Content
- Video review
- Specifications
- Appearance and equipment
- Display
- Keyboard and touchpad
- Software
- Performance and Benchmarks
- autonomy
- conclusions
ASUS is one of those companies whose products are interesting to follow even for those who do not plan to buy anything. In the spring, we talked about the flagship model of the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 gaming series ( review , video review ) – it was a big laptop for extreme tasks that not everyone needs to solve. Today we will talk about ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED – a modern ultrabook designed for comfortable mobile use. And also let’s figure out how the Space Edition differs from the standard model.
Video review
Specifications
 |
Specifications ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition UX5401ZAS |
|---|---|
| Device type | Ultrabook |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-12700H 2.3GHz (24MB cache, up to 4.7GHz, 6P+8E cores), TDP up to 45W |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xᵉ Graphics |
| RAM | 32 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM Soldered on the board |
| ROM | 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 Performance SSD SAMSUNG MZVL21T0HCLR-00B00 |
| Display | Primary: 14″, 16:10, 2880 x 1800 dots, OLED, 90Hz, 0.2ms, 550cd/m², DCI-P3: 100%, Pantone Validated, Glossy Surface, Touch Support Optional: monochrome, 256 by 64 dots, 3.5″ ZenVision OLED display on lid |
| Keyboard | Membrane, key travel 1.4 mm, three-level backlight, fingerprint scanner in the power button, virtual NumPad on the touchpad, navigation keys on the right side |
| Wireless interfaces | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), 2.4 and 5 GHz, 2×2 Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Speakers | Two, pointing down harman/kardon Dolby Atmos support for Cortana and Alexa |
| Webcam | 720p with electric shutter |
| Battery | 63 Wh |
| Power Supply | USB-C 100W (20V 5A) |
| Interfaces | 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 2 × Thunderbolt 4 with display/power support 1 x HDMI 2.0b 1 × 3.5mm audio jack 1 × Micro SD Card Reader |
| ON | MyAsus Adobe Creative Cloud (3 months) |
| Dimensions and weight | 31.12 × 22.11 × 1.59 ~ 1.59 cm 1.4 kg |
| Other | US MIL-STD 810H (military) and SMC-S-016A (aerospace) reliability certifications Energy Star Certified TPM 2.0 module |
Appearance and equipment
ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition differs from the standard version in terms of packaging, colors and the presence of an additional display. Let’s start with the packaging: the space version makes a big bet on themed packaging. In addition to the laptop itself, there is a 100 W power supply, a set of stickers, a cover letter and documentation. Everything? Not really! The power supply box can be folded as shown in the illustration to form a laptop stand.
The metal case is painted in the color “Zero-G Titanium” and strewn with a scattering of decorative elements. Among other things, an attentive user can find a minimalistic image of the Mir ISS and three messages encoded in Morse code. In order not to spoil the pleasure of those who are interested, I will hide their meaning under the spoiler:
In addition, there are also several Easter eggs on the standard wallpaper. Morse code decoding on a laptop case
The additional display mentioned above adds to the futuristic appearance. Although given that the display is monochrome, it is rather retro-futuristic. You can display time, animations and messages on it. There is little real benefit from it, but it looks interesting.
At the bottom of the device there was a place for air vents, rubber feet and a pair of speakers with a moderate margin of volume, but quite good sound quality.
The following interfaces are spread along the ends:
- 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen2
- 2× Thunderbolt 4 with display/power support
- 1x HDMI 2.0b
- 1× 3.5mm audio jack
- 1× Micro SD Card Reader
I am glad that there are already two universal Thunderbolt 4 ports, but the presence of only one USB-A somewhat limits the issue of connecting peripherals. Fortunately, no one canceled external hubs.
The screen of the Space Edition leans back only 150 °
The device uses a proprietary ErgoLift system – when you open the laptop, the lower edge of the display slightly raises the case, which benefits both cooling and convenience when typing.
Mobile use is favored by the presence of a couple of declared reliability certificates: US MIL-STD 810H (military) and SMC-S-016A (space). They mean, however, not that a laptop can beat off shells and space debris, but that it is somewhat more resistant to vibrations and temperatures than its counterparts.
Display
As the name implies, the laptop uses a 14-inch OLED matrix as a display. Despite its moderate size, the panel pleases with an impressive resolution of 2880 by 1800 pixels. The picture comes out clear, protruding pixels are not visible.
The OLED matrix provides a juicy picture, 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, true black color and high contrast. On this one, you can easily work with photo and video correction, as well as simply enjoy various graphic content. Do not forget about the support of touch controls. Personally, I don’t really welcome finger touches on a glossy surface (it’s painfully quickly covered with prints), but everyone can use it. True, the touch control has its own price: a characteristic grid is visible on the bright areas of the display.
hwinfo: monitor
The problem of PWM and burn-in, typical for OLED matrices, ASUS is trying to smooth out as much as possible: in the MyAsus application there is a whole block dedicated to extending the life of the display, as well as optional DC Dimming (PWM reduction technology).
MyASUS: display settings
Keyboard and touchpad
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED features a three-level backlit membrane keyboard with 1.4mm key travel. Of the features, I note the presence of a number of navigation keys on the right side (Home, PgUp, PgDn, End) and a fingerprint scanner built into the power button. The distances between the keys and their location are standard and comfortable, I did not experience any problems with prolonged typing.
The touchpad is comfortable to use, centrally located and takes up a large area. ASUS itself calls it not a touchpad, but NuberPad 2.0: when you click on the icon in the upper right corner of the touchpad, a virtual, light NumPad appears on its surface. It can hardly be called a full-fledged replacement for a real digital block, but it is still much more useful and interesting than its complete absence.
Software
The ultrabook comes preinstalled with Windows 11 Pro (as in our case) or Home, depending on the specific model. The starter set of programs, among other things, includes MyAsus – a proprietary companion application, a device control center. Here you can update drivers, configure device behavior and monitor resources.
MyAsus app
From here, the additional display is controlled. It is possible to choose various animations, animated text, a kind of business card, as well as create an animation based on your own picture (animation will be applied to the picture).
MyASUS: secondary display settings
Performance and Benchmarks
As part of the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED line, there are a number of variations in the components used. However, frankly weak iron cannot be found even in the most affordable of them. We got a model with the following characteristics:
- Processor Intel Core i7-12700H 2.3GHz, TDP up to 45W.
- Integrated graphics chip Intel Iris Xᵉ Graphics.
- 32 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM format (soldered on the board).
- 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 Performance SSD.
General information about HWiNFO64 components
SSD speed tests. productive mode. Online and offline.
The 12th generation Intel processor has the letter H, which indicates that it belongs to the productive line of chipsets. The maximum TDP is 45 watts, which we happened to see in a half-hour Cinebench R23 stress test. In simple and light office tasks, about 5-8 watts come out, in games it rarely goes beyond 35 watts. The available performance is more than enough for comfortable work in typical office tasks and moderately complex photo / video processing projects.
Cinebench R23*
*Screenshot order:
- Off the grid, one-time run.
- Plugged in, stress test 30 minutes
- Offline, stress test 30 minutes. Behavior strange, but nowhere else met.
Despite the compact size, two coolers fit in the case, successfully working on cooling the device. The chipset maintains a stable temperature of ≈85° in long-term tasks and can rise to ≈95° in short-term tasks. Moderate heat is concentrated in the center/top of the keyboard, which isn’t too bothersome during gaming sessions. The volume of the fans depends on the load and the selected mode of their operation. In the most extreme case, we managed to register 41 dB at 20 cm from the case. It’s not very comfortable, but it’s not called “howling” either. Most of the time, the laptop is quiet, and turns on completely silently.
Superposition Graphical Benchmark: Offline and Offline
ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED is not a gaming device, but if you wish, you can even run Cyberpunk 2077 on it. True, in HD resolution (1280×800) and minimum graphics settings. The same applies to most of the 3D projects of recent years.
- Cyberpunk 2077: HD, low graphics settings – 18-32 fps, CPU 83-85°.
- Gears 5 benchmark: HD, low graphics settings – average frame rate 53 fps.
- Apex Legends: HD, low graphics settings – fps is not consistent. Within the framework of one match, you can observe under 100 fps when looking at the wall, 50-65 fps during quiet looting and drops up to ≈35 fps when aiming at multiple sights. When folding, the GPU systematically “falls off” – the frequency drops to a minimum. Healed by reboot.
- Alan Wake (not remastered): HD, low graphics settings – 60-90 fps.
- Dota 2:
- From network:
- 2K, ultra graphics settings – 18-23 fps.
- 2K, low graphics settings – 37-47 fps.
- FHD, low graphics settings, 100% render – 87-107 fps.
- Offline:
- FHD, low graphics settings, 100% render – 75-90 fps.
- From network:
autonomy
The battery with a capacity of 63 Wh is responsible for the autonomy of the device. It is offered to charge it with a complete 100 W (20 V, 5 A) power adapter via USB-C. On the one hand, I would like to praise for the use of a universal connector: if necessary, a laptop can be charged from a third-party adapter, and a third-party device can be charged from a laptop adapter. On the other hand, the adapter is implemented not in a convenient form factor a la charging for smartphones, but in the form of a “brick” with a pair of cables along the edges. The USB-C cable does not detach.
One way or another, the bundled adapter provides a full charge in ≈90 minutes, which is very efficient. As for the discharge, our measurements showed not the highest autonomy. In conditions of active Wi-Fi, 70% brightness and active power saving mode, the numbers came out as follows:
- 60 minutes YouTube – 22%.
- 60 minutes in work scenarios (office applications, browser, etc.) – 24%.
- 30 minutes of Dota 2 (low graphics settings, 100% render, FHD, 60 fps-lock) – 21%.
conclusions
ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED is a modern, powerful and bright ultrabook. Of the pleasant features, it has a chic OLED display, a moderately powerful or simply powerful chipset, depending on the specific configuration, nimble memory, and a lightweight, compact form factor. As always, there were some minuses, but they follow from the voiced pluses. A combination of powerful hardware and a bright display, as expected, does not have the best effect on battery life, and the OLED screen itself can potentially degrade over time.
As for the Space Edition, when I first met, I did not experience any warm feelings. However, as I got to know him, I began to like him much more. After unraveling the Morse messages, realizing that a set of dashes is a rather eloquent image of the MIR ISS, and getting to know the history of the P6300 model, the “space” ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED sparkled with new colors. Behind him, the idea began to be felt, and not just marketing.
© Dmitry Pivnev. mobile phone
