Before we had the slim and shiny ultrabooks, IBM and then Lenovo had the ThinkPad clan of business notebooks that were worthwhile powerhouses. They didn’t have the aesthetics and weren’t pleasing to the eye but still ranked as one of the must-haves for a business user much like the popularity of a BlackBerry phone a couple of years ago.
Now, we have other options in the ThinkPad mould from brands like Asus. And the company’s BU series is a testament to the value that the product offers. Asus has BU201 and BU401 as part of their business notebook range that hope to replicate the ThinkPad heydays.
Key Specifications: Asus AsusPro BU201
- Display: 12.5-inch 1920x1080 pixels LED Non-glare Backlight
- Operating System: Windows 8.1
- Processor: Intel Core i5
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 500GB
- Battery: 2x4200mAh
- Price: Rs 85,999
What’s Good?
We loved the Asus Zenbook UX305 that matches the Apple Macbook for its design, shape and size. AsusPro BU201, on the other hand, is crafted for the business users but carries an element of being a modern-day form akin to the ThinkPad series.
One must appreciate that Asus has packed a full-HD 1920x1080p display resolution while most of the others remain confined to the HD-standard quality. The rugged nature of the BU201 perfectly complements how lightweight the BU201 is at 1.2 kg.
The notebook thrives under the stewardship of the Intel Core i5 processor which manages multi-tasking efficiently and offers quick-time system boot as well.
In terms of connectivity, the Asus BU201 offers a multitude of options: 3 USB 3.0, VGA, docking connector, LAN port, mini- display port and an SD card slot among others. The built-in backlit keyboard offers tactile feedback without putting intense pressure on the buttons.
The inputs registered are as accurate as they can get with notebooks in general and even the trackpad right in the middle works as claimed. The bundled charger is small and will never pose space issues in your bag.
What’s Bad?
Let’s get to the downside of the high-end business notebook. For a hefty price tag of Rs 86,000, we expect better than a Core i5 processor and 4GB RAM as the pivot hardware for a notebook. Also, the Asus BU201 strictly follows the tradition of business laptops being unyieldingly constructed without appeal on the design front.
500GB of hard disk drive (HDD) storage reminds us of the good old ThinkPad days, which in 2016 just doesn’t work. We’d expect a minimum of 1TB HDD storage or else 500GB of solid state drive (SSD).
Business notebooks should be capable of lasting for longer than standard laptops, however, Asus BU201 does anything but that. It’s got 2 cells of 4,200mAh fitted inside the notebook that just doesn’t last the length. We managed to get roughly 2 to 3 hours from our unit with moderate usage wherein WiFi was always on and the screen brightness was set at an average level. The HP Elitebook series does a better job with its battery life at the same price range.
Why Buy It?
The AsusPro BU201 is a competent, sturdy business notebook that is lightweight but effectively manages the workload without crying foul. You get a slew of connectivity options, most notably 3 USB 3.0 ports for quick-speed data transfer. The 12.5-inch form size is ably complemented by a full-HD resolution non-glare display and the tactile backlit keyboard offers the best for users of all generations.
For a hefty price tag of Rs 86,000, we’d expect at least 1TB storage and a longer battery life that can fulfill BU201’s claims of being a business-friendly, rugged notebook. AsusPro BU201 ticks some boxes of being the modern avatar of the ThinkPad but fails in some critical areas for its price.
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