Asus Zenbook UX305CA Schematic Circuit Diagram | Asus Zenbook UX305CA BoardView | Asus Zenbook UX305CA Review
This schematic diagram is a visual representation of a system or electrical device of the Asus Zenbook UX305CA. This diagram is typically used to show how electronic components interact with each other within this motherboard. In this case, you should get the schematic diagram for the Asus Zenbook UX305CA totally free.
Asus Zenbook UX305CA Introduction
✔ Asus Zenbook UX305CA Price $699 (Proximately)
✔ Asus Zenbook UX305CA Release Date December 2015
This is a detailed analysis of the Asus Zenbook UX305 series (UX305FA version), one of the few ultrabooks now available on Intel's Core M platform.
This laptop should increase your interest for some awesome reasons like its slim, light, and attractive metallic design, shiny high-resolution display, awesome technology inside, and a good price. However, as you'll see in the post, it's not without its quirks.
However, there is one point I must emphasize from the start that should have a significant impact on your decision to purchase a Zenbook UX305 or not. This laptop isn't as powerful as a typical ultrabook, but it'll get the job done. Videos, surfing, Office use, and music are all supported. On the other hand, it won't be as responsive or perform demanding programs or tasks as a Broadwell U or Haswell U device. If you don't mind these features, the UX305 could be just what you're searching for. Otherwise, go somewhere else.
Asus has now announced that the UX305FA model with the Core M-5Y10 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD, and an FHD matte panel would be available for $699 in the United States, making it much less expensive than similar devices. You won't find a better computer for the money right now than this Zenbook UX305 if you only need a computer for light everyday work.
The Zenbook UX305CA is presently under development and is an improved version of the UX305FA with a Skylake Core M processor platform that promises better performance and battery life.
Asus Zenbook UX305CA Review
Regular Ultrabooks or subnotebooks are hardly different these days, with 2-in-1 multi-function laptops being introduced at a rapid pace. Despite their comparatively expensive price, Asus' Zenbook range of stylish slim-and-light ultraportables with their metal unibody build and beautiful looks were once the hottest advertising in town. While its golden days are over, Asus continues to produce high-quality (and, in the case of the UX305CA, quite affordable and upscale) subnotebooks. This Zenbook might have been termed an Ultrabook at one point, but Intel now requires a touchscreen to qualify for the title, so the UX305CA isn't one. On the other hand, it's also slim, light, and performs awesome.
At the start of the year, we looked at the Zenbook UX305FA-FB003H, the first model of the ultraportable. This model has an Intel Broadwell Core M-5Y10 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, a 256 GB SSD, and a 4K QHD+panel with 3200 x 1800 pixels, which was evaluated by a colleague in Germany.
The latest UX305 model is equipped with a Skylake m-series SoC, 4 or 8 GB of RAM, SSDs ranging from 128 to 512 GB, and a QHD+ or Full-HD display. Our review laptop, which costs $700, comes with a Core m3-6Y30 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD, and a Full-HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Competitors include the updated Dell XPS 13-9350 and HP's 2-in-1 Spectre x360 13. We shall consolidate or remove certain sections of the predecessor because they are nearly identical.
Asus Zenbook UX305CA Case Design
With a body thickness of 12.3 mm, the Zenbook UX305 is one of the thinnest laptops available right now. It only weighs roughly 1.23 kilograms (though, to be honest, it is heavier than it appears at first glance) but is very small, almost as little as the Dell XPS 13 (2014 model), as evidenced by the tiny lateral bezel around the display.
Regardless, the build quality is outstanding, and the laptop feels as solid as a rock. The entire casing is made of metal, including the underside. The cover has the same gleaming Asus logo and ripple design as the rest of the Zenbooks, while the interior is made of a simpler, smoother material. It really is the deeper Obsidian Stone color, but Asus will also offer a lighter Ceramic Alloy variant, which will look great but may scratch and dent more easily than this one, which is closer to the natural hue of brushed aluminum.
 |
| Asus Zenbook UX305CA Case |
The screen's hinge is also made of metal, and the only plastic you'll find on this device is the bezel surrounding the display. Even that component has a luxury appearance and feels to it. On a side note, on one of the units I tried, the plastic bezel around the screen was a little too tight, causing some mild leakage on the panel's lower border.
The midsection has four huge rubber feet that ensure it sits solidly on your desk. As you can see in the video, the palm rest is wide and provides for a comfortable typing position, which is helped by the laptop's low front profile, slightly curved corners, and the fact that the entire body elevates on the two small feet located on the lid cover's lower end.
There are three USB 3.0 ports on the sides, as well as an SD card reader, a micro-HDMI video output, a headphone/microphone connector, and several status LEDs. Asus supplies a USB to LAN converter in the box, but a micro-HDMI to HDMI adapter would have been wonderful to have as well. They don't, therefore you'll have to purchase it on your own. A protective sleeve, however, is included.
On a side note, this computer lacks a USB 2.0 port, which could be a problem if you have older accessories that aren't compatible with the current standard. Because there is no DP port, driving a high-resolution external monitor at 60 Hz may be difficult.
Asus Zenbook UX305CA Connectivity & Communication
With three USB 3.0 connections and a micro-HDMI port, the UX305 is comparatively well-equipped for a super-slim subnotebook, as I noted in our evaluation of the predecessor. Wireless communication is handled by an Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 7265 module, although unlike the previous edition of the notebook, our review sample did not come with a USB-to-Ethernet converter. Asus has chosen not to replace the chassis with a new USB 3.1 Type-C connector, most likely due to cost considerations, which is sad. Even if it was only USB 3.0 (Gen 1), I have been thrilled with such a connector; Dell's XPS 13-9350 now comes with a Thunderbolt 3 / USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 port (up to 10 Gbps bi-directional transfer rate). While this isn't a major flaw, it may prevent some customers who want to purchase a more future-proof laptop or who already have telephones with the new connector type.
Asus Zenbook UX305CA Display or Screen
The UX305 only comes with matte non-touch displays, which is a big deal considering the vast majority of portable laptops on the market now have glossy touchscreens. As a result, the Zenbook may be used outside in bright light without causing reflections or glare.
The UX303LN has a 13/3-inch 3200 x 1800 px resolution panel, which is uncommon for a Zenbook (hardware ID SDC424A). That's the same panel seen on some Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro and Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus ultrabooks, and it has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
It's a fairly bright and sharp panel for the professional user. When the laptop is set to full resolution and the fonts are scaled to 200 percent, the interfaces and fonts are clear and sharp. The scalability improvements in Windows 8.1 or the glass layer on top? I'm not sure, but the experience is certainly superior, even if I no longer have the Yoga 2 Pro to compare it with.
However, the murky yellow issues that many Lenovo consumers have complained about are still present. Simply put, regardless of the Power Mode selected, this machine will display a mustard-like color rather than appropriate yellows. The image below should help you visualize what I'm talking about. That's unfortunate, but Lenovo fixed the issue with a BIOS update (for all modes except Power Saver), so maybe Asus will follow suit by the time the UX303LN is available.
 |
| Asus Zenbook UX305CA Display |
While the previous-generation Zenbook UX305FA-FB003H had a QHD+ display with a resolution of 3200 x 1800 pixels, the UX305CA has a Full-HD panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a pixel density of 166 dpi. Higher resolutions require scaling to be readable at all, so I believe this resolution to be the sweet spot between sharpness and readability. The matte IPS display is non-touch and, because of the lower 1080p resolution, should potentially consume less power and cost less than the QHD+ model.
 |
| Display Pixel |
Our brightness measurements across nine quadrants indicate an average of around 315 cd/m2, which is substantially brighter than Dell's XPS 13's 275 cd/m2, while Microsoft's new 13.5-inch Surface Book beats the review notebook's score by a hundred nits. The previous Zenbook with the 4K display had a similar average brightness but a significantly lower black value (0.289 cd/m2 vs. 0.75 cd/m2). As a result, the new UX305CA has a substantially greater contrast ratio (1122:1 vs. 413:1). With the notebook running on its battery, the brightness distribution is an impressive 93 percent, and the display doesn't dim at all.
Asus Zenbook UX305CA Keyboard & Touchpad
You probably know that the keyboard and trackpad take up the majority of the laptop's inner space. The typing experience is acceptable but not exceptional. Asus had to lose some key travel on such a narrow laptop, but the stroke seems deeper to me than on some of the other ultraportables I've tested recently, including the XPS 13 2015. The layout is standard, with the exception of the tiny Arrow keys and the Power button integrated as the top-right key, which I found myself accidentally pressing when I was actually going for delete. This is irritating because it puts the computer to sleep.
However, the lack of backlighting, which should be standard on higher-end laptops these days, will most likely be your biggest complaint about this keyboard.
 |
| Asus Zenbook UX305CAKeyboard and Trackpad |
Moving on, the trackpad is wide, smooth, and has a slightly curved shape that properly separates it from the palm rest. It's a click pad that's a little hard to press and loud. The latter is particularly aggravating, as even the gentlest taps cause the entire ensemble to shake.
The trackpad on the first model I tested had a fault, with a jumpy pointer and issues detecting delicate taps. The retail version, on the other hand, was significantly superior, and you should expect the same from the UX305s you'll find in stores.
Swipes and taps functioned perfectly, even when high precision was required; I no longer observed false or palm clicks, and gestures were also handled correctly (Back and Forward are not supported). On top of that, the surface worked well when swiping around with one finger while keeping the other on the click region, something that other trackpads on Windows PCs struggle with.
However, because this is an Asus Touchpad, you'll have to use their drivers and Smart Gesture program, which, as far as I can see, does not allow for fine adjustment. I would have liked to alter the cursor velocity and tap speed a little more. In fact, these factors, together with the general feel of the surface, left me with mixed feelings about this implementation. It's not bad, but it's also not really good.
Asus Zenbook UX305CA Performance and Upgrade Options
When it comes to performance, our test device has an Intel Core M 5Y10 processor, 8 GB RAM, and a fast 256 GB M.2 SSD (Sandisk SD7SN3Q256G1002), making it the most powerful option Asus will provide for this series.
Because the memory is soldered to the motherboard, you'll be bound to the memory you choose from the start (either 4 or 8 GB), but you can increase the storage with suitable M.2 NGFF 80 mm sticks if you want to. Pull open the back panel, which is held in place by some Torx and Philips screws. It's not difficult; just keep in mind that two additional screws are hidden behind the laptop's rear rubber feet.
 |
| Asus Zenbook UX305CA Internal Components |
As I mentioned at the outset, and as I've seen in other evaluations, the Core M platform isn't particularly speedy, which is to be expected given that it's based on the Broadwell Y architecture with a low TDP. With a 4.5W TDP, the Core M 5Y10 processor is the entry-level model in this family, so I shouldn't expect much from it. It's also unable to deliver much more. The only other model of the laptop I could discover in Asus' online shop is the high-end UX305CA-OHM7-WH, which comes with a Core m7-6Y75 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD, and a QHD+ (4K) display.
You'll be alright if you limit yourself to simple tasks like browsing with only a few tabs open, watching video content (both streaming and downloaded), editing documents, listening to music, chatting with friends, and so on. However, there may be hitches when switching between apps, so try to reduce multitasking to a minimal minimum.
Furthermore, even when executing the most basic of tasks, such as launching a browser or opening a new Explorer window, there is still an overall sense of sluggishness and a lack of immediate response. I'm obviously biased here because I'm used to much quicker machines and my patience for delays is practically nil, but I felt compelled to say it so you don't get your hopes up.
I should also mention that the entire browsing experience in Chrome is still not as fluid as it is in Firefox, particularly in Internet Explorer. Watching YouTube videos and simply loading regular websites on Chrome causes the CPU to work more than in the other two browsers, resulting in lower efficiency. My first impressions of Chrome on the pre-production UX305 were dreadful. That wasn't the case with the final retail product, which still struggled here and there, so I'd say Core M is still not optimized for Chrome, and sticking with Internet Explorer or even Firefox is a better experience.
In regular use, as long as you maintain the computer in Balanced Mode, it tends to run at the maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 2.0 GHz, unless otherwise specified. Because the frequency is more frequently capped in PowerSaver and the laptop becomes slower, I haven't used it much, and I haven't found any significant increase in energy efficiency to warrant the slower performance.
In other words, the UX305 model overheated and throttled under severe load. However, this was only noticeable in benchmarks, both when stress testing the PC and when running particular tests repeatedly. In ordinary use, however, I saw no evidence of throttling.
Even after running Cinebench R15 5 to 10 times in a row, the retail model showed no signs of degraded performance in benchmarks. I didn't get a chance to run Prime95 or Furmark on this version, but I didn't detect any throttling in real-world use, even when doing more demanding tasks like games.
Intel's HD 5300 graphics, a mid-to-low-end integrated solution, is included with the Core M 5Y10 processor. As a result, it is unable to handle the most recent titles, but it is capable of supporting some older titles.
Hardware Performance
Our UX305CA-EHM1 retails for $700 and features the Skylake-generation Core m3-6Y30 SoC, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD, as noted in the introduction. The UX305CA should be available with 4 or 8 GB of RAM and SSDs ranging from 128 GB to 512 GB, according to Asus' spec sheet, though I couldn't identify any lower-end models (for example equipped with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB SSD). In reality, the high-end UX305CA-OHM7-WH with Core m7-6Y75 processor, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and a QHD+ (4K) panel is the only other variant of the notebook I could find in Asus' online store.
Processor
The Skylake Core m3-6Y30 is a low-power dual-core SoC with a 900 MHz clock speed that can be overclocked to 2 GHz (both cores) or 2.2 GHz (single-core) utilizing the Turbo feature. The TDP of the m3-6Y30 is under 4.5 watts, making it perfect for fanless subnotebooks. On paper, the m3 processor performs similarly to previous-generation i3 CPUs (such as the Core i3-5010), but without the extensive Turbo-Boost features and a much higher TDP of 15 watts. Even very short load cycles resulted in a - sometimes very noticeable - reduction in CPU performance in a passively cooled notebook, and it turns out that the UX305CA can't keep what the m3-6Y30 promises: even very short load cycles resulted in a - sometimes very noticeable - reduction in CPU performance. The subnotebook, for example, showed a noticeable decline in frame rate during the four iterations of the X264 video-encoding benchmark test. The identical CPU in the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is capable of significantly better performance in the Cinebench R11.5 benchmark test, the Surface Pro 4 scored nearly 25% higher (2.27 / 0.98 points), while the Surface Pro 3 scored 1.79 points (multi) and 0.81 points (single).
A comparison of the m3-6Y30 to the Broadwell Core M-5Y10 CPU (0.8 - 2 GHz) in the earlier Zenbook UX305FA-FB003H is particularly interesting. While the new SoC outperforms its older brother in multi-core tests, the Broadwell chip actually has a modest performance advantage in single-core tests. However, the findings are inconsistent: although the Cinebench R15 test shows a performance boost of roughly 30% for the multi-core segment, the R11.5 test only reveals a change of about 3%.
System Performance
Despite the initial limitations of the fanless design, I never had the impression that the UX305CA was slow to respond in everyday use. The system boots up quickly, goes to sleep, wakes up quickly, and programs start up quickly. The subjective sensations are confirmed by the PCMark 7 score of 4635 points, which outperforms the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 with the same CPU by about 8%. This is unexpected, especially considering the Surface Pro's faster NVMe SSD.
The PCMark 8 scores are also ahead by a greater margin across the board (about 15 percent ). We don't have a good explanation for these results right now. Again, systems with full-fledged ULV CPUs, like the Dell XPS 13-9350, outperform the super-efficient Core M-designs - but only by around 10%, which is less than predicted.
The performance of the notebook suffers when it is used away from power outlets we found a 20 percent decline in CPU-centric Cinebench tests, but just a 6 percent drop in PCMark tests. Overall performance is still excellent, and it outperforms more entry-level PCs with Celeron or Pentium processors and platter-based hard drives by a wide margin.
Storage Devices
Despite the fact that NVMe SSDs are becoming increasingly widespread, the UX305CA still comes with an M.2-drive that runs at SATA 3 speeds. According to CrystalDiskMark, the performance of the 256 GB Micron M600 is quite good, with reading and write speeds of 490 and 445 MB/s, respectively. The previous used a SanDisk SSD with reading and write speeds that were relatively similar. Read times on NVMe SSDs are often substantially faster, while sequential writes are slightly slower. The Surface Pro 4's Samsung MZFLV128, for example, has read and write speeds of 660 and 160 MB/s, respectively.
GPU Performance & Gaming
With 24 EUs and a frequency range of 300 - 850 MHz, the processor-integrated graphics card Intel HD Graphics 515 offers - at least on paper - higher performance than the HD Graphics 5300 included into the Core M-5Y10. Given our previous experience, it stands to reason that the maximum speed is rarely reached - and as we will see later, this is indeed the case (section "Stress Test"). Of all, the GPU was never intended to handle 3D games, so the poor results should come as no surprise.
We reinstalled "Anno 2070" from 2011 to get an apples-to-apples comparison between the HD Graphics 5300 and the new HD Graphics 515. The results demonstrate that the new GPU is faster, with a frame rate of 33 frames per second on medium settings (HD Graphics 5300: 20 fps). The synthetic benchmarks 3DMark 11 and 3Dmark (2013) confirm our findings, with increases ranging from 30 to 60% over the previous version. Even with the same GPU, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is 15 to 25% faster.
Speakers
Despite the big "Audio by ICEpower, Bang & Olufsen Technology" badge behind the arrow keys, the UX305CA's sound performance is disappointing. Of course, there is no bass because there isn't much room in a half-inch thick system, but the middles are also missing, and the highs are a little tinny. The included AudioWizard program allows you to choose from a variety of presets, but to be honest, none of them appealed to us. A good pair of headphones or external speakers are highly recommended.
Asus Zenbook UX305CA Battery Performance
The battery life of the previous UX305 was its Weak point. Although hardly everyone requires long battery life these days, with outlets readily available in coffee shops and even on airlines, the 6 hours and 50 minutes we recorded when testing the Zenbook UX305FA-FB003H seemed insufficient. Despite the lower-resolution panel, things haven't improved much, as the UX305CA stopped down after only six and a half hours.
Although our WLAN test has improved since the original review (it is now more stringent to better reflect everyday usage scenarios), the result is still disappointing, especially considering that more powerful, fan-equipped systems lasted more than a full hour (Dell XPS 13) or two hours (HP Spectre x360 13). The battery, which only has a capacity of 45 Wh, is clearly to blame for the short runtimes (Dell and HP both 56 Wh). The fact that the UX305CA survived over 17 hours in our readers' test doesn't help much either; after all, a similar scenario is extremely unlikely to occur under real circumstances.
Conclusion
So, if you want a compact and light 13-inch laptop that runs absolutely silently, has a good display, and has enough horsepower for daily tasks, the Zenbook UX305 could be the appropriate gadget for you, especially considering how much less it costs compared to similar devices.
The fanless experience, the thin body, the superior craftsmanship, and the matte screen are the main selling aspects. However, the overall performance, the lack of a backlit keyboard, and the merely mediocre battery life may inspire you to look for something different. Still, $699 won't get you another modern configuration with 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD, and an IPS display in such a slim size, which is why this package is a terrific offer if you're willing to accept the laptop's and hardware platform's constraints.
It's up to you to decide whether the higher-priced options are worth your hard-earned money. On the one hand, they are more affordable than some Haswell and Broadwell U ultrabooks, yet they retain the same essential strengths, particularly the fanless platform.
Overall, I think the UX305 is a better deal than the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro or the New Apple MacBook because it costs less and is only slightly slower. However, be sure you know exactly what this device is and what it can and cannot do. It can be a fine everyday laptop for the normal user that does not require very fast performance or very complex capabilities, as I stated at the outset.
However, the line between a Core M laptop and other ULV-powered ultrabooks is so blurry these days that it's difficult to say whether you'll be happy with something like this Zenbook or some of the speedier, but fan-cooled options.
If you require more performance or some of the other features the UX305 lacks, such as a touchscreen, longer battery life, or a backlit keyboard, check out the below 13-inch ultraportables. Consider the Asus Transformer Book Chi T300, which is a detachable version of this Zenbook.
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon and X1 Nano
- Dell XPS 13
- Apple MacBooks
- Asus ROG Flow X13
- Acer Swift X
For the time being, that's all there is to it. Let me know what you think of the Asus Zenbook UX305FA in the comments below, and if you have any questions or suggestions for the post, please do so; I'll be happy to respond and assist if necessary.
Asus Zenbook UX305CA Specs
| Asus Zenbook UX305CA Specefication |
| Display |
13.3 inch IPS 3200 x 1800 px resolution non-touch display |
| Processor |
Intel Broadwell Y Core M-5Y10 CPU |
| Graphics |
Intel 5300 HD |
| RAM |
8 GB DDR3 |
| Storage |
256 GB M.2 NGFF SSD |
| Connectivity |
Bluetooth, Wireless N, LAN (with adapter) |
| Size |
12.7Inch x 8.9Inch x 0.48Inch |
| Baterry |
45 Wh |
| Ports |
Micro-HDMI, 3 x USB3.0, Headphone Jack, SD card reader |
Free Download Asus Zenbook UX305CA Schematic Circuit Diagram | Asus Zenbook UX305CA BoardView
Free Download BoardView tool for opening or using this schematic diagram
