Asus’ Zenbook A14 Is Splendidly Mild however Weak in Energy

The A14 is out there 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 screen (nontouch) has a 1,920 x 1,200-pixel decision. Ports embrace 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, but it surely’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 most cost-effective and least highly effective, a dialed-back model of the Snapdragon X Plus, which already felt sluggish in use.

The excellent news is that the Snapdragon X-equipped A14 doesn’t carry out considerably in a different way from laptops outfitted with the Snapdragon X Plus. The unhealthy information is that efficiency isn’t terribly spectacular, and these laptops (together with the A14) all have a tendency to pull a bit. It’s not the tip of the world if you happen to’re looking the online and typing emails, however it might be good for a machine of this svelte stature to point out off a bit of energy—small however mighty. The A14 is especially sluggish in relation to graphics and video efficiency, and consumers shouldn’t dream of utilizing it for inventive work. Thankfully, Qualcomm has made strides in software program compatibility in current months, and beforehand unusable apps like Google Drive are actually working high-quality.

Asus specifies a most battery lifetime of a whopping 32 hours for this system, and whereas I didn’t strategy that stage with a full-screen, full-brightness, YouTube playback check, 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 have the ability to stretch that additional by turning off Wi-Fi and dialing down the brightness—which is stable when dialed up—however even at a “mere” 20 hours, the machine is record-breaking on the longevity entrance.

The audio is healthier 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 bought them to fireside up, even below the heaviest load I might throw at it. Usability is likewise stable, because the keyboard has loads of motion, and the trackpad, whereas spacious, is wanting being overbearingly giant.