I am constantly on the lookout for a gaming laptop that combines performance and portability, and I may have found it in the 2024 Zephyrus G14. This thin and light powerhouse delivers all the specs you would expect from a gaming or creative machine in a stylish, portable package. Using it for the past week or so, I’ve been impressed with how well ASUS ROG has blended the two needs into a laptop that works incredibly well and in a size and form factor that can’t be beaten.
At first glance, the 2024 Zephyrus G14 looks like a subtle upgrade over last year’s model. But when you look closer, ASUS has made some meaningful changes that add up to a better overall gaming experience. You’ll first notice the redesigned chassis, now made from a single block of CNC-machined aluminum and feels incredible in the hand. Not only does this look incredibly sleek with the new diagonal “Slash Lighting” LED strips, but it also improves rigidity while shaving off weight. At just 1.7 pounds, the Zephyrus G14 is astonishingly portable for the power it packs and feels simply incredible.
Even if a laptop looks fantastic, if it does not have the power to back up the style, it will ultimately fall flat, and thankfully, ASUS has not skimped on this aspect either. CPU options now include AMD’s latest Ryzen 9 8945HS processor with integrated Radeon graphics. Combined with up to an NVIDIA RTX 4070 laptop graphics card, this hardware can run the latest games with smooth frame rates. The Zephyrus G14 can even handle ray tracing thanks to NVIDIA’s DLSS 3 technology. With up to 32GB of fast LPDDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 4 storage, this laptop won’t leave you waiting during intense gaming sessions or when working on a creative product on the go.
The aspect that sets the 2024 Zephyrus G14 apart, especially when you first sit down and use it, is the screen. The new 14-inch ROG Nebula OLED display with 3K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and 0.2ms response time delivers a remarkably vibrant and incredibly smooth panel that makes games and media come alive. Since its G-Sync is compatible with a wide colour gamut, both gaming visuals and creative work will shine on the Zephyrus G14. While slowly becoming more common, OLED is still only found on select laptops, so offering it on their thin and light flagship model shows ASUS is keeping the Zephyrus G14 ahead of competitors.
Improved performance means higher heat output or at least that is how it normally works. But even in the slim Zephyrus chassis, ASUS has upgraded the cooling system to keep temps in check. The vapour chamber design, paired with a liquid metal compound on the CPU, can dissipate heat so the components don’t throttle under load. New Arc Flow fans help direct airflow through the strategic ventilation holes in the redesigned chassis. The fans stay whisper-quiet during lighter tasks as well, thanks to the intelligent control system.
Everything feels well thought out with the 2024 Zephyrus G14, and it all works together incredibly well. ASUS has managed to touch on everything I normally would complain about with laptops, from the touchpad to the keyboard to the way it feels while using it on your lap, showing an attention to detail that is always amazing to see when it happens. Granted, I have not run our usual slate of benchmarks, but even just playing around in games and some creative software, I was impressed with how well everything worked and the performance possible from this very portable offering.
With its slick new look, upgraded internals, and vivid OLED display packed into a super portable frame, the 2024 Zephyrus G14 hits all the right notes for me. ASUS continues improving the formula with each new generation, keeping this 14-inch powerhouse competitive with even the most premium 15 and 16-inch rivals. Battery life remains a potential shortcoming, but the Zephyrus G14 promises to deliver outstanding gaming prowess in a size you can easily slip into a bag and use on the go.
Of course, since we are only using a pre-production model and have not yet done any definitive benchmarking, we will have to rely on a review unit to test the new model’s capabilities and drawbacks fully. But from my time with the machine, ASUS seems to have another winner with the 2024 Zephyrus G14. For gamers needing serious power in a compact and portable package, this laptop looks like a compelling option worth looking out for when it launches later this year.
Stay tuned for my full review later this year after I put the ASUS Zephyrus G14 through its paces.
Keep up to date on everything else CES 2024 here.
