This Asus laptop is my go-to MacBook alternative — and it’s on sale at Best Buy
What’s up?
The 2K screen model is no longer for sale, but that’s okay because the 3K OLED version is available at Best Buy. Laptops with Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics cards are currently on sale 1,200 USDwhile build 4070 is 2,000 USD.
Key points of ZDNET
- Although technically a gaming laptop, the new version Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 can actually do more for the pro user than the casual gamer.
- Long battery life, a full-featured keyboard, and an OLED display allow users to tackle their day with ease and comfort.
- However, laptops filled with bloatware take up a lot of storage space and its operating temperature can increase.
Let me ask you a question: when is a gaming laptop no longer a gaming laptop? I think the answer is when the hardware is the least impressive part of the device. Such is the case with the seemingly MacBook-inspired design Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. After a few weeks of testing, I actually forgot it came with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. Every other aspect of the laptop is more appealing. Its performance is the furthest thing from my mind.
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I’m specifically mentioning the MacBook because the Zephyrus G14 really looks like one. Not only does it come in a shiny silver color, but the display is reminiscent of what you’d find on a MacBook Pro. It’s a 2K resolution OLED display (2,880 x 1,800 pixels) surrounded by thick black bezels.
Dark borders have a contrasting effect, making colors on the screen appear more vibrant. Additionally, the keyboard is also reminiscent of the keyboards you find on Apple laptops.
If you’re a frequent reader, you’ll know how much I appreciate a comfortable keyboard. Well, I’m happy to say that the Zephyrus G14 certainly has one.
Each key has a slight indentation to guide your fingers toward the center, and most have a nice springy feel. Combining the two together provides a typing experience that is quite easy on the hands. The M keys at the top don’t have the same tactile feedback; They’re weaker in comparison because Asus didn’t expect them to have as much action. But above these four is where you’ll find the laptop’s audio controls, notably the M4, which launches the Armory Crate app that configures the RGB lighting.
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The Function keys also need attention as Asus has made some interesting choices here. For example, the F5 key will cause the internal fan to go into turbo mode. As a side note, fan placement itself will result in design balance.
They are located at the bottom of the laptop instead of the back or sides to ensure the laptop is slim. With this model being less than 1 inch thick, I can say Asus has succeeded. However, this design choice traps heat without much ventilation, resulting in the computer quickly overheating. If you buy this laptop, I recommend you buy one laptop cooling pad to keep the temperature low.
The F10 key is also interesting because it provides a quick way to completely disable the touchpad, which is useful for those who like to use a standard mouse and keyboard combination.
With the OLED screen and all the lights throughout the body, one would assume the battery wouldn’t last long. Surprisingly, that is not the case. The Zephyrus G14 has one of the best batteries I’ve seen on a laptop. In my experience, the only device that performs better than it is Acer Chromebook Spin 714.
I did my usual test of streaming YouTube nonstop at 720p resolution and 50% brightness. Zephyrus G14 lasts 10 hours continuously. Most laptops, from what I’ve seen, shut down after six hours. I’m really surprised at this longevity. Gaming laptops are notorious for being power hungry, so I wasn’t expecting much, but I’m glad to have been proven wrong.
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The Zephyrus G14 is powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor along with the GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card I mentioned earlier. I found the CPU more impressive when running both through benchmark tests. On Cinebench R23, the Ryzen 9 achieved a score of 16,107, putting it in the upper echelon of processors and well above the Intel Core i9-9880H average. The GPU also doesn’t fare as well in comparison. The difference between the two tells me the laptop is capable of handling a variety of workloads, from internet browsing to video editing, but can struggle when gaming.
The Zephyrus G14 has another major drawback besides the heat problem. Laptops come with a lot of bloatware. The SSD contains a lot of forgettable applications. Granted, some are useful. Armory Crate controls the RGB lighting and GeForce Experience manages your game library. Assistant on board? Not much. At least, I don’t find myself looking for it.
ZDNET Buying Tips
ROG Zephyrus G14 from Asus is a great laptop for most people. Computer enthusiasts like me will appreciate the customizable RGB lighting and the hardware, which is good enough for most gaming sessions. Professionals will appreciate the stylish design and long battery life.
If I had to pick a group that liked this laptop the most, it would be the experts. The RTX 4060 GPU is at the bottom of the line, so its performance will disappoint gamers looking for raw power. Additionally, bloatware cuts too much space into the SSD, limiting the number of large files you can have at once.
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Zephyrus G14 has a starting price of 1,600 USD. Specifically, my review unit cost $1,900, which certainly isn’t cheap. Other than that, there isn’t much you can do to lower the price as the customization options only add to the laptop. Bottom line: Zephyrus G14 is worth the price, but if you want something cheaper, check out ZDNET Best cheap gaming laptop for recommendations.
