Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Review: Intel Core Ultra 7 Performance Tested
content: Introduction to the New Zenbook 14 OLED
When choosing an ultraportable laptop, professionals face a critical dilemma: sacrifice performance for portability or endure bulk for power. The redesigned Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) tackles this head-on, shedding 200g weight and 2mm thickness while packing Intel's revolutionary 14th-gen Core Ultra 7 processor. After testing this pre-production unit - one of the first with Meteor Lake architecture - I discovered surprising gaming capabilities and productivity gains that redefine thin-and-light expectations.
Key Upgrades Over Previous Generation
Slimmer Profile and Enhanced Display
Asus reduced the chassis to 14.9mm thick and 1.2kg weight while retaining the 14-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen. Crucially, they boosted the refresh rate to 120Hz and peak HDR brightness to 750 nits based on my measurements. The glossy coating remains a reflection magnet, and hinge stability could improve, but color accuracy outperforms most competitors.
Port Selection and Input Experience
Despite the slim-down, Asus kept practical ports:
- Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
- USB-A 3.2
- HDMI 2.1
- 3.5mm combo jack
The ErgoSense keyboard delivers whisper-quiet typing, while the touchpad's numpad functionality saves desk space. Choose the silver model - the blue variant shows fingerprints prominently.
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Performance Analysis
Meteor Lake Architecture Explained
Intel's rebranded "Ultra" series introduces three key components:
- CPU: 16-core/22-thread processing
- GPU: Intel Arc with 8 Xe-cores (DX12 Ultimate, ray tracing)
- NPU: Dedicated AI engine for local processing
Real-World Benchmark Results
Testing against a 13th-gen i7-136P laptop revealed dramatic gains:
| Benchmark | Core Ultra 7 155H | 13th-Gen i7 | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,560 | 5,890 | 113% ↑ |
| 3DMark Time Spy | 3,421 | 1,205 | 184% ↑ |
| Premiere Pro Export | 4m32s | 9m13s | 52% faster |
| Tomb Raider (1200p) | 42 FPS | 22 FPS | 91% ↑ |
The AV1 hardware encoding proved particularly valuable for content creators, eliminating need for discrete GPUs. Thermals peak at 100°C during sustained loads, but performance only dips 5-10% on battery - unusually minimal for Windows laptops.
Practical AI and Daily Use Insights
NPU Capabilities Today
While Intel's "AI Boost" NPU shows promise for local processing (privacy, latency advantages), current implementation is embryonic. During testing:
- Windows Studio Effects used it for background blur/eye contact
- Photoshop Generative Fill still relies on cloud
- Future-proof for apps leveraging OpenVINO toolkit
Battery Life Considerations
The 75Wh battery delivered 7-8 hours in productivity mode (120Hz active). Gaming drains it in under 2 hours. For reference, Apple's M-series still leads in consistent battery performance, but Zenbook closes the gap in raw power.
Value Verdict and Buying Recommendations
Who Should Choose This Laptop?
Consider the Zenbook 14 OLED if:
- You need lightweight power for video editing
- Want casual gaming capability without a GPU
- Value vibrant OLED over matte displays
- Prefer Windows ecosystem with Thunderbolt 4
Alternative options:
- MacBook Air M2: Better battery but no gaming/touchscreen
- Dell XPS 13: Similar premium but older gen CPUs
Pricing and Configurations
The Core Ultra 5/16GB/512GB starts at £1,099 ($1,299 est). For most users, the mid-tier Ultra 7/16GB model offers the best value. Avoid base storage if editing 4K footage regularly.
Actionable Takeaways
- Verify local AI app support before buying for NPU utility
- Choose silver finish to minimize fingerprint visibility
- Enable Creator Mode in MyASUS app for optimized color work
- Use 1080p resolution for demanding games to maintain 60+ FPS
- Update Intel Graphics Command Center immediately for Arc optimizations
The Zenbook 14 OLED delivers unprecedented integrated graphics performance in a sub-1.3kg package. While thermals and AI capabilities need refinement, its 120Hz OLED screen and 2x generational leap make it a compelling Windows alternative to premium ultrabooks.
Have you experienced thermal throttling with thin laptops? Share your cooling solutions in the comments!
