ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) Review: A Great First Impression for Intel’s New Core Ultra Lineup

When it comes to choosing a new laptop, our criteria often differ based on individual needs. Whether for everyday use, work, or gaming, finding a laptop that meets these diverse requirements can be challenging. The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) aims to cater to the demands of a versatile user base. Having used this laptop extensively, I'll delve into its various aspects to help you decide if it's worth the investment.

Tech Specs

• Display: 14" 16:10 3K (2880 x 1800) ASUS Lumina OLED slim-bezel NanoEdge display
• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home
• Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics
• Memory: 32 GB LPDDR5x 7467 MHz RAM
• Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
• Connectivity: WiFi 6E (802.11ax), Up to Bluetooth 5.3
• Camera: FHD IR camera
• I/O Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS), 1 x Audio jack
• Audio: Built-in speakers, Smart amplifier technology, Built-in microphone, Harman Kardon certified, Dolby Atmos certified
• Battery: 75Wh
• Dimensions: 312.42 x 220.05 x 14.9mm
• Weight: 1.2kg

PROS

• Weighing just 1.28 kg, the Zenbook 14 OLED is lightweight and portable
• Intel Core Ultra 7 155H provides great performance for everyday tasks
• The inclusion of AI-centric architecture, although in its early stages, shows potential for future advancements
• Webcam cover adds an extra layer of security
• 3K OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate for excellent visuals
• Over 6 hours of screen-on time with rapid charging
• Harmon Kardon stereo speakers deliver clear sound
• Low-profile design with large keycaps for a pleasant typing experience

CONS

• The laptop is a fingerprint magnet
• Absence of a second USB-A port and a microSD card slot
• Top-end configurations come with a significant price tag
• There is no fingerprint scanner here
• While the NPU enhances certain features, the overall AI integration is limited for now

Slim and Sleek Design

At a featherweight of only 1.28 kilograms (for the top-end model), the Zenbook 14 OLED stands out as a marvel of sleek design and portability. Its slim and compact form factor enhances mobility, allowing seamless integration into users' daily lives. Whether at the office, during commutes, or at home, the laptop maintains a premium and lightweight feel, making it a versatile companion.

Additionally, the 180-degree hinge adds functionality, especially when combined with the touch screen. This allows users to lay the laptop flat for a tablet-like experience, enhancing its versatility.

Fingerprint-Magnet Concerns

Even though the laptop looks nice with its Ponder Blue colorway, it had an issue-fingerprint smudges. The laptop easily picks up these marks, so I had to clean it regularly to keep it looking pristine. On the plus side, the laptop includes a high-quality and aesthetically pleasing carrying case.

Port Selection: A Decent Array with Minor Quibbles

The Zenbook 14 OLED offers various ports, including two versatile Thunderbolt 4 (also serving as USB-C), a USB 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It's good to have these options, but some might find it a bit lacking since there's no second USB-A port (my mouse's USB receiver is always hogging the single USB-A port) and no slot for a microSD card.

Webcam Privacy Cover: A Thoughtful Addition

The Zenbook 14 OLED prioritizes user privacy by including a physical cover for the webcam. This straightforward yet powerful feature allows users to regulate access to their camera, offering reassurance and heightened privacy protection.

Additionally, the Zenbook 14 OLED embraces the convenience and security of Windows Hello Face Unlock. However, if you prefer fingerprint scanners, it's worth noting that this feature is not available on this device.

Display: 3K 16:10 OLED Brilliance

The Zenbook 14 OLED impresses with its 14-inch display, featuring a 3K 16:10 OLED panel that boasts a remarkable resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels. This high pixel density ensures precision in rendering details, making it an excellent choice for content creation, media consumption, and everyday tasks. The 16:10 aspect ratio not only provides additional vertical space but also enhances productivity and immersion.

Moreover, the visual experience is enriched through High Dynamic Range (HDR), which introduces an expanded range of brightness and nuanced shadows.

120Hz Goodness

Taking the user experience to new heights, the Zenbook 14 OLED incorporates a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. This feature benefits tasks, scrolling, and casual gaming by providing enhanced fluidity and responsiveness. It caters not only to the demands of modern computing but also contributes to a smoother multimedia experience.

While touchscreen functionality isn't the primary mode of navigation, it adds an intuitive dimension to interactions. Browsing, zooming, and navigating through applications become seamless with the responsive and smooth touch experience, significantly enhancing the laptop's versatility.

OLED Challenges

Addressing challenges associated with OLED displays, ASUS has implemented a pixel-refresh screen saver. This feature periodically refreshes pixels at predetermined intervals, enhancing the display's longevity and promoting long-term reliability.

Moreover, ASUS provides a peak brightness of 600 nits, effectively tackling the typical reflectivity issue associated with OLED screens. This heightened brightness ensures clarity even in brightly lit environments, offering a comfortable viewing experience. During my usage, I found the laptop viewable even under direct sunlight.

Intel Core Ultra 7 155H: A Processing Powerhouse

At the heart of the Zenbook 14 OLED lies the new Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, a 16-core System-on-Chip (SoC) that signifies a paradigm shift in laptop processors. Boasting 16 cores and the ability to handle 22 threads, this processor, based on the Meteor Lake architecture, introduces asynchronous chip architecture akin to smartphones.

With 6 high-performance cores, 8 efficient cores, and 2 ultra-low-power cores, the Ultra 7 155H promises not only speed but also efficient power management.

AI at Heart

The defining feature of the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is its dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU). This AI-centric architecture offloads AI-specific tasks from the main processor, resulting in improved performance and efficiency. During my usage, the NPU seamlessly integrated into daily tasks, especially noticeable when utilizing Windows Studio Effects for dynamic camera framing, background blurring, and eye-tracking features.

The concept of 'AI PCs' is still in its early stages, but the potential shown by Microsoft's Copilot AI companion has me optimistic about the future. Recently, I tested Copilot by asking it to play a song on YouTube. While it provided me with a link to open the YouTube webpage, I envision a more automated process. Ideally, I'd like Copilot to open the YouTube app in my preferred browser and play the requested song without any manual clicks, simply based on my prompt. I believe this level of automation will become possible over time, and for now, we'll just have to patiently await these advancements.

Day-to-Day Performance: A Versatile Workhorse

When it comes to everyday tasks, the laptop performs admirably. I did notice a slight slowdown when I had a multitude of Chrome tabs open-18 to be exact. The laptop experienced some stutters and lag, but these issues quickly disappeared once I closed a few tabs. Additionally, the laptop tended to get warm during use, which is understandable given its compact size. While it may warm up a bit more with extended use, especially considering the small chassis, it didn't detract significantly from the overall positive experience.

Here are the synthetic benchmark numbers to gauge an idea of the performance:

If you're not pushing this machine like I do, then you'll have an absolute blast working on this thing. The performance is excellent for your regular workload.

Gaming Performance: Casual Gaming Delight

While the Zenbook 14 OLED isn't specifically designed for gaming, it showed impressive performance in casual games. In Minecraft, it achieved a maximum frame rate of 100 fps on the highest settings and maintained an average of 90 fps. However, the laptop struggled to deliver smooth gameplay in Palworld, even with reduced graphics settings. The absence of a dedicated GPU and the thin-and-light design of the Zenbook 14 OLED makes it apparent that intensive gaming isn't its intended use.

However, Intel's integrated Arc graphics mark a substantial advancement from the earlier Iris generation. The Arc graphics surpass their predecessors, demonstrating notable improvements in handling modern games at reasonable resolutions and graphic quality settings. While it doesn't reach the level of a dedicated GPU, the performance boost is a welcome enhancement.

Battery: Endurance Beyond Expectations

The Zenbook 14 OLED boasts an exceptional battery life, making it a reliable companion for lengthy usage. Throughout my experience, the laptop consistently provided a screen-on time of over 6 hours, occasionally reaching peaks of 8 hours. These impressive results were achieved while maintaining a constant 120Hz refresh rate, operating at maximum brightness, and handling a diverse range of productivity and multimedia tasks.

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED's battery life stands out, but its rapid charging capability adds an extra layer of convenience. The device charged from 30% to 64% in less than 30 minutes, which is impressive.

Audio: Crisp and Clear Sound

During my usage, the Harmon Kardon stereo speakers lived up to their reputation, providing crisp and clear sound across various media. Whether watching videos, listening to music, or engaging in virtual meetings, the audio quality remained consistently impressive. The speakers effectively filled the room with sound, negating the need for external audio peripherals in most scenarios.

However, due to the placement of speakers on the bottom, the sound might be muffled when the laptop is placed on soft surfaces like beds or sofas. Although it may not be a significant issue for all users, this aspect is worth considering, especially for those who frequently use their laptops on soft surfaces.

Keyboard: Quieter, Low-Profile, and Large Keycaps

The Zenbook 14 OLED features a great keyboard that combines comfort and functionality. With its low-profile design and quiet keys, typing is a pleasant and tactile experience. The subdued keystrokes create a quieter work environment, making it suitable for both shared spaces and individual use. Additionally, the large keycaps contribute to a precise and comfortable typing experience.

The Zenbook 14 OLED also boasts a virtual num pad integrated into the trackpad. This feature is a boon for users who need dedicated number keys but prefer a compact design.

Configurations and Price Tiers

The Zenbook 14 OLED provides a spectrum of configurations, from the basic model to the high-end variant. Equipped with a Full HD non-touch screen, a Core Ultra 5 CPU, and 16GB of RAM, the base model comes with a price tag of ₹96,990. As users choose to go up, such as upgrading to a 3K OLED touch panel, a more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, and 32GB of RAM, the cost escalates, reaching ₹120,990 for the top-of-the-line version.

Should You Buy?

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) emerges as a top-tier laptop for anyone. With a sleek design, exceptional display, and robust performance, it ticks many boxes for users seeking a premium, lightweight device.

While the high price may be a deterrent, the overall package justifies the investment for those in search of a versatile and high-performing laptop in a slim and sleek package.