Asus Zenbook 3

Asus Zenbook 3 - A perfect MacBook alternative for windows 

Buying a laptop isn't however buying a smartphone isn't all the simple any more nowadays. But, admit it, laptops are even harder to make a choice. With so many hips and hops, choosing a laptop as per our requirement is puzzling all the way. However if you have a budget around 1 Lakh then definitely MacBook will be our top priority, but display size is where we have to compromise as they have limited options like 12-inch MacBook or even the 13-inch MacBook Pro. But, what if you're inclined towards Windows-based machine? The MacBook won't be of much help to you then, even though it's a fantastic piece of machinery here enters the Asus Zenbook 3.

Specifications and features of Asus Zenbook 3

• It packs a 12.5-inch full-HD display with Gorilla Glass 4 to help protect from scratches.
• The top-end Zenbook 3, that I have been using, comes with a Core i7-7500U (2.7GHz-2.9GHz), and 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM clocked at 2,133MHz.
• There's also 512GB of solid state disk storage on-board the laptop.
• Supported by backlit keyboard, Harmon-Kardon speakers for a premium audio experience and a 6-cell, 40WHr battery which Asus claims will give you up to 9 hours of battery life and supports quick charging which will give you 60 percent charge in just 49 minutes
• The ZenBook 3 from Asus as its flagship ultrabook is fashioned out of an aerospace-grade aluminium alloy with the company’s trademark ‘spun-metal’ texture that is also seen on the ZenPhone 3. 
• Unlike the MacBook, the ZenBook does sport a fan for efficient cooling which is supposed to be the world’s thinnest at 3mm and an 82 percent screen to body ratio. 
• Asus claims that the Zenbook 3 is thinner and lighter than a 12-inch MacBook.
• The laptop measures a mere 11.9mm in thickness and weighs in at just 910 gram.

Price and Availability (in India)

The Zenbook 3 ships with just the one USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack. But, Asus ships the Zenbook 3 with a USB-C mini-dock that adds an HDMI port, a regular USB connection and another USB-C socket to the laptop. There's also a bigger universal dock, that can add more ports to it, but you'll have to purchase it separately

The Asus ZenBook 3 comes in three configurations, with the top of the line variant with a

• Base Variant - Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD costs Rs 1,13,990. 
• Middle Variant - Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD priced at Rs 1,23,990. 
• Top Variant - Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB PCIE SSD priced at 1,47,990. 

Globally, the ZenBook 3 is also offered with a 1TB SSD but there is no pricing information for this variant for India as of now. The laptop is supposed to ship with a laptop sleeve, a carry bag and a dock.