The innovations that have come to characterise so-called premium smartphones are now being adopted by the top-of-the-range ultraportable category in a bid to make their mark in a crowded market. Manufacturers are engaging in fierce competition, starting with Taiwanese manufacturer Asus and its equally Taiwanese rival, Acer, by playing on the borderless principle, i.e. screens that are virtually edge-to-edge, for the benefit of the image but also in terms of facial recognition to secure your computer, not to mention the lightness of the chassis. The enhanced presence of voice assistants is also on the agenda. Travelling professionals demand essential laptop features such as power, autonomy and security. These criteria are further optimised with the new configurations offered by Asus and Acer, both of which are based on the latest generation of Intel processors.
A borderless laptop
Ranked fifth among computer manufacturers behind rival Acer, Asus is seeking to position itself as a top-of-the-range brand by offering innovative features. This is illustrated by the new generation of its ZenBook ultraportable range, presented in 13-, 14- and 15-inch versions at the IFA trade fair in Berlin, and above all the 14-inch ZenBook Pro, previously available in a 15-inch version.
The new models in the ZenBook range are distinguished by an impressive slimming of their bezels in favour of the screen covering up to 95% of the device, depending on the size of the model. In addition to improved visual comfort, the format is ultimately lighter and takes up less space than its predecessors.
Each model is equipped with a numeric keypad integrated into the touchpad, which can be displayed as required. It's a useful tool for everyday use, providing direct, discreet access to calculator functions, for example.
The ZenBook Pro 14-inch model goes even further. Its touchpad can display a genuine miniature 5.5-inch Full HD colour screen that you can customise to suit your needs, giving you direct access to classic Windows applications as well as applications such as YouTube and Spotify. The result is instant shortcuts to your favourite office and entertainment tools in multitasking mode. On the other hand, it's a little heavier and less autonomous than its 14-inch ZenBook equivalent.
In terms of equipment, the classic Zenbook and the Zenbook Pro feature the new generation Intel® Core™ processor with enhanced integrated WiFi Gigabit connectivity and 16GB of RAM. Essential for any professional on the move, the ZenBook's claimed battery life is from 12.5 hours up to 16 hours, depending on the model.
Finally, in terms of security, these laptops are equipped with a 3D infrared camera so you can quickly unlock your work tool using Windows Hello facial recognition. The integration of voice assistants Cortana and Alexa also means you can call your laptop to display your favourite applications.
A featherweight laptop
While Asus has opted for virtually edge-to-edge screens, Acer has gone for record-breaking minimum weight by announcing the lightest 15-inch laptop currently on the market. Its Swift 5 ultraportable is a featherweight 15.6-inch with a thickness of 1.59 cm and a weight on the scales of 990 grams.
The twig format is also the order of the day for the 14-inch version, which weighs in at 970 grams! The Full HD screens are admittedly a little less borderless than the equivalent Asus ultrabooks, with a Full HD screen covering 87.6 % of the total surface area, but power and speed are the order of the day, with the new generation of Swift also equipped with the latest generation of Intel processors and an optimised WiFi configuration, like the Asus models. The backlit keyboard is complemented by a Windows Hello-compatible fingerprint reader for secure access. It's also robust, with a chassis made from a magnesium-lithium alloy, like its predecessors in the Swift range. The only downside is that the claimed battery life for the 15-inch model is 10 hours without needing to recharge, compared with 8 hours for the 14-inch model. However, its lightness and power should appeal to professionals on the move.
Technical characteristics of the three products :
The featherweight: Acer Swift 5, 14 (SF514-53T)
Thickness: 1.59 cm
Weight: 970 grams
Screen: 14-inch Full HD touchscreen
Autonomy: 8 hours
Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7
Memory: 16 GB RAM Storage: 1 TB SSD memory
Connections: 1 USB 3.1 Type C port, 2 USB 3.1 ports, HDMI
Gigabit 2×2 802.11ac and BT 5.O wireless connectivity
Launch date: December 2018. Prices from 999 euros
Also available in 13-inch
Visual immersion - Asus ZenBook 14 (UX433FN)
Thickness: 1.59 cm. Weight: 1.09 kg (with anti-glare screen)
Screen: 14-inch NanoEdge Full HD
Autonomy: 14 hours announced
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-8565U and Intel® Core™ i5-8265U
Operating system: Windows 10.
Graphics card: NVIDIA® GeForce MX150 with 2 GB video memory
Memory: 8/16 GB RAM
Storage: 1 TB SSD memory
Connectivity: Wi-Fi Gigabit 802.11ac 2×2 dual band BT 5.0
Camera: 3D infrared HD camera
Connectivity: USB 3.1 Type-C™, USB Type-A ( up to 10 Gb/s), USB 2.0, HDMI, Micro SD, audio jack
Market launch date: end of year
Price: not communicated
Also available in 13-inch
Miniature extra screen - Asus ZenBook Pro 14 (UX 480)
Thickness: 1.79 cm. Weight: 1.6 kg
Screen: 14-inch backlit NanoEdge Full HD touchscreen
Autonomy: 12.5 hours
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-8565U Intel® Core™ i5-8265U
Operating system: Windows 10
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 Max-Q graphics card with 2GB/4GB video memory: GDDR5, 2GB/4GB
Memory: 8/16 GB RAM
Storage: 1 TB SSD memory
Connectivity: Wi-Fi Gigabit 802.11ac 2×2 dual-band. BT 5.0
Camera: HD infrared 3D
Connectors : USB 3.1 , USB 2.0, HDMI, audio jack
Market launch date: end of year
Price: not communicated
Also available in 13-inch
