Tech

Asus Zenbook A14 Assessment: A Tremendous Light-weight Laptop computer

The A14 is offered solely in darkish grey and in a single configuration: a Snapdragon X (X1-26-100) CPU with 32 GB of RAM and a 1-TB SSD. The 14-inch display (nontouch) has a 1,920 x 1,200-pixel decision. Ports embody two USB-C jacks with USB 4.0, a single USB-A 3.2 port, and a full-size HDMI jack. One of many USB-C ports is used for charging.

Common Efficiency

All of these specs are pretty entry-level for a laptop computer of this pedigree, however it’s the CPU that ought to draw some quantity of your consideration. The Snapdragon X is Qualcomm’s latest microprocessor, and it’s additionally its least expensive and least highly effective, a dialed-back model of the Snapdragon X Plus, which already felt sluggish in use.

Side view of the Asus Zenbook A14 laptop showing the slim screen and base

{Photograph}: Christopher Null

The excellent news is that the Snapdragon X-equipped A14 doesn’t carry out considerably otherwise from laptops outfitted with the Snapdragon X Plus. The dangerous information is that efficiency shouldn’t be terribly spectacular, and these laptops (together with the A14) all have a tendency to pull a bit. It’s not the top of the world if you happen to’re shopping the net and typing emails, however it will be good for a machine of this svelte stature to point out off slightly energy—small however mighty. The A14 is especially sluggish with regards to graphics and video efficiency, and consumers shouldn’t dream of utilizing it for artistic work. Happily, Qualcomm has made strides in software program compatibility in current months, and beforehand unusable apps like Google Drive at the moment are working fantastic.

Asus specifies a most battery lifetime of a whopping 32 hours for this gadget, and whereas I didn’t strategy that stage with a full-screen, full-brightness, YouTube playback take a look at, I used to be capable of squeak out simply over 20 hours of uninterrupted run time. (I examined this twice simply to ensure.) You’ll certainly be capable to stretch that additional by turning off Wi-Fi and dialing down the brightness—which is strong when dialed up—however even at a “mere” 20 hours, the machine is record-breaking on the longevity entrance.

The audio is best than anticipated, surprisingly wealthy and lots loud. That’s aided by a lifeless silent machine. There are followers contained in the A14, however I by no means obtained them to fireside up, even beneath the heaviest load I may throw at it. Usability is likewise strong, because the keyboard has loads of motion, and the trackpad, whereas spacious, is in need of being overbearingly giant.

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