An Overview of the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip
The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip resembles a compact 14-inch laptop at first glance. However, it's actually a convertible device that can transform into a tablet with its foldable screen. This means it also features a touchscreen. There's more to it though. The laptop is compatible with the Asus Pen Stylus for touch input. Additionally, it boasts Asus Numberpad 2.0, a trackpad that can switch to a numeric keypad with just a tap.
But let's start with the gorgeous 14-inch OLED display that has made its mark on this laptop. I say gorgeous because the moment you open the lid, colors leap out at you from the screen, but in a subtle way. The display delivers stunning blacks and vibrant colors across the board. This will appeal to those who want to use their laptops for streaming content online and also for editing their photos and videos.
This Zenbook features a fairly sized backlit keyboard. As an early morning worker before the sun has fully risen, I appreciate the adjustable backlight. The keys offer an appropriate amount of travel, though coming from a MacBook, they feel quite different. A common bonus is the fingerprint scanner at the corner for easy login.
Additionally, there's a Numeric Keypad, which is perfect for those who deal with extensive spreadsheet work or use computers for data entry. However, as a writer, I don't really find a huge use for the convertible keypad. Yes, the touchpad works similarly, but it can interfere with other tasks if you forget to turn the numbers off.
I've used the Asus Pen stylus to scribble notes and annotate screenshots. But having just reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra with the S Pen and being a frequent user of the Apple Pencil, this new stylus fell a bit short for me. I had hoped it would perform as well as the Surface Pen, but it didn't. However, it's for those who might occasionally switch to using this stylus. And for that purpose, it serves.
The version of Zenbook 14 Flip I reviewed is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX with 16 GB RAM. This means the device can handle everything I throw at it from my loaded spreadsheets to even some quick video encoding. The Zenbook was able to handle this well. The dual fans help keep the machine cool. While it doesn't get hot, you feel warmth around the fans with some heavy-duty tasks.
The battery life is decent and can last a whole day with regular usage. There's a battery saving mode that can squeeze out a little extra juice when you're in a pinch.
Review of Asus Zenbook 14 Flip: Should You Buy?
Priced from 1,34,990 Rs onwards, the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is one of the most versatile devices you can buy. It sits nicely in the space of the SurfaceBook and attracts many professional users due to its specs and accessories. But yes, it's a pricey device and those considering it should also weigh if they really need the additional features.
