ASUS Launches AMD Ryzen-Based ZenBooks: Two Laptops & a Convertible
by Anton Shilov on August 22, 2019 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Notebooks
- Asus
- Laptops
- Zenbook
- Ryzen Mobile
ASUS has quietly added three ZenBooks based on AMD’s Ryzen Mobile 3000-series APUs to its lineup. One of the machines is a convertible ZenBook Flip 14, the other two are traditional ZenBook 14 notebooks. All three mobile PCs offer what you come to expect from ZenBook-branded laptops: stylish design, sleek aluminum chassis, high performance components, robust connectivity, and various premium features like Harman Kardon-badged audio or a NumberPad touchpad.
The lineup of ASUS ZenBook notebooks powered by AMD’s 15 Watt Ryzen 7 3700U Mobile or Ryzen 5 3500U Mobile with integrated Radeon Vega graphics currently includes three models: the relatively basic ZenBook 14 UM431DA, the more premium ZenBook 14 UM433DA, and the convertible ZenBook Flip 14 UX462DA.
All the ASUS ZenBook systems based on AMD’s Ryzen Mobile APUs feature a 14-inch InfinityEdge Full-HD display with or without touch support that cover 100% of the sRGB color gamut. While all of the mobile PCs feature thin bezels, the UM433DA seems to feature the thinnest bezels, whereas the UM431DA has the thickest. Meanwhile, the ZenBook Flip 14 UX462DA naturally supports touch, can work with the ASUS Pen (1024 pressure levels, 10-300 grams pen-tip force, Windows Ink, etc.), and features the company’s 360-degree ErgoLift hinge
When it comes to internals of the ZenBook 14 UM431DA, ZenBook 14 UM433DA, and ZenBook Flip 14 UX462DA, they are all powered by AMD’s quad-core Ryzen Mobile 3000-series APUs with integrated Radeon Vega graphics that are paired with 8 to 16 GB of DDR4-2400 memory as well as an SSD ranging from 256 GB to 1 TB (see exact specs in the table below). In a curious move (perhaps for cost-cutting reasons) ASUS decided to use SATA or PCIe 3.0 x2 SSDs on most SKUs; only the most expensive 1 TB SSD features a full PCIe 3.0 x4 interface.
From connectivity standpoint, we have a fairly standard machines with 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB Type-A and USB Type-C connectors, an HDMI display output, and a 3.5-mm audio jack. Meanwhile, only the model UM433DA supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 despite the fact that AMD’s mobile platform fully supports the technology.
As far as battery life is concerned, the ZenBook 14 UM431DA and the ZenBook 14 UM433DA are equipped with 47 Wh and 50 Wh batteries rated for up to 12 hours of work on one charge. By contrast, the convertible ZenBook Flip 14 UX462DA comes with a 42 Wh battery rated for 9 hours.
Specifications of the ASUS ZenBook PCs Based on AMD's Ryzen APUs | ||||
ZenBook 14 UM431DA |
ZenBook 14 UM433DA |
ZenBook Flip 14 UX462DA |
||
LCD | Diagonal | 14" NanoEdge | ||
Resolution | 1920×1080 | |||
Anti-glare | Yes | ? | ? | |
Bezels | 6.45-mm bezels | 2.9-mm side bezels 3.3-mm bottom bezel |
4.3-mm bezels | |
Color Gamut | 100% sRGB | |||
Touch Support | No | Yes ASUS Pen supported |
||
Protective Glass | ? | ? | ? | |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 3700U - 4C/8T, 6MB, 2.3/4 GHz - Radeon RX Vega 10 AMD Ryzen 5 3500U - 4C/8T, 6MB, 2.1/3.7 GHz - Radeon Vega 8 |
|||
Graphics | Radeon RX Vega 10 Radeon Vega 8 |
|||
RAM (maximum) | 8 or 16 GB DDR4-2400 | 8 or 16 GB DDR4-2400 soldered down |
8, 12, or 16 GB DDR4-2400 soldered down |
|
Storage | SSD | 256 GB PCIe 3.0 x2 512 GB PCIe 3.0 x2 1 TB PCIe 3.0 x4 |
256 GB SATA 256 GB PCIe 3.0 x2 512 GB PCIe 3.0 x2 |
|
Card Reader | SD card reader | MicroSD card reader | ||
Wireless | Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | ||
Bluetooth | BT 5.0 | BT 4.2 | ||
USB | 3.1 Gen 2 | - | 1 × Type-A 1 × Type-C |
- |
3.0 | 1 × Type-A 1 × Type-C |
- | 1 × Type-A 1 × Type-C |
|
2.0 | 1 × Type-A | |||
Display Output | 1 × HDMI | |||
Camera | 720p | 720p + IR camera for face authentication | ||
Fingerprint Sensor | Optional | ? | ? | |
Other I/O | Microphone, stereo speakers, audio jack | |||
Other Sensors | ? | ? | Accelerometer, gyroscope, etc. | |
Battery | 47 Wh 12 hours |
50 Wh 12 hours |
42 Wh 9 hours |
|
Dimensions | Width | 34.2 cm | 12.7 inches | 31.9 cm | 12.6 inches | 32.2 cm | 12.37 inches |
Depth | 21.2 cm | 8.34 inches | 20.5 cm | 8.07 inches | 21 cm | 8.27 inches | |
Thickness | 1.59 cm | 0.62 inches | 1.58 cm | 0.62 inches | 1.89 cm | 0.74 inches | |
Weight | 1.39 kilograms 3.06 pounds |
1.25 kilograms 2.76 pounds |
1.6 kilograms 3.53 pounds |
|
Launch Price | ? | ? | ? |
Wrapping things up, the ZenBook Flip 14 with AMD's processors is available in many countries in different configurations and at various price points. Meanwhile, the ZenBook 14 UM431DA and the ZenBook 14 UM433DA notebooks will be available shortly, with prices to be determined.
Related Reading:
- ASUS Unveils ZenBook Edition 30 Laptop: 13.3-Inch Dual Screen with GPU
- HP Reveals Envy x360 15 Laptops with AMD's Latest Ryzen APUs
- The Lenovo ThinkPad A285 (12.5-Inch) Review: Ryzen Pro Gets Down to Business
- Lenovo Lists ThinkPad E485/E585: AMD’s Ryzen Mobile Land in Business PCs
Source: ASUS (1, 2, 3), NotebookCheck, Liliputing
31 Comments
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DanNeely - Thursday, August 22, 2019 - link
The screwyness of the models makes me think it's just 3 random models they stuffed Zen into; not anything intended as a sequence of good/better/best. Asus's Intel models are a chaotic mess, why should their AMD ones be any better.richough3 - Thursday, August 22, 2019 - link
Why is it so hard to make a 2-in-1 with display mounted speakers, so they are always forward facing? Any other way and the speakers get obstructed in some fashion for one of the particular modes.Xyler94 - Thursday, August 22, 2019 - link
Size basically.DanNeely - Thursday, August 22, 2019 - link
Because they'd need larger bezels to hold them.But yeah speakers on the side can be a problem. My android tablet's speakers are on the nominal bottom of the device. In portrait mode I normally hold it upside down (ie camera down) and try to avoid accidentally pressing the power button to avoid blocking the speakers any time I rest the bottom edge on something
Mr Perfect - Thursday, August 22, 2019 - link
Is the RAM dual channel? A few OEMs have been burdening their Ryzen laptops with single channel RAM. If Asus' models are single channel, they're not worth considering.oRAirwolf - Thursday, August 22, 2019 - link
They are not worth considering because they use Zen+ based APU's. That is a deal killer for me. Zen2 or GTFO.phoenix_rizzen - Thursday, August 22, 2019 - link
Depends what your purchase timeline is like.If you can wait, then sure, waiting for a Zen2-based mobile CPU/APU would be better.
If you need a laptop right now, and want AMD, then something like this would be decent.
Our current laptop is an ancient Acer with an AMD Athlon-II X2 CPU with "integrated" Radeon GPU. A RAM upgrade (DDR2 FTW!) and a SATA SSD have prolonged it's life; hopefully it will last until a Zen2 system is available. But it's nice to know there are not-garbage Zen+ systems out now.
BigDragon - Thursday, August 22, 2019 - link
I'm disappointed that the Flip 14 does not have the 1 TB SSD option or a 4K screen. I do like that you can get the 3700U and 16 GB RAM in there though.Any idea on who provides the digitizer? Wacom AES, NTrig, ELAN, or someone else? Pen and digitizer support looks poor.
wheeqo - Friday, August 23, 2019 - link
better wait for Zen 2 7nm APU + DDR4-3200 + Thunderbolt 4 :Disthisavailable - Friday, August 23, 2019 - link
Why such tiny batteries? Just ditch the 2.5 inch bay already and give us bigger batteries.