I tested the new Zenbook 14 and it impressed me with its light yet solid build — but I don’t think it’s Asus’ best ultraportable

The new Asus Zenbook 14 is an ultra-portable device designed to balance affordability and performance. True to its line, the laptop features a distinctive finish with vibrant colorways, setting it apart from typical offerings at this price point. However, what truly impresses is its build, which combines strength and lightness, making it one of the most portable laptop constructions in its class.

Despite its lightweight nature, the Zenbook 14 falls short in terms of thinness, with thick feet contributing to its overall bulk. While the majority of the device is sturdy, the keyboard exhibits a tendency to flex during typing, causing a mild sense of discomfort. Equipped with limited port selection, the Zenbook 14 includes one USB-A and two USB-C ports, the latter supporting power delivery, display signals, and HDMI output, along with a headset jack.

In terms of performance, the laptop handles everyday tasks, basic productivity, and 4K streaming with ease. However, it struggles with light gaming due to the absence of a dedicated GPU. Although the fans become audible under heavy workloads, they remain relatively quiet compared to other laptops, and temperatures remain impressively cool with minimal hotspots.

The 1920 x 1200p resolution on its OLED display provides sharp visuals and vibrant contrast, although reflections may occasionally disrupt the viewing experience. Unfortunately, battery life falls short, lasting just over 12 hours, which pales in comparison to competitors. The Asus Zenbook A14, a similar model, offers significantly better battery life and a lighter build for a similar price.

Given these factors, the Zenbook 14 is the preferred choice for those prioritizing a more robust body, while the A14 emerges as the better value for money option in other aspects. Priced starting at £799.99 (approximately $1,080 / AU$1,500), the Zenbook 14 is available for preorder, with shipments expected between September. Availability in the US and Australia remains uncertain but will be updated upon confirmation.

The base model features a Qualcomm Snapdragon X1 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 50Wh battery, while more powerful AMD Ryzen AI 7 and Intel Core Ultra 9 models with 70Wh batteries are available for higher price points. Each model offers three colorway options: Zabriskie Beige, Arctic Blue, and Komodo Coral. While the Zenbook 14 presents a reasonable price for its specifications, the already released Asus Zenbook A14 boasts superior battery life, a slightly lighter build, and a marginally lower price.

Additionally, HP’s OmniBook 7 presents a strong all-rounder at a similar price point, making it a formidable competitor in the market.