Asus not too long ago launched the all-new TUF Gaming A14 with the newest AMD Ryzen chipsets, which promise to ship glorious efficiency and energy effectivity together with improved AI capabilities. The TUF Gaming A14, on paper, appears to be an unbelievable selection for somebody trying to purchase a compact gaming laptop computer, which there aren’t lots of. Whereas the brand new A14, particularly the Ryzen AI 9 chipset variant, won’t align with the TUF collection’ popularity for affordability, it does supply quite a bit for the cash.
The variant with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 SoC, which we acquired for assessment, prices Rs. 1,69,990. It is usually geared up with 32GB RAM, 2TB storage, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU with 8GB VRAM. All that’s packed in a compact, light-weight physique that appears like an everyday laptop computer. Must you purchase this? Learn on to seek out out.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 Design: Feels powerful, is hard
- Dimensions – 311 x 227 x 16.9 mm
- Weight – 1.46kg
- Colors – Jaeger Grey
The TUF Gaming A14 carries a minimalist method to design, and there is nothing that means it is a gaming laptop computer. It is acquired a steel lid with a matte end, and the TUF brand, and that is about it. There is no RGB lighting on the laptop computer, however you get 4 system LEDs forming an ‘X’ sample on the marginally protruding rear edge. That is most seen when the lid is closed.
The exhaust vents are on the rear edge
The underside panel can be steel, and is generally lined in diamond-shaped consumption grilles. The rear edge homes the exhaust ports. If you open up the lid, you will discover matte end plastic panels, which have a tendency to select up some fingerprints and smudges. There are two hinges holding the highest half, which appear sturdy and might go a full 180 levels.
You get two bottom-firing audio system
Asus has managed to provide the TUF Gaming A14 a MIL-STD-810H certification, which implies that it could possibly stand some tough use and survive harsh circumstances. It additionally would not weigh a lot and is lighter than many of the different laptops in the identical phase. It actually is moveable and straightforward to hold round.
There’s loads of I/O ports on the laptop computer
For connectivity, the left aspect homes a reversible proprietary charging port, an HDMI 2.1 port, a USB Kind-C port, a USB Kind-A port, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. The proper aspect incorporates a USB Kind-A and USB Kind-C port together with a microSD card slot.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 Show: Nice for gaming
- Dimension and sort – 14-inch IPS show with anti-glare coating
- Decision – 2.5K (2560 x 1600 pixels)
- Refresh price – 165Hz
On the show entrance, the TUF Gaming A14 provides bundle for cell avid gamers. The 14-inch IPS panel could not get tremendous vivid as an OLED, however it gives gaming-centric options equivalent to a quick 165Hz refresh price, 2.5K decision, 3ms response time, and Nvidia GSync assist. The color replica is nice, however the anti-glare end does imply that the colors seem muted when watching films or TV reveals.
You get a 165Hz refresh price, however you may as well go right down to 60Hz
The panel provides a 16:10 side ratio and 100 per cent sRGB color assist. You get slim bezels on the edges and an 88 p.c screen-to-body ratio. In case your major purpose with this laptop computer is to recreation on the transfer, the show will do nice, even in the event you’re gaming outside. There’s additionally a MUX Swap and Nvidia Superior Optimus assist. Asus additionally permits color profiles to be modified utilizing the Armoury Crate app.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 Keyboard, Touchpad, audio system, and webcam
- Keyboard – Backlit chiclet with Copilot key
- Audio system – 2 x 1W with Dolby Atmos
- Internet digicam – 1080p with IR sensor
I’ve come to like the keyboards on Asus gaming laptops, and this one would not disappoint. There’s 1.7mm of journey and good spacing between the keys, which makes this a wonderful keyboard to kind on. You additionally get 4 additional keys on the highest left aspect, and the arrow keys are all the identical dimension and form. The keyboard additionally provides mini LED backlighting, which, though tremendous vivid, is barely obtainable in a single white color. If not for the Armory crate key or the hexagonal energy button, one might simply mistake this for an everyday laptop computer. There’s additionally a Copilot key right here in the event you want it.
The keyboard provides 1.7mm of journey
Asus has supplied a big glass touchpad on the laptop computer, which labored nice through the assessment. It has a 16:10 side ratio, mirroring the show. The touchpad additionally managed to keep away from ghost touches when gaming. It has a 240Hz report price, and clicks have been satisfying as nicely.
What wasn’t satisfying was the pair of audio system on the laptop computer. They’re common at greatest, lack bass, and are not nice when gaming. Though they will get decently loud, it is not the most effective audio expertise owing to the position. It is best to plug in a pleasant pair of wired gaming headphones or join your favorite wi-fi earphones when gaming or watching content material. Dolby Atmos works greatest when related to headphones.
The laptop computer has a 180-degree hinge
Lastly, the 1080p net digicam on the laptop computer is above common. It performs nicely when there’s loads of mild however is noisy in low-light circumstances. The color replica is first rate. You get IR sensors for Home windows Howdy assist, however there isn’t any bodily digicam privateness shutter.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 Software program: You get what you want
- OS – Home windows 11 Dwelling
- Further apps – Armoury Crate
The laptop computer runs Home windows 11 Dwelling out of the field, and also you get Microsoft Workplace Dwelling and Pupil as ordinary. Asus additionally bundles McAfee antivirus, which is extra of an annoyance than assist. The included Armoury Crate software is useful, because it allows you to customise varied features of the laptop computer. You too can simply change between efficiency profiles utilizing this software. The Armoury crate button on the high left of the keyboard additionally makes switching profiles straightforward.
The Armoury crate is a great tool
The Ryzen AI 9 CPU on the laptop computer incorporates a highly effective NPU so that you could run AI programmes. Due to the devoted key, you’ve got entry to the Copilot+ chatbot everytime you want it. The chatbot may also help you get fast solutions to queries, summarise textual content, and even management Home windows settings.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 Efficiency: Does much more than gaming
- Processor – As much as AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
- RAM – As much as 32GB LPDDR5X 7500Mhz (non-upgradeable)
- Storage – As much as 2TB (Upgradeable to 4TB)
- GPU – As much as Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 with 8GB VRAM
AMD’s new Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is a strong chipset, and that confirmed all through the assessment interval. It is a 12-core CPU with 24 threads and an improved AMD XDNA NPU that’s good for as much as 50 TOPS. The laptop computer additionally will get an built-in Radeon 890M GPU, which I discovered to be fairly good by way of efficiency.
The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 delivers good general efficiency
Speaking about efficiency, I ran a few artificial benchmarks on the laptop computer to see the way it did. When you have a look at the scores under, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 has managed to outperform its flagship chipsets from Apple and Intel. The benchmarks additionally present that the laptop computer delivers higher gaming efficiency than a few of its rivals, such because the HP Transcend Omen 14.
| Benchmark | Asus TUF A14 |
|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,775 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 14,765 |
| Geekbench 6 GPU | 92,212 |
| 3DMark Metal Nomad (GPU) | 2,196 |
| 3DMark Time Spy (GPU) | 10,475 |
| 3DMark Evening Raid (GPU) | 59,649 |
| Cinebench R23 Single | 1,872 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 21,972 |
| PCMark 10 | 8,165 |
| Geekbench AI (GPU) | 12,742 (Quantised) |
For each day duties, with the profile set to Silent, the laptop computer carried out fairly nicely. I did not actually face any sluggish behaviour whereas operating a number of tabs on Chrome, together with a few different apps. When you plan to make use of it for work, you should have no points with this. Within the silent profile, the followers barely change on.
In Turbo mode, which is greatest for gaming, the laptop computer delivers sturdy efficiency. I performed a number of titles, equivalent to Forza Horizon 5, Hogwarts Legacy, Mafia III Remastered, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, and managed to get respectable body charges (60 to 120 on common) at 1200p decision. The laptop computer does get scorching and noisy when gaming, however it’s unbelievable how Asus has managed to supply a lot efficiency from such a slim and light-weight laptop computer.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU can draw as much as 110W of energy in Guide mode, whereas the processor can ship a max TDP of 65W. Whereas the RAM is soldered and non-upgradeable, you do get an M.2 slot that helps as much as 2TB storage for a complete of 4TB.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 Battery: Wonderful
- Capability – 73Wh
- Charging – 200W
One other benefit of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor is its effectivity, which, mixed with the big battery on the laptop computer, delivers glorious battery backup. I used to be pleasantly stunned with the battery life I acquired on the Asus TUF Gaming A14. For the primary time in my life, I survived a full 9-hour workday with a gaming laptop computer. Within the Silent profile and Home windows battery administration set to Balanced, the laptop computer managed about 6-7 hours of normal editorial work with ease.
The one LED component on the laptop computer is that this X-shaped system lights
When the battery was almost empty, charging up the laptop computer was fast, because of the 200W brick provided within the field. A full cost takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, whereas 50 p.c is achieved in about 30 minutes.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 Verdict
I am going to hold the decision easy. When you’re searching for a compact, light-weight, and highly effective laptop computer you can recreation on, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 could be very powerful to not advocate. It is acquired a pleasant show, the battery life is great, you possibly can play AAA video games on it with none fear, there’s loads of RAM and storage, loads of ports, and it is tremendous moveable.
The Asus TUF Gaming A14 would not have a lot competitors within the phase. There’s the ROG Zephyrus G14 from its secure, which is healthier however dearer. Then you’ve got the HP Omen Transcend 14 (Evaluation), which, though cheaper, would not supply the identical efficiency or effectivity.