ASUS ZenBook series is a line of thin, lightweight Ultrabooks that carry powerful hardware. In fact, they are as powerful as the ROG series which is a dedicated line of ASUS gaming laptops. The ZenBook series laptops meet the criteria of a user-friendly powerful devices. These models offer high-end specs that promise superior performance with portability at reasonable prices. On the bright side, you can get an all-day battery performance from ASUS ZenBook series.
The ASUS ZenBook 434 comes with the same qualities and with some additional features. It comes with a 14-inch chassis which makes this ZenBook a portable choice among Core i7 laptops. Unlike AMD laptops, it packs formidable hardware that can deliver high-speed performance. The availability of an FHD touchscreen with the 10th generation CPU makes it a promising laptop.
We have evaluated the specs and functionality of this ultra-slim laptop. Below you can read about the design, display, specification, and performance of ASUS ZenBook US434FQ in detail.
Key Specifications
Processor: Intel Core i7-10510U / 1.8GHz Max. Turbo Speed 4.9GHz (10th Gen.)
RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB SSD & 32GB Optane
Display: 14-inch Touchscreen FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX350 Dedicated (GDDR5, 2GB)
Weight: About 2.84lbs (1.29kg)
Battery: 50Wh
Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit
ASUS ZenBook Blue Price: £1,299.99 £1,099.99
At this price, ASUS ZenBook US434FQ 14 offers the specs that are equivalent to Apple MacBook. It seems like a laptop that can help you accomplish your tasks with ease and speed in less time.
Design and built
The model we evaluated for this review came in Royal Blue colour with a touch of style. The Blue hue extends from the external lid to its keyboard deck while the keys are marked with white letters. The areas around the display are also blue and thin bezel design makes the screen more prominent.
This is an Ergo Lift hinge design that offers an inclined typing position by lifting the keyboard deck. We found it easy to use and open as we were able to lift the lid with a single hand. ASUS has hidden the thermal between the hinges that blow hot air while the laptop draws fresh air from underneath grills.
ASUS ZenBook Blue 14: Display Review
The display on this 14-inch laptop is an FHD panel with a touchscreen. Like most of the ASUS ZenBook series models, the resolution is 1080p which is equally ideal for both work and gaming. We were able to measure the maximum screen brightness of 355 in the middle.
We evaluated the touchscreen and found it highly responsive and were able to access files quickly. It responds effectively to commands and delivers snappy performance with multiple touches.
Keyboard Performance
The keyboard on the ZenBook Blue 14 is almost the same that we have seen on previous ASUS ZenBook series models. This is a standard ASUS keyboard with full-size keys which are ideal for typing. The keys are softly finished and have proper spacing, while the arrow keys are short. On the top, there is a set of function keys which are smaller in size but offer good access.
Coming to its performance, this is a short-stroke keyboard like any other ultraportable laptop. The main deck has a little flex while the keys need a firm press for proper actuation. We found the keystroke to be 1.4mm which is fair and slight close to the ideal average of 1.5mm.
This is a great keyboard for average user and writers, thanks to its appropriate key size. However, if you are a fast typist with a speed of more than 80wps, you may find it a bit slow.
Touchpad Performance
The touchpad on ASUS ZenBook Blue 14 is a ScreenPad with a 5.65-inch wide actual screen. This is an IPS-equipped panel with a screen resolution of 2160 x 1440p. You can activate or deactivate it with the F6 function key and can turn it into a glass touchpad or a dazzling Screen Pad.
However, the ScreenPad uses battery extensively which can affect your performance while commuting. Nonetheless, this is an incredible screen which you can use to open extra features or as a secondary display.
Ports Availability
The port selection on this 14-inch ZenBook is moderate and in accordance with the business user needs. There is an HDMI output, a USB-C port and two USB-A ports. Unfortunately, there is no Thunderbolt 3 and it also lacks a full-size card-reader slot. On the contrary, the USB-C port does not support fast charging and can only be used for data transfer.
Hardware Selection & Performance
ASUS has loaded the ZenBook 434 with the 10th generation Core i7-10510U processor. It can deliver a clock speed range between 1.8GHz to 4.9GHz and works well with 16GB RAM. Additionally, there is 512GB solid-state drive and 32GB Optane memory that further shines its performance.
The best feature of this 14-inch laptop is its dedicated GPU. ASUS has armed it with the GeForce MX350 graphics card which comes with the 2GB GDDR5 VRAM.
We evaluated its performance by running everyday office software and designing programs like Adobe. The inclusion of dedicated GPU means you can enjoy mid-range gaming on a 1080p FHD display. We played PUBG on ASUS ZenBook Blue 14 and find its performance equivalent to other high-class ASUS gaming laptops.
The laptop delivers crispy visuals with bright colours without overheating or showing any signs of lag. This is an amazing 14-inch laptop from ASUS ZenBook series that you can get for gaming.
Battery Performance
ASUS ZenBook US434FQ packs 50Wh battery which is common on 13 and 14-inch laptops. This is not an over the top selection, but somehow ASUS has managed to ensure great battery performance. The brand claims that it can deliver up to 14 hours of battery life, but it greatly depends on how you use it.
Final Verdict
The ZenBook Blue 14 is a decent pick from ASUS ZenBook series if you are after powerful hardware. Among Core i7 Laptops, this is a laptop that provides both portability and power at an affordable price. Its 10th generation CPU, massive RAM, FHD touchscreen, and satisfactory keyboard make it one of the best ASUS gaming laptops.
