ASUS ZenBook Flip 14 UM462 review
The Asus ASUS ZenBook Flip 14 UM462 ranks as the #814 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 59. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #702-ranked features among 94 laptops. Consider the Asus ASUS ZenBook Flip 13 UX363 or Acer Chromebook 515, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The ASUS ZenBook Flip 14 is a solid laptop that excels in everyday computing tasks. Its AMD Ryzen 5 processor handles multitasking with ease, and the display is bright and colorful. However, battery life is a concern, lasting around 3-4 hours of continuous use. The touchscreen display can be finicky at times, and the bundled stylus leaves much to be desired. Despite these limitations, the ZenBook Flip 14's keyboard and touchpad are excellent. While it may not be ideal as a tablet, its performance and build quality make it worth considering for those looking for a versatile laptop. Is it worth the investment?
Build
The ASUS ZenBook Flip 14's build is its strong suit. The top cover is made of aluminum, while the base panel is constructed from magnesium alloy. This results in a firm and smooth laptop body that feels premium to hold and looks neat and professional. The dark chrome finish on the rear edge and hinges adds a touch of sophistication. While it may not have the signature Zen-inspired fun metal finish or the new offset ASUS logo, its build quality justifies any compromise. At 1.6 kg, it's on the heavier side, but this is a minor trade-off for a device that feels sturdy and well-made. Get your hands on Asus ASUS VivoBook Pro 14X OLED if you're looking for better build.
Display
The ASUS ZenBook Flip 14's 14-inch touchscreen display is a highlight. With Full HD resolution, colors appear natural without unnecessary saturation. The panel's brightness is sufficient for daylight use, but the glossy finish can be an impediment when viewing content under bright overhead lights. As a convertible, the display can be pushed back into tablet mode with spot-on touch accuracy. However, the stylus isn't suitable for drawing due to inconsistent registration and limited pressure sensitivity (1024 levels). Overall, it's a fine display for everyday tasks like browsing, emailing, and video watching, but may not meet expectations for creative use. Consider discovering the power of Asus ASUS ZenBook 14 UX435, featuring the latest advancements in display.
Performance
The Asus ZenBook Flip 14's performance is nothing short of impressive. Powered by the Ryzen 5 processor, it handled everyday tasks with ease, including multitasking and running multiple applications simultaneously without any signs of lag or stuttering. In our battery benchmark test, it scored an acceptable three hours and 54 minutes, although we noticed a sharp drop in battery life when Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were enabled and the keyboard backlight was on. Despite this, the laptop's performance remained consistent throughout our tests, making it a great machine for everyday computing tasks. You might prefer Asus ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip, designed with an upgraded performance for a better experience.
Battery and Charging
The Asus ZenBook Flip 14's battery life is a mixed bag. In everyday use, the laptop managed to last around 3 hours and 54 minutes on our standard battery benchmark test. However, in a separate test with heavy browsing and screen brightness set to 70%, the battery dropped from full to 30% in just over 2.5 hours. The battery's performance was further compromised when using the keyboard backlighting, making continuous use around 4 hours. This is somewhat disappointing for a convertible laptop.
Connectivity
The ASUS ZenBook Flip 14 UM462 boasts an impressive array of connectivity options. On the left side, you'll find a USB-A 3.1 port, USB-C 3.1 port, and HDMI output. The right side features a microSD card slot, USB-A 2.0 port, and 3.5mm audio jack for headsets. This versatility makes it easy to connect external devices, transfer files, or enjoy music on the go. A better alternative might be Asus ASUS ZenBook 14 UX435, featuring a next-level connectivity.
Features
The Asus ZenBook Flip 14 features a 14-inch touchscreen display with Full HD resolution, providing bright and colorful visuals for everyday use. The laptop's convertible design allows the screen to fold back into tablet mode, making it ideal for note-taking and annotation. The device also boasts a Harman Kardon certified speaker system, delivering stereo separation but lacking in bass response. You may find Asus ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip a better fit, thanks to its superior features.
Support and Maintenance
The Asus ZenBook Flip 14 is a reliable laptop with impressive everyday performance and multitasking capabilities. The Rison 7 processor handled demanding tasks without lag or stuttering. The battery life, however, was a letdown, falling to 30% in just over two hours of use. While the touchscreen display was bright and colorful, the panel's glossy finish became an impediment under bright lights.
Pros
1. The Asus Zenbook flip 14 is a fine machine for everyday computing tasks, handling multitasking without any signs of lag or stuttering.
2. It has an acceptable score of three hours and 54 minutes on our standard battery benchmark test
3. The touchscreen display is bright and colorful with natural colors and sufficient brightness for daylight use
4. The keyboard is amongst the most comfortable I've seen on a convertible laptop, with large three-stage backlit keys
5. The touchpad is modern and precise, supporting multi-finger taps and swipes natively on Windows 10
6. It's built very well, with a firm smooth laptop body made of aluminum and magnesium alloy
Cons
1. Battery life could have been a lot longer, lasting only about three hours and 54 minutes on our standard battery benchmark test
2. The battery drains sharply when enabled keyboard backlighting
3. The stylus isn't suitable for drawing, with poor touch accuracy and low pressure sensitivity
4. The speakers are hollow, lacking clear lows and making it unsuitable for full-blown entertainment
5. The laptop is on the heavier side at 1.66 kg, making it difficult to use as a tablet
6. The battery drains faster than expected, lasting only about three hours and 13 minutes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on
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