The Zenbook A14 is a new model, ASUS’s first Snapdragon X series Zenbook. At 980 grams, it is one of the lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC on the market using Ceraluminum material, a matt texture that ASUS claims is resistant to stains and abrasions. The retail price in Singapore starts at S$1699 with Snapdragon X X1 26 100 Processor, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB SSD.
I love the lightweight and the size, as well as the long battery life exceeding 12 hours. Snapdragon processors are known for their low power consumption compared to Intel chips, so the A14 is a great laptop for productivity work, web browsing, media consumption. Leaving the laptop on will not cause “range anxiety” if the remaining battery is healthily above 50%.
It comes pre-installed with all the ASUS goodies like StoryCube (AI-driven image gallery app), MyASUS (system diagnostics, warranty support and device settings tool), ScreenXpert (window app management), GlideX (cross-platform screen-sharing app). The touchpad features shortcut gestures to adjust volume, brightness, media playback. The keyboard is back-lit and the key travel is adequate for speed-typing. The audio quality is loud and it uses Dolby Atmos to make the speakers deliver more spatial sound.
There are many settings that you can customise to improve the power and performance, like the battery care mode, fan profile, noise-cancelling microphone, ASUS OLED display care, colour gamut. The 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED display supports HDR True Black, 1.07 billion colours, SGS Eye Care. The Zenbook A14 is also certified US MIL-STD 810H to survive drops and impacts.
I love the availability of a full-size HDMI port, USB 3.2 Type-A port, two USB 4 Type-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack, so there is no need for bulky dongles or hubs. The retail package also comes with a laptop protective sleeve so you have one less accessory to spend on.
Running on Snapdragon X has some limitations though. While it is a 64-bit ARM processor, it might not be compatible with many 64-bit software as they are only designed for Intel 64-bit (x64) chips. So I was unable to try out the Audacity OpenVINO AI plugins, and Foobar2000 x64 does not work either. Fortunately, more developers are offering ARM-compatible software, and Foobar2000 does have an ARM64 version. It should not be a big deal for most people, just use the 32-bit version is fine.
I also find that the Window Hello facial recognition is not as sensitive as other Zenbooks, causing some frustration when unlocking the computer. It requires the face to be rather close to the camera before it unlocks. Sometimes, it would take longer to unlock, not so instantaneous. But in the optimal condition, that is, when you sit in front of the computer, the unlock speed is less than a second. Also missing is a privacy shutter, though the camera can be disabled via software (F10).
While ASUS claims the Ceremic-aluminum material is resistant to stains, I notice the well-used review unit has some stain marks. I would assume that those were caused by adhesives when the review unit was used for events. But looking at the condition, I would highly recommend opting for the gray colour instead of this beige.
Verdict
The ASUS Zenbook A14 offers consumers a wholesome computing experience: comfortable keyboard, generous touchpad, brilliant display, useful software, solid build, lightweight package, and a long-lasting battery. I feel the overall experience is tainted with the Snapdragon X which feels a little less polished, constrained by software compatibilities, occasional OS hiccups, modest processing power.
If you need a sub-kilogram laptop that offers seemingly never-ending battery life, the Zenbook A14 will not disappoint. With a retail price of S$1699, I would jump at any attractive promotion or discounts during periodic trade shows. Otherwise, if you need a more premium laptop, the Zenbook S14 leaves great impression on me with outstanding performance and computing reliability.
Best For
- Battery Life
- Lightweight
- Experience Zenbook features
- Full-size ports: no need dongles
Not So Ideal For
- 64-bit x64 compatibility
- Modest processing power
- Surface stain resistance
- Less responsive facial recognition
