Is The Asus ZenBook Pro UX501 A MacBook Pro Killer?

Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Pro may have just found its match with the new Asus ZenBook Pro. Forbes has the news on Asus’ latest device.

“Asus may have quietly just delivered a very capable alternative to the more full-featured notebook class of products like the 15-inch MacBook Pro.”

Forbes notes that the new ZenBook Pro is a 5-pound laptop that is powered by a 2.6GHz Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and a very fast 512GB Samsung SSD. But that’s not all: The Zenbook Pro also packs a 15.6-inch 4K display. It’s also a lot cheaper than the 15-inch MacBook Pro.

Laptop gave the new ZenBook Pro four stars.

“The Asus ZenBook Pro UX501J offers a 4K display, great performance and excellent audio in an attractive package.”

The review adds that the device definitely isn’t perfect, especially since the battery life is sub-par and the keyboard layout may frustrate people. However, the amazing graphics and the great sound appear to make up for any shortcomings. TechRadar also gave the ZenBook Pro four stars, but describes it has an affordable, impressive, but flawed 4K laptop.

“The stylish, 4K Asus ZenBook Pro UX501 has a design aesthetic and performance that rivals the Apple MacBook Pro for far less scratch. Just beware mediocre battery life, hefty disposition and some shoddy speakers.”

TechRadar believes that at 5 pounds, the ZenBook Pro is slightly too heavy. They do, however, love the stylish design of the notebook. One of the commenters under the review added a potential problem with the device.

“Some people have reported muddy, olive-tinted yellows on the 4k screen. Did you see this on your unit?” asked commenter Broprah Winfrey.

“So there’s a software preinstalled on the system named ‘Asus splendid video enhancement technology… As long this software is uninstalled, everything should be normal,” answered Christopher Lo.

Although the Asus ZenBook Pro may be a huge competitor for Apple, the MacBook Pro may be updated very soon, based on a current discount for the 2015 version.

“US electronics retailer Best Buy offered a great deal to consumers by dropping its price from $1,999 to $1,699. The discounted model is the 15.4-inch Retina MacBook Pro released in May, 2015, with a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 2.2GHz, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of flash storage,” reports Yibada.

Rumor has it that the next 15-inch MacBook Pro could have an improved 4K screen and an Intel Core i7 processor that is much faster than the current one. Which device would you rather have — the Asus ZenBook Pro or the MacBook Pro? Let us know in the comments section.

[Photo by Bloomberg for Getty Images]