Announced at CES 2025, the Asus Zenbook A14 defies expectations. Its remarkably light weight must be experienced to be believed. The lightest configuration weighs a mere 2.18 pounds. To put that in perspective, the 13-inch MacBook Air, renowned for its lightness, weighs 2.7 pounds—over half a pound heavier.
The Zenbook A14’s lightness is truly astonishing. Holding it feels almost surreal; the laptop seems to disappear in your hand. It’s a remarkable feat of engineering, especially for a modern 14-inch laptop. While it might not be the absolute lightest laptop ever created, the Zenbook A14 is pushing boundaries in its category.
Image of the Asus Zenbook A14 being held, showcasing its lightweight design.
Unlike some ultra-light laptops of the past, the Zenbook A14 doesn’t sacrifice build quality for portability. Its rigidity is attributed to “ceraluminum,” a unique material developed by Asus. Previously used only for Zenbook lids, this is the first time Asus has employed ceraluminum for an entire laptop chassis.
The Zenbook A14’s aesthetic is equally distinctive. Available in Iceland Grey and Zabriskie Beige, the laptop’s colors aren’t achieved through traditional paint. Instead, Asus utilizes varying oxidation states to create these unique shades.
Asus Zenbook A14 Specifications and Pricing
Here’s a comparison of the two Zenbook A14 configurations:
| Feature | Asus Zenbook A14 (UX3407QA-PS76) | Asus Zenbook A14 (UX3407QA-X1P512) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.23 x 8.42 x 0.63 inches | 12.23 x 8.42 x 0.63 inches |
| Weight | 2.18 pounds | 2.4 pounds |
| Display | 14-inch OLED (1920 x 1200) at 60Hz | 14-inch OLED (1920 x 1200) at 60Hz |
| CPU | Snapdragon X Plus Snapdragon X Elite | Snapdragon X Plus |
| GPU | Adreno GPU | Adreno GPU |
| Memory | 32GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 1TB | 512GB |
| Battery | 70 watt-hour | 70 watt-hour |
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p |
| Ports | 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB-C 3 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack |
1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB-C 3 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Retailer | Online | Best Buy in store |
| Price | $1,100 | $900 |
Component-wise, the Zenbook A14 sits in the mid-range, similar to the MacBook Air. While it features an OLED display, it’s limited to 1920 x 1200 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The base model starts with the Snapdragon X Plus processor. This positioning likely aims to avoid competition with Asus’s premium Zenbook S 14.
Close-up image of the Asus Zenbook A14, highlighting its design and features.
The Zenbook A14 offers impressive value. The $900 Best Buy exclusive model boasts 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, undercutting even the previous-generation M2 MacBook Air with comparable storage. The online configuration offers double the RAM and storage for an additional $200, representing excellent value. Wider availability of the more affordable configuration would be beneficial.
Battery Life and Other Zenbook Updates
Asus claims an astounding 32 hours of maximum battery life for the Zenbook A14, achieved through local, offline video playback. This surpasses the advertised battery life of any other current laptop.
Asus has consistently delivered value in the sub-$1,000 laptop market, and the Zenbook A14 appears to continue this trend. Its potential as a top budget laptop remains to be seen pending its January 13th launch and subsequent reviews.
Rendering of the Foggy Silver Zenbook 14.
Asus has also refreshed other Zenbooks. The base Zenbook receives upgrades to Intel Core Series 2 and AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors. While similarly priced, the AMD models feature some trade-offs, like a 60Hz screen and Wi-Fi 6E instead of Wi-Fi 7, but compensate with increased RAM and storage. Color options differentiate the models, with Jasper Grey and Foggy Silver for Intel and Jade Black for AMD.
These Zenbook 14 models lack the premium features of the Zenbook S 14, such as slimmer bezels and a larger touchpad. However, they continue to offer exceptional value.
The Zenbook A14 emerges as the most affordable option, starting at $900 (Best Buy exclusive). Notably, no Zenbooks appear to offer a 256GB starting storage configuration, potentially impacting overall affordability. Previous Zenbook 14 models occasionally saw significant price drops despite premium features like OLED displays.
