As an ex-Windows user who has transitioned into using MacBooks for the last four years, I haven’t seen many PCs that would convince me to switch. It’s usually some combination of them feeling too clunky, poor performance, loud fans, and bad battery life. But things are starting to change. On one hand, we have companies like Qualcomm developing class-leading Snapdragon chips for PCs that can finally compete with M-series chips on Macs. At the same time, Asus has created something so spectacular that it is hard to believe it’s real—the brand new Zenbook A14.

Design and Build Quality

Incredibly Lightweight and Portable

Every time I start my workday and pick up this laptop, I am still taken aback by how weightless it is. It feels like a feather and is, without question, the lightest computer I have ever used. It is effortless to pick up with one hand and move to another spot to work. Asus achieved this with a new material called S-aluminum, which is used in the laptop’s lid, keyboard frame, and base. This innovation allows for an incredibly lightweight design starting at just 980g.

Durable and Scratch-Resistant

Beyond the weight, the material offers practical benefits. It is scratch-resistant, meaning it can be tossed into a bag without worrying about keys scraping it. Additionally, it has shock resistance up to 50 cm, which can be a lifesaver for clumsy users. The laptop’s hinge is well-engineered, allowing the lid to be opened with just one finger—something unexpected from such a lightweight laptop.

Minor Drawbacks

One minor downside is that the laptop was advertised as smudge-free, but it still accumulates fingerprints similar to a MacBook. While not a deal-breaker, it is worth noting for those expecting perfection.

Typing and Navigation Experience

Comfortable Keyboard and Trackpad

Typing on this laptop is a pleasure. Each key press feels satisfying, thanks to the responsive feedback. Being able to type comfortably for hours is essential for productivity. The trackpad is also fantastic, providing a large surface area for precise control while navigating web pages and applications.

Smart Gestures for Added Functionality

The trackpad includes smart gestures that allow for quick controls, such as adjusting volume and brightness by swiping along the edges. Though it takes some time to get used to, it works well and becomes intuitive over time. However, physical buttons on the keyboard remain preferable for certain tasks.

Display Quality

High-Quality OLED Panel

The Zenbook A14 features a 16:10 aspect ratio, an uncommon but excellent choice for productivity. It provides extra vertical space, allowing for more lines of text to be visible. The laptop’s Lumina OLED display is vibrant, sharp, and easy on the eyes, making it perfect for long work sessions. Despite being under 2K resolution, the screen is surprisingly crisp.

Minor Limitations

While the display is limited to 60Hz and lacks touchscreen capabilities, these aspects do not impact the overall experience for most users.

Port Selection

This laptop includes two USB 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, an audio jack, and a 10GB USB-A port. The only downside is that an additional USB 4 port instead of the USB-A port would have provided more flexibility.

Performance

Powered by Snapdragon X

The Snapdragon X chip in the Zenbook A14 offers excellent performance for students, casual users, and on-the-go professionals. The model tested included 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, which was more than enough for tasks like using Notion, Microsoft Edge, Lightroom, and Microsoft Office. The lightweight design combined with good performance makes working on this laptop a pleasure.

Not Designed for Heavy Creative Work

While capable for most everyday tasks, this laptop is not suited for heavy video editing or graphically intensive applications. Running AI-based video editing tools can be laggy, making it unsuitable for professional-grade creative work. For such tasks, Asus’s ProArt lineup would be a better fit.

Compatibility with ARM-Based Apps

Since the laptop uses an ARM-based processor, some applications may not yet be optimized for it. Checking app compatibility before switching is recommended. However, for those whose apps are supported, the benefits include quiet operation and impressive efficiency.

Battery Life

Long-Lasting Battery Performance

Battery life is one of the most impressive aspects of the Zenbook A14. It lasts for multiple days on a single charge with moderate use. For example, starting a workday at 9:00 AM with a full charge, the battery still had 54% remaining by 6:44 PM.

Efficient Power Management

Even when battery levels drop, energy saver mode extends usage significantly. At just 18% battery, an hour of continuous use with max brightness and Bluetooth connected resulted in only a 3% drop. The 70W battery and 65W fast charger further enhance the experience, ensuring quick recharges when needed.

AI Features: Game-Changer or Gimmick?

Enhanced Webcam and Microphone

The Zenbook A14 includes AI-powered 3D video noise reduction and AI audio noise canceling, improving webcam and microphone quality. The webcam performs well in both bright and low-light conditions without significant quality loss.

Adaptive Dimming and Locking

The adaptive dimming feature reduces brightness when the user looks away, while adaptive lock automatically locks the computer when stepping away, conserving battery and improving security.

AI-Powered Windows 11 Features

This laptop is a Copilot+ PC, meaning it includes built-in AI tools within Windows 11. The Snapdragon X chip’s NPU enables features like real-time subtitles for any audio or video, image generation tools, and AI-powered enhancements in Microsoft Paint and Photos. While AI tools can be useful, their practicality depends on individual needs.

Final Verdict

The Zenbook A14 checks many important boxes—it is unbelievably light, has exceptional battery life, a stunning OLED display, solid performance, and runs very cool. While it is not perfect, no laptop is. What it does well is deliver a well-rounded experience that makes it a strong contender for those looking for a lightweight, high-performance Windows laptop.