ASUS ExpertBook Ultra Weighs Under 1 Kg, Yet Delivers Workstation-Class AI Power

A 0.99 kg business laptop that claims workstation-level AI performance is a rare proposition, and ASUS is placing ExpertBook Ultra (B9406CAA) directly into that space. The device is aimed at professionals, creators, and company leaders who need a machine that stays easy to carry without giving up serious workload capacity.

That balance is the main message behind the launch in Indonesia. ASUS is positioning the ExpertBook Ultra for modern work patterns that now include heavy multitasking, hybrid meetings, large data processing, and growing AI demands.

Built for mobility without losing the premium feel

The POLED variant of ExpertBook Ultra starts at just 0.99 kg and measures 10.9 mm thick. Those dimensions make it easy to move between meetings, offices, and travel schedules while still feeling like a premium business device.

ASUS uses AZ31B magnesium-aluminum aerospace-grade material for the chassis. The body is paired with ASUS Nano Ceramic Technology, which is said to deliver hardness up to 9H, or five times stronger than a conventional laptop standard.

The finish is also designed to resist stains and abrasion. That approach helps keep the laptop looking clean even when it is used frequently on the move.

AI-focused performance in a slim chassis

Under the hood, the laptop can be configured with up to Intel Core Ultra X9-388H Series 3. ASUS also includes a 50 TOPS NPU, while the platform’s total AI processing capability is claimed to reach up to 180 TOPS.

Those numbers are meant to support demanding tasks such as 4K video editing, 3D rendering, virtual machines, data analysis, and local generative AI processing. In practical terms, the machine is designed to handle a broad set of heavy workloads without leaning too much on cloud services.

To keep performance steady, ASUS equips the laptop with ExpertCool Pro cooling. The system is intended to maintain the CPU’s 50W TDP without throttling.

Graphics, memory, and storage tuned for heavy work

The graphics side uses Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics with 12 Xe Cores. In certain tests, ASUS claims this solution can outperform NVIDIA RTX 4050 at 30W TGP.

For memory, ExpertBook Ultra supports up to 64GB LPDDR5X at 9600 MT/s. That configuration is aimed at intensive multitasking and responsive AI workloads.

Storage is handled by a PCIe Gen 5 x4 NVMe SSD with capacities up to 2TB. ASUS says read speeds can reach 14,090 MB/s and write speeds up to 8,313 MB/s, which should help with fast boot times, large file transfers, and loading demanding applications.

Display, battery, and everyday usability

The laptop uses a 14-inch 3K Tandem OLED touchscreen with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels. It supports an adaptive refresh rate from 30Hz to 120Hz, while Tandem OLED technology helps deliver HDR brightness up to 1400 nits and uses 40 percent less power than standard OLED.

Color performance is also part of the package. ASUS lists 100 percent DCI-P3 coverage and Delta E under 1, which makes the panel suitable for creative work and high-end business presentations.

To reduce reflections, the display includes Corning Gorilla Glass Matte and anti-glare technology. ASUS says glare can be reduced by up to 80 percent, which should help during long working sessions.

Enterprise features and connectivity

Battery life is another major selling point. The 70Wh battery is claimed to last up to 26 hours, and fast charging can restore 50 percent in 30 minutes. Charging is also flexible through USB-C with support from 5V to 20V.

The port selection includes Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack, reducing the need for dongles. ASUS also adds Dolby Atmos with a six-speaker setup, a spill-resistant keyboard with 1.5 mm key travel, and a large glass haptic touchpad.

Security is built for enterprise use as well. The laptop supports NIST SP 800-193, Microsoft Secured-Core PC, TPM 2.0, BIOS self-healing, fingerprint authentication, and Windows Hello IR facial recognition.

ASUS also includes MyExpert AI with AI ExpertMeet, Knowledge Hub, and File Search at no additional subscription cost. Combined with the lightweight body, long battery life, and high AI capacity, ExpertBook Ultra is clearly aimed at users who want workstation-style capability in a much smaller and more portable form factor.

Source: id.mashable.com
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