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The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2021) is a superb possibility for many who wish to sport and work on their laptop computer, that includes excellent specs, a vibrant Quad HD show and a light-weight design. Nevertheless, the shortage of any webcam could also be a serious subject for these working from dwelling.
Professionals
- Glorious CPU and GPU efficiency
- Very transportable design for a gaming laptop computer
- Quad HD display screen possibility now accessible
- Nice battery life in comparison with rivals
Cons
- No webcam
- Mediocre Quad HD performanc
- Lack of RGB keyboard lighting
Availability
- UKRRP: £1599.99
Key Options
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Extremely-portable design:Weighing simply 1.6kg, this is without doubt one of the lightest gaming laptops you’ll find.
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Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU:Implausible 1080p efficiency, whereas supporting DLSS and ray tracing.
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Non-obligatory AniMe Matrix:Choose fashions will can help you customise the Mini LED lighting on the laptop computer’s lid.
Introduction
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2021) is the successor to the most effective gaming laptop computer of 2020. Key modifications embrace the addition of much more highly effective specs and a brand new Quad HD show to the agency’s successful components.
The newest entry within the collection (Zephyrus G14 GA401) options each the Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and a processor from AMD’s Ryzen 5000 CPU vary. Regardless of this, it weighs simply 1.6kg. In 2020 this may make the 14-inch gaming laptop computer be a number one participant in the case of efficiency and portability.
However in 2021, that’s now not such a novel promoting level, with the likes of Razer additionally launching a 14-inch gaming laptop computer with equally high-end specs. Is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2021) nonetheless the king of gaming laptops, or are there now higher choices accessible for on-the-go gaming? We put the laptop computer to the take a look at to seek out out.
Design and keyboard
- Weighs simply 1.6kg, making it a really transportable gaming laptop computer
- AniMe Matrix mannequin permit for customised pixel results on the lid
- Lack of webcam may me a serious subject for some
Asus hasn’t made any main alterations to the laptop computer’s design, sticking to the tried-and-tested construct of the Zephyrus G14 2020 mannequin.
The Zephyrus G14 has nearly an identical skinny and light-weight dimensions to the 2020 mannequin, which is vital since this gaming laptop computer’s portability was one of many foremost wow components. Upgrading to the AniMe Matrix mannequin – which helps you to create pixelated results on the lid – will make it barely thicker and heavier, but it surely’s nonetheless comfortably one of many lightest gaming laptops with this sort of spec sheet.
The Zephyrus G14 has a beginning weight of 1.6kg – that’s extremely mild for a gaming laptop computer, with most game-ready portables seeing a plus 2kg heft. It makes an enormous distinction to sensible use, as I used to be extra prepared to chuck it in my bag for the workplace commute than I might be with the Razer Blade 15. I may even maintain it in a single hand with out concern of spraining my wrist.
Asus desires you to make use of the Zephyrus G14 as an on a regular basis laptop computer, and has toned down the snazzy gaming styling, going so far as eradicating RGB lighting. There are nonetheless a few design clues relating to its gaming roots, comparable to an abundance of vents and angular keys – however they’re nonetheless adequately subtle on your colleagues to be none the wiser.
There are each ‘Moonlight White’ and ‘Eclipse Gray’ color choices accessible, with the latter proven within the images. Each look sensible, though can look a little bit dirty after prolonged use.
The display screen is surrounded by a slender bezel, becoming into fashionable laptop computer traits. Nevertheless, this implies Asus hasn’t been in a position to slot in a webcam, which may be very problematic should you typically video name with associates or work colleagues. An exterior webcam is an apparent answer, but it surely’s a problem that’s prevented with different laptop computer choices.
Port choices are wonderful with HDMI, USB-A, USB-C and a headphone jack on board. The one main omission for players is Ethernet, however Wi-Fi 6 ought to guarantee a dependable community reference to supported routers.
The Zephyrus G14 encompasses a sensible hinge, which lifts the laptop computer’s underside off your desk when opening the lid. This permits the laptop computer additional respiration room to blast out scorching air, whereas additionally propping up the keyboard at a extra comfy angle.
The backlit chiclet keyboard is comfy to make use of, with chunky journey permitting for deep presses. You don’t get any mechanical switches right here, however that’s as anticipated for a transportable 14-inch laptop computer – particularly one supposed to be used in an workplace in addition to a gaming setup.
My solely gripe with the keyboard is that Asus has determined to stay with dinky arrow keys, which may show irksome when enjoying the likes of Civilization VI.
However should you can look previous this subject, there isn’t a lot to complain about with devoted mute and quantity keys, and loads of options comparable to a fingerprint sensor and N-Key rollover.
The trackpad is a little bit on the small aspect, but it surely’s nonetheless completely usable. I like to recommend trying out our Finest Gaming Mice information, as you’re not going to have a lot success with shooters utilizing the trackpad for gaming.
Show
- Quad HD possibility launched for 2021 mannequin
- Refresh fee can climb as excessive as 144Hz
- Picture high quality is great for each gaming and video
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 has a 14-inch IPS display screen that is available in two flavours: Full HD or Quad HD. There’s no 4K possibility right here, however you’d want a extra highly effective GPU than the RTX 3060 to profit from that decision.
The refresh fee maxes out at 144Hz for the Full HD mannequin and 120Hz for the Quad HD model. This ought to be excessive sufficient for many to make sure clean movement, however larger refresh charges can be found on dearer gaming laptops if you need the most effective efficiency doable.
AMD FreeSync can also be supported to make sure the display screen is stored in sync with the GPU, stopping ugly display screen tearing results from occurring.
After watching just a few reveals on Netflix and enjoying plenty of video games, I got here away impressed with the punchy show, with vibrant colors shining brightly. The color accuracy right here gained’t be excessive sufficient for skilled media work, but it surely’s comfortably excessive sufficient for normal workplace work and leisure.
The Zephyrus G14 additionally options an ‘anti-glare show’, which does an amazing job of stopping your display screen turning into reflective in vibrant environments.
Efficiency
- Unimaginable CPU efficiency
- Nvidia RTX 3060 is a stable Full HD GPU
- SSD is blazing quick for load and save occasions
Skinny and light-weight laptops often have substandard specs in the case of gaming, however Asus has discovered the right candy spot with the Zephyrus G14, managing to slot in parts that may simply deal with mainstream gaming.
Processor choices vary as much as the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS, which is without doubt one of the finest laptop computer chips at the moment accessible. Asus has additionally fitted in an Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU – this isn’t essentially the most highly effective within the newest GeForce vary, however is great for Full HD gaming. And then you definitely get the choice of 8GB or 16GB RAM.
Our benchmark information (beneath) reveals that the 2021 mannequin has seen efficiency enhancements throughout the board in comparison with its predecessor, each by way of gaming and content material creation due to the boosted multi-core efficiency.
However how do all of those numbers translate into real-time gaming efficiency? As anticipated, the Zephyrus G14 excelled at 1080p gaming, hitting 54fps and 65fps for Borderlands 3 and Horizon Zero Daybreak respectively. For Filth Rally, it even hit a mighty 107fps, proving it may possibly make use of that prime refresh fee for older titles.
Nevertheless, I wasn’t so impressed with the outcomes once I hiked up the decision to 1440p, with Borderlands 3 dropping to 37fps and Horizon Zero Daybreak falling to 51fps. Such outcomes imply that these video games are nonetheless completely playable in Quad HD, however you simply gained’t be getting the smoothest efficiency.
Nvidia’s DLSS expertise will assist to push up the body fee, however that is solely supported by choose video games so don’t anticipate it to be a one-size-fits-all answer. You additionally get ray tracing assist with the RTX 3060 GPU, however I’d actually solely suggest activating this when enjoying in Full HD.
The Zephyrus G14 would get noticeably heat and noisy when enjoying AAA video games, however by no means to the diploma that I used to be ever involved.
I’m additionally impressed by the laptop computer’s SSD efficiency, hitting learn and write speeds of 3587MB/s and 2831MB/s respectively. These are improbable outcomes, and make sure that the Zephyrus G14 ought to have a number of the quickest saving and loading occasions round when in comparison with different gaming laptops at this value level.
Battery
- Lasted 6 hours and 31 minutes in our workplace benchmark take a look at
- Options each a devoted port and USB-C for energy supply
For the reason that Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2021) is a gaming laptop computer, I didn’t have excessive expectations for its battery life. However after turning down the brightness and working the PCMark10 workplace battery take a look at, I used to be stunned to see it lasted a decent 6 hours 31 minutes. That’s an amazing consequence, with most different gaming laptops hitting 5-hours at most.
Nevertheless, it’s value remembering that this determine is for day-to-day workplace functions moderately than gaming. Count on this determine to lower considerably for gaming workloads – though it’s best to ideally plug the laptop computer in when gaming for an optimised efficiency.
The Zephyrus G14 could be charged by each the devoted energy port and by way of USB-C energy supply. The previous will provide speedier charging speeds, but it surely’s good to have each for flexibility.
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