Zenbook
Asus Zenbook is a line of consumer-oriented high-end notebook computers produced by Asus. The first Zenbooks were released in October 2011 as Ultrabooks, and the original range of products has since been expanded to models ranging from smaller and power efficient notebooks to high-end and larger laptops with additions like discrete graphics processing units. As of 2024, the Asus Zenbook S serves as the company's flagship notebook computer.
The series is positioned by Asus as part of the thin-and-light segment within the premium consumer market. Asus designed the Zenbooks with brushed aluminium chassis and high rigidity, rather than plastic, the usual laptop construction material. A pattern of concentric circles on the lids is said to represent ripples in water and reflect the "zen philosophy" that designers wanted to portray when creating the laptops. Asus has also described its design approach as influenced by reductionism, aiming to simplify form while retaining functionality. As of 2024 there are various series including the standard Zenbook, extra slim and light Zenbook S, performance-oriented Zenbook Pro with dedicated graphics cards, convertible Zenbook Flip, dual screen Zenbook Duo, foldable tablet Zenbook Fold and portable Zenbook A.
Asus has also developed a proprietary material called Ceraluminum for the exterior of some Zenbook laptops.
History
First Zenbooks
In 2009 Asus released the UX50V, a 15-inch laptop that was focused on energy efficiency and had a thin profile. The laptop was rated poorly by reviewers as it under-performed and had mediocre battery life, despite the installed energy efficient hardware. Although not branded as one, it bore the same "UX" product code as many of the later Zenbooks and was an early foray into the ultraportable market. Asus unveiled the UX21 ultra-thin notebook at Computex 2011; later in October 2011, the UX21 were made official under the Zenbook name. The Zenbook line began as Ultrabooks, designed to provide performance in a portable form factor. Sales in the U.S. began on October 12 starting at $999. The bodies of the Zenbooks are made of aluminium, chosen for its light weight, strength, vibration dampening, appearance and acoustic properties. Both the bodies and lids are CNC milled and brushed for appearance. Reviewers have noted the resulting superior rigidity and complimented the appearance of the Zenbook range.The Zenbook name was proposed by Asus chairman Jonney Shih to reflect the "zen philosophy" applied to the design. The chief designer, Loewy Chen, had wanted to incorporate design elements from luxury watches into his products for a long time. Zenbooks were the first opportunity to put this into practice, the crossover being achieved, he said, by "the unfolding of the laptop from the side recalling the elegance of minute and hour hand movements". The reference to watches is also reflected in the marketing of Zenbooks; Asus published design sketches overlaying an open Zenbook on a watch face, and video advertisements feature similar imagery. The concentric circles on the lid of Zenbooks were intended to look like ripples in water and to reflect "philosophical ideas such as the infinite nature of Zen thinking and self-improvement".
In April 2012, Asus announced a second generation Zenbook, branded as Zenbook Prime, upgraded to run on Intel's new Ivy Bridge-based CPUs. Shortly after it also introduced two lower-cost Zenbooks, as the UX32.
To preserve space, some Zenbooks use two PCBs connected by a communications ribbon so it can have ports on both sides of the device, with a heatsink and fan centred between them.
Recent history
In 2015, ASUS introduced the Zenbook Pro series, featuring models with discrete graphics. The following year, the Zenbook Flip series was launched as a convertible 2-in-1 line.In 2017, Asus debuted ScreenPad with the Zenbook Pro 15 UX580. The ScreenPad replaces the regular touchpad with a colour capactive touchscreen display. This technology was then in 2019 included in the Zenbook 13, Zenbook 14 and Zenbook 15 and offered optionally on the lower end lineup of VivoBook S laptops.
In 2018, ASUS expanded the Zenbook line with the Zenbook S series, emphasizing slim-and-light designs, and introduced the Zenbook Pro 15 with the industry-first ScreenPad, which replaces the conventional touchpad with a colour capacitive touchscreen display.
In 2019, as a successor the 2018's Zenbook Pro, the Zenbook Duo and Zenbook Pro Duo feature two screens – one at the regular position and the other above keyboard. This second display resulted into the move of the keyboard nearer to the chin and the touchpad to where a numberpad would be similarly to Asus' gaming ROG Zephyrus laptop.
In 2022, ASUS introduced the Zenbook Fold, a foldable OLED device capable of functioning in both tablet and laptop modes.
In 2024, Asus announced a new Zenbook Duo described as the world’s first 14-inch dual-screen OLED touchscreen laptop.The model featured two full-sized displays with a detachable keyboard, housed between the screens for transport and for use in a conventional laptop configuration. The new Zenbook Duo also included a kickstand to elevate the device for more comfortable use in portrait and landscape modes, and incorporated AI-related capabilities.
ASUS continues to integrate processors such as Intel Core Ultra with AI capabilities and AMD Ryzen AI series, along with OLED displays and the use of sustainable materials. Some Zenbook models are certified under the Intel Evo platform.
Design
At ASUS, design thinking is a core principle, emphasizing a human-centered approach that prioritizes user needs and experiences.This philosophy informs the development of products through an understanding of user interactions with technology. ASUS designs focus on both aesthetics and addressing real-world challenges, aiming for practical and meaningful innovation.The ASUS Zenbook series exemplifies this philosophy by integrating advanced technology, mechanical engineering, and material research with aesthetic considerations in its design.Features and technology
The ASUS Zenbook series integrates several design elements and technologies, contributing to its performance, user experience, and appearance. These include materials research, display development, hinge mechanisms, and input features.Ceraluminum™
Ceraluminum™ is a patented material developed by ASUS and used in the Zenbook series. According to the company, its development involved several years of refinement in color, texture, porosity, and hardness, resulting in a smudge-resistant surface.The material combines ceramic-like hardness with metallic flexibility, allowing for thin and durable laptop designs.It has also been compared to applications in fields such as aerospace and watchmaking.Dual-screen design
The ASUS Zenbook DUO features a dual-screen design with a detachable Bluetooth keyboard and built-in kickstand. It supports multiple modes of use, including:- Dual Screen Mode: extending the workspace across two displays for multitasking.
- Desktop Mode: both screens positioned upright with the keyboard detached.
- Sharing Mode: arranged side-by-side for reading or presentations.
ASUS Lumina OLED
ASUS Lumina OLED is a branding used by ASUS for a category of OLED laptop displays, available in series such as Zenbook, Vivobook, and ProArt. These displays are characterized by high color accuracy, deep blacks, high contrast ratios, and fast response times. They also include features intended to reduce eye strain and extend display lifespan.Hinges
- EasyLift™ hinge: The EasyLift hinge on the Zenbook A14 is designed to allow one-finger opening while maintaining a stable screen position.
- ErgoLift hinge: The ASUS ErgoLift hinge is a design used in several laptop series, including the Zenbook and Vivobook lines. The mechanism tilts the keyboard when the lid is opened, creating an angled typing position. It also allows additional airflow beneath the chassis for cooling and provides more space for downward-facing speakers.
Input features
- Smart Gesture Touchpad: ASUS Smart Gesture is a touchpad feature available on ASUS laptops, including the ProArt, Zenbook, and Vivobook series. It supports one-finger scrolling as well as controls for volume, brightness, and video playback.
- NumberPad: The NumberPad is a feature available on certain ASUS laptops, particularly compact models without a physical numeric keypad. It integrates an illuminated numeric keypad into the touchpad. When activated, LED lights display the layout of a standard numeric keypad for data entry, and when deactivated, the touchpad functions normally for cursor control.
Full I/O ports