Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) Review: A Perfect Blend of Performance and Display Excellence

 The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) is a premium laptop that caters to professionals, creatives, and students alike, offering a perfect blend of performance, portability, and stunning visuals. Known for its impressive OLED display and robust build quality, the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch stands out as one of the most versatile ultrabooks in its category. This review delves into every aspect of the device, from its design and display to its performance, battery life, and value for money, providing a comprehensive overview for potential buyers.

Design and Build Quality

Sleek and Portable

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch design: A beauty sleep.nextLinevasion The 14-inch body of the laptop is encased in an ultra-thin aluminum build that\'s just over two-thirds of an inch thick, and weighs around 1.39kgs (3.06 lbs), s so it should blend quite seamlessly with your on-the-go lifestyle. Its small size makes it slip easily into backpacks and briefcases, so you can take your work with you anywhere—commuters of all kinds (trainers, drivers), students in a pinch, professionals on the way to meetings.

The ErgoLift hinge, a mainstay of the Zenbook line is also featured here in the 14 OLED Touch. It does a great job of lifting the keyboard at an angle when you open it up, which is both more comfortable to type on and allows for better airflow underneath it. That hinge also lets the screen flip 180 degrees for even more versatile use.

Premium Build Quality

Despite the downturn in physical form, Asus has not skimped on build quality with the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch. A full metal body that makes this laptop provide premium impressions and precision engineered built to lasts. The laptop is compliant with the MIL-STD 810H military standard tests, which mean it went through rigorous testing for withstanding harsh environmental conditions including temperature changes, humidity and accidental drops.

The Matte finish on the chassis helps resist fingerprints and smudges, keeping the laptop looking pristine even after extended use. The concentric circle pattern on the lid, a hallmark of the Zenbook series, adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall design.

Display Quality

Stunning OLED Touchscreen

Of course, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch main highlight is its 14-inch screen. The 16:10 OLED screen has a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels and as per the company, brings “a new dimension to content with robust color vailability that remains vivid at any viewing angle. Its OLED panel also covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, which should make this a solid option for creatives as well, who require proper colour reproduction and accuracy in things like photo editing or even video editing tasks to graphic design.VideoCapture(tasks).

And the HDR support gives more pop to what we already perceive as better balance and richer contrast. When you are watching movies, editing photos or even just browsing the web; the visual quality really stands out and makes whatever it is that we do on our machines both better looking and more realistic.

Touchscreen Capabilities

The Zenbook 14 OLED Touch is equipped with a responsive touchscreen that adds a new dimension to user interaction. The touchscreen is highly accurate and supports multi-touch gestures, making it easy to navigate through applications, zoom in on images, or scroll through documents. The inclusion of touch functionality is particularly useful for artists and designers who want to use the laptop for drawing or sketching, especially when paired with a stylus.

The thin bezels around the display contribute to an immersive viewing experience, maximizing screen real estate and reducing distractions. The screen-to-body ratio of over 90% ensures that you get the most out of the 14-inch display without unnecessary bulk.

Performance and Hardware

Powerful Internals

Under the hood, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor. This 8-core, 16-thread CPU delivers excellent performance for a wide range of tasks, from everyday productivity to more demanding applications like video editing and 3D rendering. Paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM, the laptop handles multitasking with ease, allowing you to run multiple applications simultaneously without any lag or slowdown.

The laptop also features up to 1TB of PCIe SSD storage, providing ample space for your files, applications, and media. The SSD ensures fast boot times and quick access to data, contributing to the overall responsiveness of the system.

Integrated Graphics

The Zenbook 14 OLED Touch relies on integrated AMD Radeon graphics, which are capable of handling most tasks with ease. While it may not be suitable for high-end gaming or extremely demanding graphic-intensive applications, it performs admirably in everyday scenarios, including light photo and video editing, streaming, and casual gaming.

For users who require more graphical power, the integrated graphics can still handle creative workloads efficiently, especially when combined with the laptop’s high-quality OLED display.

Connectivity and Ports

Versatile Connectivity Options

Despite its slim profile, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch offers a good selection of ports, ensuring that you can connect a variety of peripherals without needing adapters. The laptop includes:

• 2 x USB-C ports with support for Power Delivery and DisplayPort
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port
• 1 x HDMI 2.0b port
• 1 x MicroSD card reader
• 1 x 3.5mm audio jack

These ports provide the flexibility to connect external displays, transfer data quickly, and charge other devices. The inclusion of USB-C with Power Delivery is particularly useful, as it allows for faster charging and the ability to connect to USB-C hubs or docks for expanded connectivity.

Wireless Connectivity

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard, offering faster and more reliable internet connections, especially in congested environments. The laptop also features Bluetooth 5.2, which ensures stable connections with wireless peripherals like headphones, mice, and keyboards.

Keyboard and Touchpad

Comfortable Typing Experience

The keyboard on the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch is well-designed, offering a comfortable typing experience with 1.4mm of key travel. The keys are backlit, making it easy to type in low-light conditions, and the layout is spacious, ensuring that you can type quickly and accurately.

The NumberPad 2.0, integrated into the touchpad, is a unique feature that provides a digital numeric keypad when needed. This is particularly useful for users who frequently work with numbers, as it allows for quicker data entry without sacrificing touchpad functionality.

Responsive Touchpad

The touchpad is smooth and responsive, with support for Windows Precision drivers. It accurately tracks gestures and provides a satisfying click when pressed, making navigation effortless. The large surface area of the touchpad ensures that you have plenty of space to move your fingers, enhancing the overall user experience.

Battery Life and Charging

Impressive Battery Life

Battery life is a crucial consideration for any portable device, and the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch does not disappoint. The laptop is equipped with a 63Wh battery, which provides up to 12 hours of use on a single charge, depending on your usage. This long battery life ensures that you can work, study, or enjoy entertainment throughout the day without worrying about running out of power.

Fast Charging Support

When it’s time to recharge, the laptop supports fast charging, allowing you to replenish the battery to 60% in just 49 minutes. This feature is particularly useful for users who are always on the go and need to quickly top up their device between meetings or during travel.

Software and Features

Pre-Installed Software

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch comes with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, providing a modern and secure operating system that’s optimized for productivity. Asus also includes several proprietary software tools, such as MyAsus, which allows you to manage system settings, update drivers, and optimize performance.

The laptop also supports Windows Hello, enabling quick and secure login via the IR camera located above the display. This biometric authentication method adds an extra layer of security to your device, ensuring that only you can access your data.

AI Noise-Canceling Technology

Another notable feature is Asus’s AI noise-canceling technology, which enhances audio quality during calls and virtual meetings by filtering out background noise. This ensures that your voice comes through clearly, even in noisy environments, making the laptop ideal for remote work and online collaboration.

Pricing and Value for Money

Competitive Pricing

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch is positioned as a premium ultrabook, but it offers excellent value for money considering its features and performance. The pricing is competitive within its segment, especially when you factor in the high-quality OLED display, powerful internals, and premium build quality. While it may be slightly more expensive than some other ultrabooks, the additional features and superior display make it a worthwhile investment for professionals and creatives.

Warranty and Support

Asus backs the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch with a standard one-year international warranty, which includes coverage for parts and labor. Asus also offers extensive customer support through its online portal, where users can access drivers, software updates, and troubleshooting guides.

A Top-Tier Ultrabook for Professionals and Creatives

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) is a well-rounded ultrabook that excels in multiple areas, making it a top-tier choice for professionals, students, and creatives alike. Its stunning OLED display, powerful performance, and portable design