The ASUS Zenbook A14 is all about shedding weight, and at under one kilogram, it’s seriously impressive for a 14-inch laptop. If you’re after something ultra-light to sling in your bag without breaking your back, this could be your new best mate. But, as with anything this light, there are a few trade-offs to consider.
Design & Build: Meet Ceraluminum, Your New Favourite Material
ASUS has gone all-in on its fancy new Ceraluminum material—a mix of ceramic and aluminium—that keeps things light yet tough as nails. We first saw it in the lid of the Zenbook S 16, but now it’s in the entire structure of the A14, right down to the keycaps. The powdery finish has a slightly rough texture, yet soft giving it a premium feel without being slippery.
At just under 16 mm, it’s thin…but it’s not the thinnest laptop around—Apple’s MacBook Air and Samsung’s Galaxy Book4 Edge 14 have it beat there. But, when it comes to keeping things light as a feather, the A14 wins hands down. Seriously, I still cannot believe how light it is and I have been carrying it around for three weeks!
Performance: Hits & Misses
Under the hood, the base model packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X (X1-26-100) processor, which is built more for efficiency than raw power. While it handles everyday tasks like a champ, the single-core performance is a bit sluggish, and the GPU won’t be blowing anyone’s socks off. If you’re after a beast for video editing or serious gaming, you might want to look elsewhere.
That said, I put it through its paces at a game night with friends, and to my surprise, it held up brilliantly. We played Repo for three hours straight—no lag, no overheating, and the fans didn’t even kick in. Not bad for something this light!
Battery Life: Absolutely Bonkers
ASUS has said that this laptop can last up to 32 hours on a single charge which is INSANE! I do think it is a bit dependant on a few things such as lowering brightness and switching off Wi-Fi etc however it does last a really long time without desperately needing charge! If you’re constantly on the move and can’t stand hunting for power points, this laptop is an absolute game-changer.
Travel Companion: A Frequent Flyer’s Dream
I took the Zenbook A14 with me to Sydney for the Lizzie Awards, and honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had an easier time travelling with a laptop. It was so light that my bag didn’t dig into my shoulder while I was juggling my suitcase, coffee, and security lines. Plus, running between meetings, I never had to stress about battery life. No desperate dashes to find a power outlet—absolute bliss!
The Downsides: The Cost of Going Ultra-Light
Of course, making something this light means some things had to be sacrificed:
- Ports? What Ports? There’s definitely space for more, but Asus kept things pretty minimal.
- Keyboard Feel Could Be Better It’s functional, but I wouldn’t call it my favourite typing experience.
Price & Availability – for more detail on the nitty gritty click HERE
Final Verdict: Who’s It For?
If you want a laptop that’s ridiculously light, lasts all day on a single charge, and is a dream to travel with, the Zenbook A14 is a winner. It’s not the most powerful machine out there, and the port situation is a bit disappointing, but for those constantly on the go, it’s a fantastic pick.
At the end of the day, ASUS has managed to create a sub-1kg laptop that still feels sturdy and delivers insane battery life. For regular every day use, its awesome…but if you are wanting to edit videos or complete creative projects you might be better looking at a different option.
