The A14 is offered solely in darkish grey and in a single configuration: a Snapdragon X (X1-26-100) CPU with 32 GB of RAM and a 1-TB SSD. The 14-inch display (nontouch) has a 1,920 x 1,200-pixel decision. Ports embody two USB-C jacks with USB 4.0, a single USB-A 3.2 port, and a full-size HDMI jack. One of many USB-C ports is used for charging.
Common Efficiency
All of these specs are pretty entry-level for a laptop computer of this pedigree, nevertheless it’s the CPU that ought to draw some quantity of your consideration. The Snapdragon X is Qualcomm’s latest microprocessor, and it’s additionally its most cost-effective and least highly effective, a dialed-back model of the Snapdragon X Plus, which already felt sluggish in use.
{Photograph}: Christopher Null
The excellent news is that the Snapdragon X-equipped A14 doesn’t carry out considerably in a different way from laptops outfitted with the Snapdragon X Plus. The unhealthy information is that efficiency is just not terribly spectacular, and these laptops (together with the A14) all have a tendency to tug a bit. It’s not the top of the world should you’re searching the online and typing emails, however it might be good for a machine of this svelte stature to point out off a bit energy—small however mighty. The A14 is especially sluggish relating to graphics and video efficiency, and consumers shouldn’t dream of utilizing it for artistic work. Happily, Qualcomm has made strides in software program compatibility in current months, and beforehand unusable apps like Google Drive at the moment are working wonderful.
Asus specifies a most battery lifetime of a whopping 32 hours for this gadget, and whereas I didn’t strategy that stage with a full-screen, full-brightness, YouTube playback take a look at, I used to be in a position to squeak out simply over 20 hours of uninterrupted run time. (I examined this twice simply to verify.) You’ll absolutely be capable of stretch that additional by turning off Wi-Fi and dialing down the brightness—which is stable when dialed up—however even at a “mere” 20 hours, the machine is record-breaking on the longevity entrance.
The audio is best than anticipated, surprisingly wealthy and many loud. That’s aided by a useless silent machine. There are followers contained in the A14, however I by no means obtained them to fireplace up, even below the heaviest load I might throw at it. Usability is likewise stable, because the keyboard has loads of motion, and the trackpad, whereas spacious, is wanting being overbearingly massive.