The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) emerges as a compelling choice for users seeking a sleek, high-performance ultraportable laptop with AI optimization. Powered by AMD’s latest Ryzen 8000 series processor, this laptop delivers an excellent balance between performance, battery life, and affordability. With its vibrant OLED touchscreen and an array of modern features, it positions itself as a top contender in the sub-$900 category, offering remarkable value for money.
Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, this Zenbook takes full advantage of AI-driven enhancements to boost efficiency. Featuring a base clock of 3.3GHz and a turbo boost of 5.1GHz, the processor ensures seamless multitasking and responsiveness. The integration of Ryzen AI technology allows for enhanced machine learning capabilities, enabling better power management, faster processing speeds, and smoother operations. Whether handling demanding applications, video editing, or everyday office tasks, the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch proves to be a powerful and efficient device.
Crafted from high-quality aluminum, the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch exudes elegance and durability. Its ultra-thin profile, measuring just 0.59 inches in height, and lightweight build of 2.82 pounds make it ideal for frequent travelers. The Jade Black finish, though stylish, is prone to fingerprints, requiring occasional cleaning to maintain its pristine look. With an 87% screen-to-body ratio, the laptop offers a near-borderless viewing experience, enhancing immersion while maintaining a compact form factor.
The Zenbook 14 OLED Touch features a 14-inch 1920x1200 resolution OLED panel with touchscreen functionality. While some users may find the 1200p resolution limiting compared to higher-end models, the OLED technology ensures deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast levels. The screen supports broad viewing angles and maintains clarity even under bright lighting conditions. Additionally, the touchscreen enhances productivity, providing a seamless and interactive experience for note-taking, navigation, and creative tasks.
The Zenbook’s backlit keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with tactile feedback. However, it lacks dedicated Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys, instead integrating them within the function key row. Asus replaces the traditional context-menu key with a Copilot AI assistant key, reinforcing its AI-focused design.
For connectivity, the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch includes a variety of ports, featuring two USB-C ports (one USB 3.2 and one USB4), an HDMI port, a USB 3.2 Type-A port, and an audio jack. While it lacks Thunderbolt 4 and an SD card slot, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth ensure fast and reliable wireless connections.
With a battery life of nearly 20 hours on standard usage, the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch outperforms many competitors in its category. The efficient power management of the Ryzen 7 processor, combined with AI-driven optimizations, contributes to extended battery performance.
Overall, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) is an excellent choice for users seeking a lightweight, high-performing, and AI-optimized laptop at an affordable price. While it has minor drawbacks, such as the absence of an SD card slot and fingerprint reader, its impressive performance, OLED display, and long battery life make it a strong contender in the ultraportable market.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.