Asus excels in launching a new laptop with special capabilities for the regular user. The ZenBook 14 OLED laptop features the latest 12th generation processor, the latest M.2 SSD from the fourth generation, the latest LPDDR5 RAM from the fifth generation, the latest OLED screen, and the latest WiFi 6E, making it suitable for users who want the latest capabilities. However, the laptop is not aimed at gamers as it offers the latest features and not the highest, typical of the ZenBook series. It is lightweight at 1.3 kilograms, making it easy to carry around. Let’s review it in detail and test these modern capabilities.
Overview of Asus ZenBook 14 OLED Laptop Specifications (UX3402ZA):
- Processor: Intel i7-1260P 12th gen processor with 12 cores at 2.5 GHz
- RAM: 16GB at 4800 MHz LPDDR5
- Storage: 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD, fourth-gen PCIe
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- WiFi: Dual-band WiFi 6E (802.11ax)
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2
- Battery: 75Wh lithium-polymer
- Screen: 14 inches, 2.8K OLED NanoEdge display with 90Hz refresh rate
- Camera: 720p
- Laptop weight: 1.39 kilograms
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- Available Ports:
- Two ThunderboltTM 4 USB-C ports with charging range of 5~20V
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port
- HDMI 2.0 port
- MicroSD reader
- Audio combo jack
Laptop Design and Screen:
Asus has always been known for placing the logo in the middle of the laptop cover, but this time, the design on the laptop cover is different. The lines on the laptop are distinctive and eye-catching. If you look closely, you’ll notice that these lines highlight the new design of the Asus logo, celebrating the company’s thirtieth anniversary, represented by an enlarged “A” letter. The result is a beautiful design much better than just placing the ASUS logo in the middle. The ZenBook series name appears smaller at the bottom edge of the laptop, without affecting the aesthetic layout of the design. However, it is worth mentioning that the laptop is prone to fingerprints.
The laptop screen features a NanoEdge design with very thin bezels, making up 90% of the laptop’s size. It is an excellent screen with a quality of K2.8, meaning it is higher than 2K, with dimensions of 2880×1800 pixels. As the laptop’s name suggests, it is an OLED screen, providing fantastic color accuracy with 100% DCI-P3 coverage. This is not surprising as all OLED laptops from ASUS that we have tested in the past have impressed us with color accuracy close to reality.
The screen is very distinctive and has a 90Hz refresh rate. The laptop allows you to open it up to 180 degrees, making it easy to handle and view the screen when sharing it with others around you.
ASUS has also redesigned the ErgoLift with a cylindrical-shaped hinge that raises the structure and tilts the keyboard for better airflow underneath the laptop, allowing for highly efficient component cooling. The laptop hinges also allow you to open the screen with just one finger.
Keyboard and Touchpad:
The laptop keyboard is not much different from other Zenbook devices, except that the power button is not on the far right, but after the delete key with a different design that I liked. As with other ASUS devices, the fingerprint sensor is directly on the key, allowing you to access the device through the fingerprint directly.
As usual, you won’t find the NumberPad keys on the far right; instead, they are on the touchpad, known as the NumberPad 2.0. Like all new ASUS laptops, this additional panel is an illuminated LED keyboard integrated into the touchpad, which you can activate or deactivate with a single click on a button in the top right of the laptop. At the same time, you can adjust the brightness level of the NumberPad 2.0 keyboard from a button on the left.
Laptop Performance:
The laptop also features 16GB of DDR5 RAM at 4800 MHz and a 1TB M.2 NVMe storage unit, fourth-gen PCIe. This leads to very high read and write speeds. Let’s directly test it using the CrystalDiskMark software, with results showing a read speed of 7GB per second and a write speed of 5GB per second. This speed is excellent thanks to the fourth generation.
The ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED comes with the latest 12th gen Intel processors, with two available versions: one with a Core i5 processor and the other with a Core i7 processor, which we are reviewing here. The Intel Core i7-1260P is an outstanding processor for a laptop, featuring 12 cores at 2.5 GHz, achieving 1572 points in the single-core Cinebench R23 test and 6486 points in the multi-core test.
It is worth mentioning that Intel’s 12th gen processors have an important feature for laptops, which is core separation based on usage. For example, the 12 cores are divided into Performance cores (P-cores) and Efficiency cores (E-cores), aiming to make the processor consume less power based on the tasks it processes. In a scenario where you are playing a game that requires maximum performance while running background programs like Zoom or Google Chrome, the Performance cores handle the game independently, while the Efficiency cores deal with lighter tasks. As a result, power consumption is lower than if all cores were used together for all tasks.
This technology has a clear impact on the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED, helping to extend battery life, which reaches up to 7 hours of continuous use with regular usage.
Laptop Ports:
Regarding ports, the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED has a good range of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, an HDMI 2.0b port, an Audio combo jack, and a microSD card reader.
The laptop is charged through one of the Thunderbolt 4 ports, and you can use the other port to connect an external graphics card or another screen as needed. However, what I don’t like is that the port is on the right side; I would prefer it to be on the left like other laptops. But this should not be a problem for you, as it is just a preference for me. Also, I would have preferred the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port on the right.
Laptop Battery:
The laptop battery is good, with a 75Wh capacity. Through regular use, it can last for 6 to 7 hours of continuous use. Moreover, the laptop charger is fast, capable of charging the battery up to 60% in just 50 minutes.
Laptop Camera:
Despite the laptop’s 720p camera without IR technology for facial recognition, ASUS offers unique capabilities through the MyASUS app. For example, you can adjust lighting automatically or apply the Blurring effect on the background while using the camera in live broadcasts, whether in meetings, online streaming, or chatting with family and friends.
MyASUS App:
The laptop runs Windows 11 with several pre-installed programs from Microsoft and ASUS. MyASUS is one of the most important applications to support your experience with any ASUS laptop, providing many functions to simplify the user’s control of the laptop and maximize its benefits. For example, updating drivers, controlling the cooling mode, adjusting screen contrast and colors, and controlling battery charging mode. Additionally, you can diagnose laptop issues, receive direct technical support from ASUS, and check warranty status through the app.
The most notable feature of the app is Link to MyASUS, which integrates your iOS/Android phone with the laptop to accomplish tasks easily. You can answer phone calls through the laptop, view the phone screen on the computer and control it remotely using just the mouse and keyboard, transfer documents and photos between the computer and phone with a single click! This feature allows you to access files on the laptop from your phone while outside the home. This feature greatly enhances your workflow, and MyASUS is indeed a unique feature that you won’t find in other laptops.
Perfect Warranty, Laptop Price, and Available Stores:
Like all ASUS devices or ZenBook laptops, the ZenBook 14 OLED comes with ASUS’ Perfect Warranty for two years against misuse defects, meaning if the laptop accidentally falls and the screen breaks, ASUS will repair or replace the screen for you free of charge. Indeed, this type of warranty is offered for the first time exclusively by ASUS, with no equivalent in the laptop market from competing companies.
You can find more details about the device on the official ASUS website.
Check out reviews of the latest ASUS laptops:
- Review of ROG Flow X16 Gaming Laptop
- World’s Most Powerful Tablet from ASUS | ROG Flow Z13
- Most Powerful Gaming Laptop ROG STRIX SCAR 15 (2022)
- Zenbook 17 Fold OLED Laptop with a Foldable Large Screen!
- ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED Laptop for Content Creators
- ASUS Vivobook Pro 16X OLED Laptop with New Technologies from ASUS
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for a laptop with the latest capabilities for personal regular use, with a beautiful and elegant design different from other available laptops, and you want to move freely or you travel a lot, then this laptop is for you. If you are a user who engages in gaming, graphics, or heavy usage, then this laptop is not for you, and there are other options available.
