First impressions of ASUS’s new Zenbook laptops: The yays & nays

On March 10, ASUS Malaysia unveiled its two new laptops, the Zenbook 14X OLED and Zenbook 14 Flip OLED.

On the launch, our crew was capable of check out each laptops. Whereas we didn’t get to completely take a look at out its processing energy and run benchmark exams, listed below are a few of our preliminary ideas on them.

For the digital nomads, the Zenbook 14X OLED

Designed with digital nomads in thoughts, this laptop computer is fitted with among the newest options obtainable in the marketplace proper now.

For one, you possibly can go for the thirteenth Gen Intel Core i9 H-series processors, 32GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 discrete graphics.

That includes ASUS’s NanoEdge know-how, the mannequin boasts a 89% screen-to-body ratio, and it reveals. Across the 14.5-inch show is a really slim and slender bezel which makes the laptop computer really feel correctly glossy and trendy.

On the identical be aware, the thinness of the 16.9mm laptop computer lends a really trendy and glossy feel and appear, dwelling as much as its picture as a product for digital nomads.

The Zenbook 14X OLED can lie flat, with its display screen capable of tilt 180°. That is most helpful for collaborating with individuals sitting in entrance of you. For digital nomads who usually work alone, this may not be as helpful, although.

Whereas 16:9 is the same old customary for laptop computer side ratios, ASUS opted for a 16:10 ratio. This ratio is right for individuals who use their laptops to work, not simply to observe and stream content material.

The laptop computer additionally incorporates a 2.8K decision, 120Hz OLED display screen. OLED (which suggests natural light-emitting diode, for the few who could be curious) screens are stated to supply higher picture high quality, quicker response occasions, and lowered energy consumption.

OLED screens are additionally thought of to be higher on your eyesight, making them a great choice for individuals who work off their laptops, which is just about each different particular person these days.

The mannequin on the launch sported the non-touchscreen model, however a touchscreen choice of the show is on the market, in response to a press launch.

For its worth of RM4,999, I do assume it’s a dependable on a regular basis laptop computer with nice options. Its specs make it nice for artistic professionals as nicely, particularly because it comes with Pantone Validated color constancy, a cinema-grade DCI-P3 gamut, and as much as DisplayHDR True Black 600 certification.

In the event you’re searching for top-of-the-line specs although, be ready to fork out as much as RM6,999.

Nonetheless, artists and illustrators may benefit from the convertible ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED extra.

For the proactive professionals, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED

As its identify suggests, this laptop computer is ready to fold and flip right into a pill because of its 360° hinges. You possibly can prop it up, tent-style, to shortly current info or watch content material from it.

The laptop computer additionally options auto-orientation so once you rotate the laptop computer, you possibly can count on the display screen to observe. This implies you possibly can maintain and/or prop it vertically too.

Its slim physique (15.9mm thickness) and 87% screen-to-body ratio make the pill mode really feel much more pure. At 1.5kg it’s not a heavy laptop computer, however as a pill, that may offer you some pause (for comparability, an iPad Professional is lower than 650g).

Making an attempt out the hinges on the launch, we discovered that they had been good and easy, however after all, an extended testing interval could be wanted to inform how nicely they maintain up.

When it comes to its specs, it’s fairly much like the Zenbook 14X OLED, however rather less highly effective by way of its RAM (16GB RAM) and graphics card (Intel Iris Xe Graphics). Its show is smaller at 14 inches and the refresh fee can be decrease at 90Hz.

Nonetheless, it does boast a bigger capability 75Wh battery, so there’s that.

A touchscreen laptop computer, it does include the ASUS Pen 2.0, which we’ve beforehand tried when utilizing the ASUS Zenbook Professional 14 Duo OLED.

The pen comes with 4 interchangeable pen ideas–2H, H, HB, and B

One factor we did discover disappointing is the palm rejection, or lack thereof. When utilizing the pen whereas resting a hand on the display screen, quite a lot of apps would open with out us aspiring to.

So far as we may inform, there doesn’t appear to be a palm or hand rejection choice that may be toggled when utilizing the pen, but when there may be, the system isn’t very intuitive.

Contemplating that the laptop computer is ready to convert right into a pill, it might be a pleasant contact if there was a approach to simply retailer the pen, both with a housing or magnetic sides, however that isn’t the case.

Nonetheless, in comparison with one other 360° folding laptop computer from ASUS that we’ve tried, the ASUS ExpertBook B7 Flip, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED appears a lot sleeker and trendy regardless of additionally sporting military-grade sturdiness. It’s obtainable for the worth of RM5,499.

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Our previous couple of experiences with ASUS have been with a few of its extra distinctive laptops, to say the least, equivalent to with the dual-screened ASUS Zenbook Professional 14 Duo OLED which we surprisingly loved.

Admittedly, these two new releases will not be as attractive as these. However they’re actually much more sensible and consumer-friendly whereas providing some good specs and performance that make them nice for on a regular basis professionals and people on the go.