Verdict
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) units a brand new benchmark for gaming laptops, changing into one of many very first methods to stuff high-powered specs in an ultra-portable design. However you’ll have to pay a premium for that enhanced portability.
Professionals
- Extremely moveable for a gaming laptop computer
- Extraordinarily {powerful}
- Non-obligatory Mini LED display seems improbable
- Personalisation through LED lights on lid
Cons
- Comparatively costly
- Lacks per-key RGB lighting
- Important chassis can get extremely popular
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Light-weight design:The Zephyrus G14 weighs as much as 1.72kg, making it probably the most moveable gaming laptops available on the market with such {powerful} specs. -
Trade-leading gaming energy:May be configured with an RTX 4090 GPU, which is without doubt one of the strongest cellular GPUs you could find in a laptop computer. -
Non-obligatory AniMe Matrix design;May be customised with an LED array on the lid, permitting to create and show your individual glow-up pixel artwork.
Introduction
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) is a gaming laptop computer with the lofty ambition to squeeze high-end specs into an ultra-portable design.
Not like the ‘desktop alternative’ options that usually weigh effectively over 2kg, the G14 is nearly gentle sufficient (at 1.7kg) to be thought of as a productiveness laptop computer you could take to and from the workplace.
That hasn’t squandered the efficiency, with Asus managing to squeeze within the juggernaut RTX 4090 GPU into the top-end configuration, making it much more {powerful} than the brand new Razer Blade 14. However with all of that energy inside a slender body, absolutely one thing has to provide? I’ve spent a number of weeks with this gaming laptop computer, so listed here are my ideas.
Worth and Configurations
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) is on the market with a variety of specs. The bottom mannequin may be discovered for £1699.99/$1699, which options an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU, Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and 16GB of RAM.
My overview mannequin packs the highest specs, together with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU, Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU and 32GB of RAM, and is priced at a steep £3399.99/$3299.99.
For context, the Medion Erazer Main X20 is priced at simply £1899.95 with an Intel i9-13900HX CPU, Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and 32GB of RAM. Meaning you’re paying a premium for the Asus title, in addition to the improved portability of the Zephyrus G14.
Design and Keyboard
- One of many lightest gaming laptops obtainable
- Non-obligatory AniMe Matrix lighting on lid
- Lacks per-key RGB lighting
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) seems identical to earlier entries of this gaming laptop computer line. It has retained the compact 14-inch display, with a slim chassis measuring in at simply 20.5mm.
It’s probably the most moveable gaming laptops you’ll doubtless discover, with a weight of simply 1.72kg which is over 100g lighter than the top-end Razer Blade 14, and is straightforward to carry in a single hand with little pressure. I’ve been carrying the Zephyrus G14 (2023) between my residence and the workplace for weeks now, and whereas its heft definitely is noticeable, it’s by no means brought about my again an excessive amount of bother.
None of that is too shocking because the ROG Zephyrus G14 has been flaunting its ultra-portable designs since 2020. However issue within the ultra-powerful RTX 4090 GPU inside – essentially the most {powerful} cellular graphics chip Nvidia has to supply – and you’ll’t assist however gawp on the laptop computer’s slender body.
Asus achieves this outstanding feat by utilizing a magnesium-aluminium alloy for the principle chassis. It doesn’t really feel fairly as sturdy or fancy because the Razer Blade 14 with its aluminium casing with an anodised end, however I personally didn’t have any qualms with the construct high quality of the G14. It’s definitely sturdy sufficient to hold round with out worry of being simply broken.
On the laptop computer’s rear, it seems like somebody has repeatedly stabbed the lid with a pointy needle to create 6000 tiny holes. Improve to an AniMe Matrix mannequin of this laptop computer, and people holes will probably be stuffed with LED lights, permitting you to create your individual customized glow-up pixel artwork. It’s a good way of enabling the consumer to stamp their very own persona on the laptop computer. And even in the event you don’t go for the AniMe Matrix lighting, I nonetheless assume the holey design seems nice, serving to the G14 stand out from the gang.
Regardless of the slender type, Asus has managed to squeeze quite a few ports onto the Zephyrus G14. It packs 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, HDMI 2.1, a microSD card reader and a 3.5mm headphone jack. There’s not rather more I’d need on this division, aside from Thunderbolt 4 which is unique to Intel on Home windows machines.
Ports on the left facet
Ports on the precise facet
Asus has fitted a 1080p webcam into the laptop computer, with help for Home windows Good day for logins through facial recognition – I forgot I even had a password on this laptop computer since this course of was so seamless. The digicam’s seize high quality is slightly grainy although, so whereas enough for work conferences, you’ll want a greater exterior choice for streaming on YouTube or Twitch.
I’m an enormous fan of the keyboard. It has deep presses with nearly sufficient suggestions for a satisfying typing expertise. Key presses are quiet too, permitting it for use in an workplace setting with out disturbing colleagues, however lacks that clicky crunch of a mechanical keyboard.
Keyboard with blue backlight
Keyboard with pink backlight
Keyboard with blue backlight
Keyboard with inexperienced backlight
You solely get an RGB backlight with choose fashions, in any other case, it’s only a plain white glow beneath the keys. And in the event you do find yourself with an RGB mannequin, there’s no per-key lighting, limiting your customisation choices. That’s disappointing, particularly in the event you’re buying a mannequin that prices over £3000/$3000. I’ve acquired no points with the touchpad although, it really works simply high quality.
Show and Sound
- Non-obligatory Mini LED display expertise
- No choice for a 4K decision
- 165Hz refresh price
One of many greatest upgrades for the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) in comparison with earlier fashions may be discovered with the display. Asus has opted for its new ROG Nebula HDR Show panels, which use Mini LED expertise for beautiful outcomes – an IPS display can also be obtainable as an alternative in the event you’re on a good finances.
Asus despatched me the Mini LED mannequin, and I genuinely assume this is without doubt one of the greatest laptop computer screens I’ve ever used. The colourful colors of the autumnal forest of Horizon Zero Daybreak had been unimaginable, particularly when displaying the brilliant daylight poking between the thicket of leaves.
I used a colorimeter to benchmark the laptop computer’s show so I wasn’t relying solely by myself eye check. The outcomes backed up my impressions with a 587-nit peak brightness determine, nearly double the results of your common laptop computer. That is additionally one of many solely Mini LED screens I’ve used that has achieved a 0 black stage – usually solely OLED screens can obtain this. Asus claims a distinction of 100,000:1 for HDR. Both means, the distinction is so excessive that my colourimeter can’t document it.
This fantastically excessive distinction leads to an enormous enchancment for darkish scenes, which I discovered to be the case in Returnal. Whereas some laptops and displays have struggled to show a lot element at nighttime alien worlds of the PS5 port, that isn’t a problem with the Zephyrus G14. It’s in a position to retain that gloomy aesthetic, but it’s nonetheless doable to simply see your environment with beams of sunshine slicing by means of the darkish with dazzling illumination.
The color protection is great too, with 100% for sRGB, 93% for Adobe RGB and 100% for DCI-P3, comfortably making this laptop computer show correct sufficient for content material creation. It’s value mentioning that these outcomes will probably be so much decrease with the extra inexpensive IPS panel.
Each single configuration of the ROG Zephyrus G14 comes with a Quad HD (2560×1600) decision, which is a pleasant center floor between 4K and Full HD. That stated, I can’t assist however really feel the facility of the RTX 4090 graphics chip in my overview mannequin is wasted with no choice to improve to 4K.
The refresh price can also be mounted at 165Hz, irrespective of which mannequin you choose. That’s suitably excessive sufficient for the typical gamer, particularly with max graphics settings, but it surely guidelines out the G14 from being a practical choice for critical eSports.
I used to be stunned by how spectacular the 4-speaker system sounded on this laptop computer, which is loud and booming sufficient to idiot you into pondering the audio is coming from a correct sound system fairly than a small laptop computer. The gravelly voice of Sean Bean in Civilization VI sounded fantastically detailed, whereas the bass additionally dealt with gunfire and explosions expertly effectively – even higher than the Razer Blade 14 throughout a direct comparability.
Efficiency
- As much as an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU
- Chassis can get extremely popular
- 1TB SSD storage
There are many 14-inch moveable laptops obtainable that supply a excessive gaming efficiency, however most are restricted to an RTX 4070 GPU, together with the favored Razer Blade 14. The Asus ROG Zephyrus breaks freed from such restrictions, in some way managing to suit as much as an RTX 4090 GPU inside. You’re successfully getting the efficiency of a desktop alternative inside an ultra-portable design.
This admittedly isn’t the full-powered model of the RTX 4090 chip, restricted to a 125 wattage. For comparability, the RTX 4090 chip discovered contained in the Razer Blade 16 has a TGP (Whole Graphics Energy) of 175W, and so is able to squeezing out slightly bit extra efficiency energy. However, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) remains to be able to outstanding gaming efficiency, particularly because the GPU is paired with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor.
Cyberpunk 2077 is a notoriously troublesome recreation to run, but the G14 managed a mean efficiency of 63fps in Quad HD with max graphics settings. With the identical settings, the G14 additionally managed to hit 77fps for Returnal, 77fps for Borderlands 3, 108fps for Horizon Zero Daybreak and 132fps for F1 22. The Zephyrus G14 achieved between 10 to fifteen much less frames per second than the Razer Blade 16, however these had been all nonetheless very respectable scores that might guarantee a easy gaming expertise.
Efficiency outcomes had been slightly erratic at instances, with the typical body price depending on how lengthy the G14 had been working. There was a notable build-up of warmth on the chassis above the keyboard, with the ErgoLift design and built-in vapour chamber failing to maintain the inner parts and chassis fully cool.
Fortuitously, the efficiency by no means dropped considerably sufficient to hamper my expertise, whereas Asus has efficiently been in a position to divert the warmth to areas of the laptop computer you’re unlikely to the touch throughout use. I used the InfiRay P2 Professional thermal digicam to take the beneath picture; the brighter sections of the laptop computer signify a higher build-up of warmth, exhibiting the areas across the touchpad and the precise and left edges of the keyboard remained cool.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) isn’t relying solely on a robust GPU. My overview mannequin was additionally powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor and 32GB DDR5 RAM, leading to a supercharged efficiency.
This was notably noticeable when taking part in by means of the late phases of Civilization VI, the place PCs often begin to decelerate in-between turns when the map turns into crowded, however the G14 sped by means of these loading instances inside a few seconds.
I additionally used artificial benchmarks to get an thought of how {powerful} the G14 is in comparison with different laptops. My overview mannequin predictably outscored the Razer Blade 14, and posted comparable scores to laptops which are considerably heavier – the ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) weighs simply 1.72kg, whereas the Razer Blade 16 and Medion Erazer Main X20 each are available in at 2.4kg every, though do admittedly have bigger 16-inch screens.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) additionally carried out effectively in my SSD assessments, with a learn and write rating of 6667MB/s and 4937MB/s. This leads to speedy set up and loading instances to your PC video games. Storage capability is plentiful, with 1TB of house.
Battery Life
- Battery life lasts as much as 3 hours and 20 minutes
- Takes lower than 1 hour to totally cost
The 2 greatest points with ultra-powerful gaming laptops are cumbersome weight and brief battery life. Asus might have solved the previous, however the latter stays an issue as a result of power-hungry nature of the RTX 4090 GPU.
When benchmarking the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023), it solely lasted 3 hours and 20 minutes on a single cost. That’s a poor end result in comparison with the Razer Blade 14, which lasted 10 hours and 18 minutes in the identical check.
I’m reluctant to guage the G14 too harshly for this although. The facility of the RTX 4090 and the Ryzen 9 processor will little question have restricted the stamina of this laptop computer, but it surely stays a frustration for individuals who wish to work on the transfer away from an influence supply.
The excellent news is that the 240W AC Adapter bundled in with the laptop computer takes lower than 1 hour to fully replenish the battery. In half-hour, the Zephyrus G14’s battery was restored by 61%. This speedy charging makes the brief battery life a bit extra manageable.
Newest offers
Must you purchase it?
You should purchase if you need max gaming energy on the go: The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) strikes an ideal stability between efficiency and portability, making this the proper choice for individuals who need each a productiveness machine and a high-end gaming system.
You shouldn’t purchase if you need an extended battery life: This may occasionally differ with different configurations, however my mannequin of the G14 (with an RTX 4090) lasted lower than 4 hours on a single cost. The Razer Blade 14 lasted twice so long as this, in the event you’re pleased to sacrifice energy for longevity.
Closing Ideas
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) has redefined what it means to be a high-spec gaming laptop computer. Beforehand you’d need to accept a big, cumbersome laptop computer for final energy, and but the G14 gives industry-leading specs inside an ultra-portable body that may be picked up comfortably with one hand – that’s pure magic.
The G14 impresses in different areas too, with a shocking Mini LED show, loud booming audio system and a design that may be personalised with LED lighting. If I used to be going to purchase myself a laptop computer, this could be my first selection.
It’s certainly not excellent although. The worth is basically steep in comparison with different laptops, regardless of missing per-key RGB lighting. Battery life is poor too, limiting its attraction for productiveness duties, particularly when in comparison with the Razer Blade 14.
In case you’re searching for higher worth however nonetheless fancy {powerful} specs, then the Medion Erazer Main X20 is a good various. But the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) stays the best possible choice if you need the proper stability of portability and excessive efficiency. Try our Finest Gaming Laptop computer record for extra choices.
How we check
Each gaming laptop computer we overview goes by means of a collection of uniform checks designed to gauge key issues, together with construct high quality, efficiency, display high quality and battery life.
We additionally spend some critical time with it taking part in the newest Triple-A video games.
We use it as our major laptop computer during the check interval
We use constant benchmarks for truthful comparisons with different laptops
We overview utilizing revered {industry} benchmarks and actual world use
FAQs
The bottom value is available in at £1699.99/$1699, however that may be pushed as much as £3399.99/$3299.99 and anyplace in-between when upgrading the specs at checkout.
The Zephyrus G14 (2023) solely lasted for 3 hours and 20 minutes in our productiveness check for battery life. It’s necessary to notice our pattern has a power-hungry RTX 4090 GPU, so stamina might enhance when choosing decrease powered specs.
Sure, our assessments confirmed it to grow to be extremely popular whereas working demanding video games. Fortuitously, the areas of the laptop computer you’re most definitely going to return in touch with throughout play stay comparatively cool.
Trusted Critiques check knowledge
PCMark 10
Cinebench R23 multi core
Cinebench R23 single core
Geekbench 5 single core
Geekbench 5 multi core
Geekbench 6 single core
Geekbench 6 multi core
3DMark Time Spy
CrystalDiskMark Learn velocity
CrystalDiskMark Write Pace
Brightness (SDR)
Black stage
Distinction
White Visible Color Temperature
sRGB
Adobe RGB
DCI-P3
PCMark Battery (workplace)
Battery recharge time
Borderlands 3 body price (Quad HD)
Borderlands 3 body price (Full HD)
Horizon Zero Daybreak body price (Quad HD)
Horizon Zero Daybreak body price (Full HD)
Dust Rally (Quad HD)
Dust Rally (Full HD)
Cyberpunk 2077 (Quad HD)
Cyberpunk 2077 (Full HD)
Returnal (Quad HD)
Returnal (Full HD)
F1 22 (Quad HD)
F1 22 (Full HD)
