What it gets right
- Exceptionally light and easy to carry
- Excellent battery life
- screen with deep-looking blacks gives strong contrast
- More useful sockets than several thin rivals
The compromises
- Arm software and driver compatibility is not universal
- deep-black screen reflections can be noticeable in bright rooms
- Not intended for demanding games or professional 3D work
Buy it—or leave it?
- You carry your laptop every day
- Battery life and low weight matter most
- Your software is mainstream and Arm-compatible
- You use specialist legacy applications
- You need dedicated gaming graphics
- You work mainly in very bright reflective spaces
What it is actually like
Open any section for the detail behind our verdict.
01Portability
This is where the Zenbook earns its place. The low weight is immediately noticeable during commuting and travel, while the battery reduces the need to carry a charger. Its finish is practical rather than flashy and feels more reassuring than the weight suggests.
02Screen and work
strong contrast in dark scenes makes films, photographs and dark text look rich. A glossy surface can reflect windows and overhead lights, so people working outdoors may prefer a bright matte screen. The keyboard and sockets selection are well suited to ordinary office work.
03Compatibility and speed
Browsing, Microsoft 365, calls and streaming run smoothly and efficiently. Before buying, check older printer drivers, VPN tools, music hardware, games and employer software. Raw speed is less important than whether the exact application runs correctly.
Price and value
At about £799.99, the A14 is competitive when 16GB memory and 512GB storage are included. Cheaper configurations must be checked carefully; storage or screen differences can change the value significantly.
Price last checked 24 August 2026Who will notice the difference?
Commuting and travel
Its low weight and battery are genuine everyday advantages.
Office and study
Comfortable for documents, browser work and video calls.
Specialist hardware
Confirm drivers and utilities before committing to an Arm laptop.
What else should you consider?
£799.99 · The Surface Laptop offers a more restrained design, the MacBook Air has the strongest established app ecosystem, and Lenovo provides more configuration choice. ASUS wins on extremely low carrying weight combined with strong contrast in dark scenes.
Our review process
This research-based review compares ASUS's stated listed features with independent portability, battery and performance testing. The recommendation remains conditional on checking the buyer's exact Windows applications and hardware drivers.
Read our editorial standards