ASUS ZenBook 14X OLED (2023) Review: Sleek Design Meets Vibrant Display

Laptops have come a long way from being just workhorses. They’re now tools of creativity, efficiency, and style. The ASUS ZenBook series has always aimed to deliver on all fronts, blending sleek designs with powerful hardware to cater to professionals and students alike.

Known for its portability and innovation, the ZenBook lineup stands out for its commitment to quality and aesthetics. The ASUS ZenBook 14X OLED takes that reputation a step further.

Designed for those who demand a premium experience, it combines a vibrant OLED display, impressive performance, and portability. But does it deliver the perfect balance of form and function? Let’s dive into the details.

Last Updated:
8.8/10

Based on

6 categories

Reviewed by Mick
Expert on Laptops

How I rate ASUS ZenBook 14X Laptop

Its combination of a stunning OLED display, premium design, and solid performance makes it a strong contender to consider.

Value for Money 9
Performance 8.5
Features 9
Design and Build Quality 9
Display 9.5
Battery Life 7.5

Pros

  • Stunning 2.8K OLED display
  • Premium design, reasonably lightweight
  • Good performance

Cons

  • Battery life is not the greatest
  • Older model (2023)

Key Specifications

  • Display: 14.5″ 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 16:10 aspect ratio, Non-Touch Screen
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-13500H (12 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.7 GHz)
  • Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
  • Storage: 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
  • Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • Operating System: Windows 11 Home 64-bit
  • Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2
  • Battery: 70Wh
  • Weight: Approximately 1.5 kg
  • Price: On sale now at Centrecom and Scorptec for $1389 – typically $1799! Most likely its and end-of-life sale that’s worth considering.

Design and Build Quality

The ZenBook 14X OLED is a stunner, and ASUS has paid attention to every detail. The slim, lightweight design (just 1.5 kg) makes it a breeze to carry, while the Inkwell Gray finish adds a sophisticated touch. The all-metal chassis not only feels premium but also provides durability, ensuring it can handle everyday use with ease.

The 14.5-inch OLED display sits in a sleek frame with ultra-thin bezels, giving the laptop a modern look. ASUS has also integrated its signature ErgoLift hinge, which slightly raises the keyboard when the laptop is opened. This design improves typing comfort and enhances airflow for better thermal performance. The ZenBook 14X OLED is as functional as it is stylish, making it a fantastic choice for those who value aesthetics and practicality.

Display

The OLED display on the ASUS ZenBook 14X is nothing short of breath-taking. With a 2.8K resolution (2880 x 1800) and a 16:10 aspect ratio, it offers sharp visuals and extra vertical screen space, perfect for productivity tasks like document editing or multitasking. The colours are vibrant, thanks to the OLED panel’s ability to achieve 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, making it ideal for creative professionals who need precise colour accuracy.

During testing, the display truly impressed, delivering deep blacks and brilliant contrast that brought movies and graphics to life. The non-touch screen keeps it smudge-free, and the anti-glare finish ensures comfortable viewing in bright environments. The ZenBook 14X’s screen takes your experience to a new level, whether you’re working on a project or streaming your favourite series.

Performance

The ZenBook 14X is powered by Intel’s 13th Gen Core i5-13500H processor, offering plenty of muscle for multitasking and demanding applications. While the CPU isn’t the newest (early 2023 release), it handles everything from heavy spreadsheets to light photo editing with ease, and the 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM ensures smooth performance even with multiple apps running simultaneously.

While it’s not built for intensive gaming or heavy 3D rendering, the Intel Iris Xe Graphics can handle casual gaming and creative tasks like light graphic design without breaking a sweat. The 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD provides lightning-fast storage, ensuring quick boot times and snappy application loading. Whether you’re working, studying, or creating, the ZenBook 14X delivers reliable performance that keeps up with your pace.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The ASUS ZenBook 14X doesn’t just deliver on style but brings in a slew of functionality too. The keyboard is a joy to type on, with well-spaced keys and just the right amount of travel to make typing comfortable during long sessions. Backlit keys add convenience when working in low-light conditions, and the overall layout is intuitive, making it easy to adapt if you’re switching from another laptop.

The trackpad is equally impressive, offering a smooth, responsive surface that supports multi-touch gestures seamlessly. ASUS has also integrated its NumberPad 2.0, a virtual numeric keypad that appears on the trackpad with a single touch, perfect for those who frequently work with numbers. This thoughtful addition showcases ASUS’s knack for combining innovation with practicality.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the ZenBook 14X strikes a balance. The 70Wh battery delivers around 8-10 hours of light usage, including web browsing, streaming, and document editing. However, if you’re using the laptop for more intensive tasks, or have multiple tabs and applications open, or have set maximum brightness to enjoy the stunning OLED display, expect the battery life to dip closer to 3-5 hours.

The laptop supports fast charging, allowing you to juice up to 60% in under an hour, which is handy for those on the go. While it’s not a marathon runner compared to ultrabooks focused purely on battery efficiency, the ZenBook 14X provides a respectable performance given its high-resolution display and capable internals.

Pros:

  • Stunning 2.8K OLED display with vibrant colors and deep contrast.
  • Lightweight, premium design with an ergonomic hinge for added comfort.
  • Strong performance for multitasking and creative tasks, thanks to the 13th Gen Core i5 processor.
  • Innovative NumberPad 2.0 feature adds practicality for productivity users.
  • Fast charging ensures minimal downtime during travel or busy schedules.

Cons:

  • Battery life could be longer, especially when using the display at higher brightness.
  • Not suitable for heavy gaming or demanding 3D rendering tasks.

Final Verdict

The ASUS ZenBook 14X OLED is a refined ultraportable laptop that ticks almost every box for professionals, students, and creatives. Its combination of a stunning OLED display, premium design, and solid performance makes it a strong contender in its category. Whether you’re working on presentations, editing photos, or enjoying a Netflix binge, this laptop makes the experience better with its vibrant visuals and thoughtful features.

That said, the battery life and lack of a dedicated GPU may leave power users wanting more. If those are your priorities, the LG Gram 14 might be a suitable alternative, offering similar portability with better battery life.

For those looking for a well-rounded laptop with an unbeatable display and sleek design, the ZenBook 14X OLED is an excellent choice that justifies its price tag.

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