Beyond the Standard: Why ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 Stands Out

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (starting at $1,649.99, $2,499 as tested) seems almost too good to be true for a gaming laptop.

Slim and portable like a mainstream notebook, it packs remarkable firepower usually found in larger gaming rigs. Despite its compact size, it doesn’t compromise on battery life, delivering over 10 hours on a single charge.

Among 14-inch gaming laptops, Asus stands out, consistently providing top-tier performance and unmatched portability.

The 2022 model boosts power with the latest AMD hardware, retaining the slim chassis and battery life. If you seek serious gaming on the go, this is the laptop to choose.

ROG Zephyrus G14 is superior in some aspects as compared to ASUS ROG Strix GL753.

Key Specs of ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

Design: Clean and Sleek

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 adheres faithfully to its established design, closely following the model line’s template from recent years.

Its slender construction is notably thin and lightweight for a gaming device. The lid features Asus’ “AniMe Matrix,” an intricate LED array for displaying captivating custom animations.

This satisfies the desire for dynamic lighting without an overwhelming presence of RGB elements. The elegant white color enhances the laptop’s cleanliness and sleekness.

Unlike the traditional bulky gaming laptops of the past, this Zephyrus effortlessly combines a slim profile with substantial gaming capabilities.

The Zephyrus G14 showcases a sleek and lightweight construction, boasting compact dimensions of 0.77 by 12.3 by 8.9 inches (HWD).

Considering the slight thickness increase from the AniMe Matrix integration, enhancing the lid by a fraction. The laptop evolved since its debut, now featuring 1,449 micro LEDs for brighter, dynamic animations.

Display: Bigger and Brighter

The primary display has been upgraded marginally in terms of luminosity and size, and it features a taller 16:10 aspect ratio to reduce the need for extensive scrolling.

It provides enhanced visuals with 500 nits brightness, 2,560×1,600 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 3ms response time. This display consistently delivers crisp visuals and seamless operation to ensure an engaging user experience.

Weight and Portability of ROG Zephyrus G14

Zephyrus G14: A top compact gaming laptop, rivaling models like the Razer Blade 14 for excellence.Its portability is unparalleled among conventional laptops, as it only weighs 3.86 pounds without sacrificing performance.

Compact yet robust, the chassis blends aluminum, magnesium alloy, and polycarbonate, ensuring a sturdy, portable framework.

Audio

Embedded within the Zephyrus G14, the quad-speaker system is capable of delivering robust and loud audio.

Whether playing music, speech, or effects, the sound remains full-bodied even at elevated volumes, devoid of tinny or distorted qualities.

Asus credits high speaker volume to Smart Amplifier Technology, ensuring loudness without compromising audio quality.

Additionally, the Zephyrus G14’s speakers are equipped with Dolby Atmos support. Enhance voice chat and calls with a triple-microphone array, ensuring satisfactory and immersive communication experiences.

Webcam

The remarkably slender screen bezels remain impressively slim, yet  Asus has successfully incorporated a webcam this time around. This webcam comes with IR face recognition, enabling Windows Hello biometric logins. With security now managed by the webcam, Asus has done away with the fingerprint sensor present in earlier models.

Keyboard and Touchpad

Touchpad expanded by 50% from the previous year, with a generously sized, smooth glass surface. Though touchpads often take a backseat on gaming laptops, extra space proves beneficial for browsing and productivity.

The primary critique for the Zephyrus G14 centers on the keyboard backlight. Although beneficial in dim environments, it could potentially hinder visibility in normal lighting.

In well-lit conditions, the keyboard backlight, designed for low-light situations, may inadvertently compromise visibility. Opting for the darker color option, Eclipse Gray, is advisable for an improved visual experience.

Ports and Connectivity

The aesthetically pleasing gaming machine is equipped with an abundance of connections for connectivity. Beneficial microSD slot, dual USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and USB-C connector on the system’s right side.

Left side features HDMI and USB-C with DisplayPort, expanding video output capabilities on the device. A headset port provides audio connectivity, whereas a power connector positioned centrally concludes the configuration.

The device integrates Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E, thereby enhancing its wireless capabilities. Versatile connectivity, cater to diverse user needs with extensive ports and advanced wireless features.

The elegant laptop comes in options with or without the captivating AniMe Matrix embedded in the lid. However, regardless of the chosen version, the lid maintains its perforated texture.

Graphics of ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

Experience top-notch performance in the 2022 Zephyrus G14, featuring cutting-edge AMD components. Our review unit boasts an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor running at 3.3GHz, complemented by a spacious 32GB of DDR5 memory. Enjoy exceptional graphics capabilities powered by the AMD Radeon RX 6800S with an impressive 8GB VRAM capacity.

In its more modest base configuration, the laptop maintains its impressive performance, incorporating the Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU. With 16GB RAM and Radeon RX 6700S, this variant offers an appealing $1,649 price tag.

In thorough benchmark examination, we assess the capabilities of five advanced laptops, each offering unique configurations. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) stands out with an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor clocked at 3.3GHz, paired with an AMD Radeon RX 6800S (8GB) graphics card, 32GB RAM, and a sizable 1TB SSD. Meanwhile, the Alienware x14 competes with an Intel Core i7-12700H (2.7GHz), Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 (6GB) GPU, 32GB RAM, and a spacious 2TB SSD.

Overall Performance of ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

While primarily crafted for gaming, the Zephyrus G14 serves capably as a commendable work laptop due to its comfortable keyboard and above-average battery life, a rarity in the gaming laptop realm.

Surprisingly, by turning off the RGB lighting and the optional AniMe Matrix, the G14 seamlessly integrates into the array of ultraportables commonly found in coffee shops or coworking spaces.

Its compact chassis and understated design contribute to this versatility. In my experience, it proved to be a commendable machine for productivity, performing quite well in our suite of general productivity tests.

Our Zephyrus G14 (2022) review unit achieved a noteworthy score of 10,000 on the Geekbench 5.4 multi-core CPU benchmark. While it failed to outperform the Alienware x14 (which features a Core i7-12900HK, GeForce RTX 3060, and 16GB RAM), it did outperform the Razer Blade 14 (which features a Ryzen 9 5900HX, GeForce RTX 3070, and 16GB RAM).

If swift file transfers are a priority for you, you’ll be delighted to learn that the Zephyrus G14’s SSD demonstrated an impressive speed of 1,260.45 MBps while copying 25GB of multimedia files.

This speed surpasses that of the majority of gaming laptops examined, including the Alienware x14 and the Razer Blade 14.

Gaming Performance of ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

The paramount concern in a laptop of this nature is gaming performance, and the 2022 Zephyrus G14 excels in this aspect when configured appropriately.

When plugged in, with all unnecessary applications closed and power and fan management settings optimized to the maximum, this laptop achieved a frame rate of 30-40 frames per second (fps) in Cyberpunk 2077 at maximum settings.

It’s worth noting that this performance was achieved with AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution upscaler active; without it, the game is only playable at lower settings.

When the power management parameters of a laptop are optimized for efficiency or when the device is disconnected from power, resource-intensive games experience an additional decline in performance.

The G14 is characterized by a compromise: despite its compact and skillfully designed form factor for a gaming laptop, it is only capable of operating efficiently as an energy-efficient productivity tool or as a high-performing gaming machine. It is not possible to accomplish both functions concurrently.

Gaming Performance in Frames Per Second(fps)

Amidst our comprehensive assessment encompassing a sequence of gaming laptop tests, the recently unveiled Zephyrus G14 demonstrated outstanding performance.

In particular, it accomplished 73 frames per second (fps) in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, 86 fps in Far Cry New Dawn, and a highly playable 48 fps in Red Dead Redemption 2.

These results place it on par with well-known models such as the Alienware x14 and the Razer Blade 14. Notably, the 2022 Zephyrus G14 surpassed both in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

However, it fell behind in comparison to the competition in other games, as illustrated in our results chart above. The Razer Blade 14 showcased higher framerates in Rockstar games like RDR2 and Grand Theft Auto V, whereas Far Cry New Dawn ran more seamlessly on the Alienware x14.

Battery and Display Performance

In a nutshell the evaluation of laptop battery lifespan involves a few procedures: decreasing the display luminance to 50%, increasing the audio volume to 100%, and disabling Wi-Fi (which entails activating airplane mode).

Then, until the system’s battery is depleted, we iterate through a locally stored 720p video file, which in this case is the open-source Blender film Tears of Steel.

Battery Rundown Test:

This table presents an extensive analysis of the battery runtime in hours for movie playback at 720p with 50% brightness for the laptops that have been listed on the table.

Due to its efficiency, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) can play video for 14 hours and 24 minutes and run for 8 hours and 43 minutes.

In contrast, the Alienware x14 has a runtime of 4 hours and 15 minutes and 6 hours and 10 minutes of video playback. Video playback lasts 12 hours and 10 minutes on the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2021) and runtime is 9 hours and 16 minutes.

This multifunctional device can play video for 8 hours and 8 minutes and run for 10 hours and 9 minutes. Razer Blade 14 prioritizes performance, averaging 9 hours and 16 minutes with 4 hours 15 minutes video playback.

Display Brightness Test:

This table presents a straightforward comparison of the display brightness of the specified laptops both when measured at 50% and when measured at 100%.

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) features a display range of 100 to 1784 Nits for vibrant visuals.

Alienware x14 follows with a range from 50 Nits to 441 Nits, while the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2021) spans from 150 Nits to 424 Nits.

The MSI Katana GF66 exhibits a broader spectrum from 200 Nits to 681 Nits, emphasizing its versatile display capabilities. In contrast, the Razer Blade 14 shows a range from 250 Nits to 293 Nits, suggesting a more modest brightness variance.

Color Gamut Coverage Test

The color gamut coverage for sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 on the specified laptops is distinctly compared in this table;

Here’s where the Asus distinguishes itself. Despite power boosts, enhanced display, and increased brightness, the 2022 Zephyrus nearly matches its predecessor’s battery life.

This difference is practically negligible and surpasses competitors, whether it’s the budget-friendly MSI or the pricier Razer. The screen also neared its claimed 500-nit brightness, measuring at 444 nits, second only to the Alienware. Additionally, its overall color quality and resolution compete with the finest offerings in the 14-inch category.

Pros & Cons

Gaming Prowess in a Slim Frame: The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 Advantage

We remain astounded by the sheer power that Asus has packed into the slender form of the latest ROG Zephyrus G14. The 2020 system exceeded expectations, showcasing a bold collaboration between the laptop manufacturer and AMD.

The Zephyrus G14 consistently outperforms, excelling in benchmarks and games, often surpassing the Alienware X14. In gaming, it surpassed playability, showcasing impressive capabilities, defying slim design expectations with an elegant lid. With a 10-hour battery life and remarkably low weight, it’s sufficiently portable for use anywhere. For those seeking a gaming laptop without the typical constraints, the 2022 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is the preferred choice.

FAQs

Is ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 2022 worth it?

Undoubtedly, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) represents a prudent allocation of capital. A compelling choice for power users and gamers, boasting sleek design, potent AMD processor, vivid display, and gaming prowess.

What processor is in the ROG Zephyrus G14 2022?

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022), powered by AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS, delivers exceptional speed for diverse tasks.

Is ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 upgradable?

The upgrade possibilities for the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) depend on the chosen configuration. While certain components, such as storage, may be replaceable, options like RAM could come with specific limitations. Refer to individual models for detailed information.

Does ROG Zephyrus G14 have touchscreen?

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) lacks a touchscreen; future iterations aren’t expected to include one.

what are the key features of ROG Zephyrus G14 2022 that make it suitable for gaming?

The key features of Zephyrus G14 are;

1. AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU

2. AMD Radeon 6700S or 6800S GPU

3. QHD 120Hz display

What is the battery life of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022), and how well does it perform on the go?

The 2022 Zephyrus G14 offers exceptional portability and a 10-hour battery for extended productivity or gaming.

Is the AniMe Matrix LED display on the lid customizable, and how does it enhance the laptop’s aesthetics?

Certainly, the AniMe Matrix allows users to effortlessly showcase custom animations, text, and graphics, offering unquestionable configurability. This characteristic enhances the aesthetic appeal of the laptop by introducing a dynamic and personalized element.