New Delhi, Nov 12 :
As the decade comes to an end in less than 60 days, perhaps the most defining trend of 2010-2020 in the world of tech has been the combination of two different domains to create a device that can bring the best of both worlds. This concept brought us tech, all the way from phablets to mousepads that double up as wireless chargers and TWS earphones that turned into speakers. While some of these innovative designs were nothing more than mere gimmicks, some proved to be revolutionary. And perhaps one of the most important ‘best of both worlds’ designs came with touch-enabled, convertible laptops. Powerful yet compact notebooks that could be flipped and turned into tablets.
The design was popularised by Microsoft’s own Surface series of tablets, but now we have a lot of options to choose from in the segment.
Which brings us to the Asus Zenbook Flip UM462, a 14-inch convertible laptop that features a solid build, a super-compact design, decent specifications and the ability to be turned into a touch-enabled tablet. Sounds like it ticks all the boxes, doesn’t it? We reviewed the device for a week and here are our thoughts on the product.
Design, Build
The Asus Zenbook Flip reminds you of simpler design times. A classy metal chassis with a matte finish on top throughout the laptop, including on the keyboard, with chrome accents on the logo, hinges and power button give the laptop the appearance of a timeless classic. The absence of any fancy geometric or reflective patterns states clearly that this machine means business!
Asus Zenbook Flip 14Asus Zenbook Flip 14
The Zenbook flip is also very compact, being one of the smallest 14-inch laptops out there thanks to the minimal Asus NanoEdge bezels. This allows for more screen real estate in lesser space, giving the UM462 a screen-to-body ratio of 90 per cent. The high ratio not only makes the display more immersive but also gives you more space to work with when in tablet mode. The laptop is also not very heavy, weighing at 1.5Kgs.
Asus Zenbook Flip 14
The left edge of the machine features a charging slot, an HDMI slot, A USB slot and a USB-C slot for some future-proofing. On the other end, we have a MicroSD card reader, a second USB slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, two LED indicators and the laptop’s Power button. Placing the power button on the side rather than with the keyboard up top enables it to be used even when the Zenbook is in tablet mode.
Asus Zenbook Flip 14Asus Zenbook Flip 14
One of the best design elements noticeable in the laptop was the 360-degree ErgoLift Hinge. We’ve seen the patented ErgoLift hinges on other Asus offerings too, but this one takes it up a notch. The Flip mechanism of the laptop is divided into two parts, where the hinge opens and closes and the screen revolves around it. The hinge itself comes into motion when you open the laptop regularly, where you’ll notice the keyboard rising until you reach the limit. This is where the primary hinge locks into place and the screen itself starts revolving around the hinge. The rugged two-part mechanism gives the laptop an edge in durability while maintaining the ErgoLift functionality of enhancing audio output and heat dissipation underneath the raised keyboard.
Asus Zenbook Flip 14
The Zenbook Flip’s two-part ErgoLift 360 hinge adds more functionality in its design, makes the hinge stronger, and looks great too.
The build quality of the Zenbook flip is great overall too. There is Military grade MIL-STD-810G certification which means the laptop can hold its own in extremely high altitudes, temperatures and humid conditions. It’s also seen a few drop tests so it’s safe to assume the machine can take the occasional accidental beating too. However, we did see scratches on the keyboard due to continuous use of the the tablet mode, when the laptop lies on the keys.
Display
The Asus Zenbook Flip UM462 features a 14-inch display that somehow magically fits into a chassis this small. A look from outside might make you think this chassis cannot hold a 14-inch screen, but it does.
