Asus’ 2024 TUF Gaming A14 marks a significant shift from its previous models, boasting a modern design with improved build quality. It features a 14-inch IPS LCD screen with 2560 x 1600 resolution, 165 Hz refresh rate, and a solid Ryzen AI 9 CPU paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. Despite its plastic chassis, it offers strong performance and good connectivity. However, the webcam and audio quality are subpar, and it retains a high efficiency with impressive battery life, priced at €1899.
Asus has traditionally offered two product lines: the ROG laptops, which operate under their dedicated brand aimed at consumers with a higher budget, and the TUF series, which falls under the wider Asus umbrella, primarily marketed for its durability.
However, it’s widely recognized that the TUF line is less about robustness and more about affordability. Recently, TUF laptops have been known for their heavy, plastic construction, yet they manage to deliver decent performance at a reasonable price. In 2024, though, the TUF series is revamped with the A14 model.
Specifications
This machine was provided by Asus for testing purposes.
Design
To start, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 bears little resemblance to its predecessors. While it still has a predominantly plastic chassis, measuring just 1.69 centimeters in thickness and weighing 1.46 kilograms, it clearly benefits from the investments and design philosophies of the ROG line.
Although it remains a basic black rectangle with adequate ventilation grilles at the back, the 2024 TUF Gaming A14 is significantly more discreet and modern compared to earlier models. It retains its gaming identity, yet its stance veers towards a more premium vibe. The build quality, despite the standard materials used, suggests improved durability, making it less likely that users will question its longevity.
Keyboard and Touchpad
When it comes to gaming laptops, RGB keyboards are commonplace, yet the A14 opts for a more refined approach with only white backlighting. Nonetheless, the keys do maintain a gamer-friendly design. The keyboard features a classic chiclet layout with a deeper key travel than average and enjoyable tactile feedback. However, the stabilization of the keys could be better, and the American-style split Enter key remains a point of contention.
The touchpad is notably large for a 14-inch model, providing a pleasant gliding experience, though it’s not equipped with a glass finish.
Ports
On the left side, there’s a proprietary reversible power port, an HDMI 2.1 FRL output, a USB-C 4.0 port that supports up to 40 Gbps, a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, and a combo audio jack. The right side features another USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port compatible with DisplayPort, and a microSD card reader.
The connectivity options are extensive for this type of device, particularly with the inclusion of a USB-C 4.0 port—a feature often omitted from budget configurations. While a full-sized SD card reader would have been ideal, the arrangement of the ports is commendable.
Camera and Audio
The 2024 Asus TUF Gaming A14 comes with a basic 1080p camera, which disappointingly underperformed given the advances in image processing this year, compounded by the limitations of the integrated AMD SoC. This aspect clearly wasn’t a priority for Asus.
Similarly, the audio quality leaves much to be desired. The built-in speakers located underneath the laptop are barely adequate for casual YouTube viewing, lacking proper sound processing. It’s evident that the manufacturer assumes most users will rely on external speakers or headphones.
Display
The Asus TUF Gaming A14 features a 14-inch IPS LCD screen with a native resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, classifying it as Quad HD with a 16:10 aspect ratio. It supports a refresh rate of 165 Hz and is powered by NVIDIA G-Sync technology.
In our testing with DisplayCal, we found that the screen covers 101.2% of the sRGB color gamut and 71.7% of the DCI-P3 gamut, which feels a little lacking in 2024. It achieves a maximum brightness of 451 cd/m², which is decent for an anti-glare display, and a contrast ratio measured at 1167:1, which is excellent for an IPS LCD panel.
The average color temperature is measured at 6856K, slightly cooler than the ideal 6500K standard. The average delta E00 is at 1.97, with a maximum deviation of 6.57 in royal blue tones.
Considering its gaming features, the display of the TUF Gaming A14 is quite satisfactory. It would have been optimal for the screen to properly support the DCI-P3 color space, which has become significant in the industry, but a well-tuned sRGB with optimized gaming functionalities is still appreciated.