Asus Zenbook Flip UX360UAK-BB351T Convertible Review

[Redaktion]

Stylish, slim, enduring. With the Zenbook Flip UX360UAK, Asus delivers a stylish and slim 13.3-inch convertible that can boast with an outstanding battery life. The configuration is also good: SSD, IPS panel, backlit keyboard. The whistling fan is an annoyance. This flaw should not appear in a 1000 Euro device.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-Zenbook-Flip-UX360UAK-BB351T-Convertible-Review.198302.0.html

[Darcy]

Is the HDMI 2.0b or is it lower gen? Is there an option for 16gb ram? And why would they use DDR3-1866 memory? Doesn't DDR4-2400 consume less power? Also, if you buy a third party anti-glare matt screen protector, would the touch feature still work?

[Des]

Is the pwm a deal breaker? 50% seems too high

[kilou]

How can you rate 89% when the display's PWM frequency is as low as 50Hz???? Such a display will kill your eyes so the device is totally unusable, period! Even basic neon light flickering is higher than that at 60Hz. Notebookcheck.net really does great reviews but such ratings are completely misleading.

[d]

I somehow doubt the measurements you did for PWM. I have this laptop, and I detected a 200 Hz PWM, even at minimum brightness, which is more likely for Asus. I used the empirical measurement described on tftcentral. While it's empirical, it's almost impossible to give such wildly different results. When the screen is near 100% the pulse is not visible, so the cscreen is actually good. The LCD is the same AUO model as yours (at least that's what several tools report). Was the laptop you tested a retail, out of shelf, model?

[lokomotion]

Even the osciloscope picture says 200Hz. What is going on? Is scope picture wrong, or did you made an error in the article?

200Hz, should be ok, guys?

[d]

200 Hz is OK, although the best would be no PWM at all. On the bright side, if you use the laptop close to 100% illumination, the pulses are basicallly absent, so it's not a problem at all. My subjective opinion is the screen is excellent for this model. The real problem for the 360UAK is that whistling sound of the fan, which is real and can be annoying.

I strongly believe there is a mistake in this review regarding PWM. There's no way this pulses at 50 Hz.

[Luv Gupta]

Hi. Is this laptop good for editing after effects? Does it render 4k video smoothly?

Hope to get a reply.

Thanks.

[David B]

Can one use alt-codes with this laptop? The keyboard doesn't show any numpad keys overlaid and is a question I've not seen answered anywhere else:

http://www.zenbookforum.com/threads/alt-codes.2749/

Acer laptops, for instance, usually overlay the numpad keys directly on the keyboard so it's clear that alt-codes can be used.

[Jimbotron]

Hi

I have shortlisted my purchase decision to either the UX360UAK or the UX330UA. I understand both have the same specs (core i5-7200u, 8gb ram, 256gb ssd, fhd display) but different form factors, former is a flip convertible while latter is a regular laptop.

Would you be able to guide me on any major technical or performance based advantage the ux330 may have that would justify NOT buying the ux360uak convertible laptop instead? Is the glossy screen a major deal breaker compared to the matte on the ux330?

Otherwise I may just pull the plug and spend approximately $150 more to get the ux360uak and have the benefit of flexibility while watching videos and browsing the net. I don't plan on heavy gaming. I value good display, relatively quiet performance, low fan noise, good keyboard and trackpad.

[dthrp]

@Jimbotron:

They're updates to the previous UX305UA thus almost identical in terms of chassis design and components. Whichever one you decide to go with, make sure to check for a 7th gen Kaby Lake CPU since there are models with the last gen Skylake as well. Kaby Lake models not only have better battery life and minor upgraded components, but also fixed lots of reported hardware issues and bugs, so it's more than just a small update. (Unless you want to install an older Windows OS, which I believe isn't possible from Kaby Lake onwards.)

Now as for differences, here's what I can tell.

- As you know, UX360UA has a reflective glossy screen, and UX330UA has a anti-glare matte screen (Though just like phones and tablets, there are some decent aftermarket matte, anti-glare screen protectors. These also help with fingerprints and smoother touch experience due to the film being plastic, not glass.) If you don't have experience with both, don't try to guess what it's like as general opinion is very polarized. Some prefer matte due to the less reflective aspect while others actually enjoy glossy due to more vibrant colors. I highly suggest you try out either or both in a store. (though not Apple store b.c Macbooks are glossy + anti-glare)

- Their Full-HD IPS screens both have around 340 nits of brightness, 90% sRGB 60% AdobeRGB color coverage and issue of low frequency PWM (which I heard could be controlled via software). Difference lies in contrasts and black levels. UX360UA has 1269:1 contrast ratio whereas UX330UA has 1636:1. That's quite a difference since contrast is the most noticeable aspect on an IPS screen for an average user.

- UX360UA has a full HDMI port whereas the UX330UA has a micro-HDMI port so needs a converter dongle for use.

- UX360UA has dedicated volume buttons, a long vent grill, and its power button all on the left side. UX330UA has no volume buttons, no vents on neither sides and its power button is positioned on the top right corner of the keyboard where an End or Delete key would normally be on a US key layout.

- UX360UA has an option for a fingerprint reader, UX330UA does not.

There're no performance differences, except these laptops are comprised of storage from multiple manufacturers. Storage is the slowest part in a PC so with bad luck, this could be noticeable but only if you care enough to notice it.

I would personally choose UX330UA because I need anti-glare and a 2 in 1 laptop without an active pen and aftermarket pen support for me is unusable.
Hope this helps.

Source:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-Zenbook-Flip-UX360UAK-BB351T-Convertible-Review.198302.0.html
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-ZenBook-UX360UA-Convertible-Review.181132.0.html
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-Zenbook-UX330UA-Notebook-Review.182710.0.html
https://www.asus.com/Laptops/AllProducts/

[Jimbotron]

Hi Dthrp,

Thank you for a very clear explanation. Very much appreciate your advice. I agree with your recommendation. The matte anti glare is my preferred choice as well and there doesn't seem to be a major feature performance wise that will justify the additional price tag of the convertible.

I am not a fan of fingerprint smudges on glossy screens as well. So the choice is clear!

Thank you!

I have shortlisted my purchase decision to either the UX360UAK or the UX330UA. I understand both have the same specs (core i5-7200u, 8gb ram, 256gb ssd, fhd display) but different form factors, former is a flip convertible while latter is a regular laptop.

Would you be able to guide me on any major technical or performance based advantage the ux330 may have that would justify NOT buying the ux360uak convertible laptop instead? Is the glossy screen a major deal breaker compared to the matte on the ux330?

Otherwise I may just pull the plug and spend approximately $150 more to get the ux360uak and have the benefit of flexibility while watching videos and browsing the net. I don't plan on heavy gaming. I value good display, relatively quiet performance, low fan noise, good keyboard and trackpad.

@Jimbotron:

They're updates to the previous UX305UA thus almost identical in terms of chassis design and components. Whichever one you decide to go with, make sure to check for a 7th gen Kaby Lake CPU since there are models with the last gen Skylake as well. Kaby Lake models not only have better battery life and minor upgraded components, but also fixed lots of reported hardware issues and bugs, so it's more than just a small update. (Unless you want to install an older Windows OS, which I believe isn't possible from Kaby Lake onwards.)

Now as for differences, here's what I can tell.

- As you know, UX360UA has a reflective glossy screen, and UX330UA has a anti-glare matte screen (Though just like phones and tablets, there are some decent aftermarket matte, anti-glare screen protectors. These also help with fingerprints and smoother touch experience due to the film being plastic, not glass.) If you don't have experience with both, don't try to guess what it's like as general opinion is very polarized. Some prefer matte due to the less reflective aspect while others actually enjoy glossy due to more vibrant colors. I highly suggest you try out either or both in a store. (though not Apple store b.c Macbooks are glossy + anti-glare)

- Their Full-HD IPS screens both have around 340 nits of brightness, 90% sRGB 60% AdobeRGB color coverage and issue of low frequency PWM (which I heard could be controlled via software). Difference lies in contrasts and black levels. UX360UA has 1269:1 contrast ratio whereas UX330UA has 1636:1. That's quite a difference since contrast is the most noticeable aspect on an IPS screen for an average user.

- UX360UA has a full HDMI port whereas the UX330UA has a micro-HDMI port so needs a converter dongle for use.

- UX360UA has dedicated volume buttons, a long vent grill, and its power button all on the left side. UX330UA has no volume buttons, no vents on neither sides and its power button is positioned on the top right corner of the keyboard where an End or Delete key would normally be on a US key layout.

- UX360UA has an option for a fingerprint reader, UX330UA does not.

There're no performance differences, except these laptops are comprised of storage from multiple manufacturers. Storage is the slowest part in a PC so with bad luck, this could be noticeable but only if you care enough to notice it.

I would personally choose UX330UA because I need anti-glare and a 2 in 1 laptop without an active pen and aftermarket pen support for me is unusable.
Hope this helps.

Source:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-Zenbook-Flip-UX360UAK-BB351T-Convertible-Review.198302.0.html
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-ZenBook-UX360UA-Convertible-Review.181132.0.html
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-Zenbook-UX330UA-Notebook-Review.182710.0.html
https://www.asus.com/Laptops/AllProducts/

[Alifia]

Hello, i have an exact same thing. It has a good specs in it, but i have used it for a day and it has some ghost touch. It was really bad one, even i can't use the laptop properly. Can somebody tell me how to fix it??