Traditional laptop lines are being redefined, and Asus with its Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404) is firmly in line with this trend. Today, we dive into the details of this machine which prides itself on being a serious competitor to the MacBook Pros now equipped with Apple Silicon chips. Its main competitor: the Apple MacBook Pro 14 equipped with the Apple M2 Pro chip with 16 GB of unified memory, and a 1 TB SSD. The set is sold at 2,999 euros by Apple, the same price as the machine that we were able to handle.
It’s important to point out that this article is not a complete and in-depth test of the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404), but rather a hands-on review. This preliminary exploration made it possible to examine the notable characteristics, the design, and certain performances of the device, without however diving into a detailed and exhaustive analysis.
The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED was loaned to us by Nvidia
Design and screen: lightness and precision
The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED is both compact and elegant. Weighing only 1.6 kg and measuring 17.9 mm thick, it is easily transportable. The aluminum in which it is fashioned gives the whole a feeling of robustness, while the screen is protected by Gorilla Glass.
The screen of the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable elements of this laptop. With a diagonal of 14.5 inches (36.8 cm) and a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels, it offers a pixel density of 234 ppi. The screen can be considered Retina from a distance of 37 cm, which means that at this distance the average human eye cannot distinguish individual pixels.
OLED technology, provided by Samsung, gives the screen exceptional image quality. Blacks are deep and pure, and colors are vivid and accurate, with excellent fidelity. The 120 Hz refresh rate ensures fluidity in movement and makes the visual experience particularly pleasant, whether for games, content creation, or simply for navigation.
Brightness, measured at around 380 nits (cd/m²), is sufficient for most usage environments, although it could be a bit limited in bright outdoor conditions. Gorilla Glass protection adds extra resistance against scratches and possible damage.
The 16:10 aspect ratio of the screen provides additional vertical space, which is particularly valuable for reading documents or working on projects that require a wider view.
This screen compares favorably to the Mini LED screens of the MacBook Pro 14. These are demanding screens designed for content creators.
One of the aspects where the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED excels is undoubtedly in the range of its connectors. Among them are Thunderbolt 4, full-function USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A, a standard SD card slot (UHS-II, 312MB/s), HDMI 2.1 and an audio jack. This diversity of connections ensures great flexibility, allowing a variety of peripherals to be connected without the need for additional dongles or adapters.
In addition to these connectors, the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED also offers compatibility with the Asus Pen 2.0. This stylus is sensitive to 4,096 levels of pressure, equipped with four leads and features fast USB-C charging.
The typing experience on the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED is another highlight worth highlighting. Thanks to ErgoSense technology, typing is efficient and pleasant, with a very correct rebound that allows a fast and comfortable typing. The keys respond precisely, giving a satisfying tactile feel, whether writing long documents, or simply browsing the web.
The Zenbook Pro 14 OLED strikes an enviable balance between finesse and power. It is certainly not as thin as a typical ultrabook, but with a thickness of 17.9 mm, it is sufficiently compact to fit in the vast majority of bags.
This balance between portability and performance makes it an attractive option for those looking for a powerful machine without sacrificing the convenience of easily transporting it. Whether for business trips, on-the-go gaming sessions, or just working in a coffee shop, this combination of finesse and power makes the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED suitable for a multitude of scenarios and needs.
Impressive performance
Under the hood, the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED hides a CPU 13th Generation Intel Core i9-13900Ha dGPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB GDDR6) And 16 GB DDR5 for RAM. This combination delivers robust performance on paper.
In practice, the machine proves to be versatile, capable of handling both demanding games and productivity applications requiring significant power.
The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404) particularly shines in the gaming realm. Equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 dGPU and with DLSS 3 support, it demonstrated impressive performance in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 , reaching an average of 91 fps in 1440p definition. The well-designed chassis architecture keeps the system cool and stable even during intense gaming sessions.
However, it should be noted that the maximum performance can only be achieved when the computer is powered by the 200W adapter, and not by a USB-C cable. USB-C power delivery, while convenient for on the go, won’t provide the power needed for performance mode.
The power of this laptop isn’t limited to gaming. Testing with software such as Blender and DaVinci Resolve Studio has shown that the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED can be an invaluable tool for content creation professionals. Whether for 3D modeling, video editing, or color grading, this machine offers remarkable responsiveness and speed. Scores on specific Blender tests are comparable to machines used in world-renowned studios, making it a serious option for creative professionals.
In terms of thermal efficiency, the laptop felt noisy but not overly loud while gaming. The keyboard’s highest measured temperature was around 45°C, a level that will not interfere with user comfort. Heat management therefore seems to have been carefully considered in the design of this machine. Coupled with the OLED display and overall power of the computer, this thermal efficiency adds to the appeal of the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED as a viable option for those looking to work or play without compromise.
A very encouraging 14-inch format
As you can see, this Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404) is very interesting on paper. For my part, I am delighted to see PCs in 14-inch format with such performance. Before, you had to go to models of 15.6 inches and more to find such power. This downsizing without compromising performance represents a major shift in the laptop landscape.
If we compare it to the 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro chip, we are really faced with two proposals that are both very similar on paper, but very different in practice.
Both laptops appear to be designed to deliver solid performance for creativity and productivity applications. The ZenBook has greater versatility on its side: it is also a machine for playing in very good conditions. The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has better power efficiency, which gives it much longer battery life, as well as higher performance when on battery power.
Here, we have not set up a strict protocol to compare these two machines, but it is very interesting to put them side by side all the same. Because we are faced with two products that are very comparable in terms of market objective, but which clearly differ in their approach and their characteristics.
Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404) price and availability
The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404) offers several configuration options that will influence its price. For a version equipped with an RTX GeForce 3060, it will take around 2,500 euros. However, the specific configuration we got our hands on, including higher performance components like the GeForce RTX 4070, is more like 3,000 euros.
Where to buy
Asus Zenbook Pro 14 (UX6404) at the best price?
This price range puts the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED in the high-end laptop category. It is therefore aimed at professionals, content creators, and demanding gamers who are ready to invest in a versatile and powerful machine, but also transportable.