Asus is releasing its Zenbook 14 OLED with an AMD Ryzen processor, a few months after the release of the Intel Core Ultra version. An ultra-portable that relies not only on its CPU, but also on its beautiful OLED screen, its thin and light chassis as well as its reduced price. The best portable computer on the market?
At CES, Asus presented its new laptops, including the Zenbook 14 OLED UX3405 that we tested immediately. A product which had the particularity of embedding an Intel Core Ultra processor. Today we are testing the same PC, but with an AMD Ryzen processor: the Zenbook 14 OLED UM3406.
We had already been greatly won over by the Intel Zenbook 14 OLED, but what about this version? The inclusion of a Ryzen 7 CPU promises similar performance for a much lower price, but is that really the case? We’ll see it right away in this quick test.
Price and availability
The Zenbook 14 OLED UM3406 is already available on the manufacturer’s website and at partner resellers. It is sold in a single version – with a Ryzen 7 8840HS processor and 16 GB of RAM – at the price of 999 euros on certain merchant sites such as Boulanger (it is 1199 euros on the official Asus website). This is much less than the Intel Core Ultra 7 version, which is sold between 1299 euros and 1499 euros! So on paper we have a real deal. What is it in practice?
| Asus ZenBook 14 OLED (UM3406) | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 14-inch non-touch OLED 2880 x 1800 pixels 120Hz |
| Dimensions | 31 x 22 x 1.49 cm |
| Weight | 1.2kg |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Graphics |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 1 TB |
| Connections | – 2 x Thunderbolt 4 – 1 x USB-A 3.2 – 1x HDMI 2.1 – 1 x 3.5 mm jack port |
| Price | From 999 euros |
Also read – Asus Zenbook 14 OLED UX3405 review: it ticks all the boxes for the perfect small ultra-portable
A design that focuses on efficiency
This Ryzen version of the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED logically uses the same chassis as the Intel version. We therefore find a sober aluminum cover (black here) with the Asus premium logo as decoration.
A computer as thin as it is light, since it only weighs 1.2 kilos and is 1.5 cm thick. It can therefore be carried very easily in a bag, especially since its charger is no bigger than that of a smartphone. Only pitfall? The absence of a carrying bag, especially since the rear cover marks and scratches easily. For a premium product, it’s always a shame to still be forced to invest on the side.
For connectivity, Asus goes straight to the point with two Thuberbolt 4 ports, a USB 3.2 Type-A port, an HDMI 2.1 port as well as a 3.5 mm jack port. This is sufficient for work on the go or in an office, where the user may need to connect an external screen. Practical.
The keyboard is the weak point of this Zenbook, with keys that travel too long and feel sluggish. Too bad, because it doesn’t make the writing very enjoyable, even if we’ve had much worse. It is backlit on four levels and does not have a numeric keypad. The latter is actually present within the trackpad itself, since the pad is highlighted there with a clever play of light. A feature that Asus has been promoting for several years and which still proves effective and useful.
We notice the appearance of the Copilot key on the keyboard, instead of the right Fn key. The Microsoft tool is not yet available in France, so it is useless for the moment (it only displays Windows 11 Widgets). On the bright side, the Zenbook is futureproof. and therefore ready to welcome the Redmond firm’s AI tools. We take note.
Finally, we have a screen part that rotates 180 degrees relative to the keyboard. The screen/front ratio is 85% and we notice plastic edges (note that we tested the touch version of the Zenbook 14 OLED Intel Ultra, and that it therefore had glass edges). On the upper edge, we find an IR camera which allows you to unlock your PC using Windows Hello. We particularly appreciate the presence of a physical cache for security. A feature that should be required for all products on the market.
In summary, Asus knows how to do it in terms of design and shows it again with this PC. The Zenbook 14 OLED is certainly not the most beautiful computer on the market, or even the most original, but it has the merit of offering an ergonomic, practical, light and pleasant design. We could criticize his keyboard not at the level of the rest, but out of that, the rendered copy is excellent.
A high quality OLED screen
The Zenbook 14 OLED is equipped with a non-touch screen (OLED of course) 14 inches and a definition of 2880 x 1800 pixels. The panel also offers a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which provides additional comfort compared to the classic 60 Hz. All the most classic features for this type of premium product.
Technically, this screen does not differ in any way from the Intel version that we tested a few weeks ago, apart from the absence of touchscreen. OLED technology always provides a big advantage compared to IPS LCD, with almost infinite contrasts. Concretely, the blacks are very deep and the whites bright, which gives perfect readability especially in series or games. Brightness, however, is the weak point of this technology, with a peak at 400 cd/m² here. Add to that strawberry highlight processing and we have a computer that is very difficult to use outdoors, with the screen being unreadable. This is the only notable flaw in this segment.
The Asus calibration appears to be very controlled, with a temperature of 6500K, the video standard. On a white display, the image tends neither towards red nor towards blue. Within the MyAsus software, the brand offers several profiles. We recommend sRGB which displays an average Delta E of 1.2 (below 3 being excellent) which is synonymous with faithful colors. Those who want a more eye-pleasing image can look to the DCI P3, which makes primary colors neon. An enjoyable mode in game or for watching a film. In short, a good calibration and which has the merit of being customizable.
A very successful technical part
Our model of Zenbook 14 OLED features an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor (8 cores, 16 threads) supported by 16 GB of RAM. A processor that also relies on artificial intelligence, just like its Intel counterparts. For now, this is only limited to the promises, since we will see the applications little by little in the future. Add to this the presence of an AMD Radeon Graphic iGPU to complete the picture.
We ran our usual benchmarks on it and the results obtained show a more powerful processor than its Intel equivalent, especially in the graphics part. Concretely, the Ryzen 7 is a high-performance computer, capable of running the most demanding software on the market without shaking, but also some games.
It is at the level of the graphic part that the Zenbook 14 OLED Ryzen impresses. We launched Red Dead Redemption 2 with graphics on average, and it peaked at 37 frames per second. Baldur’s Gate 3, for its part, reaches 30 frames per second on low. Difficult to compare it with the Intel Ultra version of the Zenbook 14, the Intel Arc drivers not being available at the time of our previous test, but it’s very good for an ultrabook.
However, we can correlate these results with other machines tested since and equipped with an Intel Arc, such as the Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360 or the MSI Claw. If the Arc also allows you to play calmly, they gave us inferior results. AMD advantage on gaming, SO. Let’s remember that the Zenbook 14 OLED is obviously not a gaming PC, but it can still entertain you between two work sessions, as long as you don’t ask too much of it. A very good point.
All this is accompanied by excellent heat and noise management. When the Zenbook is put to the test, it remains quiet and cool, with a CPU that does not exceed 65 degrees and a GPU at 75 degrees. As we can see, the chassis does not exceed 44 degrees between the keyboard and the screen, with a peak of 51 degrees below. The hot air is both expelled in the hinge, but also in the vents located on the left edge. A freshness which is accompanied by the silence of the fans, which do not exceed 42 decibels. We can hear a breath, but it remains very discreet. In short, the ZenBook 14 OLED Ryzen version is powerful, capable of running both demanding software and a few games with concessions, all while perfectly managing its heating. What more ?
In terms of autonomy, the Zenbook 14 OLED Ryzen version provides the same results as its Intel counterpart. In streaming video playback, we get around 12 hours and in classic office use, we exceed 14 hours (screen brightness set to 50%). Fact, it is entirely possible to last a whole day by leaving its charger at home, which in any case is small, light, and can therefore also be easily transported. A true ultra-portable, in the first sense of the word.
So, should we buy?
The Zenbook 14 OLED is an excellent ultra-portable. Technically impeccable, with a convincing and pleasant design to use, it also benefits from excellent value for money. Our test model can indeed be found at 999 euros and at this price, it is difficult to find better on the market for an equivalent configuration.
An attractive price that is mainly due to the presence of a Ryzen processor, no less efficient than its Intel counterpart, but less expensive. A model that deserves your interest if you are looking for a lightweight, high-performance ultra-portable with a beautiful screen and you don’t want to break the bank. Yes, it has flaws, such as a not-so-nice keyboard and unintuitive pre-installed Asus software, but it is simply the best in its price segment.
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