I love my ASUS Zenbook A14, and can’t believe it’s dropped $520 in price

There’s one thing magical a few laptop computer that weighs lower than a bag of sugar. I found this firsthand when the ASUS Zenbook A14 arrived at my desk in July, and I genuinely needed to test the field twice to ensure the laptop computer was nonetheless inside. At simply 980g, it is lighter than some hardback books.I first noticed ASUS’s formidable imaginative and prescient for laptop computer design at Milan Design Week earlier this 12 months, the place they unveiled their Signature Version Zenbooks created from their revolutionary Ceraluminum materials. Whereas these show-stopping fashions stay idea items for now, the A14 makes use of the identical groundbreaking building, making it 30% lighter and thrice stronger than conventional laptops. It is presently a high decide of ours for the very best laptops for CAD (a 3D software program).What makes this even higher is that ASUS has clearly been listening to the market. The Zenbook A14 launched at $1,399.99 / £1,100 in February, positioning it straight towards Apple’s MacBook Air. However here is the kicker – it is now dropped to $879.99 / £799, making it one of the crucial compelling ultrabook offers I’ve seen this 12 months.Why it is awesomeLet me make this clear: the A14 gives MacBook Air-level efficiency for considerably much less cash. The Snapdragon X1 processor inside is correctly fast. This is without doubt one of the new era of ARM-based chips that Microsoft has been pushing exhausting, and it reveals. In day-to-day use, it feels each bit as responsive as Intel’s newest choices, however with one essential benefit: battery life.ASUS claims 32 hours of use, which is clearly optimistic advertising and marketing converse. However even in real looking testing, I managed over 20 hours of video playback with the display on. That interprets to simply two full working days between expenses, one thing that merely is not potential with conventional Intel or AMD laptops at this dimension and weight.Picture 1 of seven(Picture credit score: Future / Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future / Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future / Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future / Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future / Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future / Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future / Ian Evenden)The OLED display can also be an actual spotlight. While it is “solely” 1920×1200 decision, the standard is great. Colors pop in a approach that makes even mundane spreadsheets look partaking, and the 16:10 facet ratio offers you extra vertical house for paperwork than the everyday 16:9 shows.Maybe what I like in regards to the Zenbook A14 most, although, is how ASUS has thought of real-world use. There is a correct HDMI port, so you do not want adapters for displays. The USB-A port means your current peripherals simply work. And people two USB4 Sort-C ports can deal with all the pieces from charging to exterior shows to quick storage.Lastly, the truth that it is already dropped $500 / £300 from its launch worth suggests ASUS is severe about taking market share from Apple and Intel. If you happen to’ve been ready for a Home windows laptop computer that may genuinely compete with the MacBook Air, that is it.