ZDNET Highlights
- The 2024 Asus ZenBook 14 is available at Best Buy for $799.
- It’s affordable, has solid hardware and a long battery life; All packaged in a form factor that weighs less than three pounds.
- As great as it is, this laptop does have a tendency to run hot.
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Amidst the abundance of working laptops, 2024 asus zenbook 14 Standing tall. It performs incredibly well, has a comfortable keyboard, a long-lasting battery, and a bright, smooth display. There is not a single category where this device does not excel. This ZenBook model was one of the best laptops I used last year, and I’d still recommend it in 2025.
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One of the reasons the ZenBook is so great is its extreme versatility. The model I observed here had an Intel Core Ultra 5, but additional configurations are also available, including Intel Core Ultra 7 and 9 processors supported by Intel’s AI Boost. Its high level of customizability, combined with the bold form factor, allows the model to still perform well among contemporary work computers.
energy efficient
One of the shining features of the ZenBook is its longevity. No matter what power mode the machine is set to, expect it to last most of the workday. I did my usual testing of playing a continuous YouTube live stream at 720p and 50% brightness.
At best performance, the battery lasted about 6.5 hours before draining. On Balanced, it surpassed that time, lasting more than 10 hours. Then, at best power efficiency, the ZenBook 14 lasted for 12 hours. Keep in mind, all these times were achieved without battery saver turned on. 12 hours is still a good time in 2025. More powerful models like the 2024 Asus Pro P16 don’t last that long.
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Asus went with energy-efficient hardware for this laptop. My review unit has an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H bundled with an integrated Intel graphics card and 8GB of RAM. Make no mistake: This is not a particularly high-end configuration. But it is not needed. It manages to perform quite well thanks to a secret weapon: a neural processing unit (or NPU).
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NPUs were a new addition to laptops last year, with mass integration seen in 2024. To simplify what they do, NPUs use AI to boost their performance by offloading some of the workload from CPUs and GPUs. For example, while testing this laptop, I was able to open 50 tabs in six windows, all without experiencing a performance degradation.
sleek design
Along with energy-efficient hardware, Asus has equipped this laptop with a 14-inch, Full HD OLED display that runs at a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The screen covers the entire PCI-3 gamut, enabling bright, vivid colors. Full HD may not sound very impressive nowadays, but it is still capable of outputting highly detailed images. Also, the bezels around the display are very thin, resulting in a 16:10 aspect ratio display for wide-angle viewing.
My praise for its design doesn’t stop there. It weighs less than three pounds but is quite durable as its exterior is made primarily of aluminum. Even the screen is tough, as Asus used Corning Gorilla Glass in its construction. However, since it is so thin, this laptop doesn’t have a lot of ports. It only has one USB-A input, two USB-C, a headphone/earphone jack combo, and an HDMI port – at least the basics are covered.
I appreciate laptops with great keyboards, and the ZenBook 14 doesn’t disappoint. It is equipped with the company’s patented ErgoSense technology, which makes the keyboard ergonomically friendly. The travel distance of each key is 1.4 mm, which lets you type on the buttons without having to press them all the way. This reduces some stress on your fingers. Additionally, ErgoSense replicates key spacing on a full-size keyboard, ensuring accurate typing.
Now you might be wondering: what’s the problem with this? Is the Asus Zenbook 14 as great as you say it is? Well, there are some drawbacks too. A: The speakers are towards the bottom of the laptop. As a result the sound becomes slower. Fortunately, they are still quite powerful despite their poor location. Music sounds great from these speakers, but I noticed some audio distortion at louder volumes.
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The biggest issue is the fact that it can run incredibly hot. You can’t even type on a keyboard or put it on your feet without discomfort. Heat vents are found on the bottom and side, but they don’t offer much relief. This problem is further aggravated if you try to use the laptop while it is charging. It is so hot that typing on the keyboard becomes uncomfortable. Honestly speaking, it would be better for you not to use the laptop during this period.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
asus zenbook 14 A solid laptop with good performance, a great display, a sturdy design – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I didn’t even mention the 1080p webcam, the anti-fingerprint coating covering the trackpad, or perhaps the best part: the affordable price.
You can purchase the configuration of my review unit for $640 at Best Buy. The laptop is on clearance, which means once Best Buy sells out all the units, there won’t be any left. If you’re looking for something with extra power, Asus is selling it zenbook 14 With an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor for $1,300.
