The ASUS ZenBook 14 (UM431DA) is what you would call a pocket rocket: a small and unassuming productivity laptop that's ready to tackle the biggest, juiciest spreadsheet with ease.
Small? Just how small?
On their official website, there's a picture of the ZenBook 14 somewhat fitting into a stylish-looking handbag - so out of curiousity I decided to see if that was true.
I grabbed my mum's medium-sized Kate Spade and to my surprise, it slid in with ease and closed comfortably too! (Don't tell mum I pinched her bag for these photos please.)
For those who like to look stylish while working on the go, this means no more lugging around a clunky, uncle-looking workstation in one of those free laptop bags you won in a giveaway - just chuck the ZenBook 14 into your handbag or briefcase and you're ready to go!
It's only 1.39kg, which is even lighter than my handbag on a good day, so even those with the most taugeh arms should be able to manage.
Pretty yet practical
On the lid we see the ZenBook's iconic spun-metal finish in what's supposedly the 'Utopia Blue' finish. I might need my eyes checked but this baby looks silver AF to me. Either way, it's a slick piece of metal that looks good on any desk.
As with most modern laptops, we've come to expect ultra-slim bezels, and the ZenBook delivers with its NanoEdge design that promises an 86% body-to-screen ratio. Its 14" FHD display boasts 100% sRGB colour gamut, so whether you're working on your next presentation or watching anime, you know it's gonna look fabulous.
The harmon/kardon speakers are also upwards-facing so you won't have to worry about the sound getting muffled if you decide to curl up in a blanket and sob over your favourite K-drama.
Minuscule form factor, minuscule inconveniences
It's nice to see the Ergolift function make a return - not only does it provide better airflow by angling and lifting the chassis above the surface it's placed on, it also provides better ergonomics for better typing.
However, one downside to having such a small form factor - and this is pretty much unavoidable in all small laptops - is that the keyboard and touchpad are very close together, causing your palms to often accidentally brush against the touchpad while typing. While inconvenient, it's also easily circumvented by hitting the Fn+F6 shortcut to instantly disable the touchpad.
It lasts, and lasts, and lasts...
The ZenBook 14 has a 47Wh Li-polymer battery which lasts up to 12.7 hours. That's probably longer than your new year's resolution to eat less rubbish in 2020.
Although needing your power brick isn't very likely if you're just using it for productivity purposes (Microsoft Office etc), the power brick is equally dainty - it's even smaller than my power bank - so it won't be a huge (hurhur geddit?) issue packing it into your bag.
Tough. Like military-grade tough.
According to their website, the ZenBook 14 meets the MIL-STD 810G military standard for reliability and durability. This means it's passed a drop test, altitude test, as well as a low temperature test. It's probably a better A-student than you are.
Though I wouldn't suggest dropping it for fun, you can be assured that it would probably survive a coffee mug thrown at it by your irate boss the next time you fall asleep at a meeting.
It even has Windows Hello and a fingerprint sensor built into the touchpad, so your jealous colleague can't sabo your important upcoming project out of spite.
Beautiful outside, beautiful inside also
'But what counts is what's inside,' you say.
Well, here's the spec sheet for you to digest:
Aiya, buy lah
If you want something portable and sleek with some cool features, the ASUS ZenBook 14 which is priced at a cool RM2,999 definitely fits the bill...or in the bag, I should say.
And it comes with a free laptop sleeve too!
You can pick the ASUS Zenbook 14 (UM431DA) up at any major retailers.
