ASUS didn’t make the ASUS Dial exclusive to the ProArt StudioBook. Now yes, the physical dial experience is limited to the ProArt, ASUS decided to make a version of the ASUS Dial available on two other laptops: the ASUS Zenbook 14 Pro OLED and the Vivobook. But as someone who has always had this affinity towards the Zenbook in general – this one has got to be the most well-executed Zenbook I have seen in a long while – and let us explain why in this ASUS Zenbook 14 Pro OLED UX6404 First Look.
ASUS Zenbook 14 Pro OLED UX6404 First Look
A Proper Pro Hardware
The ASUS Zenbook 14 Pro OLED UX6404 is one of the three Zenbook made available for 2023, aside from the usual Duo and the 14X OLED – which has some interesting spec changes as well. Now, the laptop comes equipped with the next Generation Intel H Series Processor with NVIDIA RTX 40 Series GPU underneath – should be the RTX 4070. Now, to see a Zenbook in this dimension to have a powerful GPU is a new move, one we have not seen before. Coupled with this you get up to 16GB DDR5 which can be upgraded to 32GB and storage of up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD.
The display on this laptop is no joke either – it houses a 14.5” 16:10 2.8K OLED Display with HDR capabilities and a 120Hz refresh rate. All these in a 1.65kg laptop are crazy impressive.
Good Riddance MicroSD Reader, Hello SD Card Reader
If there’s one thing I’d like brands to eliminate in general is the MicroSD card reader which the majority never use. The ASUS Zenbook 14 Pro OLED UX6404 ditches that for a proper full-size SD Card reader – we aren’t too sure of the speeds but if it’s a 7.0 card reader – it would be solid. So, no more having the need to hunt for that reader in your bag or regretting that you have forgotten it at home or at your office.
Elegant Design and Build
The cleaner design choice for the ASUS Zenbook 14 Pro OLED UX6404 is working because not only it looks understated but it looks extremely elegant to look at. The soft-touch-like metal finishes on the back and near the keyboard area including the palm rest is nice. While it doesn’t attract fingerprints, if you do happen to sweat a lot on your palms or say touch your laptop with a greasy hand, it will get dirty. So, just make sure to clean it from time to time.
A Variation of the ASUS Dial is here
On the trackpad, the ASUS Zenbook 14 Pro OLED UX6404 has a variation of the ASUS dial with the same idea as the ProArt StudioBook. What I do like about this ASUS dial is that the entire circumference of the circle is the rotatable dial and you have the click button in the middle of the circle. Since it has the ASUS Dial, the trackpad doesn’t have the “Tron-like-number pad” that the other Zenbook will feature.
Conclusion
For those who are not a huge fan of gaming laptop and is looking for a clean laptop which does have the performance one would need, this ASUS Zenbook 14 Pro OLED UX6404 is a surprising addition to the lineup. I am still in this shock, to see a Standard SD card slot which went missing in action from laptops for years.
Literally, during the hands-on – I turned to the ASUS product specialist and thanked them for bringing back the SD card slot because that’s how much many creators care about. So, if I do plan to switch from my current Zenbook, it would be to this new OLED laptop. Although I have to remember that I will be losing the dual display experience. I will think about it when the time comes. In the meantime, this is the first look at the ASUS Zenbook 14 Pro OLED UX 6404.
Stay tuned to us as we will review this laptop very soon – when the time comes, of course.
