ASUS Zenbook A14 Review

The world of laptops is in constant motion, but every so often, a shift occurs that isn’t just an iteration—it’s a redefinition. We are at the dawn of one such shift: the age of the AI PC. Leading the charge is ASUS with its new Zenbook A14, a machine that isn’t just built for today’s tasks but is engineered for the intelligent workflows of tomorrow. Packing Intel’s latest Core Ultra processor and a stunning OLED display into a chassis that screams premium, the Zenbook A14 aims to be the quintessential ultrabook for the modern professional. But does it deliver on its ambitious promise?

Pulling the Zenbook A14 from its box is a familiar yet refined experience. ASUS has honed its Zenbook design language to a science, and the A14 is a testament to that. The all-aluminum chassis, finished in a subtle Inkwell Gray, feels both incredibly light and reassuringly rigid. There’s zero flex in the keyboard deck and minimal wobble in the display hinge. The iconic concentric circles on the lid are present but more subdued than on previous models, lending the device a mature, professional aesthetic that wouldn’t look out of place in any boardroom. At just 1.2kg and under 15mm thick, it’s a supremely portable machine that slips into a backpack and is easily forgotten until you need it. The port selection is modern but minimalist, featuring two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a single USB-A 3.2, and a full-size HDMI 2.1 port—a decent array, but some users may find themselves reaching for a dongle.

At the heart of the Zenbook A14 lies the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, and this is where the “AI PC” moniker comes from. Beyond the zippy CPU cores that chew through spreadsheets and multi-tabbed browsing sessions, this chip includes a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU). The NPU is designed to handle sustained, low-power AI tasks, such as real-time background blurring in video calls or running local AI models, without taxing the main processor or draining the battery. While the software ecosystem that fully leverages the NPU is still in its infancy, the potential is immense. In day-to-day use, the A14 is flawlessly responsive. Apps launch instantly, and light video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro is smoother than you’d expect from an integrated GPU, thanks to the capable new Intel Arc graphics. This isn’t a gaming rig, but for productivity and creative pursuits on the go, it is an exceptionally capable partner.

Without a doubt, the star of the show is the 14-inch ASUS Lumina OLED display. With a crisp 2.8K resolution and a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, it transforms every interaction. Colors are incredibly vibrant, and the perfect, inky blacks that only OLED can produce make content consumption an absolute joy. Whether you’re editing photos where color accuracy is paramount or just watching a movie after work, this screen is in a class of its own. However, its glossy finish can catch reflections in brightly lit environments. The keyboard is another highlight, offering deep, satisfying travel and well-spaced keys that make long typing sessions comfortable. The large glass trackpad is precise and responsive. Unfortunately, other features are merely adequate. The 1080p webcam is serviceable but won’t win any awards for image quality, and the Harman Kardon-tuned speakers are clear but lack the low-end punch to feel truly immersive.