Ultra-thin, stylish and all the power to satisfy your mobile needs. We got our hands on one Acer Swift 3x. This ultra-portable package packs a powerful combination of the 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor and Intel® Iris® Xe MAX Graphics discrete GPU. All of these packaged in an all-metal chassis worth MYR 4,599 (as tested).
It is thin, not Swift 5 thin, but thinner than most textbooks. The Steam Blue colourway is also stylish. But does it give you all the power you need on-the-go though. We put it through its paces to find out if this ultra-thin, stylish package has all the power that you really need out of it. Of course, we want to know if its worth your MYR 4,599 too.
Remember the Mac guy, the old Apple ads that pits the Mac up against Microsoft PCs. The Mac guy, Justin Long is back on YouTube. Now though, he is not the ‘Mac guy’. Instead, he is just Justin (no pun intended). Like before, Justin is comparing Macs against PCs.
Instead of roasting Microsoft Windows and PCs though, Justin is taking a stab at Apple instead. When I say Justin, Intel is taking a stab at Apple’s Mac ecosystem. The result is some hilarious shorts that tells you to buy a PC instead of a Mac.
Macs vs. PCs have been an age long debate since the dawn of personal computing. Yes, all computers can trace back their origins to the machine that broke the German Enigma encryption device. If you do not know what that is, watch ‘The Immmitation Game’, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and get up to speed.
Personal computing was brought forth by Steve Jobs with his Macintosh and later Bill Gates came with Microsoft Windows. Since then, the never-ending war between the two giant platforms started. Even today, people are divided between the two giants.
Here is the thing, Intel has never gotten involved in the fight between PC and Mac. They have always been a neutral bystander fighting their own fight with their rival, AMD. To be fair too, most of the Mac devices that has come for the past 5 years have been sporting Intel processors, so they should have no reason to take a stab at Apple’s best sellers.
Something did change a little bit in the past year though. Apple introduced their very own Apple M1 System on a Chip (SoC) for their own Mac platforms. The SoC is used across all the Apple product range too. That is basically Apple’s way of saying, we want to be independent of a third-party hardware vendor.
The change in Apple’s direction and the addition of their new chips also means less sales for Intel. They had to respond to that, in some ways. They respond in the best way they know how, throw money at it. But they did not just throw money at the problem. They threw money to also increase awareness and brand images of their partners. They have always done so, especially when it comes to gaming products, and more recently the Intel ECO ultra-portable notebook platforms.
The fight between Mac and PC may never end, but at least it brings us some hilarious moments to enjoy. It also brought out some humour from the competing brands. Competition between the two parties also means that it brings out the best of each other to better serve their own respective users. In the meantime though, enjoy Intel’s stab at Mac.
Rocket Lake is here! Some might say, “about time”. We say, let the games begin.
Intel’s 11th Generation Intel Core processor for Desktop systems, while inevitable, seems to be something that should have come a while ago. Then again, taking their time to introduce a new product after the big game changer that was AMD’s new Ryzen 5000 series processor could be a smart thing to do. So here is the new Rocket Lake processors that has been teased and highly expected since the end of 2020.
500 Series Chipsets
The introduction of the new Rocket Lake processors also means that there is a new on-board chipset to pair to, as usual with Intel. Intel’s new 500 series chipset adds support for PCIe 4.0, which also means you can now take full advantage of new PCIe Gen 4.0 devices like the newer NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series and AMD Radeon 6000 sieres GPUs. It also means you can get the newer, faster PCIe 4.0 SSDs to work with too. Of course, there is some new improvements in Intel Optane Memory.
Source: Intel
Source: Intel
The new chipset is also supposed to open up more USB bandwidth on the new boards too, which also means more USB lanes and faster ports. You also get to put in faster memory modules at DDR4-3200. The new 500 series chipset also allows memory overclocking on the H570 and B560 chipsets, so you are less restricted when you have a budget to work with.
Back to the new processing chips. Of course, the are not just launching a single Intel Core i9-11900K. The range topper is coming with a whole slew of Intel Core processors from the low-end, low-power Core i3-10105T with four cores and eight threads all the way to the superpower that is the flagship Core i9-11900K. The new Rocket Lake launch also include the launch of the new Pentium series with the Pentium Gold G6605 two core processor leading the way.
More Power
As per usual, Intel’s big focus on the new processors that were introduced is gaming. The headline figures for the class leading Intel Core i9-11900K unlocked processor is eight cores, 16 threads, and 16MB of Intel Smart Cache. The flagship chip clocks at up to 5.3GHz on Thermal Velocity Boost. Most games these days have not been able to capitalise on high multicore clocks too, so the Intel Rocket Lake platform processors are still expected to perform very well.
Of course, the new Rocket Lake Core processor will come with Intel’s UHD graphics with enhanced Intel Xe graphics architecture. Intel’s Xe GPU architecture pretty much has proven itself in the mobile computing space. It also means you technically can game on the on-board graphics. Intel claims 50% more graphics performance over the older generation Intel UHD Graphics. They also claim up to 19% generational improvement on the overall IPC performance. That is one of the larger leaps in terms of generational performance in Intel’s line-up. Oddly enough, the 11th Generation Core processors are still built on top of 12nm technology instead of AMD’s cutting-edge 7nm technology. AMD has also touted 5nm technology in their next Ryzen series.
Price and Availability
Source: Intel
Source: Intel
Source: intel
The biggest surprise from Intel’s new generation of processors though is their price tag. This time, their offering their CPUs at lower prices than their competitors. The range topping Core i9-11900K for example will be sold at US$ 539 (MYR 2,220*), US$ 10 (MYR 41*) cheaper than its competition the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X at US$ 549 (MYR 2,261*). The Core i5-11600K, which would most likely be the processor of choice for most users will sell at US$ 262 (MYR 1,079*), a whopping US$ 30 (MYR 124*) less than AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600X at US$ 299 (MYR 1,231*).
Intel’s 11th Generation Rocket Lake Core processors for desktop is announced to be available later in March 2021. There are no solid leads regarding its local (Malaysia) availability just yet. That also means there are no official pricing locally just yet. Of course, we will keep you posted. For more information, you can head to Intel’s website.
*Approximate value based on conversion rate US$ 1.00 = MYR 4.12 on xe.com as of 17/03/2021
Dell’s XPS sereis has always represented the top of the line when it comes to their offerings. This stays the same with their XPS desktop. The XPS desktop offerings bring Dell’s signature XPS design queues to their desktop offerings and keeps the focus on content creation and performance.
The new XPS Desktop is coming in a more compact form factor – 19L case compared to the previous 23.7L. However, it keeps most of the XPS desktop’s compelling features including easy expandability. If you need more storage or want to swap out your graphics card, you have easy, toolless access via the backplate. The desktop supports up to four hard disk drives (HDDs), graphics cards up to 10.5-inches long and up to 500W power supplies.
Dell brings its voltage regulated cooling to the new generation of XPS desktops which helps better maintain processor performance even under high loads including VR. This paired with the design to maximise airflow allows better cooling of the components. The chassis of the XPS Desktop is designed to direct cool air from the front to the back allowing it to flow into the nooks and crevices of the components for better cooling. Dell claims that the high RPM fans in the desktop allow them to stay silent while maintaining high workloads.
Dell is taking a keen interest in content creation with the new XPS desktops. They’ve equipped the desktops with top of the line graphics offerings. Users can select from a range which includes the RTX3070 with 8GB GDDR6 RAM or the AMD Radeon RX5700XT. This paired with capable processors from Intel’s 11th generation Core i line up ensures that you’ll have ample performance to meet your needs. Users are able to select configurations with up to an Intel Core i9 to cater to their creative needs. The XPS desktop is also available in Dell’s Creator Editions which certify that the machines are built for creation. This paired with their recognition under NVIDIA’s RTX Studio programme should give you ample peace of mind when it comes to content creation.
Pricing & Availability
The Dell XPS Desktop will be available starting end of March 2021 with prices starting at USD$649.99 (MYR2,673.91). It will also be available in a special edition which comes in white with prices starting at USD$1129.99 (MYR4,648.41).
In Malaysia, the XPS Desktop will be available in a single configuration starting at the end of March 2021 with prices starting from MYR3,699. Specifications start with the 11th Generation Intel Core i5 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of onboard memory and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX1650 Super.
Acer’s TravelMate P4 is making its way to Malaysian consumers! The new offering from Acer brings the best of durability and specifications to meet the rigours of the current work from anywhere culture. Equipped with military standard toughness, the TravelMate P4 is made to accompany users where ever they may decide to work. It even comes with features to ensure that critical information is secured.
The TravelMate P4 is equipped with Intel’s 11th generation Core i3, i5 and Core i7 processors. These processors come with performance enhancements that not only make them perform better but also make them even more power-efficient. This allows users to enjoy a whopping 15-hours of battery life. If you require more power in the graphics department, there are options which include the NVIDIA GeForce MX350; otherwise, the laptop comes built-in with the Intel IRIS Xe which should be just as powerful as the MX350.
On the connectivity side of things, the TravelMate P4 comes with support for WiFi 6 (802.11ax) which allows stable, high speed connectivity for your work needs. It also supports Bluetooth 5.1. The webcam on the P4 is a standard 720p HD webcam which is complemented with Acer Purified Voice technology for all your video calling needs.
The display on the TravelMate P4 is a Full HD IPS display which should give you enough visual real estate to complete any task. It has up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage.
Pricing & Availability
The Acer TravelMate P4 is available in stores now. It will set you back MYR4,999 for the version with the Intel Core i7 and MYR4,099 for the one with the Core i5.
Purchases made between 1st January to 31 March 2021 will be entitled to redeem MYR80 Touch ‘n Go eWallet or Boost eWallet credit.
HP’s new line up of Spectre laptops has officially made its debut in Malaysia with the announcement of their flagship Spectre x360 series. Yep. That’s right, it’s not just one laptop anymore. HP is introducing a new model – the HP Spectre x360 14 – which spearheads the line up. The new Spectre x360 series will now consist of the Spectre x360 14 and the Spectre x360 13.
The new laptops from HP come with a 3:2 aspect ratio and comes with a Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. The displays, like in previous iterations, is a touch enabled IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection which covers 90.33% of the viewing surface. This year’s line up comes with some colour accuracy with 100% coverage of the sRGB gamut. The display comes in both 13.5-inch and 13.2-inch sizes for the 14 and 13 respectively.
The Spectre x360 line up comes powered by the 11th Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. Complementing the processors is up t0 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage. Aside from this, the laptops come equipped with Intel’s new IRIS Xe graphics which packs quite the punch when it comes to graphical prowess. On the networking side, the HP Spectre x360 line up with Intel’s built-in AX201 networking which supports the new WiFi 6 standard in addition to Bluetooth 5.0. With these upgrades, the HP Spectre still boasts up to 17 hours of battery life.
HP continues imbue the Spectre line up with its premium, all metal build. This year’s iteration comes with gem cut and dual chamfer design made possible by precision CNC machining. This and the full aluminum gives enhanced durability and sturdiness to the new Spectre x360 without adding unneeded weight to the laptop.
With all these hardware features, the HP Spectre x360 line up comes with a slew of software features that bring added functionality that users will definitely benefit from. One that stands out is HP’s QuickDrop feature which allows users to seamlessly transfer files between their phone and PC. Users can also use the function to access things like addresses between the two platforms. HP’s Smart Sense helps users get more out of their PC by optimising settings in the background while users are using the laptop. This comes in addition to the Microsoft’s Windows Hello which works with the IR camera and fingerprint sensor on the Spectre x360.
Pricing & Availability
The HP Spectre x360 14 and 13 are available in HP’s signature Poseidon Blue with Pale Brass accents. Prices start at MYR6,099 (USD$1,504.17*) for the Spectre x360 14 and MYR5,699 (USD$1,405.52) for the 13.
Dell first announced the Optiplex in 1993. However, back in 2019, the company changed things up by introducing a brand new form factor. The new form factor brought a new modular design that is no larger than the stand of a Dell monitor; it’s literally the size of a slim brick; no thicker than a laptop. In fact, it allowed users to update and upgrade the Optiplex as they needed to.
This year, Dell is bringing two more models to the Dell Optiplex Ultra line up: the Dell Optiplex 3090 Ultra and Dell Optiplex 7090 Ultra. Both come with up to 64GB of RAM with support for up to 2TB of space with options for self-encrypting drives. They run on the latest Intel Core processors with the 3090 supporting the 11th generation Core i3 and i5 processors as well as the Intel Celeron processor; while the 7090 supports the 11th Generation Intel Core i7, in addition to the Core i3 and i5.
Of course, being built for work, the new Dell Optiplex All-in-Ones come with support for the Dell Technologies Unified Workspace. This allows companies to deploy pre-configured systems customised with their apps and settings directly from Dell to their users. It also allows IT to move from a high touch environment to a more remote one with Dell ProSupport Suite. This also allows IT to deploy fixes proactively before hardware breaks down or to patch critical software vulnerabilities.
The modular Optiplex Ultra has a unique design that is tailored for minimalist setups. It is designed for minimal cables and has support for connectivity over USB, Thunderbolt 4.0 and DisplayPort 1.4. A point to note is that not all Optiplex All-in-Ones come with a monitor. You may need to purchase the monitor separately and they are compatible with most monitors out there. However, they are designed for Dell Optiplex stands which allow you to hide the modular brick in the stand. These stands are available and will work with VESA compatible displays.
Pricing & Availability
The Dell Optiplex 7090 Ultra will be available starting from January 28, 2021 with prices starting at USD$769 (MYR3,088.62*) with a fixed stand. No display is included with the Optiplex 7090 Ultra. It will be available in Malaysia starting sometime in January, 2021; no official pricing for Malaysia has been announced.
The Dell Optiplex 3090 Ultra will be available at the same time with prices starting at USD$659 (MYR2,646.65*) with a fixed stand. Again, no display is included. Malaysia will be getting the Optiplex 3090 Ultra in January 2021. No official pricing is available yet.
*Conversion done with xe.com at 11.45PM (GMT+8); rate (USD$1 = MYR4.019)
Dell’s Latitude series is a go-to for many corporate and even home users. The line up is famed with being some of the most reliable and durable laptops since it first hit the market. In its many iterations, the Latitude series has only become better with Dell Technologies imbuing it with software and hardware that enhance the user experience as well as the ability for companies to deploy and support the hardware remotely.
Intelligently Optimising While You Work
This year is no different, the Dell Latitude series comes with features that make working on-the-go and even moving around the office easier. The Latitudes adapt and learn with built-in artificial intelligence which adapts and learns from user behaviour. Dell’s built-in AI will automatically optimise application performance, battery run time and more while you work on the Latitude minimizing distractions.
Latitude laptops come with ExpressConnect technology which automatically connects to the strongest known access point in range. It will determine the best network by taking into consideration the signal strength, channel congestion, router type and a few other factors. ExpressConnect will not only connect to known networks; it will also direct bandwidth to conferencing applications to make sure you experience a seamless call.
The laptops in the Latitude series also come with ExpressCharge technology which works in tandem with Dell Optimizer software to improve battery performance. ExpressCharge can deliver up to 35% charge with 20 minutes of charger or up to 80% in 40 minutes with ExpressCharge 2.0. Along with ExpressResponse which is powered by Intel’s Adaptix Technolgy, will prioritize your most important apps to launch faster and perform better.
Dell Latitude 9420
Spearheading the Latitude series this year is the Dell Latitude 9420 which comes with a body made of machined aluminium with a hairline brushed finish accented by diamond-cut edges. It comes with the latest Intel vPro processors which boast 66% better performance thanks to the improved thermal architecture. It also has a 16:10 InfinityEdge display which boasts 5% more visual real estate and ComfortView Plus technology for reduced blue light.
The Latitude 9420 comes in both convertible (2in1) and conventional laptop configurations. It’s also smaller and slimmer than ever. However, Dell still manages to fit a 14-inch display in the 9420. It also supports M.2 SSDs with up to 1TB of space. However, if you need encryption, it also comes with up to 256GB of space on a self-encrypting SSD. The Latitude 9420 also comes with an optional Windows Hello compliant fingerprint reader integrated into its power button.
On the battery end, the Latitude 9420 comes with options for a 2-cell, 40Wh or 3-cell, 60Wh Polymer battery. Both support ExpressCharge Boost technology. In addition, you won’t be lugging around a massive power-brick; the Latitude 9240 comes with a small form factor Type-C adapter available in 60W and 65W.
Dell Latitude 7000 series
The 7000 series continues to be the smallest and thinnest of their premium Latitude line up. Coming in 13-inch and 14-inch sizes in both convertible and conventional laptop flavours. It comes in either Carbon Fibre or aluminium builds. Powered for performance with the latest generation of Intel vPro processors.
The Dell Latitude 7520 also comes in a larger 15.6-inch version if you require larger visual real estate. The displays on the 7000 series come with resolutions as high as 4K UHD with touch-enabled options. It supports up to 32GB RAM (soldered) with up to 1TB of M.2 SSD with options for self-encryption topping out at 512GB.
Dell Latitude 5000 series
The Dell Latitude 5000 series joins the rest of the Latitude line up with a new convertible form factor. The largest of the Latitude line up comes with displays supporting up to 4K UHD resolutions. Like the other Latitudes, it comes with the latest Intel vPro processors. However, unlike the others, it isn’t Intel EVO certified. For those worried about your carbon footprint, 21% of the plastics on the Latitude 5000’s cover is bioplastic derived from trees.
The 5000 series Latitudes come equipped with up to 64GB of RAM on the larger models and up to 32GB on the smaller 13.3-inch model. The 13.3-inch model is also the only model in the 5000 series to come in a convertible form factor; all other models come in conventional laptop forms. That said, the 5000 series laptops come with up to 2TB of M.2 SSD memory.
Pricing & Availability
The pricing and availability of the Dell Latitude series is as follows:
Model
Pricing
Availability
Latitude 9420
USD$1,949 (MYR7,833.27)*
Spring 2021 (U.S.) March, 2021 (Malaysia)
Latitude 9520
TBA
Spring 2021 (U.S.) March, 2021 (Malaysia)
Latitude 5000 series
TBA
January 12, 2021 (U.S.) January 2021 (Malaysia) (Latitude 5420)**
Latitude 7000 series
Starting from USD$999 (MYR4,015.10)*
March 30, 2021 (U.S.) January 2021 (Malaysia) (Latitude 7520)**
*Conversion done with xe.com at 11.45PM (GMT+8); rate (USD$1 = MYR4.019) **Dell Technologies will initially be bringing in models mentioned. Other models may be sold at a later date.
The Legion Slim 7i is now in Malaysia. The new laptop has a slimmer and lighter design. Who doesn’t want a portable gaming laptop that doesn’t skimp on performance? The Legion Slim 7i comes with a large, 15.6 inches display compacted in a slim body in Slate Grey. It is made from aircraft-grade aluminum for better durability without having the added heft.
The new lightweight gaming laptop comes with the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i7 mobile processor which is touted to be able to support Triple-A Games with 5.3GHz clock speeds and provide impressive refresh rates on Window 10. This is paired with the in NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics processor with Max-Q Design to facilitate its slim form factor. Equipped with raytracing technology and DLSS, the RTX2060 enables more realistic and immersive graphics. Paired with the integrated Intel UHD Graphics, the laptop can dynamically optimise for better performance or power based on the task at hand.
The Legion Slim 7i is 17.9mm slim and weighs only 1.86kg. It comes equipped with a 71Whr battery which Lenovo claims will last for up to 7.75 hours. It is also capable of Rapid Charge Pro function which allows it to get up to 50% of charge in just 30 minutes. At the same time, Lenovo’s redesigned Legion Coldfront 2.0 air intake system is 31% larger which ensures up to 115% more airflow going to the CPU and GPU. Also, the new machine-drilled holes applied above the keyboard combined with an increased number of exhaust fan blades provide better heat management during heavy gameplay.
Together with cooling and its sleek form factor, the Legion Slim 7i comes with a Full HD display with rich color contrast and saturation. This is paired with built-in dual speakers boosted by smart amplifiers and the Dolby® Atmos Speaker System for more immersive gameplay.
Pricing & Availability
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7i is now available for preorder at Lenovo Malaysia’s Official Website with prices starting at MYR7599 (1896.78USD$). You can even customize your Lenovo Legion Slim 7i starting January 2021.
When it comes to laptops, ASUS is definitely one of the go to brands for a lot of us. However, with so many line ups and models coming out fast and hard, it can be a little bit daunting when it comes to choices. Well, with ASUS’s new, Intel powered Zenbooks, we’re looking at a refinement of a model released earlier – in fact, we already have a review up of the older model.
So, why look at the Intel variant? The reasoning is pretty simple, the ZenBook is a unique offering with a lot to bring to the table. However, when it comes to performance, the processor can easily be the difference between a good laptop and a subpar laptop. So, where does this Zenbook fall?
Design
Let’s be really frank, there’s nothing very revolutionary when it comes to the ZenBook’s design. In fact, the new Intel powered ZenBook 14 pulls its design from the previously released ZenBook 14. This includes all the design queues and even colours. However, there’s a lot that can change in a matter of months when it comes to the design.
The ZenBook 14 comes with the now signature brushed metal finish. A real indication of the premium line up from ASUS. It has a slim silhouette with a hefty body. However, the top of the laptop clamshell where your display is nested is one of the thinnest we’ve seen on the market. It’s also one of the more sturdy options given it’s metal build. That said, the metal build is also where the laptop’s build gives a little. The hinge that holds the screen seems to be a little looser than you would like it; because of this, the top portion tends to fling back with the slightest jerk. Aside from that, the ZenBook 14 has a pretty solid body.
On the sides of the ZenBook 14 are an array of ports which include a microSD card slot. However, you will notice that the laptop is lacking a 3.5mm port. Other than that, it comes with Thunderbolt 4 capable USB-C ports, an HDMI port and a USB-A port. The USB-A and HDMI ports are actually the reason for the thickness of the laptop. Front and center of the Zenbook 14 is also a large touchpad which doubles as the numpad – a pretty welcomed feature if you work with numbers a lot.
Hardware
The ZenBook 14 isn’t skimping on hardware when it comes down to it. In fact, it has one of the better specc’d setups in the price range with the added benefit of being kitted out with all the I/O ports you need and a durable body.
Specifications
ASUS ZENBOOK 14 | UX2425EA
As tested
Processor (clock)
Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7 processor 2.80 GHz quad-core with Turbo Boost (up to 4.70GHz) 12MB cache
GPU
Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
Display
14” Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 aspect ratio anti-glare screen 1W 400nits brightness Four-sided frameless NanoEdge design 90% screen-to-body ratio 2.5mm-thin side bezel and 10.9mm bottom bezel IPS-level wide-view technology
Memory
8GB LPDDR4X 512GB PCIe® NVMe™ 3.0 x2 M.2 SSD
Networking and Connections
Intel WiFi 6 with Gig+ performance (802.11ax) Bluetooth 5.0 2 Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C® (up to 40Gbps) 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (up to 5Gbps) 1 Standard HDMI 1 MicroSD card reader
Battery
67Wh 4-cell lithium-polymer battery Up to 15 hours battery life
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Miscellaneous
3D IR HD camera with Windows Hello support Backlit Keyboard Stereo Speakers Microphone DisplayPort over USB-C Thunderbolt 4
Features
While it may seem like the ZenBook 14 is your run-of-the-mill laptop, it comes with enhanced features which ASUS has developed in-house. This includes both software and hardware. There is definitely a lot of features in the ZenBook; with some standing out more than others.
Connectivity Galore
The ZenBook 14 is one of the only laptops on the market to actually have a near complete array of I/O ports. The only one missing from the array is a 3.5mm jack. The ports are a welcomed feature on a thin and light like the ZenBook. This feature alone sets it apart from many of the thin and light laptops in its class. These ports allow for better workflow and make the ZenBook 14 even more versatile. With the USB-C Thunderbolt ports, the Zenbook can hook up to any screen capable of USB-C connectivity for a desk work environment. The same is true when it comes to the HDMI port. The addition of a microSD card slot help workflow if you need to transfer data from the memory cards.
The highlight when it comes to connectivity on the ZenBook 14 is definitely the WiFi 6 support. With the new standard of WiFi connectivity the laptop is able to support higher data transfers when it comes to large files. It’s also future-proofed for high speed WiFi for the near future. That said, the WiFi 6 compatibility thanks to Intel’s modem is also able to draw faster speeds when it comes to regular WiFi too. During our time reviewing the laptop, we noticed about 10-15% faster connectivity on WiFi 802.11 ac connections compared to older laptops. While we thought it was anomalous at first, subsequent tests yielded the same results.
NumPad & Keyboard
The next feature that caught our eye is the Zenbook’s keyboard. The keyboard spans edge to edge on the body of the laptop making it blend seamlessly into the chassis – until the back light kicks in. The typing experience on the keyboard is one of the better ones that is available on a laptop. The 1.4mm of key travel makes the keystrokes less tiring and gives enough depth that it feels pretty natural and comfortable typing for long stretches of time. The keys are also sufficiently big that you won’t end up pressing more than one button. In fact, we would say that the keyboard on the ZenBook has one of the largest key sizes in its class.
The mouse pad is sufficiently large that you won’t run out of space to glide your fingers when working. It’s pretty smooth and comfortable to use. Even the clicking isn’t a strain. It’s simple but thanks to the thought that ASUS put into it, the experience was a little bit better. The real showstopper when it comes to the Touch Pad is ASUS’s inclusion of a NumPad. The virtual NumPad can be turned on by simply tapping the corner. Once the NumPad is activated, it behaves like a regular NumPad on any keyboard. This feature was a real boon especially when you’re dealing with numbers on spreadsheets. It was refreshing and felt more natural to have instead of needing to resort to the numbers on the first row of the keyboard. A swipe on the top also launches the calculator app.
AI Powered Clear Voice & Quick Sign In with Windows Hello
Hardware aside, ASUS has also bolstered some of the hardware with AI. One of the most relevant features to the current realities is their AI powered ClearVoice mic. The microphone intelligently detects and enhances the speakers voice and minimises or removes background noises such as passing vehicles or even your crying baby. With video conferences going mainstream, this feature is very welcomed. During our time with the laptop, this feature did come pretty handy. It was good enough that people didn’t realise that we took a call from a café as the background noise was so minimal.
This paired with the Windows Hello capable IR camera made life very convenient with the ZenBook 14. The IR camera made so we didn’t need to type our password in when in public spaces. It worked really week too. Even in darker environments it was able to detect and recognise faces within 2 to 3 seconds.
Performance
The ZenBook 14 is powerful for a thin and light. ASUS has configured it with enough power to do your everyday tasks and then some. The 11th gen Intel i7 processor brings a real punch in performance powers. It was able to handle chrome with multiple tabs (by multiple we mean more than 20) open without a hitch. While we don’t refer to benchmarks for performance, there was a noticeable increase in performance compared to the 10th Generation laptops we tested. Things were smoother and most importantly, they seemed more stable.
While the processor did bring a punch, the Intel Xe graphics is what impressed us. The platform is a major improvement from Intel’s previous integrated solutions for graphics. While previous iterations of Intel’s integrated graphics were able to handle light photo editing and even lighter video editing. The Intel Xe graphics allowed me to do basic editing of 4K on Adobe Premiere Pro without much problems. It was a pleasant surprise, one which led to a lot of syncrhonized work for editing.
The Intel Xe platform also allowed the ZenBook 14 to handle some gaming. During our review, we were able to play games like Star Craft II, Diablo 3 and even some Bastion. While the games aren’t that graphically intensive, they are an improvement over Intel’s UHD graphics. The games were set to medium if not high. Of course, the laptop did heat up after gaming for a while which is expected.
Display
Another strong point for ASUS’s ZenBook 14 is the Full HD 1080p IPS display. The display is capable of 400 nits brightness which allows you to work on it in the sun if need be. But the best part of the screen is the amount of detail you get with it. Yes, it’s not a quad HD display. But at 14-inches, it would arguably be overkill to have such a high definition display. ASUS has found a middle ground that makes sense when it comes to size and display.
The Full HD IPS display of the ZenBook 14 is one of the best we’ve seen on a laptop. It has pretty accurate colour reproduction and has a high enough pixel density that minute details are not missed. This paired with the powerful speakers and the thin bezels make the audio visual experience on the ASUS ZenBook 14 one of the best on the market.
A Powerful Tool for Working on the Go which can seamlessly transition to a desktop setup
The ZenBook 14 with Intel’s 11th Gen processors is a powerhouse of a laptop with enough battery to last you a full day of use before needing to be topped up. With its myriad of options for ports, its also puts other laptops to shame when it comes to connectivity. Being able to work on videos, picture and also have all-day battery life is a powerful combination that makes the ZenBook stand out. However, it’s a formulaic approach to a laptop which needs a refresh – one we know that ASUS is capable of. While it’s a good performer, it leaves you wanting more in design and user experience.
