ASUS Zenbook A14 review: Laptop that challenges the MacBook Air—and wins (sometimes)news24

When you think of sleek, powerful, and portable laptops, one name probably comes to mind: the MacBook Air. Apple has owned this space for years, and honestly, it’s been hard to compete. But what if I told you there’s a new player in town that’s giving the MacBook Air a serious run for its money?

Meet the ASUS Zenbook A14, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processor. It’s got all the buzzwords—fanless design, OLED display, 22-hour battery life—but does it actually live up to the hype? Or is it just another flashy contender that can’t quite keep up?

I spent weeks putting this laptop through its paces—streaming shows, editing photos, even trying (and failing) to game on it—to see if it’s truly a worthy alternative to the MacBook Air. Spoiler: It’s not perfect, but it might just surprise you.

Design and build quality to put MacBook Air to shame

The Zenbook A14 doesn’t just look good—it feels like a premium device. Its aluminium chassis is slim, lightweight, and designed to rival the MacBook Air’s iconic aesthetic. Asus has used Ceraluminum material to keep the weight to the lowest. At just under 1 kg, it’s one of the lightest laptops in its class, making it perfect for commuters, students, or anyone who values portability.

But here’s the kicker: it’s fanless. No whirring noises, no overheating—even during intensive tasks like video calls or photo editing. It’s so quiet, you might forget it’s on.

Impressed already? Buy the Asus Zenbook A14 here:

Compared to the MacBook Air, the Zenbook A14 holds its own in terms of design. While the Air’s unibody aluminium construction is legendary, the Zenbook’s OLED display and customizable hinge give it a unique edge. Plus, at a lower price point, it offers incredible value for money.

Is the display on the Asus Zenbook A14 a visual feast?

The ASUS Zenbook A14 boasts a 14-inch OLED display, and let me tell you, this isn’t just another screen. With vibrant colours, inky blacks, and razor-sharp details, it elevates everything from streaming movies to photo editing.

But what really sets it apart are its practical advantages in everyday use. Let’s break it down:

Visibility under direct sunlight

OLED’s self-emissive pixels give the Zenbook A14 an edge in bright environments. At full brightness (peaking at 600 nits), the screen remains readable even in direct sunlight. I tested it outdoors, and text stayed crisp while colours popped—something the MacBook Air’s Retina display struggles to match due to its reliance on backlighting.

Brightness range

Full brightness: Perfect for HDR content or bright environments. Watching shows like Dark felt cinematic, with neon colours glowing vividly against deep blacks.

Lowest brightness: Dim enough for late-night use without straining your eyes—a clear advantage over the MacBook Air, which can feel too bright even at its lowest setting.

Why OLED Matters (this is optional, do let me know if it needs taking out)

Perfect blacks & Infinite contrast:

Each pixel can turn off completely, creating true blacks and an infinite contrast ratio. Dark scenes in movies like The Witcher feel immersive, outclassing the MacBook Air’s local dimming.

The display supports 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, ensuring accurate and lifelike colours. Editing photos in Adobe Lightroom was a smoother experience, though my amateur skills still showed through.

More Ultrabook laptop options for you:

Black pixels consume no power, contributing to the Zenbook A14’s impressive 22-hour battery life claim when viewing dark-themed content.

How does it compare to the MacBook Air?

While the MacBook Air’s Retina display is excellent, the Zenbook A14’s OLED panel offers deeper blacks, better outdoor visibility, and more vibrant colours. However, the MacBook Air’s uniform brightness and macOS integration give it a slight edge in certain workflows. Bottomline- the Zenbook A14 display would look better in 8/10 scenarios.

Performance: Snapdragon X – ARM Meets Windows

The Snapdragon X processor is the heart of the Zenbook A14, promising smooth multitasking, AI capabilities, and energy efficiency. But how does it stack up against the competition in the market?

Multitasking:

Juggling more than 20 Chrome tabs, a Google Meet call, and Microsoft Word was surprisingly smooth. Switching between apps felt snappy, though some Windows apps (like older versions of Photoshop) required emulation, which occasionally caused lag.

The Snapdragon X started showing signs of stutter when I brought in Lightroom to edit pictures while all the other programs were running in the background. Out of the 20 odd Chrome tabs that I had open, some started refreshing or occasionally crashed. It is important to note that I experienced more stutters while I was working on the battery instead of having the machine plugged in.

App compatibility:

Running Windows on ARM has its quirks. While most modern apps worked fine, some legacy software struggled with emulation. This is where macOS’s native ecosystem gives the MacBook Air an advantage. Other than that, almost every software and app works smoothly on this laptop. Some proprietary Asus apps

Gaming

I did not have very high hopes from the gaming performance on this laptop, but I wanted to give it a try. The fanless design and the thin chassis brought some doubts in my mind, and they were clear when I tried loading up FarCry 6 on the Asus Zenbook A14.

I got a stable 25-30FPS on the 1080p Low resolution. It is playable, for sure, but is it immersive and enjoyable? No. This machine is not dedicated to gaming or gamers. The latest technology of the Snapdragon X chip might allow you to play some older AAA or Indie titles, but it can lead to overheating. It is also worth mentioning again, that the laptop comes with a fanless design. I tested gaming in a controlled environment, but I will not recommend gaming on it.

For everyday tasks like browsing, office work, and light creative projects, the Zenbook A14 performs admirably. However, power users may find the MacBook Air’s M4 chip slightly faster for demanding workflows.

Up to 32-hours of battery life? Not quite

ASUS claims an impressive 32-hour battery life, but my tests had a different picture to show:

Video playback:

Streaming Netflix continuously lasted over 18 hours—perfect for long flights or binge-watching sessions.

Web browsing:

With moderate use (multiple tabs, occasional YouTube videos), I got around 12–15 hours.

Heavy use:

Gaming and video editing drained the battery faster, but I still managed 5–6 hours before needing a recharge.

Compared to the MacBook Air’s ~15-hour battery life (average), the Zenbook A14 edges ahead—especially for video playback. The fanless design also ensures consistent performance without thermal throttling. I did not have to worry about dead battery or unsaved tasks with this laptop even while travelling.

Connectivity and ports: Future-Proofed

The Zenbook A14 doesn’t skimp on ports:

USB-C: Fast charging and data transfer

USB-A: For legacy devices

HDMI: Great for connecting to external monitors

Wi-Fi 6E & Bluetooth 5.3: Faster, more stable connections

How AI-ready is the Asus Zenbook 14?

One of the most exciting aspects of the ASUS Zenbook A14 is its AI-driven capabilities, made possible by the Snapdragon X processor. Qualcomm has been pushing the boundaries of AI acceleration in laptops, and this device showcases just how useful those advancements can be in everyday scenarios.

Here’s how the Zenbook A14 leverages AI to enhance your experience:

Noise cancellation during calls:

Let’s face it—video calls are a fact of life, whether you’re working from home or attending virtual classes. The Zenbook A14 uses AI-powered noise cancellation to filter out background chatter, keyboard clatter, or even your neighbour’s washing machine. During my tests, it worked like magic, ensuring my voice came through crystal clear without sounding robotic. If you’ve ever struggled with poor audio quality on calls, this feature alone might sell you on the laptop.

Photo and video editing enhancements:

AI isn’t just for voice processing—it also makes creative tasks smoother. Tools like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop benefit from AI acceleration, speeding up tasks like object selection, background removal, and colour grading. For example, when I tried enhancing a batch of vacation photos, the AI-powered adjustments felt faster and more intuitive than on my older Intel-based laptop. It’s not quite as seamless as Apple’s M4 chip, but it’s close—and impressive for a Windows machine.

Battery optimisation:

The Snapdragon X processor doesn’t just handle tasks efficiently—it also uses AI to optimize power consumption. By intelligently managing resources based on your usage patterns, the laptop ensures you get the most out of its battery life claim. For instance, during long streaming sessions, I noticed the laptop dynamically adjusted brightness and performance to conserve energy without compromising the experience. This was annoying for me, as someone who likes using their laptop at full brightness at all times, but might not be as big of a problem for most users. 

Voice recognition and virtual assistants:

Ever wished your laptop could understand you better? The Zenbook A14 supports advanced voice recognition, making interactions with virtual assistants like Cortana or third-party apps smoother and more responsive. While it’s not quite at the level of Siri or Google Assistant integration, it’s a step in the right direction for Windows users.

Future-proofing:

AI isn’t just a buzzword here—it’s a glimpse into the future of computing. As more apps and tools adopt AI-driven features (think real-time language translation, automated workflows, or enhanced security), the Zenbook A14 is ready to adapt. It’s like having a tiny, invisible assistant living inside your laptop, quietly making your life easier. 

What exactly is the Zenbook A14?

The ASUS Zenbook A14 is an ultra-slim, feather-light 14-inch laptop designed to blend portability with premium features. It’s a sleek machine that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality, making it a standout in the ultrabook category.

Who should consider this laptop?

This device is tailor-made for busy professionals, students, and frequent travellers who need a reliable companion to keep up with their fast-paced lifestyles. The Zenbook A14 is built to adapt to your needs.

How much does it cost?

The Zenbook A14 starts at ₹99,990 for the Snapdragon X variant, positioning it as a mid-to-high-end option in the ultrabook market. If you’re eyeing even more power, ASUS has teased an upcoming Snapdragon X Elite model.

Do we finally have a MacBook competitor in the market in Asus Zenbook A14?

To answer in short, no. While Apple’s M4 chip is still the gold standard for AI performance, the Snapdragon X processor holds its own in many areas. Tasks like noise cancellation and photo editing feel nearly as smooth, though macOS’s tighter integration with Apple Silicon gives the MacBook Air a slight edge. That said, if you’re looking for a Windows machine with sophisticated AI capabilities, the Zenbook A14 is one of the best options available.

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