The Thin and Light Laptop Has Met Its Match
The thin and light laptop has been a hotly contested sector of the market for years, and is the reason the MacBook Air exists. Apple’s 13.5in laptop has met its match (in lightness terms, at least) in the Zenbook A14, however, as while the Air weighs 1.24kg, the A14 tips the scales at a mere 0.98kg. It’s ridiculously light, perfect for taking with you. You might never notice it’s in your bag if you’re in the habit of having a book or two in there.
Key Specifications
| CPU: | Snapdragon X X1 26 100 |
| NPU: | Qualcomm Hexagon |
| Graphics: | Qualcomm Adreno |
| Memory: | 16GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage: | 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD |
| Screen size: | 14in |
| Screen type: | OLED |
| Resolution: | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate: | 60Hz |
| Colour gamut (measured): | 97% DCI-P3 |
| Brightness (measured): | 405 nits |
| Ports: | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm audio |
| Wireless connectivity: | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Dimensions: | 31.07 x 21.39 x 1.59 cm |
| Weight: | 0.98kg |
Design, Build and Display
• Thin and light
• Good port selection
• Bit plasticky
Asus has set out here to build the lightest 14in laptop it can, taking advantage of a new low-end Snapdragon chip to provide the core of the machine, then creating a plastic chassis around it. It’s been spectacularly successful at this – we can’t remember when we last saw a PC that came in at less than a kilogram – though it has resulted in a slightly unexciting and perhaps cheap-feeling build.
Performance
The Zenbook A14 is a laptop that’s being sold on its size, weight, and convenience. In these categories, it’s a winner, and if you’re in the market for something that’s easily portable, doesn’t take up too much room, and can be easily tidied away but also has a bit of oomph and can connect to almost any peripherals then it’s a machine that could find its way into many studios and businesses, as well as being a convenient personal laptop for home workers.
Price
The ASUS Zenbook A14 currently costs from £1,099.99 on ASUS’ sales portal, which may be a problem for the A14. It’s the same price as the entry-level M3 MacBook Air 13in, which performs better, and if (when) a new M4 model comes out the gulf between them will widen. For now, the A14 has the benefit that it runs Windows, which has a wide appeal, and offers excellent battery life, but this isn’t going to be the only Air-adjacent PC to appear built around the Snapdragon X1, and it’s unlikely to be the cheapest.
Who is it for?
This isn’t a laptop that’s being sold on the basis of its enormous processing power, but on its size, weight, and convenience. In these categories, it’s a winner, and if you’re in the market for something that’s easily portable, doesn’t take up too much room, and can be easily tidied away but also has a bit of oomph and can connect to almost any peripherals then it’s a machine that could find its way into many studios and businesses, as well as being a convenient personal laptop for home workers.
Score Card
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design: | Generic looks, but slim and very light | 4/5 |
| Features: | Good port selection | 3/5 |
Performance:
 Welcome to MachineDaily.AI, your go-to destination for breaking news, in-depth analysis, and the latest developments in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). Our mission is to provide you with timely and insightful content that explores AI’s vast potential across industries and its growing impact on society. From cutting-edge innovations to ethical debates, MachineDaily.AI is committed to covering AI in all its forms, making complex topics accessible to experts, enthusiasts, and curious minds alike. CategoriesUseful LinksOur NewsletterSubscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox! © Copyright 2024. All Right Reserved By Machine Daily. |
