Hardware

Review: ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Is the Powerful Processor You Need to Work from Anywhere

With its sleek, compact look and high-powered computing, the latest Zenbook is ideal for work from anywhere set ups.

Carlos Soto is an award-winning reviewer and journalist with 20 years of experience covering technology and business within various sectors and industries.

Notebooks are the centerpiece of many employees’ worlds, especially in the era of digital work, and employees need them to be lightweight and fast. The new Asus Zenbook Pro 14 is a sleek system that includes a powerful processor and features that surpass those on many desktop computers.

The Zenbook includes a solid-state drive that has no moving parts, hardening it against bumps while on the road and keeping stored data safe. I took the ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 on several business trips across the country. It was hardly noticeable in my travel bag, yet it proved itself powerful enough to help me accomplish all my required tasks in airport lounges, guest offices, coffee shops and hotel rooms.

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In addition to the fast AMD Ryzen 9 processor, the laptop has HDMI, USB-A and USB-C ports to support peripherals. It even comes with a microSD card reader and an audio jack for extra functionality. Both USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 4, so I was able to quickly connect the ASUS to 4K monitors to show all the razzle-dazzle built into my presentations.

Even when no external monitor is available, the NanoEdge FHD display provides stunningly clear and bright visuals in nearly any lighting conditions. I also used it to present during a webinar, and viewers commented on the high quality of that presentation.

LEARN: Find out how to achieve business continuity as you work on-the-go.

How Did the Asus Zenbook Score Against Our Stress Test?

1. High Processing Power. Back in the lab, I stress-tested the ASUS Zenbook by running graphically intensive videos for more than 20 hours while processing large computations from a custom database. I didn’t detect any buffering, lagging or glitching in the videos.

2. Impressive Battery Life. On the road, I was getting up to 10 hours of runtime with normal use. When pushed to the maximum for performance testing, the ASUS still lasted for 6.5 hours.

3. Automatic Security. The ASUS is also secure. Windows Hello, combined with an integrated infrared camera, supports passwordless login, and the system can automatically log you out when you step away.

4. Streamlined utility. The edge-to-edge ergonomic keyboard allows for comfortable typing and easy data entry thanks to the innovative ASUS NumberPad and the LED-illuminated numeric keypad. It’s every bit as easy to work with as a desktop computer with a full-size keyboard.

With computing power and reliability from notebooks like the ASUS Zenbook, employees will be armed with a key tool that can help them and their companies succeed.

Two Characteristics of an Ideal Business Notebook

Technology is a crucial part of almost all businesses these days. It drives the ability to deliver value to customers and helps companies looking to attract and retain the best talent. Well-qualified professionals like to join teams that provide updated technology to their employees with all the features they need to perform their jobs. Given the importance of technology, the notebook computer is of great service to business users. This is especially true following the widespread embrace of digital work, a trend that’s here to stay. But beyond the raw specifications of a notebook, there are two factors that generally separate average or good notebooks from great ones, especially in the business world.

1. Great Form Factor for Many Roles

Unlike desktop computers, which generally stay in one place and perform the same functions and duties every day, a notebook can take on many roles. It might anchor a home office, act as a bridge back to an office when traveling or be used to make in-person or remote presentations.

In general, it must be light yet powerful and have a good form factor, like the ASUS Zenbook Pro. The slim form and intuitive design of the ASUS Zenbook Pro can accommodate nearly every type of user. Along with a large, well-designed keyboard, the ASUS makes a wonderful workhorse for any scenario. Whether resting on your lap while you’re typing vigorously, as I am doing as I write this, on a desk or sitting on an airplane tray, the slim, light and powerful ZenBook is capable of filling multiple roles for multitasking employees.

2. Reliable Speed and Battery Life

Processors often get all the credit for computer speed, when it’s often the graphics card that adds to system performance. The Zenbook Pro has a fast processor as well as a powerful integrated AMD Radeon Vega 7 Chip, with eight computing units and frequencies of up to 2 gigahertz. Whether being used for typing or presenting a multimedia extravaganza, the Zenbook has the power to drive applications.

But all that power does little good if a notebook can’t last through a presentation or a few hours of typing. ASUS knows that great performance requires great power, which is why a large battery supporting long runtimes is included. And quick battery charging features mean the Zenbook can be ready to go again in as little time as possible.