Asus ZenBook 14X OLED Review: Hype or Hero?

The Asus ZenBook 14X OLED has arrived, promising a premium experience wrapped in a sleek and portable package. Its standout feature, as its name suggests, is the OLED display. But does this impressive screen justify the price tag? We put the ZenBook 14X OLED through its paces, exploring its performance, design, and overall user experience to determine if it truly lives up to the hype. This in-depth review will cover everything from its everyday usability to its capabilities under pressure, leaving no stone unturned in our assessment.

Table of Contents

Design and Build Quality

The ZenBook 14X OLED boasts a sophisticated and minimalist design. The chassis, crafted from aluminum, feels incredibly robust and premium. Its slim profile adds to its portability, making it ideal for both travel and everyday use. The build quality is exceptional; there’s no flex or creaking, even under moderate pressure. The subtle details, like the precisely milled edges and the understated Asus logo, contribute to its overall elegant aesthetic. The laptop’s weight is well-balanced, making it comfortable to use for extended periods. The keyboard deck is sturdy, providing a solid typing experience.

Port Selection and Connectivity

Connectivity options are generally comprehensive. The ZenBook 14X OLED includes a generous selection of ports, including USB-C Thunderbolt 4, standard USB-A ports, and an HDMI port. This allows for seamless connection to a variety of peripherals and external displays. However, the absence of an SD card reader might be a drawback for users who frequently work with external storage. Wireless connectivity is reliable, with consistent performance across various Wi-Fi networks. The Bluetooth functionality also proved to be stable and efficient throughout our testing period.

Display Performance

The OLED display is undoubtedly the star of the show. The vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredible contrast ratio are truly impressive. Images and videos appear incredibly sharp and detailed, making it a joy to consume multimedia content. The high resolution contributes to the overall clarity, rendering text crisp and easy to read. Even in brightly lit environments, the screen remains easily visible, thanks to its high brightness levels. However, prolonged use at maximum brightness might lead to slightly increased battery drain. Viewing angles are also excellent, with minimal color shift even at extreme angles.

Color Accuracy and Calibration

We conducted a series of tests to assess the color accuracy of the display. Out of the box, the color reproduction is excellent, with minimal deviation from sRGB standards. The display’s wide color gamut ensures vibrant and accurate color representation, making it suitable for professional content creation. While not perfectly calibrated, the colors are remarkably accurate, requiring minimal adjustment for most users. For those with more demanding color-critical workflows, further calibration might be beneficial, but it’s not strictly necessary for casual use.

Performance and Benchmarks

The ZenBook 14X OLED offers a powerful performance profile. The processor, combined with ample RAM and fast SSD storage, ensures smooth multitasking and quick application loading times. We put the laptop through a series of benchmark tests, including PCMark 10 and Cinebench R23. The results demonstrate that it comfortably handles demanding applications, including video editing and 3D modeling, albeit with some limitations under extreme loads. The cooling system, while effective, can become noticeable during intensive tasks. The fan noise is not excessively loud, but it is audible.

Gaming Performance

While not designed as a gaming laptop, the ZenBook 14X OLED can handle casual gaming with reasonable performance. Less demanding titles run smoothly at high settings. However, more graphically intensive games will require lower settings to maintain acceptable frame rates. The integrated graphics are not suitable for high-end gaming experiences, but they are perfectly adequate for casual play. The overall gaming experience is decent, but users should not expect the same level of performance as dedicated gaming laptops.

Battery Life and Thermal Management

Battery life is a crucial aspect of any laptop, and the ZenBook 14X OLED delivers respectable performance in this area. Under moderate usage, including web browsing and document editing, the battery easily lasts for a full workday. However, more demanding tasks, such as video editing or gaming, will significantly reduce battery life. The thermal management system is generally efficient, preventing excessive overheating. The chassis remains relatively cool even under moderate load. However, during intensive tasks, the temperature can increase noticeably, although it never reached uncomfortable levels.

Software and User Experience

The ZenBook 14X OLED ships with a clean installation of Windows 11, minimizing bloatware and ensuring a smooth user experience. The included software is minimal and mostly focused on utility applications. The overall user experience is intuitive and user-friendly. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, with good key travel and feedback. The touchpad is responsive and accurate, offering a smooth and precise input experience. The fingerprint sensor, integrated into the power button, provides quick and secure login.

Audio Quality

The audio quality is surprisingly good for a laptop of this size. The integrated speakers deliver clear and balanced sound, with decent volume levels. While they lack the deep bass response of dedicated audio systems, they are perfectly adequate for everyday use. Watching videos and listening to music is enjoyable, even without external speakers. The sound quality is sufficient for most users, but audiophiles might prefer to use external speakers or headphones for a more immersive experience.

The Asus ZenBook 14X OLED is a compelling laptop with a stunning OLED display. Its performance is excellent for everyday tasks and some demanding applications. The build quality is top-notch, and the design is sleek and sophisticated. However, potential buyers should consider its price point and the absence of an SD card reader. Overall, it’s a strong contender in its category, offering a balance of style, power, and portability. This laptop’s exceptional screen really makes it a pleasure to use. The ZenBook 14X OLED is a great option for creative professionals and anyone who values a high-quality display.

Pros: Stunning OLED display, excellent build quality, solid performance, sleek design, good battery life.
Cons: Relatively high price, no SD card reader, fan noise under heavy load;

Recommended for: Creative professionals, students, everyday users who value a high-quality display and portable design.
Not recommended for: Gamers who need high-end graphics performance, users who need an SD card reader.