Meet the Asus ZenBook 14 (UX433)
The ZenBook 14 is the newest Asus iteration of an old laptop design philosophy: more screen, less size.
Small for 14
Measuring 0.63 by 12.6 by 7.8 inches (HWD), the ZenBook 14 sits a little thinner, and a tad longer, than an A4 pad of paper.
Ergo-Raised
Asus' so-called "ErgoLift Hinge" raises the entire laptop by about 3 degrees to improve typing and, the company claims, allows for better cooling.
The Port Mix
If there is one thing Asus has done well with the ZenBook 14, it's the mix of ports. Between the two edges, you get three USB ports, an audio jack, an HDMI out, and a microSD slot.
Perk Up the Panel
Regarding the display panel itself, that's where Asus could do a bit better. The ZenBook 14 doesn't quite reach the levels of brightness you would expect from a base-$999 ultralight machine, getting bested by similarly priced laptops.
Light Up the Numbers
If you're a spreadsheet fiend, you might also appreciate the touchpad/number-pad combination, which you can swap between by pressing a button on the top right corner of the pad. Hitting the button lights up a virtual numpad from below the surface of the touchpad.
The Keyboard Layout
Typing up articles, listening to music, and running video all simultaneously didn't prove particularly challenging to the ZenBook 14.
A Look at the Underside
The bottom of the ZenBook 14 is a clear expanse, with no sign of a removable battery.
In Sum, a Solid, if Not Perfect, Ultralight
If not for a lackluster screen, a bit of bloatware, and some minor quibbles around the touchpad, the ZenBook 14 would be setting a standard among the ultralight crowd. But it's still a solid little machine for the screen size and price.