Laptops

ASUS ZenBook 15 review: Everything you need in a laptop?

With great power, comes all the caveats in between

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Very few laptops have everything a person would ever need out of it. Whether it’s just for typing Word documents or playing all the latest games, only a handful of laptops fit the bill. ASUS has one laptop to offer, which was announced back in IFA 2018.

The ASUS ZenBook 15 has almost every piece of hardware for everyone. But is a device powered by a powerful Intel processor and a gaming-ready graphics card really worth it? Let’s find out.


Same premium design through the years

ASUS dubs their ZenBook lineup as its top-of-the-line Ultrabook. Through the years, ZenBooks have retained their premium design and feel. So when I got the chance to try the new ZenBook 15 (UX533) out, I expected nothing less — and I was impressed. The build quality of the device is great, with a sturdy metal-plastic chassis that shows little to no flex. It even feels light to bring around, at only 1.59kg.

My unit has the Icicle Silver finish that shows off the elegance of the laptop. There is an option to get it in the bolder Royal Blue color, but it will definitely feel like you own a premium device the moment you set your eyes on it.

The only real change the company implemented was the addition of the ErgoLift. Essentially, it frees up space for the laptop to release hot air instead of blasting them on the table or your lap. It’s also supposed to make the bottom-facing speakers sound better, although this really wasn’t the case when I used it.

It almost has everything for everyone

The ZenBook 15 is one powerful machine, from the inside out. My unit comes with an eighth-generation Intel Core i7-8565U processor and 16GB of RAM. This configuration alone guarantees superb performance, and the ZenBook 15 did not disappoint. Typing Word documents, surfing the web, even photo and video editing felt like a breeze with this machine. You can play games here too, but let’s save that discussion for later.

On the outside, you have a 15-inch Full HD anti-glare NanoEdge display — perfect for outdoor use at full brightness. It comes in a resolution of 1920 by 1080, a full 16:9 display with tiny bezels on the side.

It’s also equipped with a full-size backlit keyboard, with the number pad separated from the trackpad — unlike its 13-inch and 14-inch variants.

The ZenBook 15 does come with three USB Type-A ports and one USB Type-C port that supports external displays; however, it would have been better to make it as Thunderbolt port to fully maximize the potential. The laptop also comes with a dual-band Wi-Fi card, although an additional Ethernet port would have been nice, as well.

It’s got game, but it really destroys your battery life

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the ZenBook 15 is the fact that it comes with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q. With this graphics chip, gaming on this laptop actually feels pretty damn good. It managed to get competitive frame rates for fast-paced games like Fortnite, PUBG, and Rocket League, all with high settings. But, don’t expect the same from AAA titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Also, there is a significant increase in the laptop’s overall temperature with longer than 30 minutes of play time. The left side of the laptop felt so hot, it’s almost like you could fry an egg on it. Of course, playing for long hours on this device drains the 73Wh battery significantly faster. I got about nine to ten hours on regular use, and only two to three hours on full game mode.

The camera is honestly only good for Windows Hello

The ZenBook 15 comes with an 3D infrared HD camera that supports Windows Hello. The infrared sensors were great at facial recognition, and Windows Hello felt really easy to set up and use. But, the camera was lackluster when taking photos and videos. It only seems passable to use for video calls, but the overall image quality just doesn’t equate to HD.

The bottom-facing speakers could be better

The two Harman/Kardon speakers on the ZenBook 15 are placed on the bottom side, facing the table or your lap. Sound quality is impressive until you turn it to maximum. Apart from that, I was expecting that they would sound better because of what ErgoLift supposedly does for them.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

For PhP 89,995 (US$ 1,720), the ASUS ZenBook 15 jams almost everything you need in a premium device. And for that price you get the highest, most powerful configuration possible. Anyone can do pretty much anything with the hardware that comes with it. Apart from that, its elegant design and lightweight body make it a perfect on-the-go device. 

If you’re low on cash, you can also get the 14-inch ZenBook 14 for PhP 77,995. It only has 8GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics card that offers similar, but less powerful overall performance. But, you do get the illuminated number pad on the touchpad.

Of course, that is if you don’t mind the otherwise average camera and fryer-like temperatures with heavy gaming. However, if you’re looking for a laptop that can handle anything, the ZenBook 15 is for you!

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Computers

ASUS Philippines Laptop Price List

Pick which one is right for you

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July 21, 2019

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Here are the latest prices of ASUS laptops in the Philippines. The laptops in this price list includes the ROG/TUF gaming series, ASUSPRO, Zenbook, Vivobook, X-series and the E-series. We listed the devices according to their series and price range.

Last update: July 18, 2019


ROG / TUF Gaming

Laptops above PhP 200,000

Laptops from PhP 150,000 to PhP 200,000

  • ROG Zephyrus S GX531GXR (15.6″ FHD; i7-9750H + RTX 2080; 24GB / 1TB SSD) — PhP 199,995
  • ROG Zephyrus S GX70 (17.3″ FHD; i7-9750H + RTX 2070; 16GB/ 1TB SSD) — PhP 169,995
  • ROG STRIX G531GW (15.6″ FHD; i9-9880H + RTX 2070; 16GB / 1TB SSD) — PhP 169,995
  • ROG Zephyrus S GX502GW (15.6″ FHD; i7-9750H + RTX 2070; 16GB / 1TB SSD) — PhP 154,995
  • ROG STRIX G731GW (17.3″ FHD; i7-9750H + RTX 2070; 16GB / 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 154,995

Laptops from PhP 100,000 to PhP 150,000

  • ROG STRIX G531GW (15.6″ FHD; i7-9750H + RTX 2070; 16GB / 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 149,995
  • ROG STRIX G731GW (17.3″ FHD; i7-9750H + RTX 2060; 16GB / 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD) —PhP 129,995
  • ROG Zephyrus S GX502GV (15.6″ FHD; i7-9750H + RTX 2060; 16GB / 1TB) — PhP 124,995
  • ROG STRIX G531GV (15.6″ FHD; i7-9750H + RTX 2060; 16GB / 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 124,995
  • ROG Zephyrus M GU502GU (15.6″ FHD; i7-9750H + GTX 1660Ti; 16GB / 512GB) — PhP 105,995

Laptops from PhP 50,000 to PhP 100,000

  • ROG STRIX G G731GU (17.3″ FHD; i7-9750H + GTX 1660Ti; 8GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 97,995
  • ROG STRIX G G531GU (15.6″ FHD; i7-9750H + GTX 1660Ti; 8GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 92,995
  • ROG Zephyrus G GA502DU (15.6″ FHD; Ryzen 7 3750H + GTX 1660; 16GB / 512GB) — PhP 84,995
  • ROG STRIX G G731GT (17.3″ FHD; i7-9750H + GTX 1650; 8GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 84,995
  • ROG STRIX G G531GT (15.6″ FHD; i7-9750H + GTX 1650; 8GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 79,995
  • TUF GAMING FX705DU (17.3″ FHD; Ryzen 7 3750H + GTX 1660Ti; 8GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 74,995
  • TUF GAMING FX505DU (15.6″ FHD; Ryzen 7 3750H + GTX 1660Ti; 8GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 71,995
  • ROG STRIX G G531GT (15.6″ FHD; i5-9300H + GTX 1650; 8GB / 256SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 69,995
  • ROG STRIX G G531GD (15.6″ FHD; i5-9300H + GTX 1050; 8GB / 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 64,995
  • TUF GAMING FX505DT (15.6″ FHD; Ryzen 7 3750H + GTX 1650; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 54,995
  • TUF GAMING FX505DT (15.6″ FHD; Ryzen 5 3550H + GTX 1650; 8GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 51,995

Laptops below PhP 50,000

  • TUF GAMING FX505DD (15.6″ FHD; Ryzen 5 3550H + GTX 1050; 8GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 47,995
  • TUF GAMING FX505DY (15.6″ FHD; Ryzen 5 3550H + Radeon RX560X; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 41,995

ASUSPRO

Laptops above PhP 50,000

  • ASUSPRO B9440FA (14″ FHD; i7-8565U; 16GB / 512GB SSD) — PhP 91,995
  • ASUSPRO P2540UB (15.6″ FHD; i7-8550U + MX110; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 61,995
  • ASUSPRO P1440UA (14″ HD; i7-8550U; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 56,995

Laptops below PhP 50,000

  • ASUSPRO P1440UA (14″ HD; i5-8250U; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 46,995
  • ASUSPRO P3540 (15.6″ HD; i3-8145U; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 42,995
  • ASUSPRO P1440UA (14″ HD; i3-8130U; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 39,995

Zenbook / Vivobook / X-series / E-series

Laptops from PhP 90,000 to PhP 100,000

Laptops from PhP 80,000 to PhP 90,000

Laptops from PhP 70,000 to PhP 80,000

  • ZenBook 14 UX433FN (14″ FHD; i7-8565U + MX150; 16GB / 512GB SSD) — PhP 77,995
  • ZenBook Flip 13 UX362FA (13″ FHD; i7-8565U; 16GB / 256GB SSD) — PhP 74,995
  • ZenBook 15 UX533FD (15.6″ FHD; i5-8265U + GTX 1050; 8GB / 256GB SSD) — PhP 74,995

Laptops from PhP 60,000 to PhP 70,000

  • ZenBook 14 UX433FN (14″ FHD; i5-8265U + MX150; 8GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 69,995
  • ZenBook 14 UX433FN (14″ FHD; i5-8265U + MX150; 8GB / 512GB SSD) — PhP 67,995
  • ZenBook 13 UX333FN (13.3″ FHD; i5-8265U + MX150; 8GB / 512GB SSD) — PhP 66,995
  • ZenBook 14 UX433FN (14″ FHD; i5-8265U + MX150; 8GB / 256GB SSD) — PhP 63,995
  • ZenBook 13 UX333FN (13.3″ FHD; i5-8265U + MX150; 8GB / 256GB SSD) — PhP 63,995
  • VivoBook S15 S530FN (15.6″ FHD; i7-8565U + MX150; 8GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 62,995
  • VivoBook S14 S430FN (14″ FHD; i7-8565U + MX150; 8GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 62,995
  • VivoBook S13 S330FN (13.3″ FHD; i7-8565U + MX150; 8GB / 256GB SSD) — PhP 62,995

Laptops from PhP 50,000to PhP 60,000

  • VivoBook S13 S330FN (13.3″ FHD; i5-8265U + MX150; 8GB / 256 GB SSD) — PhP 56,995
  • ZenBook 14 UX433FN (14″ FHD; i5-8265U; 8GB / 256GB SSD) — PhP 54,995
  • ZenBook 13 UX333FA (13.3″ FHD; i5-8265U; 8GB / 256GB SSD) — PhP 54,995
  • VivoBook S13 S330FA (13.3″ FHD; i5-8265U; 8GB / 256GB SSD) — PhP 51,995
  • VivoBook 14 X412FL (14″ FHD; i7-8565U; 4GB / 512GB SSD) — PhP 51,995

Laptops from PhP 40,000 to PhP 50,000

  • VivoBook S14 S430FN (14″ FHD; i5-8265U + MX150; 4GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 49,995
  • VivoBook 14 X412FL (14″ FHD; i5-8265U; 4GB / 512GB SSD) — PhP 41,995

Laptops from PhP 30,000 to PhP 40,000

  • X403FA (14″ FHD; i3-8145U; 4GB / 512GB SSD) — PhP 39,995
  • Gaming X570ZD (15.6″ FHD; Ryzen 5 2500U + GTX 1050; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 37,995
  • X507UF (15.6″ HD; i5-8250U + MX130; 4GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 36,995
  • X407UF (14″ HD; i5-8250U + MX130; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 35,995
  • VivoBook 15 X512DK (15.6″ FHD; Ryzen 5 3500U + Radeon R540X; 4GB / 256GB SSD) — PhP 33,995
  • VivoBook 14 X412F (14″ HD; i3-8145U; 4GB / 256GB SSD) — PhP 32,995
  • X507UF (15.6″ HD; i3-8130U + MX130; 4GB / 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) — PhP 36,995
  • X407UF (14″ HD; i3-8130U + MX130; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 31,995

Laptops from PhP 20,000 to PhP 30,000

  • VivoBook 15 X512DA (15.6″ FHD; Ryzen 5 3500U + Radeon RX Vega 10; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 29,995
  • X407UF (14″ HD; i3-7020U + MX130; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 29,995
  • X505ZA (15.6″ FHD; Ryzen 5 2500U; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 29,995
  • X507UF (15.6″ HD; i3-7020U + MX130; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 29,995
  • X507UA (15.6″ HD; i3-8130U; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 28,495
  • X407UA (14″ HD; i3-8130U; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 27,995
  • X507UA (15.6″ HD; i3-7020U; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 26,495
  • X407UA (14″ HD; i3-7020U; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 27,995
  • X555QA (15.6″ HD; AMD A12-9720P; 4GB / 1TB HDD) — PhP 23,995
  • X407MA (14″ HD; Pentium Silver N5000; 4GB / 500GB HDD) — PhP 20,995

Laptops below PhP 20,000

  • X540BA (15.6″ HD; AMD A6-9255; 4GB / 500GB HDD) — PhP 18,995
  • X407MA (14″ HD; Celeron N4100; 4GB / 500GB HDD) — PhP 18,995
  • X507MA (15.6″ HD; Celeron N4100; 4GB / 500GB HDD) — PhP 18,995
  • X407MA (14″ HD; Celeron N4000; 4GB / 500GB HDD) — PhP 16,495
  • E203MAH (11.6″ HD; Celeron N4000; 4GB / 500GB HDD) — PhP 15,995
  • E402YA (14″ HD; AMD E2-7015; 4GB / 64GB eMMC) — PhP 14,995
  • E406SA (14″ HD; Atom E8000; 4GB / 64GB eMMC) — PhP 14,495

These laptops are available at all ASUS Concept Stores and resellers nationwide. For more details, check out ASUS PH’s website, Facebook, and Twitter page.

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Laptops

Lenovo launches new generation ThinkPads, ThinkVision displays

Up your business game with these new devices

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July 16, 2019

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Business professionals have to stay on top of their game while at work. Whether it’s in the office or in coffee shops, a professional’s business skills has to be coupled with a performance-driving machine. For Lenovo, their next generation ThinkPad and ThinkVision devices hope to provide the level of efficiency and portability for modern-day businesses.

Lenovo Philippines launched five new ThinkPad devices for the Philippine business market. The next generation ThinkPad brings the company’s longstanding premium features and performance.


The new Lenovo T490 spearheads the lineup, with an 8th-gen Intel processor and an optional NVIDIA MX250 graphics card. This device also has a high memory capacity that expands up to 48GB of RAM to couple with a solid state drive up to 512GB.

All other ThinkPad devices contain features on portability and enhanced performance. The Lenovo X390 is a lightweight device packed with a battery that lasts for 18 hours and charges fast through its Rapid Charge feature.

Meanwhile, the Lenovo L390 features a 13.3-inch touchscreen display for a more interactive experience with complex data sets. Finally, the entry level Lenovo E490 and E490s feature performance boosting features like Intel Optane memory and an optional AMD Radeon 540X graphics card.

New ThinkVision displays

Lenovo did not stop there as they’ve also announced their new ThinkVision displays in the ThinkVision M14 and S24e-10. The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 is a portable monitor that will serve as a secondary display on the go. The Lenovo ThinkVision S24e-10, meanwhile is 1080p FHD display that will deliver clear, crisp image quality fit for business presentations.

The new Lenovo ThinkPads start at PhP 43,990 (US$ 864), with the Lenovo 7490 starting at PhP 73,990 (US$ 1453). Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkVision displays start at PhP 8,990 (US$ 177) for the ThinkVision S24e-10 and PhP 13,990 (US$ 275) for the ThinkVision M14.

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Computers

Apple discontinues the 12-inch Macbook and 2017 Macbook Air

Both models are gone from Apple’s online store

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July 10, 2019

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Apple is discontinuing the 12-inch Macbook which was announced and sold by Apple four years ago. The company is also killing off the 2017 Macbook Air.

The 12-inch Macbook was introduced in 2015. The controversial and highly-divisive laptop features a 12-inch Retina display, an Intel Y-series processor, and a single USB-C port. Meanwhile, the 2017 Macbook Air was a refresh of the second-generation Macbook Air featuring a 13-inch non-Retina display, an Intel 5th-generation processor, and USB-A ports with a MagSafe connector.


As it stands, both the 12-inch Macbook and 2017 Macbook Air are not available anymore at Apple’s online store. The move by Apple follows its recent revamping of its Macbook lineup. Following the recent revamp, both the third-generation Macbook Air and Macbook Pro receive substantial updates and lower price tags.

Starting today, only the third-generation Macbook Air and the Macbook Pro is available to purchase from the online store. However, Apple authorized resellers and physical stores might still sell the discontinued products until their supplies last.

SEE ALSO: MacBook Air and MacBook Pro get updates

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