Introduction to ASUS Zenbook UX Series
Background and Long-term Experience
I have been a dedicated user of ASUS Zenbooks for several years, using them personally and even building PCs with ASUS components. Despite not being an employee or financially compensated by ASUS, my experience with their products is authentic and based on firsthand use.
Initially, my involvement with ASUS was through larger server systems with redundant power supplies and multiple disk bays. This experience was highly positive, leading me to explore ASUS motherboards to build my first workstation when a Dell Precision dual CPU system failed. After that, I opted for a P9X79 variant, which continues to serve me today.
Asus Zenbook UX Series: Overview and Early Impressions
My journey with the ASUS Zenbook brand began with the UX31E in 2014. Although running Windows 7 x64 on a 4GB system is no longer practical, I still find utility in extending its life with Linux. The UX31E became a reliable companion, although it currently faces limitations due to its age and configuration.
My current companion, the UX303B with 12GB RAM and Windows 10 x64, has been a significant upgrade. Despite some minor drawbacks such as the chicklet keyboard and a 4K screen, which are not universally praised, the form factor and reliability of this model are commendable. I also acquired the UX305FA for a brief period to evaluate its performance.
The UX305FA: A Case Study in Quality
My experience with the UX305FA was profoundly negative. The laptop experienced multiple power supply issues over a short period, leading to four separate warranty returns. Unfortunately, none of these attempts to repair the device resolved the core issue: the battery's inability to charge, rendering the machine unusable even with a plugged-in power supply. Eventually, this problem resulted in the replacement with an HP model, which offered a much better keyboard experience.
The frequency of issues with the UX305FA and the lack of effective responses from ASUS led me to conclude that this model had significant quality control issues. Furthermore, the decision to discontinue support for the UX305FA after it went out of warranty indicates a serious miss in the product development or quality assurance phase.
Conclusion and Recommendations
While I have a deep appreciation for the overall quality and reliability of ASUS Zenbooks, the UX305FA’s issues have given me significant pause. This case underscores the importance of thorough QC and ongoing support in the tech industry. Given my experience, I am cautious about recommending or purchasing another ASUS laptop until I see improvements in quality control practices.
In conclusion, the UX Series of ASUS Zenbooks offers a mix of quality and reliability, with mixed experiences in different models. For anyone considering these laptops, it is essential to weigh these experiences and factor in potential quality control risks before making a purchase decision.