coming sporting 1080p screen and it is now confirmed for ASUS. The next generation from ASUS will be like Zenbook UX21 and UX31 in many ways, since they simply build ont he same concept. Both 11.6″ and 13.3″ models will get a 1080p screen. We haven’t such a resolutiom before in notebooks of these sizes, and this should be a nice boost from the current 1366 x 768 and 1600 x 900 displays. There are potential problems through with such a high resolution on a small surface, and this is something both ASUS and Microsoft will work on to make sure there are no teething problems at launch.
ASUS UX21 failed to get a grand score due to the keyboard
What is perhaps even more interesting in this case is that it will get a new backlit keyoard – with that we hope there is more of key-feel to it than the current keyboard. Both will also get two USB 3.0 ports and new ”harddrives”, which we hope means new SSDs, and not moving backwards to mechanical drives. There is no mention of Thunderbolt, which we have heard rumors of from other sources.
Despite the updates both models will be cheaper when they launch in May, but there are no exact prices. If the above is correct ASUS has a real winner coming, that is if they upgrade the keyboard, and cut the price.
Source: ITCua via UltrabookNews
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