Asus has joined the OLED display trend with its Zenbook 14, a laptop that offers impressive features at an affordable price point. The standout feature of the laptop is its OLED screen, which is incredibly bright and ranks as the second-brightest display tested in over 15 years. The screen is Pantone-validated and comes with a customizable color gamut feature, allowing users to adjust the screen for various purposes such as content creation, movie watching, and reducing blue light. Despite its 14-inch size, the screen resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 pixels in a 16:10 aspect ratio is more than sufficient.
Powered by an AMD chipset, the Zenbook 14 utilizes a 2-GHz AMD Ryzen 5 7530U CPU and AMD Radeon integrated graphics. Although the unit I tested had an entry-level configuration with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, its performance during benchmark testing exceeded expectations, especially in terms of business applications. However, the laptop’s graphics and gaming capabilities were less impressive, as it struggled with low frame rates. Nevertheless, all tests were able to run to completion without failure. One standout feature of the Zenbook 14 is its exceptional battery life, lasting 12 and a half hours during YouTube video playback at maximum screen brightness. Considering the brightness of the screen, this is a remarkable achievement.
Despite its compact size, weighing 3.1 pounds and measuring 19mm thick, the Zenbook 14 offers ample connectivity options. It includes two USB-C ports, one of which is used for charging, a full-size USB 3.2 port, a full-size HDMI output, and a microSD card reader. All of these ports are conveniently located on the sides of the laptop.
In terms of design, the Zenbook 14 features a sleek and modern look. The chassis is made from high-quality materials and feels sturdy. The laptop’s compact size makes it highly portable, ideal for users on the go. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, with well-spaced keys and good feedback. The touchpad is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures. The laptop also comes with an HD webcam and an integrated fingerprint sensor for enhanced security.
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While the Zenbook 14 excels in many areas, it does have a few drawbacks. Its graphics performance leaves something to be desired, making it unsuitable for intense gaming or graphics-intensive tasks. Additionally, the display may not be suitable for users who prefer larger screens for content consumption or productivity purposes. However, considering its price point and the overall value it offers, these downsides can be overlooked.
In conclusion, the Asus Zenbook 14 is an impressive and budget-friendly laptop that embraces the OLED display trend. Its bright and vibrant OLED screen, customizable color gamut, and excellent battery life make it stand out in its price range. While it may not excel in gaming or graphics performance, its performance on business apps and overall build quality make it a great option for budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable and portable laptop.
