Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406)
Best Laptop for Most People 2024 After reviewing and testing numerous laptops for this recommendation, we’ve determined that the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch stands out as the best option for the majority of users. True to its position as our top pick, this laptop excels across all the key categories we consider, offering impressive performance at a highly competitive price under $1,000. With a robust and stylish design, an exceptional OLED display, and solid battery life that surpasses many competitors, the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch strikes the perfect balance of power and portability. For these reasons, we’ve crowned the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch as the best overall laptop value#Best Laptop for Most People 2024
Why we picked it
Design: The Zenbook 14 OLED Touch boasts a sleek Jade Black aluminum finish, giving it a premium look that’s rare for laptops at this price point. Although the finish can attract fingerprints, it remains an elegant, high-end appearance. Weighing just 2.82 pounds and measuring only 0.59 inches thick, this ultraportable is one of the slimmest and lightest laptops in its category. Additionally, it meets the MIL-STD 810H durability standards, ensuring it can withstand more than just the usual wear and tear. The laptop also features a 1080p webcam and offers a generous selection of ports, which is impressive for such a compact device.
Display: While the screen’s resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels might seem modest, the Zenbook’s OLED display delivers outstanding color accuracy and contrast. It covers 100% of the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts, ensuring vibrant, true-to-life visuals. With a peak brightness of up to 364 nits, the display remains bright enough to stand out, even in well-lit environments—a notable achievement for an OLED screen.
Performance: Thanks to its powerful AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor and 16GB of RAM, the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch outperforms many of its rivals in productivity benchmarks. It handles everyday computing tasks with ease and has enough power to run more demanding creative software like Adobe Photoshop without breaking a sweat. The integrated graphics also excel in visual tasks, making this an excellent all-around performer for work and play.
Battery Life: One of the standout features of the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch is its remarkable battery life. During our video rundown test, it lasted an impressive 19 hours and 56 minutes, putting it ahead of most competitors. This performance rivals even the Apple MacBook Air, making it one of the best options for users who prioritize long-lasting power.
Value for Money: Priced well below $1,000, the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch offers exceptional value compared to other ultraportables, including Apple’s offerings. With its impressive blend of performance, design, and battery life, it’s difficult to find another laptop at this price that delivers such a strong combination of style and substance.
Who it’s for
Casual Home Users: For anyone seeking a premium ultraportable laptop, the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch is an excellent starting point. Whether you’re moving from your desk to the couch or simply need a reliable device for everyday tasks, this laptop offers the perfect balance of portability and performance for general home use.
Frequent Travelers: If you’re always on the go, the Zenbook’s slim profile and lightweight design make it an ideal companion for travel. Its 14-inch touchscreen strikes a sweet spot between screen size and portability, fitting comfortably in most backpacks or tote bags without adding unnecessary bulk or weight.
AI Enthusiasts: With its neural processing unit capable of delivering up to 16 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second), the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch is well-suited for those exploring AI applications. From real-time video call enhancements to running basic AI tasks, it’s a solid choice for early adopters who want a laptop that can handle the latest tech demands with ease.
Specs & Configurations
Category: Ultraportable
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS
Processor Speed:
RAM (Tested): 16 GB
Storage Type: SSD
Storage Capacity (Tested): 512 GB
Secondary Storage Type: N/A
Secondary Storage Capacity (Tested): N/A
Display Size: 14 inches
Native Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Touchscreen: Yes
Panel Type: OLED
Variable Refresh Rate: Not Supported
Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon 780M Graphics
Graphics Memory: Integrated
Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (H x W x D): 0.59 x 12.3 x 8.7 inches
Weight: 2.82 lbs
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Battery Life (Tested): 19 hours, 56 minutes
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406)
Pros
Peppy performance
High value
Long battery life
Lots of ports for its size
Cons
Just a 1200p display
No WWAN option or SD card slot
Face login only—no fingerprint reader
