The ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501VW-DS71T is a bestselling 2015 15.6-inch laptop that received positive reviews for its all metal chassis, colorful UHD touch screen, fast Quad-Core processor, dedicated graphics and fast USB-C connection. However, it is slightly heavier than some competitors and the display is glossy. If you’re looking for a premium laptop, the Zenbook Pro UX501VW-DS71T offers high performance components and a high quality design for a reasonable price.
Packing some high-end components inside a sturdy unibody chassis, the ASUS Zenbook Pro UX501VW is designed to be an all-in-one solution for business users, graphics professionals, and moderate gamers. The 15-inch Zenbook Pro has a simple yet elegant design with a silver finished aluminum construction with ASUS’s signature concentric ring on the outer lid.
At 0.8 inches thick and weighing 5 pounds, it is a bit heavier and thicker than competitors like the Macbook Pro and Dell XPS 15, although it must be noted that the latter devices cost about $500 more while packing similar hardware. The keyboard on the Zenbook Pro offers a comfortable typing experience and it is complemented by a spacious palm rest which is also metal covered. Besides three USB 3.0 ports, this upgraded UX501VW features a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 3 support.
However, like many modern laptops, it is missing the miniDisplay port, Kensington Lock, and Ethernet port. The laptop’s 15.6-inch touch screen supports a maximum resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, making it ideal for photo or video editors. Featuring an Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor, a whopping 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a fast 512GB SSD, the Zenbook Pro is able to meet your multimedia, productivity, and everyday needs.
You will also be able to run some modern games thanks to the dedicated NVIDIA GTX 960M GPU. While the previous Zenbook Pro had a meager 4 hours of battery life, the UX501VW lasted a solid 8 hours on Laptop Mag’s battery test.
Pros
- Metal chassis
- UHD touch screen
- Fast Quad-Core processor
- Dedicated graphics
- Fast USB-C connection
Cons
- Heavier than some competitors
- Glossy screen
Bottom Line
The UX501VW’s glossy display and extra heft are minor shortcomings considering you are getting a UHD display, all-day battery life and an all metal unibody design for a lot less than the “pro” laptops from other manufacturers.
Also available from BhPhotoVideo.com
, NewEgg.com- Weight: 5 lbs
- Processor: Intel Core i7-6700HQ 2.6GHz
- Display Size: 15.6 inch
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M
Critic Reviews
- LaptopMag February 12, 2016
Asus' ZenBook Pro offers top-tier performance and design at a fraction of the price of other pro-level 15-inch laptops from Apple and Dell.
Read full review - NotebookCheck March 2, 2016
In general, users should be expecting essentially the same performance level out of the UX501VW as from the UX501JW.
Read full review - DigitalTrends February 23, 2016
Crushing performance at a fair price comes with a few catches in Asus' UX501.
Read full review - PCMag April 15, 2016
The Asus Zenbook Pro UX501VW-DS71T is an excellent desktop-replacement laptop with a fast SSD and strong performance, and it costs less than much of the competition.
Read full review
Full Specifications
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6700HQ 2.6GHz [View Benchmarks] |
|---|---|
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M [View Benchmarks] |
| Graphics Type | Discrete |
| Graphics Memory | 2GB GDDR5 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows Windows 10 Home |
| Weight | 5 lbs |
| Battery Life | 8 hours |
| Hard Drive 1 | 512 SSD |
| Display Size | 15.6 inch |
| Display Type | IPS |
| Display Resolution | 3840 x 2160 |
| Display Technology | In-plane switching 4K UHD | LED backlight | Zero Bright Dot |
| Connectivity | 3x USB 3.0 | USB 3.1 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3) | HDMI | 10/100 Ethernet | AC WiFi | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Audio | Stereo speakers | Bang and Olufsen | ASUS SonicMaster Premium |
| Webcam | 1.2MP |
| Additional Features | Backlit Chiclet Keyboard | Memory card reader | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip |
| Dimension (LxWxH) | 15.1 x 10 x 0.8 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
