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Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a better screen and slightly better performance for everyday tasks. However, the LG Ultra 13 is more cost-effective, offers double the memory for multitasking, and has a longer battery life. If screen quality, particularly for color-related tasks is a priority, the ASUS may be worth the extra cost. Conversely, if you want a balance between performance and value, particularly for general use that requires multitasking, the LG makes a compelling choice. Both are portable, but neither is tailored for heavy gaming or intensive engineering software. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook 13
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Good speakers
Advantages of the LG Ultra 13
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.8
6.9
13.3in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
378.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a better screen than the LG Ultra 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
The ASUS Zenbook 13 offers superior screen properties such as higher resolution and greater brightness, which enhance the overall viewing experience for general tasks and detailed engineering work. For engineering and design applications, its display covers a wider range of color gamuts, allowing for more precise color accuracy important for professional creative work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate limits the fluidity and responsiveness that's essential in these scenarios, despite an adequate resolution and panel type for moderate gaming needs.
Cost
$890
$529
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a price of $890 and the LG Ultra 13 costs $529.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
378.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 and LG Ultra 13 are both good for general use.
The ASUS Zenbook 13 is a good choice for general use due to its higher screen quality with an OLED display, larger battery capacity, and ample storage space, while the LG Ultra 13 offers more RAM for potentially smoother multitasking despite its standard IPS screen and smaller battery, still maintaining excellent portability like the ASUS. Both laptops have a similarly powerful CPU and lightweight design, making them suitable for everyday tasks and on-the-go use.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.1
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.3/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 and LG Ultra 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
7.1
6.6
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook 13 to be good for engineering and design, while the LG Ultra 13 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook 13, with its OLED screen and higher brightness, offers superior screen quality for design tasks, but has less RAM than the LG Ultra 13, which might limit performance for engineering software that requires more memory. Both laptops have capable Ryzen 7 CPUs and integrated Vega graphics, making them fairly suitable for engineering and design tasks, but the LG's extra RAM could help with multitasking and more complex projects, while the ASUS's better display benefits visual work, both are quite portable with little to differentiate them in weight or physical dimensions.
Content Creation
7.6
7.2
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook 13 and LG Ultra 13 are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.3
7.2
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 and LG Ultra 13 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Battery
9.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has 9 hours of battery life. The LG Ultra 13 has 10 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Excellent
Excellent
13.3in
SIZE
13.3in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.1 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The LG Ultra 13 and ASUS Zenbook 13 both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
7.4
The ASUS Zenbook 13 and LG Ultra 13 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS Zenbook 13 and the LG Ultra 13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook 13 | LG Ultra 13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$890 | $529 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2021 | January 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8'' x 0.55'' | 12.1'' x 8.1'' x 0.6'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.55 lbs | 2.16 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 12.08" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.99" | 8.14" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5700U | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 67 Wh | 51 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 378 nits | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.4/10 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
ASUS Zenbook 13
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sebastian Bade | May 2021
"The Asus ZenBook 13 is a compact 13-inch laptop with a fast Ryzen 7 5800U and OLED display. The subnotebook is also light and the modern design is convincing. The selection of high-quality materials make the device not only light, but also very stable. In addition, the visuals and haptics of the device offers a high-quality impression. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U is a very good fit for the ZenBook 13, ensuring a high performance in the test. However, in terms of the 3D performance, we also notice that the Vega architecture is beginning to hit its limits."
LG Ultra 13
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | April 2017
"The 13.3-inch LG Gram is a fine fit if you need to travel as light as possible for as long as possible without spending a fortune to do it. It might not be particularly sturdy or have an eye-catching design and its webcam is less than ideal, but with its sharp touch display, comfortable backlit keyboard, responsive touchpad and a fingerprint reader for extra security, the Gram makes a respectible everyday laptop for business or school work."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook 13 or the LG Ultra 13
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, and are often on sale.
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