Asus Zenbook A14 (UX3407) Review: A Lightweight Powerhouse with Outstanding Battery Life

Introduction to the Asus Zenbook A14 (UX3407)

The Asus Zenbook A14 (UX3407) is a standout laptop that has captured attention for its ultralight design, impressive battery life, and a stunning OLED display. Priced at $1,100, this laptop offers a unique blend of portability and performance, making it a compelling choice for those who value convenience without compromising on quality. At CES 2025, the Zenbook A14 won the Best of CES Award and has also earned the prestigious CNET Editors’ Choice award, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier device.

The Zenbook A14 features a sleek Ceraluminum chassis, a durable and lightweight material that combines aluminum and ceramic elements. This design allows the laptop to weigh in at just 2.16 pounds, making it one of the lightest laptops on the market. Despite its featherlight construction, the laptop feels sturdy and rigid, avoiding the common pitfall of ultralight devices feeling flimsy or cheap.

Under the hood, the Zenbook A14 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 processor, which is part of the Snapdragon X lineup. While this CPU is slightly less powerful than the Snapdragon X Plus or Elite series chips, it still delivers solid performance for general use. The laptop also comes equipped with 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an integrated Adreno GPU, ensuring smooth multitasking and efficient handling of everyday tasks like web browsing, word processing, and streaming.

Performance: Capable but Not a Powerhouse

The Zenbook A14’s performance is a mixed bag. While it excels in battery life and portability, it lags behind other Copilot Plus PCs powered by Snapdragon X Plus or Elite processors, as well as Intel-based laptops like those with Core Ultra 200 series chips. On benchmarks such as Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024, the Zenbook A14 trails competitors like the HP OmniBook X 14 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.

However, the laptop still performs admirably for general use, making it ideal for tasks like email, document editing, and light photo editing. Its integrated Adreno GPU and neural processing unit (NPU) also enable decent AI-driven tasks, though it may struggle with demanding graphics work or gaming. A notable limitation is the compatibility issue with certain Windows applications, as Snapdragon-based devices sometimes face challenges running x86 programs natively.

One area where the Zenbook A14 truly shines is in Procyon’s AI Computer Vision benchmark. The laptop’s 45-TOPS NPU allows it to hold its own against other Snapdragon-powered Copilot Plus PCs, though it falls slightly short of Intel-based laptops like the Acer Swift 14 AI.

Battery Life: A True Standout Feature

Battery life is where the Zenbook A14 truly impresses. During testing, it lasted an astonishing 24 hours and 7 minutes on CNET’s streaming video battery drain test, making it the second-longest-running laptop ever reviewed by CNET. This longevity is all the more remarkable given its OLED display, which typically consumes more power than LCD panels. Asus claims up to 32 hours of battery life, though real-world usage may vary depending on the tasks at hand.

For users who prioritize portability and all-day (and night) usage, the Zenbook A14 is a dream come true. Its lightweight design, combined with its exceptional battery life, makes it an excellent choice for travelers, students, and professionals on the go.

Display: OLED Excellence at a Reasonable Price

One of the Zenbook A14’s most appealing features is its 14-inch OLED display. While the resolution is a relatively modest 1,920×1,200 pixels, the OLED panel delivers exceptional contrast, deep black levels, and vibrant colors. In testing, it achieved 100% coverage of the sRGB and P3 color spaces and 97% of AdobeRGB, making it suitable for content creators who value accurate color representation. The display also reaches a peak brightness of 391 nits, which is impressive for an OLED panel.

That said, the display is not without its drawbacks. The resolution is lower than some competitors, such as the HP OmniBook X 14 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, which feature higher-resolution LCD panels. Additionally, the Zenbook A14’s refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, which may be a letdown for those accustomed to smoother motion on higher refresh rate displays.

Another minor criticism is the plastic bezel surrounding the display, which gives the laptop a slightly budget feel despite its premium price. Nevertheless, the inclusion of an OLED display at this price point is a significant selling point, and most users will find the trade-offs well worth it.

Design and Build Quality: A Cut Above the Rest

Asus has outdone itself with the Zenbook A14’s design. The laptop’s Ceraluminum chassis is not only lightweight but also remarkably durable and resistant to scratches and fingerprints. The matte gray finish on the test model looks sleek and professional, and the oxidation process used to create the color ensures a seamless, high-quality appearance.

The keyboard is another highlight, offering shallow but responsive keys that make typing a breeze. The lack of flex in the keyboard deck ensures a solid and comfortable typing experience. The touchpad, while spacious and equipped with smart gestures for adjusting brightness and volume, is somewhat disappointing. Its mechanical click response feels uneven, with too much travel at the bottom and not enough at the top. However, at this price, it’s hard to fault Asus for not including a haptic touchpad.

The laptop’s port selection is practical, featuring two USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a combo audio jack. The inclusion of a lightweight power brick and a leather sleeve adds to the laptop’s portability and convenience.

Verdict: A Great Laptop for the Right User

The Asus Zenbook A14 is an excellent laptop, particularly for those who value portability and battery life above all else. Its lightweight yet durable design, combined with its stunning OLED display and industry-leading battery life, make it a standout in the ultraportable category. While its performance is adequate for most tasks, it may not be the best choice for users who need raw power for demanding workloads or gaming.

Ultimately, the Zenbook A14 strikes a perfect balance between portability, performance, and price. If you’re in the market for a laptop that you can carry effortlessly and use for days on end without needing to recharge, the Zenbook A14 is an outstanding choice.