ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe UX490UA: Kaby Lake, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, TB3, 14" FHD, 2.4 lbs
by Anton Shilov on January 18, 2017 11:00 AM ESTASUS has now launched the latest addition to its ZenBook family of ultra-thin laptops with 14” displays. The new ZenBook 3 Deluxe UX490UA boasts with Intel’s latest Kaby Lake-U microprocessors, up to 16 GB of memory, up to 1 TB SSD along with an advanced audio sub-system, an updated keyboard and a fingerprint reader in a 12.9 mm-thick design that weighs around 1.1 kilograms (2.4 lbs).
ASUS’ ZenBook is among the most popular families of ultra-thin laptops on the market today that competes against the likes of Apple's MacBook, Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 as well as the HP Spectre. The PCs come with fully-fledged Intel Core processors along with a choice of high-capacity SSDs as well as a rather decent spec list in general. As it appears, ASUS decided to improve ZenBook’s design further by adding a larger 14” display, a high-capacity 46 Wh battery, an advanced audio sub-system co-designed with Harman Kardon, a trusted platform module as well as two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a USB 3.1 Type-C port. The Deluxe version of the ZenBook 3 laptop weds business features with multimedia capabilities, style and expandability options: a rather rare combination.
ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe UX490A at Glance | |||||
UX390UA-XH74-BL | UX390UA-DH51-GR | ||||
Display | Resolution | 1920×1080 | |||
Panel | 14" IPS 178° viewing angles 100% sRGB Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
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SoC | Intel Core i7-7500U 2C/4T, 2.7-3.5 GHz, 15W, Intel HD 620 |
Intel Core i5-7200U 2C/4T, 2.5-3.1 GHz, 15W, Intel HD 620 |
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RAM | 16 GB LPDDR3-2133 | 8 GB LPDDR3-2133 | |||
Storage | 256 GB SATA SSD 512 GB NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD 1 TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD |
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Camera | VGA webcam | ||||
Wireless | 2×2 802.11ac Wi-Fi Bluetooth 4.1 |
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I/O ports | 2 × Thunderbolt 3/USB 3.1 Type-C | ||||
Audio | 4 × Speakers (co-designed with Harman Kardon) 1 × TRRS 3.5-mm jack for headset |
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Dimensions | 329 × 216 × 12.9 mm | ||||
Weight | 1100 grams | ||||
Battery | 46 Wh | ||||
OS | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit | ||||
Fingerprint Sensor | Yes | ||||
Finish | Royal Blue Silver Gray |
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Availability | Available at ASUS Store and retailers ETA date unknown |
The ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe UX490UA is based on the Intel Core i5/i7 processor with integrated HD Graphics 620 and Microsoft’s Windows 10 Pro operating system. Different versions of the ZenBook 3 Deluxe UX490UA will be equipped with 8 or 16 GB of LPDDR3-2133 DRAM as well as up to 1 TB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD. For connectivity, the laptop uses an 802.11ac Wi-Fi + BT 4.1 wireless module, has one USB 3.1 Type-C header (which is also used for charging) and is equipped with two Thunderbolt 3 ports that can work in DisplayPort 1.2 and USB 3.1 Gen 2 modes. The laptop can be connected to 4K displays, an external GPU and an external storage system, greatly expanding its capabilities. To ensure that the PC does not overheat or throttle, ASUS uses a new 3-mm thick cooling solution that it expects to be efficient enough for the CPU and the SSD.
Like other high-end ZenBook laptops, the UX490UA comes in unibody enclosure made of an aluminum alloy that is said to be stronger compared to a standard aluminum alloy. To protect the display, the ZenBook 3 Deluxe uses Gorilla Glass 5 from Corning. Meanwhile, depending on configuration, the new ZenBook will come in a blue or a gray finish. It is worth noting that unlike some other Zenbook high-end models (such as the Zenbook Infinity), as far as we can tell, this device will not be touch screen enabled.
ASUS did not announce pricing of its ZenBook 3 Deluxe UX490UA machines, but given that the PC will exist in multiple configurations, it will vary quite significantly. For example, ASUS’ ZenBook 3 non-Deluxe laptops are available for $1099 and $1599, depending on specs. Keep in mind that the Deluxe versions of ASUS products are naturally positioned above the rest, so expect the ZenBook 3 Deluxe to come at a premium.
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Source: ASUS
42 Comments
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grant3 - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - link
Why?? TB3 can operate like a regular USB-C port.damianrobertjones - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - link
" Give it a few years "... and they will have created ANOTHER new standard port in order to keep the $$$$ flowing.star-affinity - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - link
You don't thin irritating non-rotateable USB-A connector has been around long enough? Only since the nineties... :-/TheinsanegamerN - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - link
until something replaces USB C.Also, those super common USB C flash drives and mice sure are crimping my style. Id better get a laptop that doesnt have normal type A ports /s.
Type C isnt common enough to abandon type A
Xajel - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - link
Hey dude, TB3 ports can be TB3, DP or USB 3.1g2.. so no problem here at allMurloc - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - link
it has 3 USB/displayport/TB ports, what are you complaining about.You can attach a monitor, a combo wireless set and an external hard disk at the same time.
Vatharian - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - link
I have USB-C pendrive, GbE card, card reader, C-microB cable for mobile devices, and even C-B (both 2.0 and 3.0) so I can directly hook up a printer or anything else, really... You can actually do everything with C you can with A, and more. They were like 50% more expensive than normal USB-A cables, but they are all of much higher quality. This is actually very important for me, since finding good quality USB cables is really problematic, in the face of flood of cheap crap from China.Also I can still charge the laptop while using all these standard devices... unlike Apple sheeps :)
jaydee - Thursday, January 19, 2017 - link
Difference being, Asus offers a number of other current laptops that do have USB type A, traditional HDMI, etc. This is just one offering, if this one doesn't serve your needs, take a look their whole lineup. Unlike Apple, where everything they offer is now USB-C and you really don't have a choice if you want the latest.Trixanity - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - link
I really would like to see more OEMs besides Apple using Iris graphics (both the 15W 7560U models and the 28W 7567U models).TheinsanegamerN - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - link
I've been saying that since the first iris pro came out. OEMs just are not interested in any niche market that doesnt want glowing lights apparently.