Asus is attempting to do a few things with the ZenBook Flip, as the device is both a laptop and a tablet in one package. As a result, the ZenBook Flip has to compete against standard devices like the Microsoft Surface Laptop and tablets like the iPad Air. While it fails to stand out as a laptop, the device’s tablet mode manages to make it stand out amongst the competition.
Straight out of the box, the Asus ZenBook Flip is a striking device with a silver shine and a sharp screen image. It boasts a vibrant 1080p IPS display with rich colours and high-quality video. Throw in the fact that it can be turned into a tablet, and it makes a great first impression. On the ZenBook Flip’s right side is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, two USB Ports, a Micro HDMI and a DC Power input. On the laptop’s left side is a power button, volume slider, USB 3.0 port and SD card slot.
The cross-device is also quite light, clocking in at 2.5 pounds and measuring 0.4 inches thick. As a result, it’s perfect for stashing in your backpack or briefcase and taking it on the go. The ZenBook Flip also has a fingerprint scanner for easier login, and it’s a nice little feature, albeit one that normally takes two to three tries to work. Still, the Asus ZenBook Flip feels like a device that very much borders on the futuristic.
A large part of why it feels so futuristic is the ability to switch between laptop and tablet mode. As far as tablets go, they are immensely powerful and smart, mainly because they are actually PCs that transition to tablet mode. Even still, when in tablet mode, there are no significant hiccups or stutters compared to the PC experience, and it feels far more refined. The Flip has a 13.3-inch touchscreen that is rather responsive and has a good weight to it. At $999 CAD, it’s a pricey piece of tech and is around $200 more expensive than the regular ZenBook, but the tablet mode is more than worth the price.
ASUS ZenBook Flip Specs
| ASUS ZenBook Flip | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 1920×1080 pixels (Full HD) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-7Y54 “Kaby Lake” Dual-Core 1.2-3.2GHz 4MB |
| Video | Intel HD 615 Integrated Graphics |
| Memory | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256GB SSD512GB SSD |
| Connectivity | Wireless AC, Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.1 Type-C gen 1, 2x USB-C with Thunderbolt 3, mic/headphone |
| Baterry | 3-cell 54 WHr, “Up to 10 / 12 hours” of battery life |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
| Size | 0.5″ x 12.7″ x 8.7″ |
| Weight | 2.9 pounds |
| Extras | backlit keyboard, VGA webcam, available in Deep Dive Blue and Burgundy Red |
I did run into a few issues with the keyboard, as it is rather cramped and, at times, frustrating. The ‘@’ button is sandwiched behind a couple of other command inputs, and it took me a while to figure out how to access it. As a result, it’s not especially comfortable in laptop mode, and as much as you can easily take it with you, it’s not intuitive to use in laptop mode.
If you’re considering the Asus ZenBook Flip as a mobile gaming PC for playing all your favourite games, you may be disappointed. The ZenBook Flip doesn’t come with a dedicated video card, so it can only run games at bare-bone settings, if at all. For example, Overwatch runs on the laptop, but only at the lowest graphical setting, resulting in grainy visuals. Trying to snipe small targets is next to impossible, so I wouldn’t recommend the ZenBook Flip for online shooters. However, it manages to run less graphically demanding games like Hearthstone and Roller Coaster Tycoon without too much trouble. It’s also worth noting that I only heard the Flip’s fans running when I attempted to play Overwatch on it.
The Flip has an advertised 10-hour battery life, and I was able to get six hours of gaming and around eight hours of web browsing on a single charge—significantly more than most other tablets. While the sound is good, the display is where the ZenBook Flip truly shines. The ultra-sharp touchscreen has a resolution of up to 1920 x 1080 and covers 72 per cent of the NTSC colour gamut, meaning the ZenBook Flip boasts a wider range of colours that are more vivid and accurate than any previous ZenBook model. On the media side, watching movies or TV shows is stunning, with visuals noticeably sharper than most HD screens. I was genuinely surprised at how well movies looked, even surpassing the experience of watching them on my Panasonic HDTV.
Sound-wise, the ZenBook Flip delivers crisp audio but stutters in tablet mode. This is because the speakers are situated on the backside of the screen, causing the sound to be muffled when in tablet mode. Initially, I thought it was an issue with the Scooby-Doo movie I was watching on Netflix, but it seems to be a rather significant oversight. However, when used in laptop mode, the sound is much better. The speakers provide a fairly big sound for such a slim device, and the audio is very clear, with a respectable amount of detail.
Overall, The ZenBook Flip is a tale of two devices. As a laptop, it fails to impress with its lack of a video card and cramped keyboard, but as a tablet, it truly shines above the crowd. With its striking display and flexible interface, the ZenBook Flip is a wonderful cross-device that manages to earn its premium price tag. If you’re looking for a device that you can take on the go with you, or are a student who spends their days taking notes and watching Netflix, then the ZenBook Flip is the perfect device for you.
