Next-Gen ASUS UX31A, UX21A Spotted as ‘Zenbook Prime’

Posted on 26 April 2012, Last updated on 26 April 2012 by

Engadget China have the first pics of the new, Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks from Asus. As tipped by us in Feb, the two models include full-HD displays. There’s a backlit keyboard too. Asus are calling the new Zenbook the Zenbook Prime and it’s tipped for June availability.

ASUS UX31A

The report doesn’t specifically mention the UX31A and UX21A but given previous reports and matching specifications, I’ll go out on a limb and say they’re one and the same.  The article doesn’t mention Ivy Bridge either but do we really need to consider Sandy Bridge as a possibility here? No.

The design is the same as the original ASUS UX21 and ASUS UX31 too but that keyboard backlight is going to make a surprising difference. Looking closely at the pictures I’m almost sure that it’s from the same supplier as the keyboard on the Toshiba Z830 which I have in front of me right now.

As for the screen, 1920×1080 on an 11.6” screen is going to be impressive, and a little shocking to those without 20:20 vision. Default Windows text will be small unless the manufacturer has taken the option to be-configure the Windows build for larger fonts.

In terms of ports I see exactly the same layout as on the existing UX21/UX31. It’s likely that ASUS are using exactly the same chassis for the Zenbook Prime models.

Pricing is unknown and the question still remains – will the UX31A and UX21A supercede the original Sandy Bridge versions. It’s likely because there’s also news of low-cost ASUS Zenbooks around. It’s safe to say that you can expect a ‘refresh’ Zenbook Prime with Windows 8 later in the year which begs the question – what’s the upgrade cost if you buy a Zenbook Prime now?

Between now and late June, the likely availability date, look out for offers on the existing ASUS Zenbooks.

Source: Engadget China.  Via Liliputing

10 Comments For This Post

  1. XenGi says:

    Is this the expected Asus UX32 with a new name?

  2. vjachi says:

    UX21A, UX31A

  3. Adam says:

    Why are the monitor bezels so GIGANTIC on that laptop?!?

    Is it a $250 netbook or a $1,000 ultrabook?

    BOO to summer 2012 laptops with giant bezels like that!
    BOO (an extra boo just because I’m that serious about it.)

    Adam

  4. Dan says:

    My thoughts exactly!! Hopefully that’s just a mockup!

  5. Andrew says:

    Yea, why the hell didn’t they think about designing that bezel smaller ? I mean it’s kind of hilarious… 1080p on 11.6″ and a bezel that big ? Ironic…

  6. Luti says:

    Or even better, stick a larger screen in there (12.5″) so the PPI won’t be so high.

  7. lewis says:

    what’s the footprint of the 11.6″ model? those bezels are pretty big. if i have to choose between a small footprint or thinness then i’d go with a smaller footprint.

  8. Adam says:

    With a smaller bezel display comes the ability to design a smaller footprint ultrabook (or the ability to have a bigger screen in the same footprint ultrabook as Luti has pointed out.

    I think MFGRs are more focused on price competition right now and the fact that thin bezel displays are a no-brainer means that no one wants the existing stock of large bezel displays so we’ll probably see some big bezels for a while on the price competitive models.

    Asus has had a PREMIUM components ultrabook and I REALLY expected to see a thin bezel display in the new one. The LG X note looks much more premium but being LG the price will probably never be competitive with the Asus…

    (That LG is GORGEOUS but it’s priced accordingly.)

    Adam

  9. Weird says:

    What the hell?!

    No IPS? I’ll take IPS over gloss and matte any day. They already showed they can do it. I’ll just wait for a windows 8 transformer prime then.

    To bad because it would’ve been a day one buy. I’ve been waiting for the full hd display ever since the first zenbook

  10. Dan says:

    Lenovo Yoga is the device you’re looking for!

Search UMPCPortal

Find ultra mobile PCs, Ultrabooks, Netbooks and handhelds PCs quickly using the following links:

Acer Aspire Switch 10
10.1" Intel Atom Z3745
Acer C740
11.6" Intel Celeron 3205U
VIA Nanobook
7.0" VIA C7-M
Acer Aspire E11 ES1
11.6" Intel Celeron N2840
Lenovo Ideapad Flex 10
10.1" Intel Celeron N2806