The A14 is accessible 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 embrace 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, but it surely’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 dangerous information is that efficiency will not be 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 in the event you’re shopping the net and typing emails, however it could be good for a machine of this svelte stature to indicate off somewhat energy—small however mighty. The A14 is especially sluggish in terms of graphics and video efficiency, and patrons shouldn’t dream of utilizing it for inventive work. Luckily, Qualcomm has made strides in software program compatibility in latest months, and beforehand unusable apps like Google Drive are actually working high-quality.
Asus specifies a most battery lifetime of a whopping 32 hours for this machine, and whereas I didn’t method that degree 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 ensure.) 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 healthier 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 fireside up, even below the heaviest load I may throw at it. Usability is likewise stable, because the keyboard has loads of motion, and the trackpad, whereas spacious, is wanting being overbearingly giant.
