Asus is able to tackle the MacBook Air with its Ze...

For a very long time, Apple has dominated the marketplace for light-weight, highly effective laptops. The MacBook Air has set a excessive bar for some other know-how behemoths to step in and attempt to attain. Asus has formally debuted its new Zenbook A14, an ultra-lightweight laptop powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X collection of chips. The corporate publicizes that the $899 Zenbook A14 is the “world’s lightest Copilot+ PC.”

I obtained an opportunity to shortly go hands-on with the Zenbook A14 forward of CES 2025. As a fan of the MacBook Air, I needed to seek out myself delighted by Asus’ newest innovation — particularly because the MacBook Air, and particularly any of the M-series-powered fashions, has all the time been the perfect mannequin to lug round on my work journeys. Within the time spent trying on the Zenbook A14, I shortly started to wrap my head round its potential. Apart from the interior specs, main me to consider it is a first rate workhorse for productiveness, its sheer measurement and weight invited the concept that Asus may very well be my subsequent journey companion.

Associated

This insanely powerful gaming handheld is way better than a Steam Deck

The ROG Ally X is the perfect handheld gaming machine available on the market, however is it completely price its excessive price ticket.

A MacBook Air in all however its title

Asus did not draw back from its inspirations when growing the Zenbook A14

As quickly as Asus revealed the Zenbook A14 throughout a behind-closed-doors session, it was clear that that they had aspirations of growing their very own MacBook Air. There aren’t any subtleties when what Asus needed to hold over from Apple’s long-running light-weight machine and the unique spin the corporate wished to include. The Zenbook A14 arrived as a 14-inch machine with an FHD Lumina OLED display, and for these preserving monitor at residence, it positioned the machine’s measurement proper within the candy spot between the 13- and 15-inch M3 MacBook Air.

Sustaining a minimalist design, Asus makes use of an all-Ceraluminum chassis. The corporate states that utilizing this tactile materials, the Zenbook A14 will be 30 p.c lighter and thrice stronger than if utilizing anodized aluminum. On prime of constructing it extra sturdy and light-weight, its Ceraluminum chassis ensures the Zenbook A14 can face up to minor scrapes and scratches. The chassis has been examined for hurt towards keys, cash, and different doubtlessly dangerous hazards you’d have in a backpack or piece of baggage. At launch, the Zenbook A14 shall be out there in nature-inspired colorways together with Iceland Grey and Zabriskie Beige.

Holding the Zenbook A14, it simply feels gentle sufficient to solely carry with one hand. Being 31.07 x 21.39 x 1.34cm (12.22 x 8.42 x 0.53-inches) in measurement, the Zenbook A14 is barely a small fraction bigger than the 13-inch MacBook Air. Nonetheless, Asus’ newest machine is 31.7oz (899g), lighter than the 43.7oz (1,240g) of the MacBook Air. The burden felt wonderful in my palms — I may see myself utilizing this after I do not need to deliver a extra intensive laptop computer with me on a visit or stroll to a espresso store.

Associated

6 Copilot features that are actually useful and don’t totally suck

Trusting generative AI appears bizarre, however Copilot has your again.

The potential to wow in efficiency

The jury continues to be out if Zenbook A14 can snuff out the competitors

The Zenbook A14 is not simply fairly on the eyes — there’s additionally numerous energy and effectivity beneath the hood. Asus leverages the Snapdragon X processor day by day to ship sturdy efficiency and stellar battery life. Relying on the mannequin, Asus consists of the Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus chips with CPU TDP of as much as 45W. Asus additionally pairs the Zenbook A14 with Qualcomm’s Adreno graphics, as much as 32GB LPDDR5x 8533 MHz RAM and as much as 1TB SSD storage. The corporate additionally claims that the Zenbook A14 will supply a “multi-working-day battery life.” Sadly, what that’ll imply for traditional productiveness workflows nonetheless has but to be decided.

I used to be solely in a position to spend a brief period of time utilizing the Zenbook A14 in any tactile sense, however navigation by means of the UI felt snappy and responsive. I am a sucker for any OLED show, and I have to say that the 14-inch FHD Lumina OLED display used on this machine appears to be like gorgeous — it is brilliant and vibrant with a pleasant coloration distinction. I am nonetheless desirous to see how streamed content material appears to be like on it in an open workplace setting or espresso store with extra direct daylight, although.

The machine’s keyboard feels good to the contact with responsive keystrokes, and in addition presents a 1.3mm key journey. The Zenbook A14 consists of an enlarged touchpad that includes Good Gesture controls. Utilizing the trackpad, I may swipe left or proper to regulate media skip choices and the standard up and down to regulate quantity. Asus confirms that Good Gesture controls work throughout all media gamers, which may very well be a neat perk when you’re watching movies on YouTube or controlling quantity on Netflix.

With out in depth hands-on time, I am uncertain if Asus has the means to dethrone Apple and its MacBook Air from its place. I am particularly desirous to see if the Snapdragon X Plus chipset, when optimized for the Zenbook A14, can outpace the M3-series MacBook Air. Apple’s laptop computer can present round 18 hours of use on a cost with distinctive productiveness utilization, so if Asus can replicate that or come near benchmarking the M3 MacBook Air, I might be impressed.

4:14

Associated

This phone is a gaming powerhouse

Asus’ ROG Telephone 9 is a standout for gaming and never a lot else.

Zenbook A14 is primed for AI options

Asus’ laptop computer helps Copilot+ PC function and safety perks

With its promise of being a Copilot+ PC machine, Asus is supporting a catalog of AI-driven options. In the event you’re acquainted with Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC platform, you will doubtless know what you are getting on this case. The Zenbook A14 consists of help for Cocreator’s text-to-image AI era, and there is additionally Reside Captions, which makes use of AI to translate reside or recorded audio, displaying subtitles in real-time. Home windows Studio Results is a function that makes use of AI results from the onboard FHD AI IR digicam and microphone to enhance lighting and audio, and, after all, this additionally consists of help for Microsoft’s largely controversial Recall function.

The Zenbook A14 does embrace a collection of privateness options and different perks. Asus explains that this consists of Adaptive Lock and Adaptive Dimming choices to safe your info if it is advisable to step away from the machine. The laptop computer additionally helps Home windows Telephone Hyperlink, so you’ll be able to join your iOS or Android machine to Home windows for cross-device compatibility. That manner, you’ll be able to take telephone calls, display mirror, and file share simply and successfully.

Associated

Asus nailed style, speed, and screen perfection in one laptop

The brand new Asus Zenbook S 14 is a shocking Home windows laptop computer that does not compromise on velocity.

These options are mere perks on prime of what looks as if a strong and modern new machine from Asus. AI options and privateness help are nice to pad out the Zenbook A14’s choices. Nonetheless, primarily based on my hands-on time, I have been rather more desirous to see how the {hardware} itself handles from a productiveness standpoint and day-to-day utilization. The Zenbook A14 has the potential to climb the ranks in direction of outmatching Apple’s MacBook Air or, on the very least, be a compelling different available on the market. Nonetheless, I will chorus from remaining judgment till it launches in February.