Introduction
ASUS has long been a leader in the ultraportable laptop market, and the 2024 Zenbook 14 OLED (A14) continues that tradition with a sleek, lightweight design and a stunning OLED display. Priced competitively in the premium thin-and-light category, this laptop promises a balance of performance, portability, and visual excellence. But does it deliver? After testing it for two weeks, here’s our in-depth review.
Design & Build: Ultra-Thin, Ultra-Light
The Zenbook 14 OLED lives up to its name—it’s incredibly light at just 1.2 kg (2.65 lbs) and measures a mere 14.9mm thin. The aluminum chassis feels premium, with a refined matte finish that resists fingerprints.
Key Design Highlights:
ErgoLift hinge – Slightly elevates the keyboard for better typing ergonomics
Compact footprint – Smaller bezels than previous models
Military-grade durability (MIL-STD-810H) – Survives drops, extreme temps, and humidity
Subtle branding – No gaudy logos, just a sleek, professional look
While it doesn’t have the flashiness of a MacBook Air, it’s one of the best-built Windows ultrabooks in its class.
Display: OLED Brilliance with a Caveat
The 14-inch 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED panel is the star of the show:
Vivid colors (100% DCI-P3) – Perfect for creatives
True blacks and infinite contrast – Ideal for movies and photo editing
90Hz refresh rate – Smoother than standard 60Hz panels
DisplayHDR 500 True Black certified – Excellent for HDR content
However, there’s one downside: PWM dimming at lower brightness levels, which might cause eye strain for sensitive users.
Performance: Efficient but Not a Powerhouse
Our review unit came with:
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (12 cores, 14 threads)
- 16GB LPDDR5X RAM
- 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
Real-World Performance:
Great for productivity – Handles Chrome, Office, and light multitasking effortlessly
Solid battery life – ~8-10 hours of mixed usage (web browsing, video playback)
Not for heavy workloads – Struggles with sustained CPU/GPU loads (video rendering, gaming)
The Intel Arc integrated GPU is better than previous-gen Iris Xe but still falls short of AMD’s RDNA 3 iGPUs. Casual games like CS2 and Minecraft run fine at low settings, but don’t expect AAA gaming.
Keyboard & Trackpad: Comfortable but Not Perfect
Backlit keyboard – Good key travel for an ultrabook
Large glass trackpad – Smooth, precise, with Windows Precision drivers
Shallow key feedback – Not as tactile as a ThinkPad or MacBook
Typing feels comfortable for long sessions, but heavy typists might miss deeper key presses.
Battery Life: Decent, but OLED Drains Power
With the OLED panel and Intel’s power-hungry Core Ultra chip, battery life is good but not outstanding:
- 8-10 hours (general use, 60Hz, 50% brightness)
- 5-6 hours (higher brightness, 90Hz, video streaming)
ASUS includes a 65W USB-C charger, which refuels the battery quickly (0-60% in ~45 minutes).
Ports & Connectivity
ASUS keeps it minimal but functional:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
- 1x USB-A 3.2
- 1x HDMI 2.1
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- MicroSD card reader
No Ethernet or full-size SD slot, but most users won’t miss them.
Software & AI Features
The Zenbook 14 runs Windows 11 with minimal bloatware, plus some ASUS utilities:
MyASUS app – Battery health, performance modes
GlideX – Multi-screen functionality with other ASUS devices
AI Noise Cancellation – Cleans up mic and speaker audio
Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
Pros:
- Stunning OLED display
- Extremely lightweight and durable
- Solid productivity performance
- Good port selection for an ultrabook
Cons:
- PWM dimming may bother some users
- Battery life could be better
- Not ideal for heavy workloads or gaming
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) is perfect for:
- Students & professionals who prioritize portability
- Content consumers who want a gorgeous display
- Travelers needing a durable, lightweight laptop
Final Thoughts
ASUS has crafted another winner in the ultraportable category, though it’s not without compromises. If you can live with average battery life and PWM dimming, the Zenbook 14 OLED offers one of the best screens in its class with a sleek, travel-friendly design.
