Laptops
ASUSPRO B9440UA Review: Business-minded laptop
Don’t let its confusing — and we mean confusing — name turn you off. The ASUSPRO B9440UA means serious business.
As part of ASUS’ more professional segment, this rugged-looking laptop comes with Military-grade durability and a magnesium alloy construction which the company claims is the lightest in its class.
Coupled with stylishly slim bezels around the 14-inch display and a well thought-out hinge design, we’re looking at a recipe for success. So, the question is: Could this be your GadgetMatch?
Let’s start with a full view of the laptop
Look at how thin the bezels are!
Its hinge lifts the laptop up when the lid is opened
Sadly, there are only two USB-C ports
This is how far the lid can open up
The keyboard has a nice, tough feel to it with good spacing in between
Heat stays away from your lap with these well-placed vents
Both stereo speakers can be found underneath
Placement for the fingerprint sensor is great; not so much for the power button
Trackpad lacks precision and often caused missed clicks
Does it perform well?
Behind the rugged exterior is a smoother user experience than you’d expect. With an Intel Core i7-7600U processor, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of SSD storage, you shouldn’t hope for anything less.
Minus the lag I experienced while using the inaccurate trackpad, I was never bothered by poor performance or slowdowns when running Chrome and Photoshop at the same time. Adding more applications like Spotify and file transferring didn’t affect the fluidity, either.
Considering its integrated graphics chip, I didn’t bother playing games, but it can surely handle light games and mainstream titles at lowered settings on its native Full HD 1080p resolution.
I also appreciate how cool the unit runs and the way it shoots hot air upwards, away from my face or lap. Combined with the ergonomic keyboard, I barely felt tired after long sessions with this laptop.
Can it last a whole day?
This comes down to each person’s unique usage patterns, but my experience wasn’t so great.
Even with brightness set to 50 percent and charging the notebook to full before leaving the house, I couldn’t get the battery to last more than five hours of continuous usage.
Blame it on the power-hungry Core i7 processor or the slimmed down battery capacity, but the fact remains you can still get a lot of work done during the time this machine is on.
There’s something missing…
If you’ve noticed something lacking, you have sharp eyes. If not, know this: There’s no front-facing camera on this thing.
At first, I figured this was a compromise that needed to be made to cater to business-minded individuals, but then I realized that these people need webcams for conference video calls, as well. Now that’s a strange omission!
And while it isn’t a total exclusion, having only two USB-C ports hurts the productivity of this notebook. ASUS bundles a dongle that provides an extra full-sized USB port and HDMI, but that still doesn’t give you a card reader or DisplayPort.
But don’t worry, there’s a 3.5mm audio port on the left for your headphones.
Is this your GadgetMatch?
On one hand, the B9440UA excels at its specialties, which are the solid build quality and buttery smooth performance; on the other hand, excluding the webcam and limiting the number of ports are potential turnoffs.
For the starting price of US$ 1,000, I would’ve liked to see a touchscreen built in, as well. With the laptop laid down flat on the table, presenting with touch gestures would be a lot more seamless — and give you an alternative to the finicky trackpad.
When it comes down to it, the B9440UA is all business. Pay the premium, and you get a machine built to last. Our particular high-end variant retails for PhP 89,995 in the Philippines.
SEE ALSO: ASUS ROG Zephyrus Review: So thin, so powerful
[irp posts=”16053″ name=”ASUS ROG Zephyrus Review: So thin, so powerful”]
Accessories
OBSBOT’s Meet Flip is your next best pocketable 4K webcam
Fold the Flip for further protection
Several months ago, you might remember that OBSBOT revealed the Tiny 3 series of web cameras.
Six months after, they also unveil the all-new Meet Flip. From the name itself, it’s the company’s latest foldable 4K webcam that puts hardware privacy front and center.
Foldable and pocketable
Despite weighing just 37.7 grams, the Meet Flip aims to deliver premium webcam features for all types of users. Be it remote workers, professionals, or content creators.
Undoubtedly, the biggest highlight has got to be the webcam’s folding design. Not only it’s portable, it protects your privacy too.
Closing the device physically blocks the lens, giving users a visual confirmation that the camera is no longer active. When it’s time for a meeting, simply unfold it and it’s ready to go.
That lightweight body also features a built-in mounting clip that works with laptops, monitors, and tripods. Users can mount it in landscape, portrait, or even upside-down orientations depending on their setup.
Despite that absurd amount of lightweightness, the OBSBOT Meet Flip is still able to house a 1/2-inch Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with Quad Bayer technology. That’s something more commonly found among bigger and higher-end web cameras.
Other camera features include:
- 4K video recording / 30fps
- 1080p recording / up to 60fps
- HDR support for challenging lighting
- Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF)
- 4x digital zoom
- f/1.8 aperture with ISO 100-6400 support for low-light environments
Beyond just video calls
The OBSBOT Meet Flip isn’t just packed with serious camera hardware, it’s seriously intelligent as well.
The Meet Flip supports AI Auto Framing. This automatically keeps users centered during meetings — regardless if they are presenting alone or with a group. Gesture controls also let users activate framing or adjust zoom without touching the keyboard or mouse.
Another standout feature is AI Magic Notes which provides real-time meeting transcription and automatically generates summaries, action items, and key discussion points.
The feature works with Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams through OBSBOT Center. Every webcam includes complimentary transcription of 120 minutes.
With that being mentioned, OBSBOT Center also makes users gain access to software features such as background blur, virtual backgrounds, beauty mode, and picture-in-picture overlays for presentations.
Those who want more advanced controls can enable Smart Eye Tracking, teleprompter support, and manual image adjustments.
Audio also gets an upgrade through an intelligent dual-microphone system that offers four recording modes:
- Directional Mode / solo calls
- Dual-Directional Mode / interviews
- Smart Omni Mode / group meetings
- Pure Audio Mode / unprocessed stereo recording
AI Noise Reduction and Automatic Gain Control are also available across most modes to help improve voice clarity.
OBSBOT’s Meet Flip is also compatible with mobile devices through the OBSBOT Live app and supports integrations with accessories including Elgato Stream Deck, Nintendo Switch 2, and UVC-to-NDI/HDMI adapters.
Pricing and Availability
The OBSBOT Meet Flip is available starting today for US$119 through OBSBOT’s online store, Amazon US, and select retailers worldwide. Regional pricing may vary.
This is coming from someone who has done countless unboxings and has touched a wide variety of devices — the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra was… alright.
My first impression was that it certainly didn’t wow me as much as I expected it to after having read the brief, nor even after attending the tech seminar where ASUS laid out its vision for the laptop.
That’s probably the strangest thing about the ExpertBook Ultra. Because after having spent more time with it, the laptop grew on me.
Put cheekily, the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra wasn’t the laptop that made my head turn. Instead, it was the laptop that kept showing up consistently. Before I realized it, it’s become the one I wanted to keep coming back to.
And I think that’s the best way to describe my experience with ASUS’ flagship business notebook.
The laptop sneaks up on you.
Built to be carried
I got the laptop right after Computex 2026 coverage. That meant my days were closer to how they normally are. That also meant I had to be more intentional about going out and bringing it with me as I tackled my day-to-day duties.
I normally carried it using my trusted EDC — the Alpaka Bravo Tote — and I have to say it definitely felt lighter than my usual laptop, which is the MacBook Pro M4.
The Apple laptop I regularly carry is, I have to admit, chunkier than I would prefer. So having the ExpertBook Ultra for about a week or so literally felt like some load was taken off my shoulders.
Did I ever forget it was there? I wouldn’t go that far.
But if you’re asking me which one I’d rather carry based on build and weight alone, I would, with no hesitation, reach for the ExpertBook Ultra.
That says a lot considering how attached I am to my usual setup.
ASUS likes talking about how light the ExpertBook Ultra is. Normally, that’s the sort of marketing line I acknowledge and quickly move past.
This time, I actually felt it.
The Nano Ceramic effect
One of the first things ASUS will tell you about the ExpertBook Ultra is its Nano Ceramic finish. I’ll admit, it felt like one of those things that sounds good on a slide presentation.
It’s one of those things that look gimmicky at first but actually feels incredible once you come across it on a daily basis.
It’s still early, so you can consider this very much part of the honeymoon phase with the laptop. Even so, the Nano Ceramic finish continues to inspire a bit of awe every time I pick it up.
I do feel like a little weirdo caressing the laptop ever so gently before I begin the day’s work wherever I may be. But that’s just a testament to how good it feels to touch.
And yes, it does reinforce the feeling that, “Hey, I’m working on a pretty fancy piece of machinery.”
It’s easy to underrate the effects of that feeling, but it’s those little intangible things that can sometimes help unlock perspectives and possibilities.
That’s not something you’ll find on a spec sheet. But it’s absolutely part of the experience.
A display that’s difficult to stop staring at
The display is magnificent.
As Captain America would say, “I can look at this all day.” Not the exact phrase, but you’re smart. You get it.
The OLED and matte coating is just a killer combo. Kind of like the Chaewon and Yeji “That’s a No No” challenge collab. Pardon the months-old K-pop reference. I’ve been so busy I haven’t really kept up with what’s new.
Anyway, the combination just comes at you unapologetically and you have no recourse but to bask in it. Maintaining the deep blacks and crisp colors is such a gift to your eyes.
I often sit right next to big windows when I’m out in cafés and the light did nothing to dull the effect of the display.
It was so good I often found myself fully diving into STAYC’s 2 LOVE music video in between writing this very review and coordinating with my team.
The matte coating deserves special mention here.
OLED panels already look fantastic. Pairing one with a matte finish that helps cut reflections without sacrificing the strengths of OLED makes for one of my favorite laptop displays in recent memory.
Typing just clicked
This is one of my favorite keyboard experiences. Things just clicked right from the start. No awkward feeling-out phase whatsoever.
I was touch typing like I was Doctor Strange trying to look into over 14 million possible outcomes and still landing on the right key every single time.
The keys feel closer to chiclet-style keyboards than anything else. Even so, the spacing is perfect and the travel satisfying.
Then there’s the haptic touchpad.
I typically don’t like using mice, especially when I’m out and about. With most Windows laptops I’ve used in the past, that eventually becomes a necessity.
That wasn’t the case with the ExpertBook Ultra. It’s easily one of the best-feeling touchpads I’ve used in recent memory.
My standard for touchpads has always been MacBooks. While the software is also doing some heavy lifting in that particular setup, the ExpertBook’s own comes pretty close.
That’s not praise I hand out lightly.
Performance that feels like overkill
Performance is one area where I cannot claim I fully pushed the capabilities of the ExpertBook Ultra.
Most of my tasks are browser-based. Plenty of tabs open, sure, but I don’t think I ever came close to really testing the capabilities of this business notebook. I imagine that would be the case for most of ASUS’ target audience.
Upon seeing the specs, I already knew this was going to be a bit of an overkill for my own use case. My time with it only proved that assessment.
The most I did with it was jump between browser tabs and chat apps, letting ChatGPT help me process unresolved feelings and questionable timing while I dealt with coordinating shoots, writing scripts and reviews, and dealing with external forces that leave me feeling drained.
Never once did the laptop feel slow. Never once did I find myself waiting.
What noise?
Speaking of things I didn’t notice, let’s talk about fan noise.
Again, since I didn’t really push this thing to its absolute limits, the fan never really kicked into high gear at any point during my time with it.
The same goes for thermals.
No task I did ever raised the temperature to uncomfortable levels. The laptop simply went about its business. Which, come to think of it, is probably the most business-laptop thing I can say about it.
Battery life that simply works
I was very impressed with its overall efficiency.
When I go out to work, I typically don’t stay out longer than five to six hours. Most of the time that’s five to six hours of really focused work—with some K-pop loving in between.
Being generally risk-averse, I still always brought my usual charger with me. Not once during my time with the device did I feel the need to plug in while working outside.
I would typically end my café work days somewhere between 30 to 40 percent and only juice the thing up once I got home while it was closed and not in use.
That’s exactly the kind of battery experience I want from a business laptop.
The AI question
The thing I struggle with when it comes to AI features on this machine is that a lot of them are Windows-based and that’s just not the AI I find reliable.
Right now, many of these features are nice-to-have.
I’m sure one of ASUS’ target users will likely find a use case for them.
As for me personally, this is one area I’d have to dig deeper into to actually find ways to integrate them into my workflow and general usage.
And honestly, that’s okay. The AI features weren’t the reason I kept reaching for the laptop.
Who is this actually for?
That’s a loaded question. Really, it’s built for anyone who can afford it.
With a starting price of PhP 129,995, this device comfortably sits in aspirational territory.
What I know for sure is that this is a machine for someone who’s already built some momentum in their chosen field and would like to level up.
The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra gives you a machine that can handle your business now and inspire you to dream bigger about your future.
Is the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra your GadgetMatch?
The thing I kept coming back to with the ExpertBook Ultra is that there is no one thing that made me turn to it.
Instead, it’s the combination of everything that it brings to the table. The premium-feeling build, lightweight design, wonderful display, excellent keyboard and touchpad. efficient performance, and the thoughtful extras. Together, they make it a laptop that’s easy to recommend to anyone who’s ready for it.
But what does ready for it actually mean?
It means it’s for people who have leveled up quite a bit in their grind and want a machine that matches their current status and future aspirations.
That’s what the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra represents. A modern classic that’s ready for now and whatever comes next.
That’s why it didn’t wow me. But it certainly won me over.
The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra is now available in the Philippines. It is ASUS’ latest AI-powered business laptop for professionals who want a lightweight machine without sacrificing performance.
Positioned as the flagship of the ASUS ExpertBook lineup, it combines a sub-1kg chassis with Intel Core Ultra processors, enterprise-grade security, and AI features. ASUS is targeting executives, business users, and creators with the new laptop.
Built for portability and performance
The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra weighs as little as 0.99kg. It measures just 10.9mm thick. The laptop uses an aerospace-grade magnesium-aluminum chassis with ASUS Nano Ceramic Technology. ASUS says the finish delivers five times greater scratch resistance than the industry standard.
Despite its slim profile, the laptop packs a 70Wh battery. ASUS rates it for up to 26 hours of battery life.
Power comes from Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors. The lineup is topped by the Intel Core Ultra X9-388H. Buyers can configure the laptop with up to 64GB of LPDDR5X memory running at 9600 MT/s and up to a 2TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD.
ASUS also highlights its ExpertCool Pro thermal system. It allows the processor to sustain up to 50W of CPU performance while keeping fan noise low.
Tandem OLED display and premium hardware
The ExpertBook Ultra features a 14-inch 3K Tandem OLED touchscreen. It offers a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,400 nits of HDR brightness. Corning Gorilla Glass Matte helps reduce reflections while preserving image quality.
Other hardware highlights include:
- 1.5mm travel spill-resistant keyboard
- Edge-to-edge haptic touchpad
- Six-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports
- Two USB-A ports
- HDMI 2.1
- 3.5mm audio jack
AI and enterprise security
As a Copilot+ PC, the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra includes AI-powered tools through the MyExpert suite. These include AI ExpertMeet and a local Knowledge Hub.
The laptop also focuses on enterprise security. Features include dual biometric authentication, a physical webcam shutter, self-healing BIOS, TPM 2.0, Microsoft Pluton, and compliance with the NIST SP 800-193 firmware security standard.
Price and availability
The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra is now available through ASUS authorized stores and select retailers nationwide.
Pricing starts at PhP 129,995. Higher-end configurations go up to PhP 215,995.
ASUS is also offering an Early Bird Bundle until July 31, 2026. Eligible purchases include an ASUS 100W GaN charger and PhP 10,000 worth of SSI gift vouchers.
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