- Getting an incredible gaming laptop computer that is super-powerful and may deal with essentially the most demanding AAA titles has usually meant investing in an enormous, cumbersome machine. Even whereas they're getting slimmer and lighter, there's nonetheless a leaning in direction of greater machines, with massive shows.
However what if you do not need that? That is the place the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 steps in. It is a compact machine with a quick refresh display that is nice for gaming on, and will not require you to purchase a much bigger backpack to hold it. Plus, it isn't hideously costly.
Design
- Dimensions: 312 x 227 x 19.5mm / Weight: 1.72kg
- AniMe Matrix lighting on cowl
The ROG Zephyrus G14's design is undoubtedly one of many issues that pulls us most to this laptop computer. In comparison with the 15-to-17-inch machines of the world, the 14-inch G14 is a really compact machine. It's going to slot in your bag with out a lot effort, and sits neatly in your lap with out commanding an excessive amount of house.
It is that Goldilocks "excellent" dimension, by no means too cumbersome, by no means an excessive amount of of an effort to make use of. At almost 20mm thick when shut, it is hardly Ultrabook skinny, nevertheless it's nonetheless skinny sufficient that it is no burden.
What's extra, our evaluate unit has a beautiful matte white end, which simply appears nice, particularly when contrasted in opposition to the thin black bezel that frames the show. It would not simply look good both, it feels good. The white end is gentle, moderately than being a chilly, metallic really feel. However we suspect that for many who wish to sport utilizing the keyboard, it would get a bit of too heat throughout longer classes.
There are a few different design highlights. One being the hinge, which permits the show to pivot again all the best way till it is mendacity flat on no matter floor it is sat on. As a result of method the hinge and the lid have been designed, it additionally lifts the laptop computer off the floor, permitting air to cross beneath to assist with cooling.
What's fascinating right here is that that there is a steel plate on the underside of the machine that is designed to assist with cooling. It really works alongside the followers and vapour chambers to maintain it working easily. It does get fairly scorching underneath there when plugged in throughout gaming, so it is most likely not one thing you need in your lap for extended intervals, notably not on hotter days. Nonetheless, should you're simply utilizing it for work, it hardly ever will get heat sufficient to trigger any discomfort.
One different eye-catching element is the array of LEDs on the laptop computer's cowl. There are over 1400 of them, which mild up in patterns and animations. It is most likely the one apparent signal that that is certainly a gaming laptop computer. However, if you'd like, you may simply swap it off. Since you may't even actually see it your self, it undoubtedly appears extra like one thing designed to attract consideration, moderately than add something to your individual expertise. However it's enjoyable.
Keyboard and trackpad
- 'Desktop Impressed' keyboard format with RGB lighting
- Gaming hotkeys/macro operate - N-key rollover
- Massive touchpad
It is no exaggeration to say the keyboard on the G14 is likely one of the nicest laptop computer keyboards presently in the marketplace. It is obtained that proper steadiness of key journey, suggestions and responsiveness to make it very easy and fast to sort on. There isn't any studying curve for touch-typing actually, no matter what you are used to utilizing. Regardless of usually utilizing a mechanical keyboard at our desk and an iPad Magic Keyboard after we're on the transfer, the swap over to this chiclet keyboard was seamless.
It is well-positioned too, and is comparatively central in relation to its positioning alongside the massive trackpad beneath it. Meaning we did not ever discover we have been unintentionally touching or activating that touchpad when typing. Plus, it is obtained a one-zone RGB backlighting system. Compared to a few of the fancier, brighter keyboard backlighting techniques, it is fairly dim and delicate, however that could be factor for some.
That trackpad itself is a pleasure to make use of as effectively. Due to the dimensions, and the responsiveness, we discovered it nice for nearly all the things. This mix of floor space and fast response means it is preferrred for multi-touch gestures, just like the pinching to zoom and a number of digit swiping for rapidly shifting between desktop views and zooming in/out of pictures.
What ports does it have?
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Sort-C w/DisplayPort (1x w/Energy Supply), 2x USB 3.2 Sort-A
- 3.5mm audio port, HDMI 2.0b port (full dimension), microSD card reader (UHS II)
When it comes to port there are lots. Need USB-C? You get two of them. Each USB 3.2, each with DisplayPort for output to a monitor. One in every of them even helps Energy Supply as much as 100W, so you may cost the laptop computer utilizing a USB-C cable should you'd moderately not carry the ginormous 240W energy brick with you in your travels.
The one problem with utilizing this for charging is that it isn't notably efficient at charging rapidly. At the very least, not should you're utilizing the laptop computer whereas charging. Nonetheless, there's a proprietary charging port as effectively, which makes use of the aforementioned energy brick to prime up the battery rapidly.
It additionally has two USB 3.2 Sort-A ports, a 3.5mm audio enter/output port, and a microSD card reader (sadly no full sized SD right here). Add to that an HDMI 2.0b port and you've got just about all the things you may want.
Show
- 14-inch IPS anti-glare show
- WQXGA decision (2560 x 1600)
- AMD FreeSync (as much as 120Hz refresh)
- Dolby Imaginative and prescient, 500 nits max brightness
- Quad Audio system with Dolby Atmos help
Whereas the show is primed and prepared for gaming, similar to loads of the G14's different parts, it is also nice for different duties. Being WQXGA decision, or 2560 x 1600 pixels, signifies that though not 4K, it is actually sharp sufficient for just about something. Being "simply" 14-inches diagonally means the pixels are packed in densely, so give the looks of a display that is actually crisp.
That is not all that makes it a powerful show although. With 500 nits peak brightness and Dolby Imaginative and prescient certification, it is brilliant and vibrant too, regardless of being an IPS LCD panel. Distinction ranges appear fairly excessive too, with black and darkish parts on the display being impressively darkish.
Mix that spectacular panel with an anti-glare floor, and you've got a show that is nice to take a look at whatever the mild ranges round you. Colors are vigorous and vibrant, with out seeming too over-saturated. That makes it greater than appropriate for video watching and media consumption. In truth, you need to use it comfortably for picture and video enhancing when wanted. Though those that want a totally impartial color steadiness might discover it a bit too vigorous for that.
Add to that show an array of six audio system and you've got a reasonably immersive media expertise all instructed. These audio system help Dolby Atmos, however in a machine this small, we're not speaking about that full room-filling encompass sound impact. However you continue to get extra of an immersive really feel than you may from a bathroom customary pair of stereo audio system. They're actually loud sufficient to chop over the noise of the followers as effectively, which is at all times helpful.
Efficiency and benchmarks
- 16GB or 32GB DDR5 RAM (both 8+8 or 16+16)
- As much as 1TB storage - SSD or NVMe PCIe 4.0
- AMD Ryzen 9 6000 sequence CPU
- AMD Radeon RX 6700S/6800S/6900S graphics
- 76WHr 4-cell li-ion battery, 240W energy adapter
There are numerous configurations of the ROG Zephyrus G14, however all of them are AMD-powered, with varied mixtures of Ryzen 9 CPU and Radeon RX graphics. Our personal evaluate unit options the Ryzen 6900HS and a Radeon RX 6800S graphics card. This locations it fairly excessive up the meals chain in terms of uncooked energy and efficiency.
For an thought of how a lot energy is in right here, you get a clue while you first load up Forza Horizon 5. On first boot up the sport detects your system settings and suggests a efficiency setting. With this Asus laptop computer it mechanically selected 'Excessive'. So it is obtained some muscle underneath the hood, that is for positive.
Forza Horizon 5 regarded and responded nice throughout our testing on the G14. Graphics remained crisp and sharp with the utmost decision enabled. With the frames per second on fixed view, we hardly ever noticed it drop under 55fps, and was normally someplace between 55-60fps. Solely uncommon body drops occurred, usually after we'd unintentionally left one other programme working within the background.
We performed a bunch of different titles, too, from the likes of Rise of the Tomb Raider, indie titles like Firewatch and Brothers - A Story of Two Sons, plus a little bit of time with an outdated favorite: Portal 2.
Relating to benchmarks, the G14 performs effectively. With the laptop computer plugged in and set to 'Efficiency Mode', Cinebench R23 returned multi-core outcomes that have been larger than an Intel Core i9 equal. It delivered a multi-core rating over 11,600 for us, with a single-core scoring across the 1400 level mark.
Within the built-in benchmark mode in Forza Horizon 5, with the decision set to 1080p, the G14 hit round 75fps persistently, and with the decision set to most for the show it was at round 55fps. We obtained related outcomes with Rise of the Tomb Raider's built-in benchmark mode, with a median of almost 72fps throughout the three scenes it ran by way of.
For essentially the most half, as soon as video games obtained up and working, the laptop computer's followers kicked in, nevertheless it was hardly ever overly loud. You may hear them - after all you may, it is a gaming laptop computer - nevertheless it by no means obtained to the purpose of sounding like a helicopter taking off.
After all, should you kick it into 'Turbo' mode, it might probably up the efficiency a tad extra and get you further. It's going to benchmark larger. Within the Tomb Raider benchmark it reached 88fps on common, and scored larger in Cinebench as effectively. The compromise? Much more fan noise.
On the flip aspect, there is a 'Silent' mode which kicks in while you unplug the facility cable. It brings the facility output down a bit, decreasing the necessity for energetic cooling. You do not need to play any intensive video games on this setting (you may't actually), however for these instances you need to use it to do regular on a regular basis duties, it is a setting price having. It helps you get your work carried out quietly, and ensures the battery would not drain too rapidly.
In truth, utilizing it to do work for an prolonged interval, it wasn't too troublesome to get it to final about seven hours. Typically a bit of longer. In contrast to some greater, older machines, it wasn't one thing that was overly regarding. We may comfortably sit for 4 hours at a time realizing we would not must panic about battery life, scrambling to discover a energy supply - and that is fairly uncommon for a robust gaming laptop computer.
Connectivity and communication
- 720p webcam with IR for Home windows Hiya
- WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 (twin band)
So what about different practicalities? Properly, there's the 720p webcam within the prime bezel. It is not the very best for video calling, however it's geared up with IR, which implies you need to use it for Home windows Hiya facial recognition. It makes signing into the laptop computer actually fast and simple.
From a wi-fi connectivity standpoint there's each WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 help. It is greater than effectively sufficient geared up to go together with you for the following few years, and it will help all of your newest headphones, audio system and Wi-Fi routers too. Connectivity strong in our testing - we did not battle with it randomly disconnecting like we have now on another laptops.
We might don't have any hassle recommending the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 to simply about everybody - it isn't solely nice for gaming, it is nice for on a regular basis duties too.
So should you're on the lookout for a comparatively compact but powerful gaming laptop computer, the G14 is a really effectively balanced possibility that surfs the road between on a regular basis champ and gaming nice.
Post a Comment