The Asus ZenBook Flip 13 is here, and can be purchased from KES 145K at Elevetus Technologies Ltd.
We used the laptop for a couple of days, and here are some features we think will appeal to the target buyer.
Note: this is the UX363EA model. It comes with 8 GB of RAM, 512 GB of SSD storage, 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 and Iris Xe Graphics. Everything is modern here, including the chip and graphics processor, which is one of the most popular option in late 2020. This is an integrated graphics processor that cannot compete against dedicated video cards.
The box has two dongles, one for ethernet for that fast and uninterrupted connection, and a 3.5mm headphone dongle.
The box also has a stylus because the screen supports touch.
Weight
This is a very light computer, and it is obvious because the device is targeting people who want their laptops small, either for work and travel or basic use at home. At 1.3 kg, it could be lighter but still, I love how you can pick it up, drop it in a bag and forget it is even there.
Part of it being skinny is the display size, which as the computer’s name suggests, is at 13.3 inches. Some ports have also been eliminated, perhaps to use the smallest motherboard for the computer as possible. More about those ports in a few…
Still, the size of this computer should be attractive to any customer, and it is refreshing to see that locals can pick the device up without jumping the hurdle that is importing.
That 360-degree hinge
These are points in two; first, the Flip 13 all the way to its back, making it look like an oversized tablet (for which Windows 10 would request if you want to switch to Tablet Mode), and that the display is touch sensitive. I have an older computer that does the two things just right, but to see them in this small factor was actually exciting, bearing in mind I could flip the device and use it as my watching device in bed (I do that a lot).
These are the kind of flexibilities that I like, and I am glad they are here.
By the way, the screen supports 4096 pressure levels, and a stylus is included, so you don’t need to spend additional money to purchase one.
Build quality
This is a tiny, well built-machine. ASUS says that it has that US military-grade durability, and I agree.
The display is very rigid, the keyboard deck feels robust, and when closed, the device oozes that premium feel, that its designers and manufacturer took their time to ensure that the Flip 13 is well put together.
I am confident that this device will stay for a while, perhaps do 5 years easily without showing any signs of aging.
No one wants a poorly built machine, but for the price, I expected this level of admirable craftsmanship.
Amazing battery life
The 67Wh battery packaged in the Flip 13’ chassis lasts a long time. No scientific tests were performed here, and I didn’t have a long time with the laptop to gauge average longevity over and extended period of use.
However, I got 7 hours of usage, and this is with the performance mode activated. The screen brightness was at 50 percent, and I was indoors during the test period to need more than that brightness.
7 hours is a darn good number, which means you can fully juice this device, go out with it, do some work and come back home with some juice still – all with the charger at home.
Besides, the device charges via USB Type-C – and there are two Type C ports on the left, all of which charge the laptop. I just wish they were placed on either side for that flexibility.
Also, the 65W charger juices up the device quite fast (not like the insane 180W charger for the G14 – but that is a whole different laptop).
Temperatures and comfort
With my pedestrian use of laptops, I expected the device to remain quiet and cold at all times, and it did just that.
I never use a lot of apps, and my work revolves around the internet (I used Edge at all times because it is easy on the RAM) and processing documents.
There is a single fan in the chassis, and the only time it spun is when I was resetting the machine.
A quiet, and cool machine is a win for me.
Summary
The device is an excellent ultrabook, and will surely surprise many people because it is put together very well, lasts a long time thanks to that efficient 11th Gen CPU, and executes basic tasks without putting much of a fight.
However, at a starting price of 145k, I feel that Asus could have used a 16 RAM chip instead of the paltry 8 GB. The screen could also be brighter, the keys could need more space because typing on the machine, especially if you are doing a lot of it, is a nightmare and we could also have loved to see a fingerprint scanner – although Windows Hello via the IR cameras work just fine.
The webcam is terrible too – but which computer has a good webcam?
