Zebronics Pro Series Z laptop Review: Dolby Atmos adds oomph to this mid-ranger

These are hardly cutting-edge specifications or burn-a-hole-in-your-wallet prices, and I wouldn't blame you if you chose to spend your money on a brand that specialises in laptops — heck, you might even get more bang for your buck if you do. But Zebronics does not care about the specs — which, to be honest, are good enough for a casual use case. There is one thing — and one thing only — that sets this laptop apart: Dolby Atmos support.

That is its USP. Not the specifications, not the design, not even the price — but its audio magic. And honestly, this laptop far exceeded my expectations on this front. More on that later.

Without getting too technical, Dolby Atmos is a technology that uses multiple speakers placed strategically around a viewing room/cinema hall to give viewers a 360-degree audio experience that separates each sound and projects it from the perfect angle so that you feel like you're in the middle of the action. Moreover, the sound moves with the action, enhancing the expression.

(Image: Dolby)

This is physically impossible to replicate in a device, be it a television, tablet, or laptop, which has two, four, or six fixed speakers, but the folks at Dolby have worked closely with brands to as closely mimic the true Dolby Atmos experience as possible — with varying results.

The Zebronics Pro Series Z laptop that I have used for close to a month seems as close as it can get to a Dolby Atmos experience on your lap. Throw in the fact that it is an exceedingly capable laptop with decent internals, and the price point is justified, at least in my opinion.

The laptop impresses with its solid build quality, featuring a sleek metal shell. The top cover exudes class with a sturdy matte-finished metal panel and shiny CNC-milled corners, giving it a sophisticated appearance reminiscent of top brands. It has tapering edges that contribute to a slim profile, and, at 1.76 kg, the device is relatively lightweight. The back of the laptop maintains a premium look with a neat design and linear grille. It is available in Midnight Blue, Space Grey, and Blue (light blue).

(Image: Zebronics)

My review unit came equipped with an array of ports — two each of USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A and Type-C ports (the latter supporting charging and data/video), an HDMI port, one USB 2.0 Type-A port, an ethernet port, microSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Kensington lock. The lid opens 180 degrees, revealing smooth, sturdy polycarbonate hinges, and the overall appearance remains premium even when the lid is open.

The display comes with a 16:9 aspect ratio and an anti-reflective finish. The laptop also includes a sliding privacy shutter for the webcam, while the surprisingly large trackpad houses a square fingerprint scanner on the top left. Compared to the rest of the device, the keyboard feels a little undercooked, with low tactility and no backlighting, but the trackpad and fingerprint sensor are super responsive.

(Image: Zebronics)

The display is fine for indoor use. It does get dim under direct sunlight, but as I mentioned earlier, this is very much a media consumption-focused device. That it excels in everyday, lightweight tasks is just the cherry on the top. While the display isn't the sharpest and the colour reproduction isn't the best, the device more than makes up for it in the audio department.

The dual-firing, bottom-mounted speakers absolutely shine, offering a perceptible surround experience with customisable sound settings through the preloaded Dolby Access software. The laptop's audio, considering the constraints of its form factor, delivers an enjoyable experience — I had oodles of fun playing Dolby Atmos test videos on this device, and even more fun watching compatible shows or movies on streaming services. It is remarkable that two tiny speakers are able to mimic the full Dolby Atmos experience — at one point in a show, I could have sworn I heard a sound from somewhere behind my left shoulder — it was a very pleasant surprise.

With these two lineups, Zebronics has made its foray into the laptop market. While the laptop impresses with build quality and sound output, it does not quite cater to professional users. However, this mid-ranger is capable enough for students and casual users, and the Dolby Atmos support definitely adds to the appeal of owning a laptop that works well and sounds better.