Asus Zenbook 14X OLED: A High-Performance Ultraportable for Creative Professionals
In the realm of portable laptops designed for creative professionals, the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED emerges as a shining example of modern engineering prowess. With a stunning display, a potent 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, and even a discrete GPU, this laptop offers a powerful punch in its slim 0.66-inch-thick chassis.
While our review model ventures into higher pricing territory, the Zenbook 14X OLED's affordable starting price ensures accessibility to its premium design and exceptional display. It's a spiritual successor to Lenovo's Slim 7 Pro X and an upgrade over the HP Pavilion Plus 14, making it our new Editors' Choice among high-end ultraportables.
The only drawback may be its GPU for professionals with more demanding graphics needs, where the pricier MSI Stealth 14 Studio or a larger notebook may be a better fit.
**Design: A Blend of Elegance and Portability**
Asus has consistently delivered aesthetically pleasing and compact designs in its Zenbook lineup, and the Zenbook 14X OLED is no exception. Despite its impressive feature set and high-performance capabilities, it remains incredibly portable, measuring just 0.67 by 12.7 by 8.9 inches and weighing 3.44 pounds. While shedding a bit of weight would be nice, it's hardly a noticeable difference and would come with trade-offs in performance or features.
The laptop's design is minimalist yet professional, with a premium feel thanks to its aluminum build. The exclusive finishing process imparts a ceramic-like texture that not only enhances its appearance but also promises durability over time.
**A Brilliant OLED Display**
The highlight of the Zenbook 14X OLED is undoubtedly its OLED display. The 14.5-inch touch panel boasts a 2,880-by-1,800-pixel resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering stunning visuals that are bright, glossy, and incredibly vibrant. However, the glossy finish may lead to reflections in certain lighting conditions.
**Comfortable Keyboard and Spacious Touchpad**
Despite its slim profile, the Zenbook 14X OLED features a comfortable keyboard with ample key travel, avoiding the common pitfall of shallow keys on thin laptops. The touchpad is roomy and responsive, and it even includes a nifty virtual number pad feature that can be activated with a touch icon.
**Abundant Ports for Connectivity**
Asus has maximized the available space on the 14-inch frame to provide a broad selection of ports. It includes one USB Type-A port on the left edge, while the right side boasts two Thunderbolt 4 connections, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. The inclusion of a USB Type-A port and a dedicated video-out connection is a welcome choice for creative professionals.
**Configuration Options: Accessibility Meets High Performance**
The Zenbook 14X OLED offers a range of configuration options to cater to different budgets and needs. Our reviewed model, priced at $1,499.99, packs a powerful 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. While the GPU is not the most powerful, it still provides a significant performance boost over integrated graphics, making it suitable for creative work on the go.
For those on a tighter budget, Asus offers lower-end models starting at $799.99. Even the base configuration includes an OLED touch screen with a high resolution, providing impressive value for the price.
**Performance: A Speedy Workhorse**
In benchmark tests, the Zenbook 14X OLED showcases its prowess, thanks to the Core i9 processor. It handles a variety of tasks with ease, making it a versatile choice for productivity and content creation. However, for the most demanding graphics-intensive workloads, a more powerful GPU may be required.
**Graphics: Capable, but Not Top-Tier**
The included Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU offers a significant performance improvement over integrated graphics. It's suitable for light to moderate 3D or editing workloads but falls short of more powerful GPUs like the RTX 4060 found in the MSI Stealth 14 Studio. If serious graphics work is your primary focus, a laptop with a more robust GPU may be a better fit.
**Battery Life and Display Quality: Impressive**
The Zenbook 14X OLED excels in both battery life and display quality. It outperforms its competition in terms of battery longevity, allowing users to stay productive on the go. The OLED display delivers excellent color saturation and brightness, providing a visually pleasing experience.
**Verdict: A Premium Ultraportable Choice**
While the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED may not be the most budget-friendly option, it offers a well-balanced package of premium design, powerful performance, and a stunning OLED display. Its accessibility in terms of pricing and configurations makes it a compelling choice for creative professionals who value mobility and display quality. Although it may not be the best choice for those with extreme graphics demands, it earns our Editors' Choice award among high-end ultraportable laptops for its overall excellence.