Asus Zenbook S14 OLED review: Gaming is a bonus on this all-rounder of an AI PC
Searching for the perfect laptop is like looking for a needle in a haystack. When it comes to ultra-thin laptops, most come with shortcomings in design, display, performance, or battery life. You might find a good laptop that excels in three out of four areas but falls short in at least one key aspect.
Earlier this year, when Asus introduced one of the first Intel-powered Lunar Lake laptops, the Zenbook S14 OLED, I was certain that it was going to be one of the best Windows laptops on the market. Following its India launch, I got a chance to try my hands on the new Asus Zenbook S14 OLED. I have been using the laptop for my day-to-day activities, and here is my take on the device powered by the Core Ultra 200V series chip.
An ultrabook that doesn't compromise on practicality
Despite the metal build, the laptop is thin and light. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
Asus has managed to strike a balance between making the Zenbook Z14 OLED a light machine without affecting its practicality. The laptop weighs 1.2 kg, making it ever-so-slightly lighter than the MacBook Air M3. Despite that, it has a full-sized USB-A port and an HDMI 2.1 port, making it easy to pair it with peripherals like an external mouse and monitor.
The Zenbook S14 OLED comes with a full-metal unibody design, and I liked that it seemed like a regular Windows laptop with well-spaced keys and a power button that requires a bit more activation energy (a facet that distinguishes it from regular keys). Its IR-camera-powered Windows Hello face unlock also works flawlessly, even in poorly lit conditions.
My first impression of the device has been that the Zenbook S14 OLED is a well-thought-out laptop that strikes the perfect balance between premium experience and practicality.
One of the best displays on a 14-inch laptop
The OLED screen is fast, sharp, and vibrant. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
Be it gaming or watching videos on YouTube, I have thoroughly enjoyed almost everything I did with the Asus laptop. I am mighty impressed with the sharp 3K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and the touch support on the display. The Zenbook S14 OLED can be the ideal workmate for professionals who seek colour-accurate panels, as the device supports a 100 per cent DCI-P3 colour gamut along with VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black certification.
Owing to its OLED panel, the laptop displays excellent contrasts and punchy colours. Moreover, the panel is also power-efficient, adding to overall improved battery life. It is also among the few Windows laptops I tested that offer auto-brightness adjustment support. This feature is a welcome addition, as it improves battery life while automatically switching to the adequate brightness levels.
A compatibility master
It can run any Windows app that you throw at it. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
Ever since the launch of Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon X Elite/Plus chips, there has been no dearth of high-performance and efficient laptops. However, ARM laptops still have a long way to go and are not meant for everyone, especially not for those who still depend a lot on legacy software. In this case, the Zenbook S14 OLED has no such issues, as it is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 chip based on x86 architecture, where it can run almost any app you throw at it, be it a 90s video game that was recently remastered or a critical open-source software from your favourite developer that stopped receiving support a few years back.
The new CPU cores offer excellent single and multi-core performance. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
However, when compared to a laptop powered by Meteor Lake or the first generation of Intel AI PC processors, the Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 258V-powered Zenbook S14 OLED has fewer CPU cores, and it also misses out on hyperthreading.
In our benchmark tests, we found that there isn't much difference in the multi-core performance between the two generations of Intel chips, although the latter requires less power to offer the same amount of performance. Here are some benchmark figures of the Asus Zenbook S14 OLED, powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 258V with 32 GB unified memory.
An ultrabook that can handle AAA titles at 1080p
This laptop can play GTA: V like a full-fledged gaming laptop. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
The Intel Arc integrated graphics is easily one of the most capable GPUs on an ultrabook, where it offered an average FPS of over 70 on GTA: V at 1080p and medium graphics settings on battery, and the performance went up to 90fps when plugged in. Results from the Superposition benchmark also reiterate the same. If you are looking for an ultrabook that can also handle gaming, this is the one to get.
Copilot+ PC in making
The laptop will soon gain Copilot+ AI features. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
The Asus Zenbook S14 OLED has all the hardware required to be a Copilot+ PC, but the features aren't there yet. The first set of AI features from Microsoft, which are currently exclusive to the ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite/Plus powered PCs, will make their way towards the Zenbook S14 OLED. However, at the time of testing, the update wasn't available, and the Windows 11 242H build also made the laptop a bit buggy.
Guaranteed all-day battery life
All-day battery life is a no concern on this machine. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
Asus claims the Zenbook S14 OLED with its 72Wh battery will deliver 27 hours of battery life. However, during testing, I found that the laptop can easily last for around 10 to 12 hours with ease, especially when used for tasks like writing, web browsing, and video streaming. Pushing the machine to its limit with continued gaming will drain the battery quickly, but most office users can charge this machine at night, take it to work, and work throughout the day without needing a top-up. This is also the best battery life that I have ever witnessed on a Windows PC.
Verdict: Most balanced ultrabook of 2024
A versatile Windows laptop. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
The Asus Zenbook S14 OLED is one such laptop that has no major disadvantage and covers almost all aspects, making it a perfect machine for almost every type of laptop user. It looks premium, has a thin-and-light form factor, performs well, has excellent compatibility, can handle AAA video games, and while doing it all, it can last all day long. However, at Rs 1,34,990, it is on the expensive side and is for those who want nothing but the best.
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Asus Zenbook S14 OLED
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| Feature | Pros | Cons |
| Design |
Thin and light (1.2kg), full-metal unibody, practical ports (USB-A, HDMI 2.1)
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| Display |
Excellent 3K OLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate, touch support, accurate colors, power-efficient
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| Performance | Powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 chip, handles demanding tasks and gaming |
Fewer CPU cores and no hyperthreading compared to newer chips
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| Battery Life |
10-12 hours on a single charge
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| Compatibility | Runs all legacy Windows apps |
Some minor software bugs encountered
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| Software |
Expensive (Rs 1,34,990)
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| AI Features |
Copilot+ AI features coming soon
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