Asus Zenbook A14 review: exceptionally lightweight and remarkably durable.
Asus Zenbook A14
MSRP: $1,000.00
"The Asus Zenbook 14 is impressively lightweight and has exceptional battery life."
Pros:
- Slim and very light
- Comfortable Ceraluminum material
- Strong productivity performance
- Outstanding battery life
- Excellent OLED display
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Lid is somewhat loose
- Only one configuration available
Sometimes a manufacturer focuses on a single design objective for a laptop, like minimizing weight. This can lead to trade-offs in various aspects, such as a smaller battery or a build that feels fragile. Asus has launched the Zenbook A14, which is among the lightest 14-inch laptops available, and I was concerned it might encounter similar issues as other lightweight models.
Fortunately, that is not the case. The laptop boasts a sturdy construction (with just one issue) and features a large battery that provides outstanding battery life, even with its superb OLED display. The key lies in Asus utilizing a unique material to achieve lightweight construction, paired with the energy-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipset and a reduced display resolution. The outcome is a laptop that has a premium feel, operates swiftly, and offers excellent longevity.
Specs and configuration:
Asus Zenbook A14:
- Dimensions: 12.23 x 8.42 x 0.63 inches
- Weight: 2.4 pounds
- Display: 14.0-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) OLED, 60Hz
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100
- GPU: Qualcomm Adreno
- Memory: Options of 16GB or 32GB
- Storage: Choices of 512GB SSD or 1TB SSD
- Ports: 1 x USB4, 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack
- Camera: 1080p with infrared for Windows 11 Hello
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
- Battery: 70 watt-hour
- Operating system: Windows 11 on ARM
- Price: $1,000+
Despite multiple configuration options noted in Asus materials, I could only find one available for purchase today, which is priced at $1,000. This version comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 14.0-inch FHD+ OLED display. This price point is appealing for a well-equipped laptop that offers double the storage of the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4). While it is positioned as midrange, the laptop exudes a premium feel. Hence, while it isn't exactly a steal, it doesn't leave you feeling like you overspent.
Design:
The Zenbook A14 is primarily lauded for its lightweight design, weighing only 2.4 pounds. While it's not the absolute lightest laptop, it is sufficiently light for a 14-inch model, making it almost unnoticeable in your backpack, while managing to avoid the flimsy feel that sometimes accompanies lightweight laptops. This sturdiness is credited to a new material called "Ceraluminum" used in the lid, keyboard frame, and base. Ceraluminum is created by submerging aluminum in a bath and applying high voltage, resulting in a "hard, ceramic-like layer."
This unique feel initially seemed strange when I first unpacked the device, but I grew to appreciate it with more use. An additional advantage is Ceraluminum's resistance to scratches and blemishes; for instance, I found it impossible to leave fingerprints on it, no matter how hard I tried. The keyboard deck and chassis bottom feel solid, while the very thin lid exhibits a slight flex under pressure, which is impressive given that other premium laptops demonstrate the same despite not being as light. Ceraluminum has a warm texture, and while the edges are somewhat sharp, they didn’t cause discomfort to my wrists. While the Apple MacBook Air 13 has a more robust build, it is slightly heavier at 2.7 pounds, and is smaller and thinner (0.45 inches vs 0.63 inches) with a 13.6-inch screen. The notable aspect of the Zenbook A14's lightness is the inclusion of a significant 70 watt-hour battery, contributing to impressive longevity.
However, I do have a concern regarding the Zenbook A14’s design: the hinge is overly loose. The lid can be lifted with one hand, which is convenient, but it wobbles more than I prefer and tends to fall backward when the laptop is lifted by the base. Additionally, the hinge lacks support for the lid when opened less than halfway, causing it to snap shut abruptly. Asus conducted extensive testing to ensure durability, yet this
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Asus Zenbook A14 review: exceptionally lightweight and remarkably durable.
The Asus Zenbook A14 is a 14-inch laptop that becomes more appealing with extended use. It is exceptionally lightweight, has impressive battery life, and is fairly priced.