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 screen (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, 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 least expensive 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 otherwise from laptops outfitted with the Snapdragon X Plus. The unhealthy information is that efficiency isn’t terribly spectacular, and these laptops (together with the A14) all have a tendency to tug a bit. It’s not the tip of the world should you’re searching the online and typing emails, however it will be good for a machine of this svelte stature to point out off slightly energy—small however mighty. The A14 is especially sluggish with regards to graphics and video efficiency, and patrons shouldn’t dream of utilizing it for artistic work. Fortuitously, Qualcomm has made strides in software program compatibility in current 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 strategy that stage with a full-screen, full-brightness, YouTube playback check, I used to be capable of squeak out simply over 20 hours of uninterrupted run time. (I examined this twice simply to ensure.) You’ll absolutely have the ability to stretch that additional by turning off Wi-Fi and dialing down the brightness—which is strong 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 underneath the heaviest load I might throw at it. Usability is likewise strong, because the keyboard has loads of motion, and the trackpad, whereas spacious, is in need of being overbearingly massive.
