With the Zenbook A14, ASUS has reached a brand new milestone of portability. It's a 14-inch laptop computer that weighs simply 2.2 kilos, making it really feel extra like a pill than a pc whenever you decide it up. And with its distinctive Ceraluminum case, which looks like a cross between ceramic and steel, the Zenbook A14 is a extra viable premium pocket book than LG's chintzy ultra-light Gram lineup. However there's at all times a tradeoff between measurement and energy, and on this case ASUS has delivered the slowest Copilot+ PC we've seen but. However I suppose that simply makes it a real light-weight.
Now to be clear, the Zenbook A14 is a serviceable laptop computer for mild productiveness work. Because it's a Copilot+ AI PC, it comes with not less than 16GB of RAM, so it might probably simply cope with juggling dozens of browser tabs and your typical workplace and picture modifying apps. However the A14's Snapdragon X X1 chip limits its capability to do something really demanding, so don't anticipate it to be taking part in many video games or rendering video. And because it's powered by that Arm chip, the Zenbook additionally has to run apps designed for Intel and AMD CPUs in a slower emulation. Some software program gained't work in any respect, together with very outdated apps, and video games like Fortnite that use anti-cheat software program.
So whereas the Zenbook A14 might look like a MacBook Air killer at first look, it's extra of a reminder of how effectively Apple has balanced that laptop computer. Certain, it's half a pound heavier, however the MacBook Air can even edit movies, render 3D and play video games in a pinch. You gained't really feel the identical type of efficiency limitations you'll undoubtedly encounter on the Zenbook A14.
That being stated, there's nonetheless an viewers for an ultra-light, under-powered laptop computer. The A14 is a perfect machine for writing on the go, since you possibly can journey with it effortlessly and it gives a whopping 18 hours and 16 minutes of battery life (in line with the PCMark 10 benchmark). And let's face it, the Zenbook's sluggish gaming chops may very well increase your productiveness.
I might see it being an ideal secondary computing system in case you've already obtained a desktop or heftier laptop computer setup at house. And in case you actually simply must browse the net, reply to emails and watch the occasional video, you in all probability gained't discover its efficiency points.
{Hardware}
The Zenbook A14 makes a startling first impression lengthy earlier than you see it in motion. Its retail field feels alarmingly weightless, as if it solely accommodates air and a few cardboard cushioning. And when you open it up, it's onerous to grasp how a 14-inch laptop computer can weigh a mere 2.2-pounds. It additionally feels as effectively balanced as an artisanal chef's knife, making it simple to carry. As impressed as I used to be by the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 final yr, the Zenbook A14 looks like a stronger instance of how far the corporate has come from producing low cost MacBook clones.
Additionally including to the Zenbook A14's total polish is that aforementioned Ceraluminum case, which merely feels good to carry. It's heat and alluring to the touch, whereas Apple's MacBooks and most different all-metal laptops virtually at all times really feel chilly (particularly in heavily-chilled places of work). As we've seen on different current ASUS notebooks, Ceraluminum additionally feels sturdy, as there's no flex on the A14's slight body.
The corporate clearly frolicked fine-tuning the usability of such a light-weight machine. Opening it up with one hand is easy, due to a brand new hinge design that retains the A14 from tilting backwards as you increase the display. I've examined different mild notebooks, together with earlier Zenbook fashions, that required two arms: one to carry the pc's keyboard part down, and one other to raise the show. I can let you know from expertise that it's useful to have the ability to flip open your laptop with one hand whereas holding a crying child within the different.
The Zenbook A14 sports activities an impressively skinny profile when it's open, however it's additionally well-built sufficient to maintain its display regular when typing in your lap. Which will look like a distinct segment level, however I've grown to despise unstable shows on lesser skinny notebooks. It's yet one more signal of ASUS getting the little issues proper within the A14.
And talking of getting issues proper, I appreciated that ASUS was capable of squeeze in a ton of ports: two USB-C connections, one USB Sort A, a full-sized HDMI connection and a headphone jack. Apple, in the meantime, solely contains two USB-C ports, a MagSafe charging connection and a headphone jack on the MacBook Air.
In use: A serviceable Arm-based Home windows laptop computer
It's a disgrace that each one of ASUS' considerate {hardware} design is held again by the Snapdragon X X1, an eight-core system on a chip (SOC) meant for ultra-slim and low-power gadgets. In benchmarks and basic utilization, it's clearly a a lot slower answer than the X Elite and X Plus chips that graced the Floor Professional and different Copilot+ methods. As I discussed up high, that's the main compromise ASUS needed to make to ship such a slim pocket book, and for some, it might be an entire dealbreaker.
The Zenbook A14 dealt with my primary productiveness workflow simply wonderful: searching on Chrome and Edge with dozens of tabs, whereas additionally working Slack, Spotify and occasional picture modifying apps. However compared to the Floor Professional and Laptop computer, it's like driving an entry-level automobile as an alternative of a real luxurious providing. And that's a disgrace because it's priced equally to these PCs. Finest Purchase at the moment lists our overview unit, which incorporates 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, for $1,100. If these specs have been paired with a greater processor, I'd think about the A14 a sensible buy. As an alternative, it looks like a machine that ought to clearly be beneath $1,000 with 16GB of RAM and a smaller SSD.
On Edge and Chrome, I seen slight hiccups after I was leaping between tabs and a number of home windows. And people have been native apps developed for Arm processors! Snapdragon chips must emulate older x64 and x86 Home windows apps, which introduces much more slowdown. Whereas scripting this overview in Evernote (an x64 app), the A14 would typically have hassle easily scrolling down lengthy notes, and it might typically take a couple of seconds to load older notes. (Evernote proprietor Notion says it "doesn’t formally assist ARM processors presently," which implies customers are out of luck in the event that they encounter extra vital points.)
One upside to working a reasonably sluggish processor? Glorious battery life. Within the PCMark 10 battery benchmark, the Zenbook A14 lasted 18 hours and 16 minutes. That's round half-hour greater than Dell's Copilot+ XPS 13 with a Snapdragon X Elite, and it's additionally two and a half hours longer than final yr's Intel Core Extremely-powered Zenbook S14.
I appreciated the Zenbook A14 probably the most after I wasn't making an attempt to benchmark it or seek for its occasional slowdowns. It's an exquisite machine to seize whenever you simply wish to give attention to writing, clearing out e-mail or finalizing accursed company coaching. Its keyboard is responsive and cozy to sort on, although I want its touchpad measured clicks extra precisely.
The Zenbook A14 can also be nice for catching up on Netflix exhibits in mattress, because it feels virtually weightless and video appears to be like super on its 14-inch OLED display. Its audio system sound terribly tinny, although, so I'd use headphones for any critical binge-watching classes. I used to be additionally shocked that its 1080p webcam really produced first rate footage, and it additionally helps you to log into the A14 simply with Home windows Hiya IR assist.
Do you have to purchase the Zenbook A14?
Given the mixed problems with Arm compatibility and a sluggish processor, I wouldn't suggest the Zenbook A14 as a major laptop for most individuals, despite the fact that it's priced like a real MacBook Air competitor. If something, it's a little bit of an experiment by ASUS to see what compromises shoppers will tolerate to get such a light-weight laptop computer. As an alternative of an impossibly mild and underpowered pocket book, most individuals could be higher off with one thing just like the Zenbook 14 OLED, which at the moment sells for $1,050 with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Certain, it weighs 2.8 kilos as an alternative of two.2, however it's nonetheless fairly moveable.
Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air, which begins at $999 with an M4 chip, is a half pound heavier than the Zenbook A14, however way more succesful total. Even the older M2 chip is quicker than the Snapdragon X, and macOS has a wider choice of Arm-compatible apps, in addition to sooner emulation than Home windows.
Wrap-up
If ASUS’ aim was to make an impressively premium ultra-light laptop computer, it virtually obtained there with the Zenbook A14. Whereas it outdoes the MacBook Air in weight and worth, its sluggish processor makes it far much less succesful than Apple’s ultraportable. Maybe at some point, with future revisions and extra succesful {hardware}, ASUS might lastly ship a strong near-two-pound laptop computer. For now, although, you’re higher off ready for a reduction so the A14 can function a secondary PC.
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